Some of the finest luxury safari lodges in Africa
There’s a level of safari travel in Africa that goes beyond simply “luxury.” It’s defined by exceptional locations, exquisite design, and experiences that feel completely tailored and secluded. This is our speciality; we work with luxury safari lodges and camps across Eastern and Southern Africa that deliver elevated comfort, wonder, artistry, and depth. From the glittering channels of the Okavango Delta to the sweeping savannas of the Serengeti, the riverbanks of the Zambezi to the wildlife-rich plains of Kenya, these are the places we return to time and time again. Properties where service is intuitive, wine cellars are world-class, and every wildlife drive or sundowner is tailored just for you.
Xigera Safari Lodge – Okavango Delta, Botswana
Set in the Moremi Game Reserve, within Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Xigera Safari Lodge offers something truly special: a deep connection to the location, expressed through design, creativity, and culture. The lodge is like an art gallery, with every piece of furniture, every sculpture, and every light fitting handcrafted by African artisans. The interiors are imaginative yet calming, a perfect complement to the water-based wilderness just outside. With 12 suites, plus the iconic Baobab Treehouse for a luxury to sleep under the stars, Xigera is serene, sustainably run, and designed with an incredibly light footprint. Days are spent on mokoro safaris through lily-strewn channels, wildlife drives in remote corners of Moremi, and sundowners where elephants wade through silently as the sky turns golden.
The treehouse at Xigeria Safari Lodge
Mara Plains – Masai Mara, Kenya
Situated in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains offers direct access to the famed Masai Mara without the crowds. With just seven tented suites (each with its own Canon camera setup), it’s an ideal base for photographers. Founded by conservation filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Great Plains Conservation camps feel like they belong in a different era, but with every modern comfort discreetly in place. These places combine elegance, sustainability, and the thrill of pure wilderness.
Mara Plains Camp
The Silo Hotel – Cape Town, South Africa
A stunning architectural marvel in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, The Silo Hotel is built atop a historic grain silo. Known for its unique “pillowed” windows, it offers luxurious accommodation, panoramic views of Table Mountain and the harbour, exquisite dining, and houses the Zeitz MOCAA contemporary art museum beneath it. It’s a beacon of art, design, and opulence.
View of Lion’s Head from the expansive windows of the Silo Hotel
Jabali Ridge – Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
One of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets. Set amongst the granite boulders in the rugged landscape of Ruaha National Park known for its raw beauty, fascinating history and huge populations of lion and elephant. The design of Jabali Ridge is striking: open-sided suites carved into the rock, natural timber decks overlooking the baobab-dotted plains, and an infinity pool that feels suspended in the wilderness. Wildlife viewing is phenomenal and relatively crowd-free, with expert guides leading drives through this untamed corner of southern Tanzania. For those who want their safari off the beaten path but without compromising on luxury, Jabali Ridge is the perfect escape.
Jabali Ridge infinity Pool
Pamushana Lodge – Maliliangwe Reserve, Zimbabwe
Set within the remarkable 115,000-acre Malilangwe Nature Reserve, the vibrant Pamushana Lodge feels like a well-kept secret. As the only property within the reserve, it’s perfect for those looking for a quieter safari paired with bold interiors and excellent guiding. Singita properties are known not only for their aesthetics and cuisine, but also for their extraordinary staff, who are discreet, genuine, and effortlessly attentive.
Pamushana Lodge’s pool overlooks an expansive dam
Matetsi Victoria Falls – Zambezi River, Zimbabwe
Matetsi is a beautiful contrast to a busy safari. Set along 15km of private Zambezi River frontage, and just 40 minutes from the roar of Victoria Falls. The architecture is clean-lined and contemporary, softened by earthy textures and warm local touches. Every suite has views of the river, private decks, and outdoor showers. The two-bedroom River House is ideal for families or groups wanting complete privacy with full butler service. Matetsi also offers superb game viewing across its 55,000-hectare private reserve, along with river cruises, fine dining, a stunning wine cellar, and one of the region’s best spas. It’s an ideal beginning or ending to a Botswana, Zimbabwe, or Zambia itinerary.
Views onto the Zambezi River from your room at Matetsi
These properties embody everything a high-end African safari should be: elegant, exclusive, and truly memorable. Whether you’re after a multi-country adventure through some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes or looking to settle into one exceptional lodge and take your time, these places offer an elevated luxury safari experience like no other.
What next?
Get inspired and sign up for our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari. 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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