Luxury Game Reserves in Southern Africa
Luxury African Safaris
Take a trip to the wild side
Slick design and smart service meet majestic wildlife and far flung destinations on our list of top safaris in Southern Africa. Explore how top guides and first-rate amenities make safaris one of Southern Africa’s finest things to do in the region.
Singita Boulders Lodge
Singita’s Boulders Camp is the flagship property of the South African Singita operation and is recognised as one of the Kruger National Park’s finest lodges.
Situated in the private Singita Game Reserve in Sabi Sands sits the uber-luxe suites of Singita Boulders Lodge, featuring outdoor showers, heated plunge pools, and private wrap-around decks overlooking the river.
The meaning of Singita in Shangaan (a South African dialect) is ‘place of miracles’ - a fitting name for a heavenly lodge.
Singita’s USP? Buried deep in the cool rock below the camp, the cellar boasts a comprehensive selection of over 12,000 bottles of South African and international wines.
Rooms start from £1,600 per night. Singita Boulders Lodge
Royal Malewane
The Kruger National Park is a vast, bushy labyrinth abound with wildlife ranging from the Big Five (elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, leopards, and African water buffalo) to cackling hyenas, pesky baboons, and lithe impalas.
Hidden in the thick of it all sits Royal Malewane, a boutique hotel which has seen notable guests such as Nicolas Sarkozy, Richard Gere, and Elton John stay in their world-class private suites.
Under the high-thatched roof of the seven luxury suites, smart four-posters are clad in high thread-count Egyptian cotton, vintage Persian rugs sit on polished cement floors and there's a fireplace for chilly evenings.
Royal Malewane’s USP? This boutique safari lodge in the Kruger National Park has its own private waterhole for wildlife, ensuring uninterrupted views while they drink.
Rooms start from £2,560 per night.
theroyalportfolio.com
Nambiti Hills Private Game Reserve
The setting at Nambiti Hills Private Game Lodge is intimate and in the midst of the spectacular African beauty of the Nambiti Game Reserve; a stay here is guaranteed to be remarkable. It is a haven of sophistication surrounded by uncharted terrain.
A great pick for the individual seeking both privacy and luxury, the quiet lodge deck provides unparalleled views of the reserve.
Nambiti’s USP? Bird enthusiasts are in for a treat, with over 260 different bird species calling this area home.
Rooms start from £190 per night.
www.nambitihills.com
Jao Camp
Jao Camp is situated in the private Jao game reserve, in the heart of Botswana's Okavango Delta. With only nine tents, Jao Camp is one of the smaller and more opulent camps in the Okavango Delta and is designed in an open plan style so as to blend in with the environment. Each tent consists of a lounge and main bedroom with a dressing area and en-suite facilities including magical open air showers.
The situation of Jao Camp in the Jao Concession means the camp benefits from being both hidden amongst waterways and lagoons but remains close to the Kalahari woodlands. Among some of the many incredible experiences to be had at Joa Camp are guided canoeing safaris, drives in custom open 4x4 vehicles, stargazing with a spotting scope, and memorable scenic helicopter flights.
Joa Camp’s USP? A raised hide sits in the bush twenty minutes from camp: this provides a great vantage point from which to watch wildlife coming and going undisturbed.
www.wilderness-safaris.com
Karkloof Safari Villas & Spa
A 30-minute car journey outside of Pietermaritzburg, Karkloof Safari Villas & Spa is located among the serene wilderness of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands and is home to a cacophony of wild and wonderful mammals with lions, rhinos, buffalos, elephants, and leopards all taking center stage. You'll have the chance to track them down with knowledgeable guides in the mornings and evenings when they're most active.
Inside the sixteen private villas you’ll find underfloor heating, soaking bathtubs overlooking the savannah, soft percale linens, and private viewing decks.
Karkloof’s USP? Stays are highlighted by waterfalls, gorges, personal butler service and private safari guides, unlimited spa treatments, and crystal decanters filled with sherry.
Karkloof Safari Villas & Spa
Melote House at Lepogo Lodges
The epitome of unperturbed African refinement, the contemporary lodge at Melote House at Lepogo Lodges are decorated in serene style, with a private game-viewing deck, 100 sqm outdoor living space, magnificent skybed located on the deck, cocoon fireplace, and private pool.
Melote House is inspired by the rock formations of the Waterberg region and has sustainability at its core, built in tiers on the side of the hill to maximise the magnificent views over the Lapalala Wilderness.
Taking in the sights and sounds of the savanna's most elusive animals is an everyday occurrence - as are the first-class spa treatments, yoga classes, and fine dining experiences across the reserve.
Importantly, Lepogo Lodges has become the first safari resort in South Africa to commit to offsetting the carbon footprint of every visiting guest from the moment they leave home to their eventual return.
Melote’s USP? A magical skybed sits outside on the private deck where guests can recline under the stars.
Nightly rates for 2024 from £9,522-£15,870 per night on an all-inclusive basis, depending on season and number of guests.
www.lepogolodges.com
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