Africa is the land where lions roar, elephants stomp, and giraffes strike the occasional awkward pose. But let’s face it, you didn’t travel halfway across the globe to sleep in a tent that smells like a campfire and regret it after 10 minutes of trying to swat away mosquitoes the size of small birds.
Safari is about otherworldly experiences. So, if you’re going on safari, why not do it in style? Here’s your guide to the best safari lodges in Africa where luxury meets the wild, with the added bonus of possibly spotting a cheetah—or at least a fabulously attentive butler.
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Londolozi Private Granite Suites, South Africa
Londolozi Private Granite Suites, nestled in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, offer an extraordinary safari experience where luxury meets the wild. Located on the banks of the active Sand River, these exclusive suites provide guests with complete privacy and unparalleled views of the surrounding wilderness.
The suites, designed with contemporary elegance, feature striking stone walls, polished concrete, and a bold color palette of charcoal, silver, and elephant-grey. They seamlessly blend into the natural beauty of the landscape.
With just three separate suites overlooking the iconic granite rocks of the Sabi River, Londolozi ensures a truly intimate and tranquil stay in one of Kruger’s finest private concessions. This makes it a destination where both relaxation and adventure are found in perfect harmony.
Angama Mara, Kenya
Since opening in 2016, Angama Mara has been an extraordinary safari experience for its guests. The resort is perched atop the Oloololo Escarpment with sweeping views of the Mara Triangle. The lodge is composed of two camps, each featuring 15 suites with canvas sides and tented roofs.
However, there’s a modern twist—glass fronts provide a breathtaking 180-degree view of the savannah, whether you’re lounging in bed or taking a shower. This isn’t your typical safari setup: the sleek, Italian-inspired design adds cosmopolitan flair, balanced by the lodge’s deep connection with its wild surroundings.
The interiors boast spacious, open-plan living areas separated by towering 11-meter floor-to-ceiling windows, and are outfitted with handcrafted, contemporary furniture influenced by Maasai culture. Guests can also enjoy a pavilion with a library, shop, fitness room, and infinity pool, blending luxury with nature in the heart of the wilderness.
Puku Ridge, Zambia
Found in the heart of South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, Puku Ridge offers an idyllic and remote safari experience, blending sophisticated luxury with the wild beauty of Africa. The resort is located on a hillside with stunning panoramic views of the Kakumbi Dambo floodplain. This semi-tented camp provides guests with an unparalleled perspective of the park’s diverse wildlife.
The camp, named after the Puku antelope, features just eight luxury safari tents, each offering a private, elevated vantage point over the game-rich plains and woodlands. While here, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of predators like lion and leopard, herds of elephants, giraffe, zebra, and of course, the elusive Puku antelope.
Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Tanzania
Perched atop a hill in the private Grumeti Reserve, Singita Sasakwa Lodge offers guests the ultimate in luxury and wildlife immersion. With infinity views stretching over the Serengeti, it feels as though you’re gazing out over a world of more abundant and vibrant animals than anywhere else in the ecosystem.
Part of Singita’s collection of camps within this vast private reserve, Sasakwa Lodge ensures access to the Serengeti’s famed migration. The lodge itself is a turn-of-the-century-style manor house, exuding the grandeur and elegance of a bygone golden era of safari travel. It’s an idyllic setting for those seeking extraordinary wildlife encounters while enjoying the pinnacle of safari luxury.
Jao Camp, Botswana
Located on a private island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Jao Camp offers an unrivaled luxury safari experience in one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas. Accessible only by air, the camp sits amidst open seasonal floodplains and small islands. With a striking blend of Balinese and African décor, it exudes both opulence and tranquility.
Spanning a kilometre beneath the canopy of tall leadwood, African mangosteen, and ebony trees, Jao Camp is a premier property from Wilderness Safaris. While its grandeur may seem imposing at first, the warm and friendly staff create a relaxed atmosphere that invites guests to unwind in style.
The camp’s two-level central area includes an intimate sitting room, a library, an entertainment lounge, and a curio shop stocked with locally crafted goods. Outside, a large deck surrounding a firepit provides the perfect setting for storytelling after dark, while wooden walkways lead to two plunge pools. The spacious suites are beautifully adorned with local carvings and artwork, and the on-site spa is regarded as one of the best in Botswana.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Rwanda
Nestled on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Singita Kwitonda Lodge offers an unforgettable gateway to one of the world’s most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to trek with the mountain gorillas. The lodge’s prime location, surrounded by lush meadows and mist-shrouded forests, ensures that gorilla encounters are never far from reach.
The eight luxurious suites, each offering a private heated plunge pool, wellness area, and in- and outdoor fireplaces. Volcanic-stone pathways wind through the verdant grounds, linking these spacious, villa-sized rooms to the main lodge, creating a sense of intimacy and seclusion.
Little Kulala, Namibia
Little Kulala is an exclusive desert retreat nestled within the 37,000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Guests are treated to Namibia’s awe-inspiring Sand Sea, with its towering dunes and crystal-clear, starry skies. The lodge features 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas” (meaning “to sleep”), designed to seamlessly blend into the ancient desert landscape.
Each kulala boasts luxurious fittings, innovative bleached wooden decks, and a private plunge pool, while the addition of a rooftop “skybed” provides an unforgettable stargazing experience. Guests can indulge in both indoor and outdoor showers, adding to the immersive desert experience.
With exciting activities like nature walks, hot-air balloon safaris, and quad biking across the dunes of one of the world’s oldest deserts, Little Kulala offers a unique and luxurious escape.
Conclusion
Africa’s safari lodges have mastered the art of combining the untamed with the luxurious. Whether you prefer a five-course meal under the stars or the sound of a lion’s roar as your nighttime lullaby, there’s a perfect safari lodge for you.
