Bushtops Serengeti
Home to 12 luxury lodges, each with its own private deck, hot tub, indoor/outdoor shower and an unobstructed view of the Serengeti, Bushtops Serengeti in Tanzania is a luxury oasis that blends into its surroundings. Guests can enjoy wildlife encounters from their own private hot tub or use the guest swimming pool in the heart of the camp. Don’t be surprised if clients find they have a vehicle to themselves, especially in the low season, allowing for private game viewing experiences. bushtopscamps.com
Thanda Safari
Located in South Africa’s northern KwaZulu Natal (KZN), Thanda Safari Big Five Private Game Reserve spans over 14,000-hectares and features four unique safari accommodation options to choose from: Thanda Safari Lodge, Villa iZulu, Thanda Tented Camp and The Royal Thanda Club by Thanda Safari. For groups, Villa Izulu accommodates up to 10 guests in five luxury suites. The villa comes fully equipped with a private boma, library, wine cellar, heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, viewing deck and its own helicopter pad! With easy road access to southern Mozambique, Thanda offers a rare bush-to-beach experience. thanda.com
Kamba Africa
For clients dreaming of seeing gorillas, Kamba Africa, set in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, is home to the endangered Western Lowland gorillas. With only 2,920 tourists visiting the Republic of the Congo annually, compared to 30,000 in other gorilla trekking destinations like Rwanda and Uganda, Kamba Africa offers a more exclusive experience. Guests can choose from Ngaga Lodge, hidden in the forest, Lango Lodge in the heart of the Congo Basin rainforest or Mboko Lodge in the savanna forest. kambaafrica.com
Onguma Camp Kala
Opened in 2022, this lodge in Namibia consists of just four guest suites. The whole camp is elevated on wooden stilts, linked by raised walkways, offering a great vantage point of the floodlit waterhole below. There’s also a water-level photographic hide, gym, spa and yoga deck. The guest suites each have their own deck with day bed, outdoor shower, wood-fired hot tub and a seating area with fire pit. onguma.com
Chobe Game Lodge
Famous as the location of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s second honeymoon, Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent structure inside Botswana’s Chobe National Park, allowing guests to be the first to enter the park every morning and the last to leave. The lodge has one of Africa’s first all-female guiding teams, electric game vehicles, solar-powered boats, and has 40 guest rooms and four luxurious suites. The park is home to the largest population of elephants in the world. chobegamelodge.com
Kibale Lodge
Specialising in chimpanzee viewing, Volcanoes Safaris’ newly-opened Kibale Lodge in Uganda is located in Kibale Forest – the ‘Primate Capital of the World’ with a community of 1,500 chimps. The Lodge comprises eight bandas, plus spa and pool with views of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Queen Elizabeth plains. The lodge is due to launch a new 10-day ‘Primates of the Great Rift Valley’ safari. This combines chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura Gorge Lodge and gorilla trekking at Mount Gahinga Lodge. volcanoessafaris.com
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge
Perched on Kalagala Island on Uganda’s River Nile, Lemala Wildwaters Lodge incorporates its water-based location into its safari adventures. Accessible only by boat, this private island retreat features 10 suites with views of the Nile’s rapids. Each has an open-air bathtub and two have private plunge pools. Guests can enjoy white-water rafting, bungee jumping and jet boating, or unwind by the pool overlooking the river. Spot giant otters in the rapids or opt for a night safari to see nocturnal animals. lemalacamps.com
Chisa Busanga Camp
Clients looking for something unique will love the four ‘bird nest’ suites elevated above the ground, with views of Zambia’s Busanga Plains. Inspired by weaver bird nests, the rooms are 100% solar powered. Accommodating only eight guests at a time, the camp offers hot air balloon safaris and night drives to spot elusive nocturnal wildlife. greensafaris.com
Zambezi Sands
Situated along the Zambezi River, minutes from the thundering Victoria Falls, Zambezi Sands in Zimbabwe is the first black female-owned safari lodge in Africa. It features 10 private Bedouin-style tents with river views. Each has a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower and lounge area and some have a private plunge pool. Guests can indulge in a fishing safari or stick to a traditional bush safari. batokaafrica.com
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Set on a private nature reserve in South Africa, this luxury eco-reserve offers experiences such as horseback riding, flower safaris, hikes and even whale watching. The Garden Lodge consists of 11 suites with views of the coastline, plus kids club and playroom. Meanwhile the Forest Lodge offers 16 suites with fireplaces, as well as an infinity pool. There are also two private villas, complete with private chef, butler and nature guides. grootbos.com
