15 Best Safari Swimming Pools in Africa
I love a pool; more for swimming in than lazing alongside, and our clients often cite a swimming pool as their must-haves for their safari holiday. Indeed, one of the most relaxing ways to spend downtime when you are on safari is to cool off for a dip in a private pool. Children also love a pool on holiday to make friends and fill leisure time between morning and afternoon wildlife drives. What is more is that in Africa pools are not just for humans, occasionally elephants use them as a watering hole so you might get a real close-up of an elephant drinking if you are lucky! Our expert safari team has hand-picked the 15 very best safari swimming pools in Africa from fitness-oriented to infinity pools, and from quirky to those with the best views.
Our top picks for swimming pools on safari
For fitness
1. Tumaren Camp, Kenya
Tumaren has a 20-metre swimming pool with a large pool house and bar. Meals can be enjoyed here as well as in the other two dining rooms. Tumaren can be taken over exclusively, so whether you choose to fill all seven tents to the brim with friends or take just one and have a memorable getaway with family, there is plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy.
2. Gibb’s Farm, Tanzania
The terraced gardens have fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment, and the lodge is tucked into the edge of the forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. These incredible views can be enjoyed from the 25-metre pool.
3. Samara The Manor, South Africa
The Manor can be booked on an exclusive-use basis and the reserve has an extensive range of ecosystems and very varied wildlife as a result. The mountain landscape unfolds over a 21-metre infinity pool, descending to a waterhole visited by wildlife.
4. Sonop, Namibia
This location has magnificent views over Namibia’s untouched desert wilderness with a spectacular open-air infinity pool integrated into the landscape’s granite boulders as well as a fully equipped fitness centre and daily yoga.
5. Mantadia Lodge, Madagascar
The lodge is well located for access to some of the best lemur viewing on the island. The 25 meter infinity pool and yoga pavilion overlooks the forest and rice fields and is the perfect wellness retreat.
For stunning views
6. Sausage Tree Camp, Zambia
This infinity pool under the shade of Mahogany trees overlooks the Zambezi River.
7. Singita Pamushana Lodge, Zimbabwe
The lodge is set in a remote wilderness area that is surrounded by riparian woodland, bordering the Chiredzi River.
8. Ol Malo, Laikipia, Kenya
The lodge is set on the edge of cliff and looks south over the deep valley, giving impressive views from the pool of the surrounding wilderness and occasionally Mount Kenya far in the distance.
9. Saruni Samburu, Samburu, Kenya
Saruni Samburu is perched on an impressive hill top with panoramic views out across northern Kenya from the infinity pool.
10. Kaya Mawa, Malawi
Set in a secluded cove on the shores of Lake Malawi, the luxury suites at Kaya Mawa each have their very own private pool making it the perfect spot to watch the sun go down at the end of the day.
For wildlife
11. Sable Alley Camp, Botswana
The pool at Sable Alley camp is positioned in front of a lively lagoon with spectacular views over the vistas. Cool down with a few laps alongside a pod of hippos after a day in the hot African sun.
12. Chongwe River House, Lower Zambezi, Zambia
The house has wonderful views of the Muchinga Mountains and wildlife on the Chongwe River.
13. Chinzombo, South Luangwa, Zambia
Each of the villas blend into their surroundings and have their own private, infinity plunge pool.
14. Zarafa Dhow Suites, Botswana
With stunning views over the Zibalianja Lagoon at the eastern end of Selinda Reserve and superb wildlife. Each suite has it own plunge pool for cooling off during the heat of the day.
15. Kambaku River Sands, South Africa
Kambaku River Sands is situated beside a river in a peaceful part of the Timbavati Game Reserve, which has an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. The waterhole attracts lots of wildlife and you often see elephants sneaking a drink from the pool.
What next?
We would be delighted to help with planning your a safari holiday our safari experts are on hand to recommend the perfect camp for you and your family. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
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