The 20 Best Safari Lodges in Africa

I’ve been lucky enough to stay at more safari lodges than I can count, and safari is one experience I will never tire of. Every trip back to the bush seems to add a new favourite, so this list keeps evolving. From desert camps in Namibia to private villas in the Serengeti, these are the best safari lodges in Africa, most of them tried and tested by me. And if you’re wondering where to start: my favourite safari country is Botswana, and my favourite month to go is July.

Planning a safari? Start with my ultimate luxury safari guide, covering where to go, the best lodges and when to visit.

Post updated October 2026

1. San Camp, Botswana

I’ll start with my favourite safari camp in all of Africa: San Camp in Botswana. Set on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, it is far from your ordinary safari camp, and that is exactly what makes it so special. You won’t find the Big Five out on the salt pans; instead, the focus is on the smaller creatures that call this landscape home, including the resident meerkats. More than anything, San Camp is about switching off from everyday life and tuning in to the present. There’s no wifi or electricity in the tents, but there’s no shortage of ways to connect with nature.

2. Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, Botswana

My second favourite lodge in Botswana is andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. andBeyond has a number of camps across the Okavango Delta and beyond, but Sandibe is the crowning jewel of its Botswana portfolio. It’s the most expensive of the lot, but it is also the most magical. If you’re looking for a honeymoon with a difference, this is your best bet.

3. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia

Namibia had been on my list for years, and it did not disappoint. Deep in the Namib Desert, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has been refurbished from top to bottom, and the result is simply breathtaking: glass-fronted suites looking out over the dunes, and a skylight above the bed for stargazing. Waking up in the desert is a luxury I won’t forget in this lifetime.

Read more: The 12 most isolated lodges in Africa

4. Singita Boulders Lodge, South Africa

Singita Boulders Lodge in the Sabi Sand wasn’t my first safari lodge in South Africa, but it is my favourite. I’ll never forget sitting out on my deck as a young elephant wandered up to drink from my pool. I’ve since learned this is a regular occurrence here, so if you’re after close animal encounters, Boulders is the lodge to book.

5. Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Kenya

Checking in to Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp feels like stepping back in time. One of Kenya’s most storied safari camps, it sits in a private conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara. Because the reserve itself can get busy with safari vehicles, this is a wonderful way to enjoy more serenity while staying close to the action.

6. Mnemba Island, Zanzibar

Okay, I’m saying it: if I could return to only one place in Africa, it would be Mnemba Island. It isn’t a traditional safari lodge, but it more than deserves its place on this list. With just twelve beachfront bandas on a private island off the coast of Zanzibar, it is the ultimate in barefoot luxury, and the perfect way to finish a safari.

7. Angama Mara, Kenya

Angama Mara is widely considered one of the best safari lodges in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Perched high on the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking the Mara Triangle, it has some of the most spectacular views in East Africa. If you’re looking for a honeymoon with views for days, this is your best bet.

8. Cottar’s Bush Villa, Kenya

Although Cottar’s Bush Villa sits within Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, it deserves a mention of its own. This gloriously spacious, exclusive-use villa comes with its own team, guide and vehicle, and sits just above the camp overlooking the Maasai Mara. It is the perfect choice for families or groups who want a private base in the bush.

9. Singita Serengeti House, Tanzania

Serengeti House is one of the most exclusive properties in Singita’s Grumeti portfolio in Tanzania. This private villa has four bedrooms, an infinity pool, a gym and its own chef, so you and your group can kick back and enjoy the Serengeti entirely to yourselves.

10. Royal Malewane, South Africa

When I checked in to Royal Malewane a few years ago, I had already stayed at a handful of camps nearby, but this one has an appeal all of its own. Its interiors feel like stepping back in time, and the spa is a destination in itself, with a beautiful lap pool reminiscent of a Moroccan riad.

11. andBeyond Bateleur Camp, Kenya

Of all the camps I stayed at in East Africa, andBeyond Bateleur Camp in the Maasai Mara was my favourite. It is the perfect mix of old and new, with all the classic safari touches and every modern comfort to go with them. The service was unmatched by any other camp I stayed at in Kenya.

12. Botswana Skybeds, Botswana

For an unforgettable night in the bush, book a night at Botswana Skybeds. The Skybeds are a short drive from Sable Alley, so they pair perfectly with a stay there. Each one sits atop a three-storey platform, so you fall asleep under the stars with the sounds of the bush all around you. This is not only one of the best safari experiences in Africa, but one of the most adventurous.

13. Singita Sweni, South Africa

Singita Sweni was one of the first safari lodges I ever stayed at, and it has stayed with me ever since. Set on the banks of the Sweni River in a private concession of the Kruger National Park, with just a handful of suites, it feels intimate in a way few lodges do. Singita go above and beyond for their guests, with exceptional food and service to match.

14. Sable Alley, Botswana

Sable Alley is one of Botswana’s most popular safari camps. Botswana is one of the most expensive countries in Africa for a safari, but Sable Alley sits at the more accessible end of the scale, making it a great choice if you want a special escape without the hefty price tag.

Read more: The Best Animal Encounters in Africa

15. Bisate Lodge, Rwanda

Rwanda has become one of the most sought-after destinations in Africa, thanks largely to the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Bisate Lodge is one of the country’s most iconic places to stay, with distinctive beehive-shaped villas set on the slopes of an extinct volcano.

16. Thorntree River Lodge, Zambia

Zambia and Zimbabwe are both gateways to Victoria Falls, but if you’re looking for something extra special, look to Thorntree River Lodge. Set on the banks of the Zambezi in Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, upstream from the Falls, this peaceful lodge is the epitome of romance, and my top pick for the most romantic safari lodge in Africa.

17. andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania

East Africa is the place to go for the classic ‘Out of Africa’ experience, and few lodges are as picturesque as andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Perched on the rim of the crater, with interiors as dramatic as the view, it is one of the most romantic places to stay in Tanzania.

18. Jao Camp, Botswana

I know, I know, another Botswana recommendation! But nowhere is as raw and real as Botswana, and no safari is as magical as one in the Okavango Delta. Jao Camp is a beautiful option for honeymooners looking for something extra special, and its carefully considered design makes it one of the most distinctive camps in the Delta.

19. Singita Kataza House, Rwanda

Also in Rwanda, Singita has two properties to choose from: Kwitonda Lodge and Singita Kataza House. Kataza is an exclusive-use house set at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, just a short trip from the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.

20. Chinzombo, Zambia

Last but not least, Chinzombo sits idyllically on the banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. It is a popular choice for couples seeking a serene spot by the water, and South Luangwa is the home of the walking safari, so head out on foot with a guide at least once. If you’re up for more adventure, pair it with a few nights near Victoria Falls, where you can take a microflight over the Falls. Believe me when I say it is not for the faint-hearted!