Imagine yourself on an African Safari, staying at a luxury safari lodge right in the middle of nature with the animals surrounding you. Waking up to a breathtaking landscape and maybe even a elephant or giraffe grazing outside your window. Sounds perfect right? That’s because it is.
A safari is the ultimate outdoor getaway, and when people decide to take this one-in-a-lifetime trip, they often spare no expense. Obviously not everyone can afford these extravagant safari lodges, but most of us love to gawk at them nonetheless!
So to give you some inspiration, here is my ‘if price had no meaning list’ of amazing safari lodges you NEEDÂ to visit before you die.
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- Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
- Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa
- Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Namibia
- Royal Malewane, South Africa
- Chitabe Camp, Botswana
- Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa
- Serengeti Under Canvas, Tanzania
- Jack’s Camp, Botswana
- Molori Safari Lodge, South Africa
Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
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Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa
Sitting on 10,000 acres of land is Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, an extravagant paradise in the wilderness. Located in an area with one of the highest concentrations of game, you will see the big 5 alongside many other species of animal. With four superior lodges and eight villas, rooms have their own private decks overlooking the Sands River, outdoor showers, private plunge pools and butlers.
How cool is that? And that’s not even the highlight apparently! The resort also offers tree houses, with the open-air Chalkley Treehouse being the all-time favorite. How many of you have dreamed of falling asleep under the stars? I know I have.
To check prices, see AfricanSafariHome
Why it is unique: the tree houses are completely open air giving you uninhibited views of the night sky that are just incredible.
Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa
Also run by Singita Reserves, the two lodges at Singita Kruger National Park are more modern and resort-like than the others. You can choose between the Sweni Lodge, found straddling the edge of the Sweni River, or the more popular Lebombo Lodge.
This lodge consists of really unique suites that are described as ‘modern bird’s nests.’ Suspended off a cliff on stilts with floor-to-ceiling windows, each suit is connected by wooden walkways where you get spectacular views of the landscapes around you. To discover the wildlife in their surroundings, take one of the safari drives that take place twice a day.
Why it is unique:Â stay high up in the trees with unobstructed views of the endless safari fields.
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Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Namibia
If you want to experience true wilderness that is vast, remote and isolated, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is the place to be. Located in a broad valley at the edge of Skeleton Coast National Park, you will only see a dry oasis for miles and the distinctive desert-adapted wildlife. The camp consists of seven large tents and one family unit, each with en-suites and shaded outdoor decks.
The beautiful desert setting extends into the contemporary style rooms, with its soft and monotone colors. Flanked by rugged hills, the camp is said to look upon one of the ‘most gorgeous places on the planet.’
Why it is unique:Â it is the only place to see desert lions, elephants and giraffes in such great numbers.
Royal Malewane, South Africa
If you want to go all out with luxury, Royal Malewane is king of up-market safari lodges. Containing six luxury suites, two royal suites and the Africa House, the lodge offers huge outdoor viewing decks with refreshing pools and unparalleled views. The Royal Malewane is also known for one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa!
This is due to the some of Africa’s top guides and trackers and its location in the Thornybush Reserve. Situated within the Kruger National Park, the abundance of mammal and bird species is staggering!
To check prices, see AfricanSafariHome
Why it is unique:Â it is the most luxurious safari lodge with one of the best wildlife experiences. It is supposed to be THE place to see the big 5.
Chitabe Camp, Botswana
Chitabe Camp is situated in the south-east of Okavango Delta, which boasts of diverse landscapes from open floodplains, marshlands, to open grasslands and forests. This is perfect for safari escapes as a variety of terrains means an abundance of different animals! With the whole camp elevated on wooden decks amongst the trees, you get spectacular panoramic views whether you’re in your room, outdoor shower or in the dining areas.
Just don’t be surprised if you step onto one of the walkways and almost trip over a trunk! The elephants here are super friendly and curious. Apart from elephants, expect to see a lot of wild dogs and other predators in this densely populated area.
Why it is unique: you can get up, close and personal with the elephants on their terms!
Read: Why We Don’t Have a Bucket List and Why You Should Get Rid of Yours
Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa
Singita Sabi Sand contains three contrasting, but equally stylish, safari lodges on the most pristine land in South Africa. Located down by the Sand River you will find Ebony Lodge, a modern lodge that takes a contemporary take on safari design. Boulders Lodge is more of a rustic lodge, where all furnishes and design are taken from its surroundings.
