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Southern Africa Safari Stays – My Top Recommendations

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As a South African who has explored a few of these breathtaking safari lodges myself, I’ve handpicked these stays for their incredible wildlife encounters, luxurious comforts, and unforgettable landscapes. Whether you’re after a romantic retreat, fam...
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Kruger National Park, South Africa

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Kruger National Park a couple of times. Spanning nearly two million hectares, it’s home to the Big Five, and offers both guided and self-drive safaris. Whether you're seeking budget-friendly camping or luxurious lodg...

 
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Explore the beauty of what the Kruger National Park can offer with so many accommodations on offer you will be spoilt for choice from budget to luxury.  I love the Kruger National Park, the weather, the views, the sunsets.  It does not get any better than this!
Kruger National Park
 
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For an unforgettable safari in Kruger, Nyati Safari Lodge blends luxury and adventure. Nestled along the Olifants River, you will enjoy the private terrace views of wildlife, game drives, bush walks, and sundowners. With spacious thatched villas, fin...
Nyati Safari Lodge, Hoedspruit
 
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My Secret Safari Spot: Wilderness Lebombo! 🦁✨ Perched on Kruger’s cliffs with jaw-dropping N’Wanetsi River views 🌊. Contemporary suites? Check. Epic game drives? Absolutely. But their walking safaris? Next-level magic. My heart-pounding dose of unt...
Lebombo Luxury Lodge & Safari | Kruger National Park | Singita
 
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My Top Kruger Pick: Tomo Safari Lodge! 🦁✨ Where luxury meets wild adventure – right on Kruger’s edge. Woke up to elephants from my suite’s deck 🌅, refueled with gourmet bush dinners 🍽️, and tracked leopards on heart-racing drives. Spacious. Stunni...
Tomo Safari Lodge, Hoedspruit
 
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Kruger Shalati was truly one of the most unique stays I’ve ever experienced. Sleeping in a luxuriously restored train carriage suspended above the Sabie River felt surreal. I’ll never forget sipping my morning coffee on the deck while watching elepha...
Kruger Shalati - Train on The Bridge & Garden Suites

Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Having visited Sabi Sand a few times, I can confidently say it's one of the best places for leopard sightings in the wild. The reserve's off-road game drives offer truly intimate wildlife encounters, and with fewer tourists, it feels much more privat...

 
Cornelia Van Zyl profile picture
Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers an exceptional safari experience with luxurious lodges and incredible wildlife sightings, including the Big Five.  Why I love it - it is one of the most reliable Big 5 sightings, exclusive luxury safaris, and world-famous leopard encounters
Sabi Sand Nature Reserve
 
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My Wild Luxury Oasis! Big Five sightings within hours? ✅ Private plunge pools overlooking untouched wilderness? ✅ Heart-stoppingly intimate suites? ✅ This lodge isn’t just luxury—it’s raw Africa, refined. My ultimate escape where elephants graze step...
Dulini Moya | Dulini

Okavango Delta, Botswana

I highly recommend the Okavango Delta, this UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique wildlife and stunning waterways. Experience wildlife from a mokoro canoe, offering a tranquil yet thrilling way to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and countless...

 
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I love the Okavango Delta for its unmatched water safaris by mokoro canoe among elephants and lions in Botswana’s pristine UNESCO wilderness.
Okavango Delta
 
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2025’s hottest safari secret? This newly launched camp blends vintage explorer charm with modern indulgence – all in Botswana’s wildlife-thick Delta. Think heritage aesthetics, silk-soft linens, and hippos grunting at your private deck. Don’t just vi...
Mbamba Camp
 
Cornelia Van Zyl profile picture
Prepare to fall in love! I love Xigera Safari Lodge ultra-luxurious eco-design, private Okavango Delta water safaris, and guaranteed Big 5 sightings in Botswana’s untouched wilderness.
Xigera Safari Lodge,Ngamiland East
 
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I recommend AndBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp for its luxury tented suites, thrilling Delta safaris by land and water, and impeccable service in Botswana’s wildlife-rich paradise. Nxabega isn’t just a stay — it’s safari nirvana.
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp | Chobe National Park, Botswana

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa is a must-visit for anyone seeking a unique safari experience. Known for its walking safaris, you’ll explore the African bush on foot, guided by expert trackers. The park’s high concentration of wildlife along the Luangwa River offers s...

