The Best Luxury Safari Lodges in Africa

Africa’s luxury safari lodges are defined by their originality, exclusivity, attention to detail and for some, a contribution to positive impact initiatives. The best lodges offer you the chance to immerse yourself in memorable wildlife and safari experiences in complete comfort. 

In Botswana, you may stay in a suite looking across a river teeming with hippopotamuses, and in Namibia, you might sleep on the edge of a vast desert, where zebras and oryx roam. In Tanzania, a private terrace awaits with a front row seat to extraordinary wildlife spectacles. Our expert travel designers have highlighted the most luxurious safari lodges in Africa, and the experiences that make each one unique.

Tswalu, in the Kalahari Desert, is South Africa’s largest private reserve. Within this vast reserve there are just three luxurious places to stay. Tarkuni Private House is an elegant homestead perfect for families and groups of friends. Relax in the desert with private excursions, a dedicated host and gourmet chef. At Loapi you’ll find four remote safari tented homes, a place for utter immersion in the wilderness. And at Motse, nine thatched cottages are set within Indigenous gardens where antelope roam. Two cooling swimming pools, a wine cellar and cosy social areas around glowing fire pits are just a few of the glorious details you can enjoy here.    

Staying at Tswalu feels like being in a wildlife documentary, where experiences are rooted in the vast, arid desert landscapes home to some of Africa’s rarest wildlife. You’ll have the opportunity to observe wild dogs and track black-maned Kalahari lions and the elusive pangolin alongside expert guides. The reserve is also naturally malaria-free, making it a great place to travel with children.

Set among bushveld trees along the Nlharalumi River in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Tanda Tula offers an intimate, exclusive South African luxury safari lodge atmosphere. There are just 12 canvas-and-glass suites, each solar-powered and decorated with natural wood and the fabrics of the Indigenous Tsonga people. 

Tanda Tula is entirely owner-run, with a strong focus on personal hosting, so your schedule will be completely bespoke. Days often begin with sunrise game drives, where your guide – a South African Master Tracker – will help you spot the Big Five. Evenings end with dinner around the fire, listening to the calls of nightjars and hyenas. Guest fees contribute to conservation management in Timbavati and support community education through the Tanda Tula Foundation.

Located within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge has eight glass-walled villas that reveal sweeping views of the Sabie River. The decor is contemporary yet rooted in African design, with natural stone, timber and textiles. Each villa features a private infinity pool and deck, providing serene wildlife viewing in complete seclusion. The lodge also offers sleep-out treehouses, where you can spend a night beneath the stars surrounded by the sounds of the bush. 

Game drives are given in open-sided game-viewing vehicles for unobstructed views of landscapes and wildlife. Be sure to keep a lookout for leopards – the reserve is known for its high population densities. Expert trackers will also take you on guided bush walks, or you can visit the nearby Tsonga village to learn about Indigenous medicine and shop for handmade crafts. 

Tengile River Lodge sits in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, with nine secluded suites, each with panoramic views, a lounge, dining area, bar, large deck and pool – all this right on the banks of the river. Sustainability practices are integrated into the lodge’s ethos. It was constructed from environmentally friendly and recycled materials, while the sand covered rooftops allow the structures to blend in with their natural surroundings. Solar power systems and water treatment processes reduce electricity and water use. 

Paying tribute to the splendour of its setting, the lodge is designed so you can take in magnificent river views from every corner. Each suite comes with a spectacular private deck, allowing you to observe wildlife from the very moment you wake up. Later in the day, pick a spot at one of the multiple sitting areas around the lodge to see herds of elephants congregate in the riverbed across the bush. And when you’re not out exploring the surroundings, birdwatching, or on a safari game drive, relax with a therapeutic massage in the spa for a sublime way to end the day.

Angama Mara in Kenya’s Mara Conservancies offers complete luxury within a traditional safari setting. The location on a hilltop overlooking the plains is breathtaking, once used for the iconic photo taken to promote the film Out of Africa. Today you can relive this Hollywood moment by enjoying a gourmet picnic in the exact spot to create your own romantic memories. The location within protected private conservancies, alongside the camps’ expert guides, means that wildlife experiences here are exceptional, there are equally inspiring opportunities to learn about culture and the sustainability practices adopted by the lodge. 

