Luxury lodges offer high levels of comfort, service, and exclusivity, typically in prime wildlife areas or scenic locations. These properties often feature spacious suites, premium facilities, and highly personalised service, along with excellent guiding in safari areas.
What qualifies as "luxury" varies by destination. In South Africa, this may include a wide range of high-end lodges, while in more remote regions like Botswana, most lodges fall into the luxury category due to their location, limited access, and higher operating costs.
As a result, safari pricing is not directly comparable across countries. A luxury lodge in South Africa may cost the same as a mid-range lodge in Botswana, so these categories should be understood relative to each destination rather than as fixed price bands.
Not sure how luxury lodges compare across different destinations? See our Safari Accommodation Price Guide.
Experience the unique blend of history and luxury at Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, an innovative luxury accommodation offering in the heart of the Kruger National Park. Permanently stationed on the historic Selati Bridge above the Sabie River, this re-envisioned train pays tribute to the early explorers of the 1920s while providing modern comforts in a remarkable setting.
Kulala Desert Lodge and the exclusive Little Kulala are set in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, close to Namibia's famous Sossusvlei dunes, Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon. Local wildlife is remarkably adapted and endemic, from the stately gemsbok to the tiny 'barking' gecko.
Kwando Lagoon Camp is on the banks of the Kwando River in the Linyanti Kwando Concession in northern Botswana. It offers luxury tented accommodation and excellent year-round game viewing. In an area where predators are abundant, there are also elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope and many other species. The popular Animal Planet programme Mad Mike and Mark was filmed in the Kwando area.
Kwando Lebala Camp is located in the south of the Kwando concession adjacent to the Linyanti marshes in northern Botswana. The name 'Lebala' means open plains, which accurately describes the open grasslands, savanna and seasonal floodplains of this area that teems with wildlife. The camp offers exclusive and intimate accommodation in African safari tents. The area has vast populations of elephant, buffalo, lechwe, lions and other animals. Leopard and wild dog are also often seen in this area.
Opened in July 2018, Splash Camp offers a relaxed, intimate, and friendly safari. Its excellent location offers a range of conditions: permanent and seasonal floodplains as well as extensive dry periods. In high-water season, there are labyrinths of water channels and secret islands to explore. It's said to be one of the best locations in Botswana for both game viewing and activities.
Live amongst the treetops, alive with monkeys and bush babies, in this secluded camp set in an emerald mahogany forest. The only accommodation within Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge offers luxuriously furnished suites built in the canopy of the trees. The park boasts incredible scenery, fabulous birdlife, tree-climbing lions, plenty of elephant and a huge baboon population.
Last Word Kitara is an exclusive, five-star luxury lodge on the banks of the Klaserie River in the wildlife-rich Klaserie Private Nature Reserve which shares an open border with the world-famous Kruger National Park to the east. Kitara's classically appointed luxury suites with African accents enjoy views of the Klaserie River which often draws wildlife the guests can observe from the comfort of their private patios.
Leopard Hills is situated within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and forms part of the greater Kruger National Park. This luxury 5-star lodge is built on a hill that overlooks a natural waterhole and boasts eight glass-fronted suites with spectacular views.
Leroo La Tau is a luxury safari lodge set on a clifftop, overlooking the Boteti River and the sweeping grasslands of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The lodge offers spectacular game viewing over the plains and dry river bed, especially during the migration season. A path leads down to a game-viewing hide, where you can watch hundreds of zebra and other animals coming to drink at the waterhole during the dry season.
The magnificent award-winning Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is situated in the south-eastern corner of the Sabi Sand Reserve. This luxury lodge overlooks the Kruger National Park and the Sabie River which flows all year round. Ivory Lodge offers stylish, sophisticated accommodation in nine private and secluded contemporary villas.
