Where to Go on Safari: 17 Luxury Safari Lodges in Africa

Embark on an extraordinary journey through raw and unfiltered Africa, where luxury and nature synchronise in unexpected and awe-inspiring ways. Discover some of the best luxury safari lodges in Africa, carefully selected to offer an immersive and transformative experience that will exceed your most meticulous expectations. In this curated guide, we take you on a sensory journey through Africa’s most captivating landscapes, from the golden savannahs of the Serengeti to the lush floodplains of the Okavango Delta.

Each lodge or camp represents a haven where elegance and comfort intertwine with the rhythms of the wild. Prepare to be mesmerised by sweeping views, captivated by the abundance of wildlife, and pampered with world-class amenities. Our 2025 selection of luxury safari lodges promises an unparalleled experience, where every moment is an opportunity to connect with nature, embrace slow living, and create memories that will keep calling you back to Africa for the rest of your life.

So, let us guide you on this extraordinary odyssey, where luxury complements the untamed wilderness and Africa’s natural wonders become your playground.

Zimbabwe Luxury Safari Lodges

Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools National Park

Located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi, the opulent Nyamatusi tented camp lies in one of the remotest and wildest parts of Zimbabwe. The camp offers guests six luxury suites and guarantees guests a glimpse into an old and untouched Africa. Each guest tent has air-conditioning, charging points for electronic devices, indoor and outdoor showers, a private viewing deck, and a private plunge pool. Guests have the added luxury of a meticulously curated wine cellar during their holiday.

Mana Pools is an excellent destination for walking safaris in Zimbabwe. Imagine exploring with your guide and seeing tracks on the ground, realising that a pack of wild dogs isn’t far away.

Victoria Falls River Lodge, Zambezi National Park

If a Victoria Falls safari is on your travel bucket list, Victoria Falls River Lodge on the Zimbabwean side of the falls needs to be considered. Located upstream from the famous falls and within the Zambezi National Park, you’ll be able to spot the spray of the waterfalls in the distance while enjoying your own secluded oasis in the wilderness.

The luxurious tented suites afford uninterrupted views of the Zambezi, meaning that the game viewing almost never stops. Imagine slipping into your own private plunge pool while watching a herd of elephants in the distance – a five-star safari experience bar none.

South Africa Luxury Safari Lodges

Royal Malewane, Kruger National Park

Royal Malewane offers an unrivalled safari experience in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park that exudes the romance and beauty of a bygone age while offering every modern comfort you could ask for. A truly memorable experience at this world-class lodge is the bush dinner.

Under a canopy of stars while fires are roaring and candlelight is sparkling, you’ll enjoy delicious food that’s been grilled over an open flame while discussing the incredible wildlife sightings of the day. The most qualified guiding team in Africa delivers a thrilling wildlife experience, providing fascinating insights into the complex ecosystems of the South African bushveld.

Londolozi Private Granite Suites, Sabi Sands Nature Reserve

Meditative luxury, elegance, elephants, and exclusivity are the watchwords of Londolozi Private Granite Suites in one of Kruger National Park’s most outstanding private concessions. The lodge’s enchanting river setting seamlessly blends the inside with the outside. Large windows and doors open directly onto the granite rocks alongside the Sand River, where breeding herds of elephants wander alongside the river below.

There is nothing quite like enjoying a drink with the view of elephants playing in the shallows of the water. Only three exclusive and superlative suites are on offer. Each suite has an incredible outdoor bath as well as a heated private swimming pool. The lodge’s colour scheme of silver, charcoal, and elephant-grey harmonises with its serene atmosphere and surroundings.

Tswalu The Motse Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve

The sheer scale of the Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve will shift something in your soul. Stretching far into the horizon, the golden grasslands and immense pans beckon you to explore. Motse Camp encompasses nine “legae” (a Tswana word for “little house”) built of local stone, rich red clay, and traditional Kalahari thatch. With two swimming pools and a walk-in wine cellar stocked with premium South African vintages, Motse has created a space that celebrates the wilderness while not forgetting about the little luxuries that make a difference to a safari holiday.

The Star Bed experience at Motse gives you the opportunity to be entranced by the heavens, with virtually no pollution muddying the star-filled sky. Spend the night with your loved one stargazing and listening to the nocturnal animals in the wilderness.