We love the organic farm-garden where you can enjoy picnic lunches, the Maasai beading workshop, the spa pavilion complete with one of the most well-equipped gyms of any of Kenya’s luxury safari lodges, and a beautiful pool with particularly enchanting views of the wildlife rich landscapes below. 

lIn the foothills of Mount Kenya, Jochen Zeitz, philanthropist and founder of the Zeitz Foundation, established the Segera Retreat right in the heart of Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau. Segera offers five garden villas and five homes, and though each has their own distinctive style, all are large, spacious and luxurious. We particularly recommend staying a night at the Nay Palad Bird Nest, a sleepout in a raised tower featuring an inviting, lantern-lit bed resembling a bird’s nest made entirely of raw materials, including tree branches woven by local community members.

There’s no shortage of activities and one-of-a-kind experiences for you to try at Segera Retreat, alongside daily game drives and wildlife viewing. You can learn about the Kenyan tradition of bee keeping, take in a fantastic collection of African art, meet the ranger unit, and much more. Enjoy splendid views of Mount Kenya right from the lodge and hearty farm-to-table meals from the vegetable garden before unwinding in the rasul steam shower and spa, which leaves you feeling like you’re floating on a cloud. 

The Singita Grumeti is a private reserve within one of the world’s greatest wildlife areas, the Serengeti. Situated on a hill that overlooks one of the region’s most active wildlife spots is Singita Sasakwa. In an unusual twist on the classic safari lodge, it’s built in the style of an Edwardian manor house, offering exquisite luxury within a cocoon of elegant interiors. Marvel at polished parquet floors, dazzling chandeliers and artifacts and textiles inspired by local culture, all surrounded by peaceful verandahs and manicured lawns.

Staying here offers a perfect combination of award-winning luxury and the wild and raw experience of big game viewing. You can also enjoy tennis courts, horse riding and spa treatments, making this a lodge where classic safari meets refined country house living. Your stay also plays a part in supporting local communities and wildlife through the Singita Conservation Foundation.

Set on the quiet western side of the Serengeti national park, away from other camps, the Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge has been constructed in a bold, contemporary design utilising natural materials, with interiors that feature enormous windows, functional artworks and warm Maasai fabrics. Ten suites are situated along a tributary of the Grumeti River with large viewing decks and private plunge pools overlooking the bush. 

Wildlife is ever-present here: hippopotamuses wallow in the river below, elephants and buffalo graze the surrounding floodplains and huge prides of lions laze in the soft sunshine. Dining is often outdoors, with lantern-lit dinners under starry Tanzanian skies. Activities range from classic game drives to day trips to Lake Victoria – the continent’s largest lake. Expert-guided walking safaris offer the chance to see the Serengeti’s predators and plains at ground level, while hot air balloon rides give a bird’s-eye view of the plains during the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Big on design and even bigger in views, Wilderness Mombo raises the bar for safari stays. It is often referred to as the ‘mother of all camps’, thanks to its remarkable game viewing experience coupled with the service and luxury of the lodge. Plush tents equipped with a private plunge pool and set right in the middle of the world-renowned Okavango Delta serve as perfect vantage points for wildlife spotting. 

Of course, the best thing to do during your stay is an early morning game drive alongside the lodge’s top-tier guides in pursuit of the Big Five as well as some of Africa’s rare species – perhaps a pangolin or honey badger. In addition to traditional game drives, guests can experience cultural immersion with a boma evening of local folk song and dance.

Wilderness Mombo Camp is also a conservation leader, with much of the power provided by a solar farm and a portion of your rates going towards their preservation projects.

Set in the vast and remote Selinda Reserve near the Linyanti river system, Zarafa has only four luxury tents overlooking Zibadianja Lagoon, creating one of the most exclusive safari experiences in Botswana. Each tent is set on raised blocks to avoid disrupting the environment, and has polished wood floors, copper bathtubs and private plunge pools. There’s also the exclusive Dhow Suite, a separate two-bedroom tent located upriver from the main lodge, offering exceptional privacy.

The camp was co-founded by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and stays here will give you the opportunity to learn about their strong conservation ethos. Solar power, water filtration systems and vegetable-oil-powered vehicles ensure the camp contributes to sustainability. Wildlife encounters are almost certain to include the Big Five, as well as lesser-known species, such as red lechwe antelope and African fish eagles.