Lastly, Castleton Lodge is representative of an African farmhouse, with understated interiors and quirky furnishings. Whichever accommodation vibe you choose, you’ll still get the benefits of experiencing this private and protected area of South Africa. Sabi Sand is particularly praised for its abundance in animals, especially leopards.
Why it is unique: this area is known for its frequent leopard sightings.
Serengeti Under Canvas, Tanzania
Like the Singita Grumeti Reserves, Serengeti Under Canvas is a mobile lodge that follows the massive herds of the Great Migration. However, unlike the reserve, this whole lodge is completely mobile yet as luxurious as a permanent resort. When I say luxury, I mean comfortable beds, en-suites, chandeliers and private butlers.
I’m being serious, it’s taking glamping to a whole new level! What’s really special about this place, is that the luxury doesn’t take anything away from the authentic safari experience. There is only canvas walls between you and the wildlife herds, and in the nights you’ll experience the true solitude of the African Bush.
Why it is unique: being completely mobile, this lodge is one of the only places you will get to see seasonal activities such as the Grumeti and Mara River crossings and the wildebeest calving season at Ndutu.
Jack’s Camp, Botswana
Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans of the Kalahari, is known as the heart of the forgotten Africa. In keeping with its original charm, the camp consists of ten luxury tents all with old-world safari decor. Expect tents hung in Indian block-print cotton, wooden four-poster beds and leather Roorkee chairs on your patio. You’ll even drink your tea or coffee out of old-school pewter pots with cozies! If being a part of the old Africa just isn’t enough, then perhaps the abundance of meerkats that populate the area can tempt you!
Why it is unique: this lodge focuses on all the smaller animals that others overlook. I mean who doesn’t love meerkats?
Molori Safari Lodge, South Africa
Molori Safari Lodge is home to one of the largest rhino conservation programmes in South Africa, so expect to see a lot of them here! With the rhinos also comes the vast African bush that we imagine when we think of safari.
What we don’t imagine is five-star-hotel service and infinity plunge pools in the middle of it. Molori oozes elegance from the modern furnishes in the room, to the standalone bathtubs and sofas on the outside decking. Th floor to ceiling windows in each suite supply you with amazing front row views to the outside, and they also open up completely too!
Why it is unique: here you will find the rare wild dog and the highest concentration of rhino in Africa.
So, there you have it! Hopefully, this list has inspired you to start planning a trip to Africa. In case you’re already two steps ahead of me, here’s a great article featuring what to wear on a Safari in Africa.
This list is based on our personal experiences, online reviews or recommendations. If you want to suggest hotels to add to this list, email us at contact(@)adventureinyou(.)com with the subject: Best Places to Stay.
If you’re looking for things to do in the area, check out some of our guides!
Wow what luxury, I had no idea how incredible these lodges have become. We would love to stay at a safari lodge, the ones with the elephants would be super cool, but I think the tree house under the stars at the Lion Sands Ivory Lodge would be my first choice.
How could anyone decide? As Mike Howard said, you’ve set the bar HIGH! wow! Hanging out in the pool with elephants? Sleeping outside with the whole of Africa cradling you? Sign me up! But then again, the rooms look amazing!
Well….you have set the bar pretty high for safari lodges, and i LOVE it! We did a 100 day journey from Cape Town to Lamu Kenya, all without our own car or the help of an overland safari group, and it was one of the most amazing and magical trips we’ve ever done. Now we need to go back and cross off a few of these amazing lodges!
The safari lodges you highlighted are spectacular. Swimming in a pool while admiring some elephants?! Sign me up. We just finished a budget trip through southern Africa and I’d love nothing more than to return someday and stay in one of these amazing lodges. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow! These look absolutely amazing! I’ve never experienced an African safari but we’re thinking about doing a large multi-generational trip to celebrate my parents’ next big wedding anniversary. A big occasion surely requires a splurge on one of these lodges, right?!
These all look spectacular – I did an African safari through Tanzania in 2010, but it was very low budget lol so we camped. I would love to head back and splurge on one of these wonderful locations 🙂
I know there is still the Giraffe Manor in nyKenya or something. It’s amazing too. Nice list though.
A safari in Africa is definitely something I wanna do someday! I’m not a ‘roughing it’ kind of gal, so these are definitely way more up my alley. Jack’s Camp looks stunning – all the places look great actually. I’ve saved this post so I can refer to it when I start planning my trip. Cheers!
Brilliant post and just amazing. That one photo by the pool with the elephants is beyond cool. Planning a trip to Africa soon so this will come in handy. Thanks
I want to visit all of these! What an adventure it would be if I went from one of these amazing places to the next! Pure luxury!