(No.25-1)
25th. andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – Namibia
This is an outstanding lodge with walk-in wine cellars, floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a location in a Dark Sky Reserve. Rooms come with an outdoor shower and a dramatic skylight over the bed for late night star gazing.
P.S. This incredible lodge is currently closed for refurbs but will be open in October 2019, just in time for prime safari season.
24th. The Hide – Zimbabwe
The Hide’s main lodge overlooks a wildlife-rich waterhole and has rustic rooms, including a beautiful treetop suite.
Get right close up to large herds of elephants and buffalo at the Underground Hide, which provides amazing photographic opportunities. Along the same tunnel, you’ll find a secret wine cellar to browse.
23rd. Il Ngwesi – Kenya
Il Ngwesi is a fantastic community-run camp set on the Il Ngwesi group Ranch. Built into the side of a hill from locally sourced materials – wood, rock and thatching – it’s managed and hosted by a team of Maasai moran (warriors).
It’s an incredible chance to experience the African wildlife, as it’s also a rhino sanctuary. You’ll even get to dine in the village of some of Il Ngwesi’s warrior staff – expect lots of dancing!
22nd. Kagga Kamma – South Africa
Rock formations frame the horizon at this unique lodge with outdoor star suites. Outside in the middle of a Nature Reserve at night, you are by no means roughing it – rooms come with with a proper queen-size bed, cozy bedding, a natural rock pool and a “star bath”!
You won’t spot big game here, but there’s antelope and ostrich and plenty of activities.
21st. Desert Rhino Camp – Namibia
Desert Rhino Camp is in the heart of one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino. It’s a luxury tented mobile camp, that can be easily moved if local game movements make it necessary.
The pretty camp has eight mega-comfortable Meru-style tents, with story-telling every night around the campfire.
20th. Royal Zambezi Lodge Bush Spa – Zambia
From wherever you are in the camp – maybe your private deck, or in your outdoor bathtub – you’ll have incredible views of the Lower Zambezi National Park. Elephants roam through the camp on a daily basis, and you can also embrace the lodge’s DNA-policy (Doing Nothing at All).
With a keen focus on wellness, the spa has stunning views of the river and uses local indigenous ingredients from the African bush.
19th. Giraffe Manor – Kenya
Could this be the most famous lodge in all of Africa? We’re guessing it’s a firm yes. Giraffe Manor is a boutique hotel in one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings, with classic safari-style rooms.
But the most fascinating thing about Giraffe Manor is its herd of resident Rothschild’s giraffe who visit morning and evening in the hope of treats. The hotel doubles up as a giraffe sanctuary with a breeding programme that aims to reintroduce pairs of the giraffes back into the wild.
18th. Faru Faru Lodge – Tanzania
Yet another incredible lodge on Singita’s private reserve, Faru Faru is an easy-going lodge in the heart of the Serengeti. A natural watering hole attracts predators and prey right up to the lodge, so you don’t even have to leave the camp.
There’s two swimming pools, a fire pit under the stars for evening chats and classic rooms with comfy beds.
17th. Kings Pool Camp – Botswana
The newly-renovated and elegant King’s Pool lodge is a 100% solar-powered camp with nine luxurious thatch and canvas rooms. An open-air boma is the perfect place for dinner al fresco, with sundowners every evening on the deck.
Feeling adventurous? See massive elephants at eye-level from the camp’s sunken hide, or ask to arrange a sleepout in the wilderness for a night.
16th. Londolozi Lodge – South Africa
Londolozi is right on the Sand River, in the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the famous Greater Kruger National Park.
Each of the five camps here have a uniquely different vibe, yet all are beautiful. Londolozi’s Private Granite Suites feature outdoor bathtubs where you can watch elephants play in the river. A sunset river bar and sunken cocktail lounge are suspended high above the Sand River for even more views.
15th. Kapama Karula – South Africa
The perfect place to come with a family or small group of friends if you’re experiencing a safari for the first time. Each of the glass-wrapped villas has its own outside deck area, a full-sized heated pool and loungers, and the larger camp size at Kapama Karula makes it extra lively.
With bathtub views like these, how could you ever leave?
14th. Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero – Botswana
Chobe Chilwero borders the elephant rich Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, aka one of the best wildlife parks in Africa. The luxurious lodge has just 15 suites, as well as the only full spa on the Botswana safari circuit.
After a day of game viewing, what better way to relax than in your own private garden with a cocktail?
13th. Gibb’s Farm – Tanzania
Established as a coffee farm in the late 1920s, Gibb’s Farm was one of the first guesthouses in Northern Tanzania. Now, the lovely old building still retains its colonial feel with beautiful gardens to stroll through.