The staggering beauty of Wilderness DumaTau and nearby Wilderness Little DumaTau is a clear representation of Botswana’s uniqueness. With uninterrupted views over the Osprey Lagoon and a fantastic vantage point from which to watch the herds of elephants, both camps are perfectly located for making the most of your stay in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. The location is a magnet for animals that often wander peacefully through the camp.

Ideal for guests on the lookout for an unspoiled stay in the wild, this is where adventure and luxury collide. Both Wilderness DumaTau and Wilderness Little DumaTau offer suites that are equipped with a private plunge pool mere steps from the wildlife corridors. For a much-needed injection of wellness in your stay, visit the on-site Osprey Retreat for a few hours of indulgent relaxation.

Easy access to the Linyanti floodplain as well as the Savuti Channel means countless opportunities to spot the iconic Kalahari elephants. Besides, the marshes and forests are also home to roan and sable antelopes, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and wild dogs, to list a few. Predator action is also good year-round.

While day and night game drives are popular among guests, they also offer a long list of other activities, such as nature walks or exploring the river onboard motorboats or a river barge (depending on water levels).

This is a camp that captures the vast space and endless horizons of Namibia perfectly. Set in the remote Kaokoveld, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp lies at the confluence of two tributaries of the Hoanib River, surrounded by gravel plains, dry riverbeds and craggy mountains. The environment feels stark and remote, yet it supports specially adapted wildlife, including desert elephants, oryx, giraffes and Namibia’s critically endangered desert lions.

Eight large tented suites, built from canvas and wood, are raised on decks with views across this arid wilderness. Interiors are pared-back and contemporary, using pale timber and neutral fabrics to echo the desert palette. From camp, you can explore further afield on drives towards the Skeleton Coast, where shipwrecks and seal colonies mark the meeting of dunes and ocean.

Located on the banks of the Kunene River in the far north-west of Namibia, Wilderness Serra Cafema is one of the most remote lodges in Africa. Its eight villas are set along the riverbank on raised decking and have thatch roofs and open views across the river towards Angola. 

Activities are unlike anywhere else: you can take boat trips along the Kunene, guided quad bike adventures over the dunes or cultural visits to meet one of the semi-nomadic Himba communities from the region. The landscapes are stark and endlessly photogenic, making Serra Cafema a lodge that speaks to those seeking both solitude and discovery.

At the edge of the NamibRand Nature Reserve – Namibia’s first and only International Dark Sky Reserve – Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is blanketed by some of the starriest skies in the world. Its ten stone and glass suites each have a private plunge pool and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the desert and night sky. 

Stargazing is a signature experience here, with an on-site open-sky observatory and resident astronomer who offers guided tours of the stars through a pro telescope. By day, you can take in the NamibRand’s towering dunes, rocky outcrops and desert-adapted wildlife on guided drives or hikes. By night, the desert reveals an entirely different spectacle of constellations, planets, galaxies and nocturnal wildlife.

Guarded by the mighty peaks of Volcanoes National Park on one side and rural hills and Afro-alpine forests on the other, Wilderness Bisate Lodge is one of Africa’s most talked-about camps. Not only because of the high density of mountain gorillas that can be found nearby but also because of its characterful design. 

Resembling giant gorilla nests, the lodge is designed in the traditions of Rwandan royalty, with a choice of six opulent en-suite Forest Villas that embody Rwanda’s rich culture. The villas are primely positioned on the edge of Volcanoes National Park on the north-western border, one of the most thrilling safari destinations in Africa.

Beyond gorilla trekking, offerings at Wilderness Bisate Lodge include visits to primatologist Dian Fossey’s research camp and grave, meeting the community on guided village walks or planting a tree as part of Bisate’s reforestation project.

In Rwanda, the utterly charming One&Only Nyungwe House is set amid the leaves of its very own tea plantation, surrounded by ancient rainforest. There are 22 elegant rooms and suites, all equipped with open fireplaces. 

As you enjoy an à la carte brunch on your private deck, nearby forest views give a taste of what’s to come before you head into the mighty Nyungwe National Park. With the wide diversity of animal species in the surroundings – from chimpanzees to rare Mangabey monkeys – and the waters of Lake Kivu nearby, this is a hard-to-beat natural retreat.

