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.
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.
With comfortable thatched permanent tents set along the white sands of Lake Tanganyika, Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge (formerly Kungwe Beach Lodge) is the perfect base for exploring the beautiful emerald forests of Mahale Mountains National Park. Quietly observing the chimpanzees who live there, in their natural habitat, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Morukuru "Family" consists of three luxury safari villas available for exclusive use - each with your own dedicated team of staff taking care of your every need. Children are especially welcome. Morukuru specialises in making your safari an individual, luxurious and personal experience. The Morukuru Family of upmarket lodges offers an exceptionally high standard with a fantastic position in Madikwe Game Reserve, with one of the best traversing areas – besides Madikwe itself, you'll have access to Morukuru's exclusive, private traversing area.
Located at the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains in malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, The Motse is an elegant luxury safari camp overlooking the endless grasslands of the Kalahari that can accommodate a maximum of 18 adults in nine spacious suites.
Located in northern Botswana’s spectacular Selinda Reserve, Motswiri Camp is set on the banks of the Selinda spillway and its floodplain. This eco-friendly camp is perfectly placed to offer extensive views over tranquil watery surrounds that are rich with birds and wildlife.
Ngala, meaning 'lion' in Shangaan, is situated at the junction of the Mopane forests and the Timbavati flood plains, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. This gracious, colonial-style safari lodge provides an unbeatable family safari experience.
Ngala Tented Camp is a luxurious tented safari camp, with just nine spacious tents featuring wooden decks. The chic and modern camp fuses effortlessly with the surrounding bush. Ngala is situated inside the Timbavati Game Reserve, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, offering superb game viewing opportunities.
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is an intimate camp in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Tucked away on its own island in a riverine forest under massive canopies of tall jackalberry trees, this exclusive oasis offers nine luxury tented suites.
Deep in the wilds of the magical Mana Pools lies Nyamatusi Camp, the latest in the African Bush Camps collection. Set in one of the wildest and most remote parts of Africa, on the banks of one of the oldest rivers in the world, Nyamatusi welcomes guests to experience an authentic safari in ancient, untouched Africa. Open from April to the first week of January each year, Nyamatusi offers game drives, guided walks, birding, canoeing, and catch and release fishing.
A co-operative venture between the owners and the local Maasai, Ol Donyo Lodge is a conservation success story near Amboseli in Kenya. With an established trust, a sustainable balance exists between the pastoral Maasai, the abundant wildlife, and the game ranch.
Olare Bush Camp is located in the Maasai Mara, within the prime wildlife area of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy which borders the Reserve. Guest numbers are strictly limited, giving you incomparable game viewing, without the crowds, right from your tent' s verandah.
Set in a remote area of Lower Zambezi National Park, Old Mondoro (which means 'lion' in the local Shona language) is an intimate, exclusive bush camp owned and operated by the Cumings family. The camp overlooks a maze of reed islands, thick with grunting hippos, while a grove of acacia trees attracts a constant stream of elephant visitors.
Situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve along Etosha National Park's southern border, Ongava Lodge offers beautiful views of a well-frequented waterhole and the plains beyond from its vantage point in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range. There are 14 thatched ensuite chalets built from natural rock.
Surrounded by African Mopane bush, Ongava Tented Camp looks onto a well-frequented waterhole inside Nambia's Ongava Game Reserve. Safari accommodation consists of eight spacious classic safari tents with en-suite facilities, open-air showers and private verandas.
Phinda Forest Lodge is located in the northern sector of the 60,000-acre Phinda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Set deep in the heart of a dry sand forest, this award-winning lodge offers 16 luxury suites and superb game viewing. The various habitats ensure a wide variety of game, from the plains-loving cheetah to the shy forest-dwellers and magnificent nyala antelope.
Recently rebuilt after fire damage, this luxurious, sole-use safari villa is perfect for families, corporates and small groups who wish to spend some quality time away from it all and enjoy each other’s uninterrupted company. You’ll be spoilt with your own dedicated ranger/host, tracker, butler and chef. You’ll also have a private open safari vehicle at your disposal to enjoy looking for the Big 5 and a wide variety of birds and wildlife.
With its prime position on the crest of a mountain, Phinda Mountain Lodge is known for its incredible views out over the scenic and game-rich Phinda Private Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal in north-eastern South Africa. Enjoy 24/7 game watching from the main lodge's viewing decks or your very own private veranda. Plus there's a variety of game activities to make sure you have an unforgettable safari experience.
Almost like a small-scale exotic castle, Phinda Rock Lodge seems to cling to its steep cliffs, giving you excellent views across the valley. It’s a small, intimate lodge, ideal if you’re looking for a romantic, unhurried safari with excellent game viewing.
andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge is an intimate, romantic and exclusive safari lodge, offering you privacy, peace and quiet. The lodge is set on the edge of a sand forest, overlooking a wetland system; you can watch the daily goings on of a huge variety of visiting wildlife from wherever you are at the lodge: the viewing decks, your bedroom or even your shower.
Consistently getting rave reviews, Phinda Zuka Lodge is the perfect safari venue for groups and family get-togethers to celebrate special occasions. Zuka can accommodate up to eight guests in exclusive luxury, with your own butler, chef and staff, your own dedicated open safari vehicle, driver and personal guide who’ll happily show you some of the best game viewings in southern Africa.
Pom Pom Camp is situated in a private concession within the Okavango Delta and adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. This diverse area is a world-renowned game-viewing destination. The camp offers luxury accommodation and a truly African experience in safari-style tents.
A small, private safari lodge, Rhulani Safari Lodge offers 5-star luxury accommodation and the chance to spot the Big 5 and a wide variety of wildlife, with an unhurried, uncrowded safari experience. Malaria-free Madikwe has incredibly diverse plant life and topography, attracting a wide variety of wild animals.
Located in the heart of the Timbavati Game Reserve, RockFig Safari Lodge is a luxury, waterhole-facing private game lodge. With six spacious chalet-type suites and a maximum of four guests per safari vehicle on game drives, RockFig Safari Lodge offers guests an intimate, boutique-style bush experience with a twist. RockFig's swimming pool is regularly visited by thirsty elephants.
Set on the southeastern side of Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana overlooking the Gomoti River and its floodplain, Rra Dinare Camp is within a private concession of over 270km². This pristine, relatively new camp offers an array of game-based activities: mokoro trips, boating safaris, game drives both on- and off-road, night drives and bush walks.
Why not chat to one of our safari experts who can answer all your questions and help you design your dream trip to Africa.
