A comprehensive guide to the best safari lodges in Africa
List of the best lodges in africa
1) San Camp, Botswana
San Camp, nestled at the Nwetwe Pan’s edge in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi, is a haven of luxury. Its seven romantic tents feature lavish amenities like bucket showers, flush toilets, four-poster beds, and private verandas with mosquito net canopies. Experienced guides and local Bushmen lead invigorating morning walks and game drives, unveiling the area’s unique flora and fauna. For more adventurous guests, the camp offers thrilling quad biking on the salt flats and enchanting meerkat encounters. Despite the sandy trek from the tent to the main area, the outstanding staff and delectable cuisine ensure an unforgettable experience.
2) Angama Mara, Kenya
Angama Mara, a luxurious safari lodge in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and rated one of the best safari lodges in Africa, boasts 30 stylish tented suites with panoramic views of the savannah. These modern tents offer WiFi, a mini-bar, and a safe. Tailor your safari with options like full-day drives, bird-focused outings, and walks, just ten minutes from the Mara Triangle’s Big 5 sightings. Watch elephants, giraffes, and raptors from your tent. Indulge in delectable African and international cuisine at the lodge’s restaurant, and explore the pavilion’s library and shop. With its breathtaking vistas, diverse safari experiences, and fine dining, Angama Mara promises a uniquely lavish safari adventure.
3) Sossusvlei Lodge, Namibia
Nestled at Namibia’s Namib Naukluft Park entrance, Sossusvlei Lodge offers a serene escape with easy access to the iconic red sand dunes and Sossusvlei pan. The 44 superior units boast private patios, each revealing magnificent views. Air-conditioned rooms provide respite from the Namibian heat. The lodge features a terrace dining area, outdoor pool, and captivating watering hole scenes. For a thrill, guests can partake in helicopter rides. Situated within the &Beyond Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve, spanning 12,715 hectares in the world’s oldest living desert, this luxurious retreat ensures direct immersion in Namibia’s awe-inspiring desert landscape.
4) Boulders Lodge, South Africa
Situated in Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa, Singita Boulders Lodge is a lavish all-inclusive retreat. Offering chic suites with wildlife-filled views, it features a spa, gym, expansive pool, boutique stores, free Wi-Fi, and gourmet dining. Nestled along the Sand River’s boulder-lined banks, within Singita’s private reserve in Sabi Sand, the lodge is renowned for abundant leopard sightings and access to 45,000 acres of pristine wilderness. Infused with local materials and decor, it offers a distinctive South African ambiance. Singita Boulders Lodge, praised on TripAdvisor and One Mile at a Time, stands as a premier resort in the collection.
5) Cottars Safari Camp, Kenya
Cottar’s Safari Camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara area encompasses two distinct properties. The award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp(one of the best safari lodges in Africa) boasts a 7608-acre private conservancy, just a kilometer from the iconic Maasai Mara. Its interiors exude tradition with campaign and colonial antiques, complemented by kilims and cotton dhurries. The camp offers nine tents, including a honeymoon tent, four doubles, and four family suites, all with bathrooms; some feature living areas with fireplaces. Additionally, two main mess tent areas, a pool, and spa cater to guests’ needs. The exceptional safari experience is enriched by long-serving Maasai staff and guides, including three Gold Level KPPA guides. Calvin Cottar, an award-winning guide, further elevates the experience. The extensive private concession borders the Maasai Mara, a pivotal wildlife refuge and seasonal Great Migration hub.
6) Mnemba Island Lodge, Tanzania
Nestled off Zanzibar’s northeastern coast, Mnemba Island Lodge is an epitome of luxury and seclusion. The resort boasts 12 chic beachside bandas, nestled amid casuarina trees for ultimate privacy. A comprehensive all-inclusive package covers boat transfers, scuba diving, and coral reef tours. While rates start at $1650 per person per night, it’s renowned as one of Zanzibar’s most opulent properties. The lodge offers enticing promotions like a 50% discount for brides, a complimentary bottle of bubbly, intimate private dinners, and enchanting sunset dhow cruises. With a perfect 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor from 245 reviews, Mnemba Island Lodge promises an unparalleled African coastal experience.
7) Matetsi Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Matetsi Victoria Falls is a luxury lodge located in Zimbabwe that offers a unique combination of wildlife viewing and scenic Victoria Falls experiences. The lodge is situated on the banks of the tranquil Zambezi River and offers spacious contemporary river-facing suites. Matetsi Victoria Falls is located on the pristine 55,000-hectare Matetsi Private Game Reserve, which offers an exceptional wildlife experience. The lodge is family-owned and offers a personal touch to the luxury safari and Victoria Falls experience. Guests can visit the largest waterfall on planet Earth from the lodge. The falls can be visited from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian side, with each side offering a different perspective
8) Singita Pamushana, Zimbabwe
Singita Pamushana Lodge is a luxury safari lodge located in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast( voted one of the best safari lodges in Africa), within the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. The lodge has eight elegant suites, all with private plunge pools, and the buildings are inspired by the rich tribal history of ancient Zimbabwe. The lodge offers exclusive access to the reserve, which is home to 38 different habitats and ecological zones. The Malilangwe Trust manages the conservation of this pristine wilderness and has successfully introduced 28 black and 15 white rhinos to the reserve in 1998. The lodge is known for its excellent guiding, and Zimbabwe has a very high standard of guiding and vigorous training. The food is a big focus of Singita’s, and they use as many local products as possible, resulting in a fine-dining menu. The lodge is warm and welcoming, placing you in complete luxury within its beautiful wild surroundings
9) Saasab, Kenya
Nestled just outside Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve in the Westgate Community Conservancy, Sasaab is an exquisite luxury tented camp. Boasting a Moroccan-style design, it offers nine spacious rooms adorned with a striking Swahili-style wooden entrance. Set within the 35,000-hectare Westgate Community Conservancy, it provides captivating vistas of the Laikipia Plateau and Mount Kenya. However, some TripAdvisor reviews caution about distance from wildlife and occasional guide performance. Since its inception in 2007, Sasaab has gained popularity as a cherished luxury safari lodge.
