The 100 Best Safari Lodges In Africa

(No.75-51)

75th. Onguma Treetop Camp – Namibia

This treetop camp is quite simply jaw-dropping. The rooms at Onguma is built on wooden stilts amongst the tree tops with full views over one of the most beautiful watering holes on Onguma Game Reserve.

Plus, there’s just eight rooms here, making it ideal for a cosy and intimate stay. Have an evening massage and keep an eye out for the zebra, lion and giraffe below as they visit the watering hole.

74th. Ishasha Wilderness Camp – Uganda

A peaceful camp that’s ideal for anyone looking to take a break from the busy world. Next to the Ntungwe River, each of the camp’s 10 spacious canvas tented rooms has a private verandah overlooking the river.

Keep an eye out for the tree-climbing lions for which the area is renowned, or, if you’re lucky, George, the lone hippo.

73rd. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge – Zimbabwe

This amazing lodge is without doubt one of the most popular places to stay in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The sunset-facing lodge looks out onto the African bushveld, which includes a waterhole that’s visited by elephants, buffalo and kudu.

Rooms have glass sliding doors opening on to private balconies, there’s a two-tiered swimming pool and there’s even a fitness centre if you’re feeling up to a workout after a busy day in the reserve.

72nd. Ol Seki – Kenya

Gaze out over the Isupukiai River Valley at this incredible camp, where guests of each tent have their own private kitchen and dedicated staff. The camp is super private and borders the Maasai Mara Reserve – this particular area has one of the highest densities of lion in Africa.

Lavish tents are the ultimate place to stay, and you can also feast at candlelit dinners in the Ndorobo caves.

71st. Gorah Lodge – South Africa

Can you imagine sipping tea on the veranda of a stately colonial manor house while watching a herd of elephants stroll by? Gorah is the only camp in the middle of the famous Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest population of elephants on earth.

The 11 tented suites are luxurious and spacious, with vibes of the golden era of safari in the early 1900s.

70th. Vakona Forest Lodge – Madagascar

Vakona Forest Lodge is a charming eco-lodge with rooms that look right out into the forest of Andasibe National Park – home to the world’s largest lemur. The lodge itself has 28 Malagasy-style bungalows, with pretty gardens and a cosy library.

For really close up lemur viewing the lodge even has its own ‘Lemur Island’, where you can feed the friendly creatures as they jump on your shoulders.

69th. andBeyond Rock Lodge – South Africa

Dramatically set into a cliff face overlooking spectacular Leopard Rock, suites have private plunge pools that have views of the deep valley below. Three suites also have al fresco showers in the leafy growth, so you’ll feel like you’re bathing in your own private waterfall.

Keep busy during the day with Game Safaris, Zulu village tours; Night turtle drives (seasonal); Scuba and Ocean Safaris; Black rhino tracking on foot or Bush Walks.

68th. Sabora Tented Camp – Tanzania

This intimate 1920s-style explorer’s camp is full of old world charm yet has all the modern touches you expect from a five-star lodge.

The nine lavish tents are air-conditioned and feature a spacious bedroom with reading area, bathroom with bath and outdoor shower, viewing deck with a Swarovski spotting scope, and a library lounge tent lined with antique and rare volumes of African literature.

67th. Kanga Camp – Zimbabwe

We’re warning you: you will not want to leave this place. Set in the remote inlands of the Kanga Pan, the camp’s six tents are all raised on a wooden platform for the best views. Kanga Pan is a sole source of water in dry season, bringing Zimbabwe wildlife right to your doorstep.

Sit on the deck below the splash pool and soak in the uninterrupted views of the camp’s mega-busy watering hole – the perfect “armchair safari”.

66th. Stanley Safari Lodge – Zambia

Stanley Safari Lodge is an elegant and luxurious getaway, with colonial suites and a private plunge pool that evokes the elegant era of old school travel. Venture out in the open-top safari jeeps or have a historic four-course dinner experience aboard the Mulobezi line steam train.

From every room at Stanley Safari Lodge, you can see the distant views of the spray of the Victoria Falls. It doesn’t get much better than this.

65th. Magashi – Rwanda

Magashi may be brand new, but it’s instantly impressive. With a traditional East African “safari under canvas” feel, Magashi’s six airy tented suites and main guest areas have uninterrupted views over Lake Rwanyakazinga.

Rooms have pieces by local Rwandan artists and the camp is 100% solar powered and completely single-use plastic free.

64th. Crater Safari Lodge – Uganda

Crater Safari Lodge overlooks the second largest crater lake in Uganda, and is also super close to the famous Kibale National Park, home of the chimp trekking safari.

The boma area is the ideal place to relax around a roaring and crackling fire, while rooms (deluxe chalets or standard cabanas) also have views of the crater lake. It is  in a remote area and the journey to paradise is long, but it’s worth it.