Feast on organic produce straight from the lodge’s farm, explore centuries-old waterfalls and elephant caves or take a mountain bike day trip to Rotia, spotting wildlife along the way.
12th. Naibor Camp – Kenya
Naibor, a Masai word for ‘space’, is a luxury camp deep in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms are spread throughout the forest.
The Mess tent and sociable fireplace area overlook the Talek River with its resident pod of hippos, with comfortable floor-cushions, rugs and sofas to sink into after a day in the bush.
11th. Somalisa – Zimbabwe
Somalise is an incredible camp with wildlife that includes the Big Five, white rhino, zebra, giraffe and the rare and endangered roan antelope. The main highlight here is an elephant pool which is a popular bathing spot for elephant families.
One minute you’re sipping on your gin and tonic, the next you’re gazing out at wild elephants passing by. Cheers to that.
10th. Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge – Uganda
This rustic lodge is on its own private section of the Munyanga River, and mountain gorillas can regularly be viewed from the terraces crossing the river outside the lodge. It’s no wonder that
At Mahogany Springs it is the little touches that make the big difference. Think: complimentary Afternoon Tea, board games and enormous bathtubs.
9th. Ivory Lodge – South Africa
Here, everything is included – from your champagne of choice stocked in the maxibar to unique dining under the stars. Guests staying at Ivory Lodge can also spend a night or two in a luxury treehouse.
The Kingston Treehouse is built on boulders, across a small drawbridge, with lanterns to light the way. The pictures speak for themselves…
8th. The Highlands – Tanzania
The spectacular Asilia Highlands has a cutting-edge design, with dome suites that strike a perfect balance between a true wilderness experience and a high-style, contemporary escape. Domes have wood-burning stoves and mountain views.
Adventures include game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater, community and cultural visits, hiking along Maasai cattle trails or talks with a renowned lion researcher.
7th. The Bushcamp Company’s Mfuwe Lodge – Zambia
This is an award winning safari lodge set in the most prolific game area of the South Luangwa. Where else can you sit in the lobby and watch a small herd of elephants parade on the tile floors, marching past you to reach the Wild Mango tree inside the lodge grounds?
The 18 thatch chalets are beautiful, but it’s the unbeatable wildlife encounters that makes this spot special.
6th. Singita Pamushana Lodge – Zimbabwe
Singita Pamushana Lodge’s breathtaking design is just on highlight; the lodge has an ecotourism focus and purpose to contribute to the conservation of the 130,000-acre wildlife reserve.
Relax in vibrant and colourful suites with handmade Shangaan fabrics, explore the impressive wine cellars or take a break from safari adventures with a trip to the spa.
5th. Enasoit – Kenya
This luxurious private safari camp in Kenya’s Laikipia plateau can only be hired on an exclusive basis, so gather up your friends ASAP. Rooms include classic tents as well as cottages that overlook a watering hole.
The camp offers bespoke ‘Thinking Man’s Safaris’ – guests provide topics that interest them and the camp will source speakers, often leaders in their field, who can develop those interests over fireside chats.
4th. Jack’s Camp – Botswana
A safari here is an extremely unusual desert safari experience; you’ll explore Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, walk with San Bushmen and spend time with wild meerkats.
Bedouin-style tents have the comfiest four-poster beds you’ll ever sleep in, while a jaw-dropping swimming pool underneath a tent is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else.
3rd. Singita Boulders Lodge – South Africa
You’ll find this between the Hoedspruit and Acornhoek on the western edge of Kruger National Park. You’ll get to see some amazing big game here, but you’ll also be doing it in serious luxury. Each suite has an ensuite bedroom, private sitting room and game viewing deck with private plunge pool. Some are overlooking a well-used watering hole.
Tough competition, but hands down the best safari lodge in South Africa.
2nd. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Uganda
At over 2,000 metres above sea level, this is Uganda’s highest lodge. You’ll be sleeping in the clouds in one of eight cottages that are built from volcanic stone. Spectacular views stretch all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, with the soft glow of the volcano visible at nighttime.
One of the best lodges to track the famous gorillas, there’s also private butlers, cosy fireplaces to take away the mountain chill and a spa.
1st. Bisate – Rwanda
This truly unique lodge combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with pure luxury. The six forest villas are high in the treetops with circular rooms and local artworks.
The whole Bisate experience is based around lodge’s 4Cs sustainability ethos of Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation. Every guest who stays joins in on a pioneering reforestation project, which has already seen over 20 000 indigenous trees planted on the Bisate site.
