Camp Nivica is a Swedish-Albanian collaboration
Astrid Lindberg
Camp manager and initiator
Astrid Lindberg has spent recent years developing the concept of Camp Nivica; drawing experience and inspiration from her travels to African destinations. From her first job at safari lodge in the Kalahari Desert to the more recent travels such as the animist-villages of Dogon, gorilla-trekking in the DRC and living at the mysterious “Africa House” Shiwangandu, Astrid has always been fascinated by "off the beaten track" destinations.
At Camp Nivica she has tried to incorporate the best elements of the African safari camps to Albania; namely a “nature luxury” destination in the Albanian mountains. A combination of rustic elegance, high-level comfort and local delicacies. The Safari formula has been re-invented countless times across the world; when successful it allows remote destinations to take advantage of its isolation - bringing adventure-seekers close to striking nature, rural culture and refreshing activities.
established in 2017
“For most visitors, the greatest revelation about Albania is the hospitality and kindness of the Albanian people”
- Gillian Gloyer, author of the Bradt travel guide "Albania
What differentiates glamping from camping?
Contemporary chic nowadays means that less is more.
The seed for a hotel project in Albania was born in October 2016 during a bumpy car ride through the south Albanian mountains. Nivica village at this time was a dilapidated village, struggling with economic development and urbanization.
Camp Nivica is the product of the Swedish-Albanian company Albvil. The vision of Albvil is create a new brand of touristic products of Scandinavian quality in Albania, primarily through investment, development and marketing of sustainable boutique hotels and tourism concepts.
Nivica is located in the heart of the Albanian south; a strategic location with closeness to the UNESCO-sites Gjirokastra, Berat and Butrint as well as the Albanian Riviera, making it possible to produce a unique and varied travel itinerary’s combining hiking, cultural excursions and visits to the coast.
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Albvil was first introduced to Nivica by Auron Tare of the Albanian National Coastline Agency in October 2016; In 2017 they initiated a project to connect the Albanian coastline with mountain communities in South Albania - primarily through the reconstruction of a new city center and lobbying for a new road leading into the mountains. A new road is now in place.
Through the work of the National Coastal Agency Nivica has been identified by international magazine National Geographic as “South Albania’s first village for a new, sustainable model”. In the competitive tourism market activities and adventure travel are on the rise globally. To spend a holiday hiking, biking or rock climbing is becoming increasingly popular. It is not uncommon for active travelers to spend up to a week on a mountain trail, walking by foot between different "rifugios" or staying in glamorous camping tents.
Today’s concept of luxury isn’t what it used to be; for travelers it is about the personal journey, the experience and the story behind a destination. Cementing this idea further is the trend for 'tiny' and intimate hotels that are springing up across the world.
It is Albvil’s intention to bring this trend to Nivica, creating the new brand destination” Camp Nivica”, an Africa-inspired tented safari accommodation, located in the most exciting part of southern Albania.
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Glamping itself is a telescope word: a merger of camping and glamour and describes a style of camping with amenities not usually associated with "traditional" camping. Glamping has become particularly popular with 21st-century tourists seeking the luxuries of hotel accommodation alongside the escapism and adventure recreation camping. The essence of glamping is that it is an experience where nature meets modern conveniences and that little extra.
Glamping is basically a luxury campsite, but it is more like a hotel with slightly different accommodation and location than a campsite. Therefore, it is sometimes also called boutique camping. A glamping site is pre-arranged upon guests’ arrival, for example guests do not have to travel with the tent themselves. The main highlight about a glamping site is that guests have the opportunity not only to experience nature but also to live in a beautiful landscape.
The Camp Nivica-concept introduces a unique touristic experience in the form of six stylish and spacious 'Meru' safari tents. Safari tents offer a rustic elegance with comfortable beds, sheets and duvets. The camp is the base for activities such as hiking, biking, off-road driving and yoga.