63rd. Singita Sweni Lodge – South Africa

Yet another beautiful lodge by the Singita group, their Sweni Lodge lies right beside the Sweni River, so expect close up sightings of many animals. All suites have outdoor showers that overlook the river, and outdoor day beds where you can spend a night under the stars.

Plus, there’s a huge variety of things to do here, from game safaris to community cooking classes.

62nd. Ol Donyo – Kenya

Wake up to views of snow-capped Mt Kilimanjaro at this incredible Relais & Chateaux lodge. The spacious guest suites, no two of which are the same, have their own plunge pool and enjoy roof terraces where intimate “star beds” can be set up for a night sleeping under the stars.

Ol Donyo is also a pioneer in sustainable tourism: by working with the local Maasai people it has been able to blend conservation and livelihood benefits.

61st. Pumulani by Robin Pope Safaris – Malawi

On the Southern end of Lake Malawi, you’ll find this incredible lodge with direct beach access and no less than two infinity pools. While it’s hardly a destination for viewing big game, there’s wonderful birdlife and clouds of tropical fish.

Each villa has a large bedroom, which opens out onto a private deck where early risers can enjoy the morning’s first rays.

60th. Matetsi Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

This is one of the country’s most idyllic retreats from which to visit the largest waterfall on earth. The pretty Zambezi River runs deep alongside two intimate camps, with nine river-facing suites.

Where they go above and beyond is the attention to detail. Each suite comes with a private safari vehicle and a dedicated team including a personal guide, tracker, chef and butler, for a tailor-made safari experience unlike any other.

59th. Ngaga Camp – Republic of Congo

Ngaga is truly gorilla central. The Camp is in the overlapping home ranges of several groups of western lowland gorillas, with a fun, treehouse design with rooms that have wraparound balconies – perfect for peering directly into the forest canopy.

There’s also a relaxation deck which is located at a natural swimming spot on the Ngaga Stream, perfect for cooling off in after a morning gorilla trekking.

58th. Camp Nomade – Chad

Camp Nomade stays true to its name, as it rotates locations seasonally to make sure guests are always in the best wildlife-viewing area.

The camp is modelled on the traditional nomadic camps of the Sahel region, with just eight guests at any one time. Tents are simple but charming, with a camp bed as well as a chest to keep your belongings in. It also gives 100% of its profits back to Zakouma National Park.

57th. Chobe Game Lodge – Botswana

Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent game lodge inside the Chobe National Park and has amazing safari viewing points on both land and water. The lodge has a wooden walkway along the river’s edge where you can see some of the best game viewings in Botswana.

Can’t wait to visit? Check out the live webcam from the reserve here.

56th. Ongava Lodge – Namibia

Ongava Lodge is situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve, with endless wildlife viewing opportunities – you can hear the lions roar nearby just before sunrise as you get ready for a morning safari.

Beautiful chalets are built out of rock and thatch, with glass doors that lead out onto a private, covered veranda overlooking the Ongava bush.

55th. Virunga Lodge – Rwanda

The magnificent Virunga Lodge is perched high on a ridge with stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes. It’s one of the best places for trekking for Eastern Lowland Gorillas in the Virunga Mountains, as well as Golden Monkeys.

Rooms are in Rwandese-style, with their own fireplaces and an indulgent spa to soothe those aching muscles. A once-in-a-life-time experience to see the last of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.

54th. Selati Sabi Sabi – South Africa

Sabi Sabi’s award winning luxury game lodge has a historic railway theme with outdoor bathtubs and a draped four-poster bed looking out onto your private terrace which has a private plunge pool.

Spot the Big 5 on an open top safari ride to follow the animals on and off-road or choose a walking safari to immerse yourself in the land.

53rd. Ol Malo – Kenya

Ol Malo is an extraordinary family-owned and run lodge that has the perfect mix of home comfort and luxury. You can pick and choose what you feel like doing each day, be it game drives, riding, walking, fishing, medicinal plant walks or learning how to survive like a Samburu.

If you want to get even closer to Africa’s ‘night life’ one can also choose to spend a night in the leopard hide, star gazing in the tree house, or in a tented fly camp.

52nd. andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge – South Africa 

Ngala Safari Lodge is on a Big Five private game reserve that shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. The sparkling pool is often visited by elephants while the lodge’s boma creates a dramatic setting for fire-lit dinners.

Guests also have a complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars to use during their stay – fancy.

51st. Abu Camp – Botswana

Abu Camp calls the Okavango Delta home: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where huge herds of elephant roam. The entire lodge revolves around elephant conservation and guests are invited to join the herd (safely!) as they forage, bathe, and wallow in mud.

Each of the tented rooms has a large deck with a secluded outdoor copper bathtub and private plunge pool. Heaven.