For a serious reset post-exploring, you’ll find the One&Only Spa, where you can cocoon in the heart of a working tea farm and soak up the healing energy of the nearby forest. Come dinnertime, mouth-watering, organic, garden-to-plate dishes are served at the communal dining space.

Wilderness Magashi Camp lies in the north-eastern section of Akagera National Park, and all of its six luxury tents overlook Lake Rwanyakazinga. The camp’s intimate and relaxed atmosphere is the ideal spot to escape to after experiencing the bustle of Kigali or after a thrilling gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. 

Between game drives to the nearby savannahs or birdwatching walks with the knowledgeable guides, you’ll find the best spot here to be the fire pit at the communal deck (although many claim that the pool would tie for the win). When not enjoying the serenity of their airy tent, guests are invited to relax in the luxurious lounge or enjoy a meal in the dining and bar area.

In the middle of the Malilangwe Trust, and perched on top of a hill overlooking the vast expanse of Southern Zimbabwe, Singita Pamushana offers an almost birds-eye view of the landscapes without leaving the comfort of the lodge. Within the lodge itself you can expect the highest levels of luxury from the dedicated and personalised service, individual private plunge pools and alfresco ‘deli’ dining (think charcuterie by the fireside). The colours and decor are true to the elements of Zimbabwean culture and tradition which reflect positivity and resilience.

Pamushana strives to have a lasting positive impact on the local economy, mainly through education and food security programmes. You will also have access to a wide array of activities, from fishing and sundowner cruises on Malilangwe Dam to archaeological tours of ancient San rock art sites, always with guides whose insights and expertise will allow you to gain a deep understanding of the region.

Set just a little upstream from Victoria Falls on an exclusive stretch of the Zambezi River, Matetsi Victoria Falls is a luxurious safari lodge set along the riverside in a private game reserve. Activities include horseback safaris, game drives and walks and evening sundowners cruising on the Zambezi – all of which are must-tries.

For complete seclusion and an intimate experience we recommend the Matetsi River House – a completely private four-bedroom villa with a dedicated guide, chef and butler. It’s the ultimate way to safari in style. Another highlight is the lodge’s wine cellar, offering curated tastings paired with fine dining menus. It houses some 3,000 bottles – one of the largest private wine collections in Zimbabwe.

In Hwange National Park, Wilderness Linkwasha Camp combines sleek design with access to some of the park’s most productive wildlife areas. Linkwasha has nine tents, each with wide decks looking across an open plain where elephants and buffalo are frequently spotted. 

Linkwasha is situated on a private concession, ensuring a sense of seclusion, and is only a short game drive to the Ngamo Plains, which are renowned for year-round predator action, especially wild dogs and lions. You can head out on game drives and guided walks or go for a cultural visit to a local village supported by the lodge. You can also book a night in their star bed – an exclusive sleepout on an open deck under the night sky.

One of the more contemporary and deluxe lodges in South Luangwa, Chinzombo offers signature Zambian walking safaris, fabulous game drives on the private reserve, and inspiring views from the rooms. It is chic, remote and captures the essence of the wild luxury that’s synonymous with Southern Africa lodges.

The lodge also places strong emphasis on sustainability, with villas designed to blend into the bush and solar power providing much of the energy. Each of the six villas has a private plunge pool and outdoor deck shaded by ancient msikizi trees. In addition to drives and walks, you can take a boat trip along the Luangwa River, spotting hippopotamuses, crocodiles and prolific birdlife on the water. The camp has also made some thoughtful adaptations to classic safari activities that will appeal to families travelling with children.

If exclusivity is your idea of luxury, then King Lewanika Lodge, run entirely on solar power, is the perfect choice. It is situated in the vast Liuwa Plains National Park, which offers amazing safaris with much fewer guests. Two and a half hours from the nearest airstrip, you’ll feel the remoteness of the lodge from the second you step off the plane. 

There are just six open-fronted villas built from canvas, timber and thatch, with views across the floodplains. The second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa passes through Liuwa (a little-known spectacle compared to the Serengeti), and this is a prime viewing location. You can also embark on seasonal canoe safaris on the floodplains, and year-round, you’re likely to spot hyenas, wild dogs and rare birds.