Little Saseka, Thornybush Nature Reserve

Little Saseka is the ultimate in safari intimacy. If you’re looking for the seclusion of staying in your own private lodge while staying at the Thornybush Saseka Tented Camp, this certainly ticks all the boxes – and goes beyond. Enjoy the privacy of this all-inclusive accommodation for your entire family or small group. The main villa has a tented suite, a sunken outdoor lounge area with a fire pit, and an indoor lounge area.

With room for up to six people in adjacent tented suites, you can enjoy the luxury of the bush in a prime location. Picture gathering around the fire with your loved ones, a canopy of stars above you, as together you recount the incredible wildlife sightings of the day. A perfect evening during a safari adventure.

Namibia Luxury Safari Lodges

A&K Sanctuary Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Purros Conservancy

The transcendental landscape of Namibia is the home of Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, a place that celebrates the land and its cultures through the Himba-inspired architecture that makes the most of the stunning views. With just seven suites and one private villa, Okahirongo is all about seclusion in the wild. The simple decor and architecture ensure the surroundings take pride of place without sacrificing any creature comforts.

Go on game drives to spot the desert-adapted wildlife that calls this region home, including elephants, lions, black rhinos, and oryxes. An experience not to miss out on is sundowners on the dunes. You’ll be whisked away to one of the many imposing dunes, atop which you’ll relax on cushions, cocktail in hand, watching the sun go down.

Natural Selection Kwessi Dunes, NamibRand Nature Reserve

Set within the NamibRand Nature Reserve, a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve, lies Kwessi Dunes. With only 12 suites surrounded by never-ending wilderness on all sides, you’ll enjoy a secluded desert safari here. Taking full advantage of the reserve’s International Dark Sky Association status, each suite boasts a separate star gazer room that’s completely open to the sky for the ultimate celestial show.

Picture lying down with your loved one and spending an evening being enthralled by the display of stars above you. Kwessi invites you to enjoy a different kind of African safari here. Go on a quad biking adventure across the vast dunes, explore the wilderness during a horseback riding safari, and get a bird’s-eye view of the surreal landscape from a hot air balloon.

Botswana Luxury Safari Lodges

A&K Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, Okavango Delta

Iconic Chief’s Camp is a magical luxury safari hub situated on Chief’s Island in Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most game-rich conservation areas. Its diverse habitats include verdant forests, rolling grasslands, waterlily-strewn wetlands, and glittering floodplains.

Visitors are accommodated in spacious bush pavilions with en-suite indoor and outdoor showers. They have their own private viewing decks, complete with hammocks, while the luxury spa has a resident therapist to ensure that your holiday is as relaxing as possible. Gourmet cuisine, premier wines and world-class personalised service complete this memorable Okavango Delta safari experience.

Professional safari guides conduct game drives in canopied 4x4s for unrivalled game-viewing experiences. Don’t miss out on going on a mokoro safari, a wildlife expedition in a traditional canoe, along the waterways. Imagine gliding along, passing a lion drinking by the shore, eyes ever watchful, or semi-aquatic sitatunga antelopes wading in the water.

Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

A legendary safari retreat in the heart of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Jack’s Camp blends vintage charm with extraordinary wilderness experiences. Surrounded by an otherworldly landscape of shimmering salt flats and golden grasslands, this iconic camp offers a unique perspective on one of Africa’s most remote and mesmerising regions.

Spacious Bedouin-style tents feature en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, and private decks with sweeping views of the pans. The camp’s Persian tea tent, swimming pool pavilion, and curated museum add to its distinctive character.

Guests can embark on game drives, walk with San Bushmen, or explore the pans on quad bikes during the dry season. Meerkat encounters, migratory zebra herds, and star-lit dinners complete this unforgettable Makgadikgadi adventure. A close-up encounter with resident families of habituated meerkats is truly a memorable experience! Picture seeing these little cuties go about their morning, playing and standing on their hind legs watching for predators.

Kenya Luxury Safari Lodges

Great Plains Mara Plains Camp, Olare Motorogi Conservancy

If you’re looking for an authentic African safari experience complete with big cat sightings, Mara Plains Camp is an ideal choice. Boarding the famous Masai Mara, the camp is in Olare Motorogi Conservancy and affords iconic wildlife sightings of African favourites such as giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. A stay at Mara Camp is characterised by five-star safari hospitality.

In your suite, the canvas canopied ceilings harken back to early African wilderness experiences. The private verandah ensures you’re never without a mesmerising view of nature, and the deep copper bath takes the luxury of the space further. Picture nothing but the wilderness in front of you as you sink down into a warm bathtub. Glass of wine in hand, you let the sounds of nature wash over you, coaxing you further into ultimate relaxation.

