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Southern Africa Safari Stays – My Top Recommendations

27 items

Cornelia Van Zyl

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...

Map

Sections

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Okavango Delta, Botswana

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

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...

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

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.

Nyati Safari Lodge, Hoedspruit

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 are next-level magic. My heart-pounding dose of untamed...

Lebombo Luxury Lodge & Safari | Kruger National Park | Singita

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. Stunning. Service that spoils you. My perfect safari reset...

Tomo Safari Lodge, Hoedspruit

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 multiple times, I can confidently say it’s one of the best safari destinations for leopard sightings in the wild. The reserve’s exclusive off-road game drives offer intimate and unforgettable wildlife encounters, far from the...

Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers an exceptional safari experience with luxurious lodges and incredible wildlife sightings, including the Big Five. Why I love it, is because it is one of the most reliable Big 5 sightings, exclusive luxury safaris, and world-famous leopard encounters

Sabi Sand Nature Reserve

My Wild Luxury Oasis! Big Five sightings within hours. Private plunge pools overlooking untouched wilderness. Heart-stopping intimate suites. This lodge isn’t just luxury, it’s raw Africa, refined. My ultimate escape where elephants graze steps from your deck, and sunset dips come with giraffe silhouette...

Dulini Moya | Dulini

Okavango Delta, Botswana

I highly recommend visiting the Okavango Delta, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique wildlife and stunning waterways. Exploring this remarkable ecosystem by mokoro canoe offers a peaceful yet exhilarating way to spot elep...

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

2025’s hottest safari secret? This newly launched camp blends vintage explorer charm with modern indulgence, and all in Botswana’s wildlife-thick Delta. Think heritage aesthetics, silk-soft linens, and hippos grunting at your private deck. Don’t just...

Mbamba Camp

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

I recommend And Beyond 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.

AndBeyond 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...

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

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

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

I highly recommend Etosha National Park for its unique salt pan landscapes and outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. The park’s numerous waterholes attract a rich variety of animals—from majestic elephants and rhinos to powerful lions and color...

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

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 -

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...

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

Located in a game-rich private concession, this camp features luxurious tents with modern amenities and excellent game viewing opportunities.

WILDERNESS LINKWASHA CAMP -

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 AND BEYOND, Phinda Private Game Reserve spans over 70,000 acres featuring seven unique habitats—including rare sand forests. This reserve offers exclusive, intimate safari experiences with limited lodges and vehicles, ...

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!

AndBeyond 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...

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 q...

Mateya Safari Lodge - Madikwe Game Reserve - Tripadvisor

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 ...

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) -

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...

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

You will love the glamping style! I thought I never would love glamping, but it is such a fun experience.

OKUTI - KER & DOWNEY BOTSWANA - (Moremi Game Reserve)