Mid-range lodges offer a balance between comfort and cost, typically providing well-appointed rooms, good service, and strong locations without the price tag of top-end properties. This is the most common accommodation category on safari and often represents the best balance of value and experience for most travellers.
What qualifies as "mid-range" depends heavily on the destination. In South Africa, this may include a wide range of comfortable, well-priced lodges, while in more remote or high-cost regions like Botswana or parts of East Africa, similar budgets may only access more basic accommodation.
For this reason, safari prices should not be compared across countries in absolute terms. A mid-range lodge in one destination may be priced similarly to a luxury lodge in another, so these categories are best understood relative to location rather than fixed price points.
Not sure how this category compares across different destinations? See our Safari Accommodation Price Guide.
Family-run Tafika Camp on the east bank of the Luangwa River in South Luangwa Reserve in Zambia offers the perfect bush escape for safari-goers and wildlife enthusiasts looking for an intimate, authentic safari experience and exceptional game-viewing opportunities. Activities include day and night game drives, mountain bike safaris, guided bush walks, visits to the local Mkasanga Village and micro-lighting (only offered in May).
Overlooking the Tarangire River which never dries up Tarangire Safari Lodge offers visitors breathtaking views of beautiful landscapes and a wide array of animals from its deck, thatched tents and bungalows. Sit on the veranda at sunset and watch elephants come down to drink, their babies splashing and playing. Pure, African bliss.
Thakadu River Camp has 12 luxurious safari tents on the banks of the Marico River in the malaria-free, Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve. Thakadu is a wholly-owned, community-based project and an ecotourism success story. This exclusive, tented safari bushcamp is situated in the far eastern part of Madikwe, in a good area for game viewing.
The 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town is an award-winning, 5-star, luxury boutique hotel located against the dramatic backdrop of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range which forms the back of Table Mountain and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel offers a tranquil respite located an easy 20-minute drive away from Cape Town's vibrant and colourful city centre.
Thonga Beach Lodge is a luxurious lodge set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast in northern KwaZulu-Natal, on South Africa's east coast. Private, exclusive and remote, with only 12 spacious thatched suites, the lodge is metres from the unspoilt wilderness beaches of Mabibi, with easy access to some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in southern Africa.
Child-friendly Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu has eight spacious luxury tented suites with wraparound decks, a large swimming pool, a waterhole, a photographic hide and a walking trail. It's the perfect tented safari lodge for families wanting to combine game-viewing activities and cultural experiences in a private game reserve in Botswana.
Umlani Bushcamp provides a rustic bush experience that will give you a unique safari in the Timbavati Private Reserve. It offers simplistic luxury and 'getting away from it all’. The camp operates without electricity, wifi and air conditioning: allowing you to simply soak up the sounds, scents and sights of the surrounding bush.
The Victoria Falls Hotel is the 'grande dame' of the Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe. Established in 1904, royalty, celebrities and statesmen have visited the hotel to enjoy its tranquillity, elegance and privacy. More than a century old, the hotel combines its historical, Edwardian charm with modern comfort and convenience. It has its own private path leading to the beautiful Victoria Falls (15-minute walk) and offers a variety of activities to provide its guests with an unforgettable African 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.