Luxurious Narina Lodge in Lion Sands Reserve, has a prime location in the Kruger National Park, with access to both the Sabie and Sand Rivers. This makes for an abundance and diversity of game viewing guaranteed to give you a superb safari experience. Various activities include offroad, open-vehicle safaris and guided bushwalks.
Lion Sands River Lodge is a stylish, comfortable 5-star safari destination. The lodge overlooks the Sabie River and Kruger National Park beyond and offers some of the best game viewing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. All eight Luxury Rooms, six Superior Luxury Rooms and four River Suites are light and spacious.
Just 5 minutes away from Kruger’s Skukuza Airport, Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is located on the banks of the scenic Sabie River, in an area offering an incredible variety and diversity of wildlife. Exclusive and luxurious, Tinga offers you the unique opportunity of offroad safaris to get the best game viewing possible.
Perched high on a rocky outcrop, with incredible views over the surrounding African savanna, Little Ongava has only three luxury villas, offering one of the most exclusive safari stays in Namibia close to Etosha. Each secluded villa has its own private deck and plunge pool, a sala or sitting area and a luxury en-suite bathroom with indoor and open-air outdoor showers – all offering spectacular views from every angle.
Loapi Tented Camp features six private and secluded luxury tented safari homes that enjoy elevated, unobstructed views stretching southward across the grassy plains of Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve. Each tent operates like a micro safari camp and has a dedicated on-site butler, private chef, private safari vehicle and personal safari guide and tracker.
With uninterrupted views of the Laikipia plains that stretch all the way to snow-clad Mount Kenya, Loisaba Tented Camp offers Africana-themed tented safari camp accommodation in a game-rich private wildlife conservancy renowned for its passionate conversation efforts and uplifting community projects.
Londolozi Pioneer Camp is a secluded haven, set in the shade of 500-year-old ebony trees. The three secluded, luxury suites all have superb river views and are perfect for private getaways and romantic honeymoons. The camp is unashamedly exclusive and luxurious, set in the heart of the game-rich Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
The world-class Londolozi Private Granite Suites offer an extraordinary experience for the exclusive use of six guests. Private Granite Suites can be booked individually or as a private camp for six guests, which makes it ideal for honeymooning couples or small groups seeking complete privacy combined with a luxury safari experience.
Londolozi Tree Camp is the most stylish family run camp in Africa. This romantic camp comprises six sumptuous suites furnished in African safari style, each with its own private oasis - a plunge pool and luxurious sala (outdoor covered contemplation deck). Londolozi Tree Camp is located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park.
Set on a hilltop in the heart of malaria-free, Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe Hills Private Game Reserve is the essential 5-star safari lodge where the emphasis is on privacy, discreet and intuitive service and culinary excellence. It's the perfect safari choice for romantic getaways, corporate breakaways and special family gatherings.
Madikwe River Lodge is the original safari lodge in the Big 5, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. Each wooden en-suite chalet has a private deck overlooking the Marico River and is set amongst lush, riverine bush. The lodge is family-friendly and has an excellent position in one of the best regions of Madikwe from a game-viewing viewing point-of-view.
Madikwe Safari Lodge offers 20 luxury suites in three private lodges: Lelapa, Dithaba and Kopano, each with its own purpose and personality - in the best game-viewing section of malaria-free, Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve. Set on a ridge overlooking the reserve, the lodge offers sweeping views over the plains of Madikwe.
Mara Plains Camp is within a 30,000 private conservancy on the northern border of Kenya's famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. In the heart of one of the most abundant game areas in the world, you'll be in the midst of big predator country and often fall asleep to the sounds of lions roaring.
Set on the top of a cliff in Botswana's Mashatu Game Reserve amongst euphorbia succulents, Mashatu Euphorbia Villas is an eco-friendly, 5-star safari camp that enjoys sweeping views of the Majale River and endless plains below. Eight secluded luxury villas and four guests per safari vehicle ensure an exclusive safari experience.
Why not chat to one of our safari experts who can answer all your questions and help you design your dream trip to Africa.