Governor’s Private Camp, Masai Mara

Tucked away along the banks of the Mara River, Governor’s Private Camp offers an exclusive and intimate safari experience in the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara. This luxury tented camp is set in a prime wildlife area, providing front-row seats to the Great Migration and exceptional year-round game viewing. Spacious canvas tents, elegantly furnished with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, offer uninterrupted views of the river and surrounding wilderness.

Guests enjoy personalised service, including private game drives with expert guides, gourmet bush dining, and scenic hot-air balloon safaris. Imagine gliding over the immense plains, spotting animals down below as the sun slowly rises – a spectacular way to take in the majesty of Africa’s wilderness. With its secluded setting and tailored safari experiences, Governor’s Private Camp delivers an unforgettable stay in one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves.

Zambia Luxury Safari Lodges

Thorntree River Lodge, Victoria Falls

Blending a serene riverside location upstream from the fabled Victoria Falls with a strong eco-preserving ethos, Thorntree Lodge is one of Zambia’s most famous lodges. It makes a perfect and tranquil base for exploring the area. Built from stone, local timber, and reclaimed railway sleepers, it blends in superbly with its surroundings. The imaginative design of the lodge maximises its stunning location on the Zambezi River.

The blissfully comfortable lounge seamlessly merges with a stylish dining room, while the quaint library also provides Wi-Fi connectivity. A communal deck sits right on the river and boasts an infinity pool and a sunken boma. Picture slipping into the pool to cool off after a game drive, looking over the landscape and realising that the wildlife viewing never really stops! Guests also have access to a gym and spa. The spacious riverside suites have both indoor and outdoor lounges, private decks, and plunge pools.

Chinzombo, South Luangwa

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s hidden gems, promising unspoilt nature, uncrowded game viewing, and exceptional walking safaris. Wedged into this pristine paradise is the luxury tented camp of Chinzombo. Its six roomy, award-winning luxury safari tents each have a private verandah, pool, and soaking tub coupled with sweeping views over the Luangwa River with its teeming birdlife and wildlife.

You can enjoy in-room spa treatments, browse the library, or indulge in a drink at the bar. Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared with home-grown produce under the brightest stars you’ve ever seen. Afterwards, relax around a fire pit to prepare for the next day of game drives, safari walks, and seasonal boat cruises.

Rwanda Luxury Safari Lodge

Wilderness Magashi, Akagera National Park

Wilderness Magashi in Akagera National Park is the perfect add-on to a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Before or after your time with the gorillas, Akagera gives you the opportunity to see the Big Five (although leopards are elusive) and experience a more traditional safari adventure.

The well-appointed tented suites are within the trees on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, affording incredible views of the surrounding wilderness. Wooden walkways take you from your suite to the dining area, where you’ll indulge in meals inspired by traditional Rwandan dishes, as well as the pool, the perfect place to enjoy the river vista.

Tanzania Luxury Safari Lodges

Asilia Africa Sayari, Serengeti

Seeing the Great Migration is a highlight of a Tanzania safari; Sayari Camp in the northern Serengeti is one of the best places to experience this incredible natural event, as it’s positioned to witness dramatic river crossings. Every five-star safari need is met at this camp, from free-standing bathtubs overlooking the savannah and private outdoor showers to private decks and a swimming pool.

Being the closest permanent camp to the Mara River, a highlight of a safari at Sayari is seeing the massive herds of wildebeest make their way across the river, dodging the jaws of waiting crocodiles. The best time to see this is between July and October.

Lemala Osonjoi Lodge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A brand new offering in the famed Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lemala Osonjoi is in the ideal location to provide quick access to the crater floor, where incredible wildlife viewing awaits. A premier region for Big Five safaris, elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, lions, and leopards can all be spotted.

The Ngorongoro Crater is truly a special feature in Tanzania’s landscape, and Lemala Osonjoi wants guests to really absorb the magic of the area. One unique way to do this is by having lunch on the crater floor – an experience that will add another dimension to your Tanzania safari.

There you have it: our 17 picks for the absolute pinnacle of luxury safari lodge experiences in Africa. So, whether your idea of luxury involves utter opulence and the finer things in life, or if it has more to do with privacy, exclusivity, and sheer remoteness from civilisation, your African safari journey starts here.