To state the obvious, Africa is a big continent, so planning a trip to experience its wildlife can be almost impossible due to all the different choices. One thing is a must – you have to stay in one of the incredible African safari lodges.
The search for the right one for you can also be overwhelming. So I’ve put together a list of the most luxurious safari lodges in Africa to make your choice a little simpler.
Each and everyone of these has excellent service, amazing game day and night drives, walking safaris, expert guides, and fabulous food and drinks as you would expect from the best safari lodges anywhere.
Most of these safari camps are situated in private reserves. Whether they are tented lodges or private suites, most have spectacular views and these luxury lodges are some of the best hotels in the world.
Mala Mala, South Africa
One of the first, if not the first, luxury safari lodges, Mala Mala sits adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. As it’s privately owned land, the game drives can take you off road and super close to the animals!
It’s easy to get to from either Johannesburg and Cape Town on a scheduled flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport where they will pick you up and take you right to the camp. After a short drive, you are in front of the main lodge (or the more exclusive MalaMala Rattray’s Camp), having passed your first glimpse of the wildlife.
The individual lodges at MalaMala camp rooms are African in design, with contemporary furniture with local touches and my favorite, an outdoor shower in every room. There are daily game drives and sundowners. Also don’t miss the pool which sometimes is shared with the elephants. Great food and fabulous drinks are served at the main guest lodge!
Read more about Mala Mala here! To book, visit TripAdvisor.
The Motse Tswalu, South Africa
With only nine lodges at The Motse, you are bound to have an incredible experience. The Motse lies in the Southern Kalahari in South Africa – a beautiful place to see wildlife. The camp is quite small with only six suites for two guests and three luxury suites that can house up to four guests. Each suite has an outside sitting area with a shaded verandah with which to see the meerkats! You can even sleep outside if you are so inclined!
Don’t miss the Klein JAN restaurant for fine dining. Tswalu also offers a sustainable wellness spa and they give great massages!
Check out more on Tripadvisor. Or book at Hotels.com
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Tengile River Lodge, South Africa
The Tengile River Lodge in Sabi Sands offers luxurious lodges that have some of the best views over the Tengile River. As it is placed on the banks of the river, guests can enjoy watching the best game come up and have a sip at any time of day. Although they have game drives, it’s hard to leave the river. It’s the perfect place to settle in and watch all day.
There are nine luxurious suites, private lounge areas, plus the communal guest area has the dining area and a bar, massage center and gym.
Check out more on Tripadvisor.
Lion Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
There’s a reason the Lion Sands Lodges is an award-winner; they are one of the only private lodges which can access the Sabi River which flows through the Kruger National Park.
Each of the lodges, the Ivory Lodge, the River Lodge, the Tinga Lodge, the Narina Lodge and the Treehouse Safari lodge offer completely different experiences, so it’s fun to book one after the other! I must admit that the Treehouse Lodge is insanely good with only the sky as your ceiling.
Check out more on Tripadvisor. Or book at Hotels.com
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San Camp, Botswana
Tented camps add a whole other dimension to the African game reserve experience and San Camp is one of the best. On the edge of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pan National Park lies San Camp’s seven white tents. These are no regular tents, but the ultimate in luxury.
Each tent has a classic European interior, with wooden beds and furniture, bare but beautiful. Don’t worry, each has a flush toilet, bath and hot shower! All the action happens at the shared tea tent, the communal dining spaces and outside your deck! Forget your phones and leave your work at home as there is no service here.
Check out more on Tripadvisor. Or book at Hotels.com
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Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, Botswana
Tucked in the Moremi Game Reserve on the Okavango Delta in Botswana is the treasure that is Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, which is situated on Chief’s Island in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve.
They offer two main lodgings; the 12 room camp and the private, luxurious Geoffrey Kent Suite with its own private guide, chef and butler. The food is fabulous in both and there is even a spa and fitness center!
Check out more here on their website.
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Singita Lebombo Lodge, South Africa
One of the most famous of the luxurious safari lodges in Africa, Singita LeBombo Lodge is the height of luxury! If lions are your thing, you can’t get any better than here where you are resting on the banks of the Nwanetsi River in Kruger National Park.
They offer thirteen suites, two 2-bedroom suites and one 4-bedroom villa. You’ll also love its private plunge pool and the spa and fitness center. There are also wine tastings, a fabulous wine cellar, a library and a wonderful dining room made especially for star-gazing. Also don’t miss the cooking classes.
Other Singita properties are also not to be missed, like the Singita Boulders Lodge and the Singita Sweni Lodge!
Check out more here on their website or on Tripadvisor.
Angama Mara, Kenya
A few think there is no better safari lodge in the world than Angama Mara. Set in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, you can see forever. Angama actually means “suspended in mid-air,” so the floor-to-window ceilings will be no surprise.
Decorated using locally inspired pieces, the suites are a wonderful combination of African and European design. Each has a drinks cabinet as well as a writing desk. Your tea and coffee is brought to your tent every morning and you’ll feel alone while watching the animals go by.
Check out more on Tripadvisor.
Royal Malewane, South Africa
One of the most stylish of the Safari Lodges, the Royal Malewane is tough to beat. What makes the Royal Malewane different is its award-winning spa, which is considered one of the best in all of Africa.
Set in Kruger National Park, the lodge only offers six suites, two Royal suites and a luxurious Villa. You’ll find a heated lap pool, a gym, and a steam room. Of course, Royal Malewane has fabulous food and great wine tastings.
Check out more on Tripadvisor. Or book at Hotels.com
Londolozi Private Granite Suites, South Africa
Although all the Londolozi lodges are all fantastic, my favorite are the Private Granite Suites. They were built to meld perfectly with the surroundings. The Granite Suites are “a celebration of elephants and rivers.” Only three rooms, it is one of the most luxurious in Africa.
It faces the Sand river where elephants and other wildlife drink and cool themselves. The suites also have outdoor bathes, a heated swimming pool and a large sitting area and was the first safari lodge in Africa to be accepted as a Relais & Chateaux property.
Check out more on Tripadvisor.
Mombo Camp, Botswana
Another award-winning safari lodge, Mombo Camp is in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and has the Mombo Camp and the Little Mombo Camp, both situated only a little distance from each other.
Located in the Delta’s Moremi Game Reserve, the lodge is committed to sustainability and not only are the tents built with only natural materials, with a portion of the bill going toward local projects.
Each tent sits nested in between mangosteen and fig trees. You also have your very own plunge pool and viewing deck. You are almost guaranteed to see the big cats, but also some of the smaller species!
Check out more on Tripadvisor.
Molori Safari Lodge, Botswana & South Africa
Molori Safari Lodge borders Botswana and lies in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve in the Northwest province of Southern Africa.
Molori Safari Lodge offers five villas, each luxuriously decorated. There are four dining areas and a bar. Twin infinity pools and a hot spa bath are available on an outdoor deck. There is a wonderful library too, where a wide selection of books is available to every bookworm.
Check out more on Tripadvisor.
Chinzombo, South Luangwa, Zambia
Zambia is not the first palace people choose when looking to go to Africa on safari. That is a big mistake. Sitting on the edge of the Luangwa River, you’ll have hippos waking you up in the morning and elephants visiting you throughout the day.
You will be almost alone in visiting Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, making it one of the most luxurious spots in all of Africa. The luxury tents are made using canvas, wood and leather with a veranda and pool. The open-air library is a must visit and they have a kitchen garden! You can enjoy the sounds of the bush from anywhere in the lodge.
Check out more on Tripadvisor.
Waste no more time and start planning your trip to Africa and stay at one of the above lodges for an experience of your lifetime.