Luxury African Safaris | Spoil Yourself

Recommended Packages

We believe that the perfect holiday is not only wild and adventurous but also soothing to the soul and restorative in nature.

Highlights of Botswana

9 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: S11

Explore Botswana's three top safari areas - Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, and the Savute Channel - during this luxurious wild adventure.

Highlights of Namibia

9 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: S12

This extraordinary escape provides unique luxury safari experiences in Sossusvlei and the Greater Etosha National Park in Namibia.

Timbavati & Sabi Sand

7 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: KP05

Experience South Africa's two premier private game reserves while enjoying luxury safari accommodation at two of the finest lodges imaginable.

Reasons to Choose a Luxury Safari

Plush Pampering

There is no more terrific way to indulge in the finer things in life than a luxury safari in Southern Africa. These extravagant experiences are characterized by opulent suites fit for royalty, a seemingly endless supply of mouthwatering meals, sumptuous spa treatments, and unforgettable encounters with the continent's fascinating wildlife.

Beautiful Backdrops

Naturally, you can enjoy plush accommodations anywhere in the world. What sets these luxury lodges apart are their beguiling settings, many of them far-flung and removed from the oppressive burdens of civilization. Turn your thoughts to the call of the wild, the Okavango Delta waterways pierced by the setting sun's gold, or velveteen night skies resplendent with the silver of the Milky Way.

Impeccable service

A luxury lodge is but a pretty shell without the dedication and warmth of its staff. All the lodges we use have been hand-picked for their impeccable service and attention to detail. Staff members appear to have been hired for their 'sixth sense' - their ability to anticipate your needs, augment your experience and ensure that you depart the continent with lasting memories.

Top Luxury Safari Destinations

All the top luxury safari destinations in Southern Africa lie in or adjacent to National Parks. In all instances, small luxurious lodges provide accommodation in these remote wildernesses.

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

Okavango Delta

Etosha National

Sossusvlei

Kruger National Park

Timbavati Private Reserve

Other Destinations

Though not as well known, these safari areas offer unique safari activities from luxury safari lodges & camps.

A pair of elephants wander into the dusk.

Chobe

Botswana's Chobe National Park is the country's third-largest national park. The bountiful waters of the Chobe River - for which the park is named - draw a spellbinding profusion of wildlife to its fertile shores, particularly astonishing numbers of elephants. Despite its size, Chobe boasts only a tiny handful of upscale lodges and mobile 'glamping', ensuring an intimate luxury safari experience.

Shamwari

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is located in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, a few hours' drive from the famous Garden Route region. Shamwari is favored amongst families who wish to travel to malaria-free wilderness areas but not compromise on the delightful indulgence of a luxury safari. The lodges are divided between child-friendly and adult-only, ensuring a choice for all.

Madikwe

Like Shamwari, Madikwe also offers luxury Big Five safaris in a malaria-free wilderness. That's where the similarities end, however. While Shamwari is green and lush, Madikwe straddles two drier eco-zones - bushveld and Kalahari - creating a unique environment. Animals that are rarely spotted elsewhere in South Africa - such as the brown hyena - may be encountered in Madikwe.

Welgevonden

Welgevonden skirts the majestic Waterberg, a convenient distance from Johannesburg and Pretoria. This Big Five-bearing wilderness is characterized by towering ocher mountains and rolling valleys, carpeted with bushveld and semi-arid vegetation. Neighboring Marakele National Park hosts another sumptuous safari lodge - Marataba - in a private concession.

Phinda

Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province boasts a wilderness unlike any other. With seven distinct ecosystems, your game drives are characterized by constantly shifting landscapes that host the Big Five and a wealth of different species. The reserve's lavish lodges are defined by their surroundings, from the treed groves of Forest Lodge to Rock Lodge's idyllic perch.

The sun sets over the Luangwa River in Zambia.