 
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Forget crowded jeeps – South Luangwa blew me away! This is the birthplace of walking safaris (heart-pounding & authentic!). Wildlife paradise: leopard central, hippos galore, elephants everywhere. The lush landscapes & lifeblood Luangwa River...
South Luangwa National Park
 
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Camp Sabali offers a serene and authentic escape in the heart of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. You will love the guided walking safaris, thrilling game drives, and stunning sunsets, Camp Sabali is the perfect retreat for those seeking adventu...
Camp Sabali & Safaris, Mfuwe (updated prices 2024)
 
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Sungani Lodge is a hidden gem in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, offering a perfect blend of luxury and wilderness. You will enjoy relaxing by the pool or exploring the bush on a game drive, Sungani Lodge delivers an intimate and exclusive safa...
Sungani

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Centered around a vast salt pan, Etosha National Park offers unique landscapes and excellent game viewing opportunities. The park's waterholes attract a plethora of wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, lions, and numerous bird species. Self-drive o...

 
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Etosha National Park in Namibia is one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations, renowned for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Etosha National Park - Namibia
 
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Etosha Mountain Lodge is a hidden gem nestled in the rugged hills just outside Etosha National Park. This luxurious lodge offers a perfect blend of comfort, adventure, and breathtaking views. Enjoy sipping sundowners on the deck or stargazing under N...
ETOSHA MOUNTAIN LODGE -
 
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Ohorongo Tented Camp offers a serene and intimate safari experience on the edge of Etosha National Park. Nestled in a private nature reserve, this eco-friendly camp combines luxury with adventure, featuring spacious tents, stunning views, and close e...
OHORONGO LUXURY TENTED CAMP -

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

As Zimbabwe's largest game reserve, Hwange National Park is home to a vast array of species, including significant populations of elephants, giraffes, lions, and wild dogs. The park's diverse habitats, from woodlands to savannas, support a rich biodi...

 
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Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest and most iconic wildlife sanctuary, home to over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species. Famous for its massive elephant herds. Amazing game drives, guided walks on offer with unforgettable wildlife encount...
Hwange National Park
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Located in a game-rich private concession, this camp features luxurious tents with modern amenities and excellent game viewing opportunities.
WILDERNESS LINKWASHA CAMP -
 
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Elephant Eye Elevated Chalets offers a unique and luxurious safari experience in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Perched on stilts, these eco-friendly chalets provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. What an unforgettable exper...
HIDEAWAYS ELEPHANT'S EYE, HWANGE - Lodge Reviews (Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe) - Tripadvisor

Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Owned by luxury safari operator &BEYOND, Phinda encompasses over 70,000 acres with seven distinct habitats, including rare sand forests. The reserve offers intimate safari experiences with limited lodges and vehicles, ensuring exclusive wildlife encounters. Visitors can expect to se...

 
Cornelia Van Zyl profile picture
Phinda Private Game Reserve is a world-class safari destination in South Africa, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and exceptional wildlife encounters. I love Phinda Private Game Reserve and I can truly recommend it!
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve | South Africa Safari

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Located near the Botswana border, Madikwe is a malaria-free reserve ideal for families. The reserve boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetahs, and the endangered African wild dogs. With fewer visitors, Madikwe offers a qui...

 
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Mateya Safari Lodge is pure elegance in the heart of the wild. When I visited, I was blown away by the attention to detail—from the handcrafted African art to the gourmet meals. The private plunge pool overlooking the bush was my favorite spot for qu...
Mateya Safari Lodge - Madikwe Game Reserve - Tripadvisor
 
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Jamala Madikwe is a luxurious safari lodge nestled in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Known for its intimate and exclusive atmosphere, Jamala offers five-star accommodations, including private villas with plunge pools and stunning bu...
JAMALA MADIKWE -

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa & Botswana

A unique transborder park that spans South Africa and Botswana, offering a striking desert landscape. Famous for its black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, leopards, and large herds of springbok and oryx. The open terrain makes for excellent predator ...

 
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Why Stay at !Xaus Lodge? Pronounced "Kaus" (with a click sound at the beginning), !Xaus Lodge is a unique and culturally rich safari destination in the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa.  !Xaus Lodge is a truly special and meaningful safari experience.  If there is only one place to visit on your African Safari, then this is it!
!XAUS LODGE - (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa) -
 
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Kalahari Sands Exclusive Lodge offers a luxurious escape in the heart of Namibia’s captivating Kalahari Desert. This intimate lodge combines modern elegance with the raw beauty of the desert, you will love the exclusivity!
THE KALAHARI SANDS EXCLUSIVE SAFARI LODGE - Reviews (Kuruman, South Africa) - Tripadvisor

Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Located within the Okavango Delta, Moremi combines lush waterways with dry savannah, providing a diverse wildlife experience. One of the best places to see African wild dogs, as well as elephants, hippos, leopards, and a variety of bird species. Offe...

 
Cornelia Van Zyl profile picture
Why Stay at Camp Moremi? Nestled in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Camp Moremi offers an unforgettable safari experience in one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas. Enjoy thrilling game drives, tranquil mokoro (canoe) excursions, and ...
CAMP MOREMI - Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana - Tripadvisor
 
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You will love the glamping style!
OKUTI - KER & DOWNEY BOTSWANA - (Moremi Game Reserve)