South Luangwa

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia spans a great wilderness area of riverine beauty and oxbow lakes. It is known as the birthplace of the walking safari, and there is no finer place to unwind after a day of exploring than in the venerated villa of a luxury safari lodge. The lodges blend handsomely into their bewitching surroundings, ensuring a seamless transition from bush to abode.

Experiences to Savor on a Luxury Safari in Africa

Spa Treatments

Spa treatments at luxury lodges typically take place either in a private sala or on your suite's private deck. Regardless of the location, you will enjoy beguiling bush views and unwind to the scents of locally sourced products and the sounds of the wilderness.

Delectable Cuisine

Luxury safari lodges employ world-class chefs to ensure that mealtimes become more like events rather than necessities. Many lodges will include 'wild' options on the menu, like kudu sirloin, impala salad, or springbok carpaccio. These meats are naturally lean and delicious and are cooked to perfection.

Sounds of the Wild

It is quite something to turn out the lights at night, nestle into the rich linens of your king-sized bed, and then jerk awake to the blood-curdling roar of a lion beyond the snug confines of your suite. As plush as your environment may be, this is still the bush - loud, wild, and wonderful.

FAQ

Will my safari experience be any less authentic?

Opting for a luxury safari does not mean your safari experience will be any less authentic. The lodges are located in spectacular wilderness areas - inherently wild - and your game drives and bush walks will cede unforgettable sightings.

What do butler service comprise?

Some of the more exclusive lodges offer personalized butler services to guests. Upon your arrival, an individual dedicated to your personal needs is assigned to you.

How safe are the lodges if they are unfenced?

Often - and somewhat ironically - the more luxurious the lodge, the more blurred the lines where the property and the wilderness meet - this ensures a truly immersive experience, and it also means that wildlife occasionally wanders through the grounds. Be sure never to approach any wild animals, and never roam around unaccompanied at night - it is still perfectly safe.

Do luxury lodges have particular dress codes?

Despite the plush surroundings, most luxury safari lodges are more intent on your comfort and relaxation rather than imposing a dress code for dinner. Often guests will opt to head straight to dinner after their afternoon game drives, which is perfectly acceptable. A small handful of lodges, like Rattray's on Mala Mala, require semiformal attire for dinner. Be sure to check beforehand.

Can I enjoy a private safari at a luxury lodge?

Yes - many lodges have private safari vehicles available at an additional daily rate (and subject to availability - if the lodge is full and all vehicles are in use, it would naturally not be possible).

What exactly do all-inclusive packages include?

All-inclusive typically means that all your safari activities, three meals daily, game drive refreshments, coffees, teas, soft drinks, and local beers, wines, and spirits are included in the price. Occasionally, more luxurious lodges have laundry services as well. The price will not include Premium spirits, imported wines, and spa treatments.

Why do so many lodges have additional showers outdoors?

The outdoor shower, though quite an exotic concept to some visitors, is a means to immerse yourself in your wilderness experience. It can be a rather relaxing affair to hear the call of birds and wildlife - or even observe them in the distance, should the shower be open to the bush - while cleansing yourself. However, all lodges have an indoor shower for those who may be uncomfortable with the idea.

How would I reach my luxury safari lodge?

South Africa's luxury safari lodges are easily accessible by commercial flight and overland transfer. However, if you would like a more exclusive experience, charter flights are also available directly to the lodges. In other Southern African countries, charter flights are the norm.

Where are the best luxury safari lodges located?

The absolute cream of the crop of safari lodges in Southern Africa lies tucked away in the Sabi Sand (including Londolozi) and Mala Mala private game reserves.

Will my game viewing experience be superior at a luxury safari lodge?

One does not need to break the bank to enjoy spectacular game viewing. You can enjoy equally memorable sightings at a budget safari lodge. However, many luxury lodges have exclusive traversing rights, which means a more intimate and exclusive experience and less traffic around sightings.

Luxury Safaris in Africa