With the live-action movie The Lion King being released in the UK today, we thought it was high time we put together a guide on Africa’s Most Luxurious Safari Lodges. This is the ultimate guide to witnessing those famous lions prowling the Savannah, before being whisked back to your luxury safari lodge at the end of the day to wind-down and relax in unadulterated luxury. From helicopter transfers to camping with hippos and exploring the wilderness with a private guide and car, these luxury lodges and camps offer it all!
Leobo Private Reserve
Waterberg, South Africa
Leobo Private Reserve is a 20,000 acre estate within the beautiful Waterberg mountains, 3 hours drive north of Johannesburg. Home to one of the most exceptional safari houses in Africa, the award winning Observatory Private Villa.
At Leobo, accommodation is rented exclusively to one group at a time and guests are made to feel completely at home, indulging in as much of everything on offer as they please. There are no daily programs or time restrictions; guests are entertained by the team of staff as friends of the owner, and activities seamlessly blend in to one another until you have done so much more than you ever imagined possible.
Leobo delivers a completely unique African experience. Rather than just providing game drives, they pride themselves in giving you a once in a lifetime experience that you’ll be talking about for years to come. Think paintballing from a helicopter, swimming with crocodiles, and camping with hippos!
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sands Reserve, Kruger, South Africa
Singita Boulders Lodge is set along the banks of the Sand River in Singita’s privately owned reserve within the Sabi Sand Reserve. The lodge is a celebration of the tranquility, space, and light which flows throughout the incredibly vast area. Inspired by the geometry of the boulders on which it rests, Boulders Lodge is an inviting oasis where organic interiors integrate seamlessly with the raw African beauty outside.
Singita Boulders features 8 River Suites, 2 Bush Suites, and 2 Family Suites, with each suite offering an ensuite bedroom, private sitting room and game viewing deck with private plunge pool overlooking the untouched wilderness, creating the perfect sanctuary for guests during their stay. In terms of activities, guests can enjoy stargazing, wine tasting, and safari walks as well as the classic game drives, and there’s plenty to do for families, too, with children over the age of 10 welcome at the lodge.
Like many of the luxury African safari lodges, Singita is a conservation brand that has been preserving African wilderness for the past 25 years, and as such they work in partnership with non-profit funds and trusts who implement strategic conservation projects in each region.
Wilderness Safaris Jao Camp
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Wilderness Safaris’ extraordinary new Jao Camp has reopened in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. In addition to featuring five spacious tented suites, Jao has also created two new exclusive Villas, each with its own private vehicle, guide, chef and butler. In addition, the camp comprises a new main area elevated into the tree canopy, with the new villas and suites all featuring private plunge pools, lounge and dining areas, and en-suite bathrooms including both indoor and outdoor showers.
After a tiring day looking for lions, relax in Jao’s exquisite new spa, tucked away beneath palm trees in a tranquil location, complete with two new circular treatment rooms that have been finished with impressive saligna-laminated beams, rosewood-clad ceilings and rosewood floors, and are surrounded by tranquil water ponds.
In line with Wilderness Safaris’ commitment to operating with a light eco-footprint, Jao is 100% solar-powered, with a new power plant that works on one of the biggest Victron inverter systems in the world, and the largest lithium-ion battery bank in southern Africa.
Zarafa Camp
Selinda Reserve, Botswana
Located on a 320,000 acre private reserve and part of Relais & Chateaux, Zarafa Camp overlooks the Zibadianja Lagoon and is the ideal destination to view elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, antelopes, and the all-important lions! The camp features a beautiful design and “green” construction of just 4 large and well-appointed tents in the main camp in a traditional style, and a exclusive use 2 bedroomed private villa, The Dhow Suite, which includes a private guide & vehicle, private chef, manager and butlers and a spectacular main area take advantage of views over the lagoon, reflecting the desire for safari exclusivity and privacy.
In addition to the exclusive private guide & vehicle and staff, Zarafa also provide each of the camp’s suites with a Canon 5D body and 35-135 mm and 100-400mm telephoto zoom lens, for you to use during your stay. All images are then copied onto a USB stick for you to take home.
The camp are also heavily involved in conservation, working closely on the Rhinos Without Borders project, forming an air-bridge between South Africa and Botswana to save a herd of 100 rhinos under threat from poachers.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is one of the most renowned and celebrated luxury safari hotels, where the Big Five – the lion, the leopard, the buffalo, the elephant and the rhinoceros – run free on the endless landscape. Perched on a series of elevated platforms and walkways, the Safari Lodge sits next to an animal watering hole where you can watch a family of elephants stop for their morning drink as you sip your own out on your room’s private balcony.
Under the constant protection of local Masai tribes people, staff will take you out into the bush for an exhilarating game drive, or you can soar high in the sky on a hot-air balloon safari. At the end of the day, relax in their tranquil Spa before sipping on a drink by the infinity pool as elephants and lions roam before you.
Ideal for yoga enthusiasts, Four Seasons Serengeti offers a yoga experience to top all yoga experiences! Join a Masai guide and yogi on a short, uphill nature hike to the top of their sunset kopje, where captivating views will help clear your mind for a guided meditation session.
andBeyond Matetsi Victoria Falls
Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe
Offering a unique combination of rich wildlife viewing and scenic Victoria Falls experiences, two beautiful accommodation options are offered at andBeyond’s Matetsi Victoria Falls. The hotel-style Matetsi River Lodge is set on a private concession and the broad Zambezi River runs deep alongside two intimate camps, with nine river-facing suites each. Each suite features a lovely bathroom and private veranda with exceptional views of the river. Delicious menus are created in an interactive kitchen and served either indoors or beneath a canopy of trees, and al fresco dining takes place next to the Zambezi’s running waters making for an unforgettable dining experience!
The second accommodation option, Matetsi River House, is a sole-use private villa that boasts four spacious bedrooms, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. An extensive private veranda looks out onto the mighty Zambezi, while a private rim-flow pool promises the ultimate refreshment.
Matetsi Private Game Reserve offers an array of activities for guests, including twice-daily game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, canoeing, boat excursions, and fishing. Enjoy sundowners in the bush and take a glorious helicopter flight over the thundering Victoria Falls. You could also treat yourself to a relaxing massage in the massage sala whilst listening to the natural sounds of the wild!
Mahali Mzuri
Masai Mara, Kenya
Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson’s luxury tented safari camp in the famous Masai Mara, and with approximately 60 lions in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, it’s the ideal luxurious haven from which to see lions up close. Mahali Mzuri’s location in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy means that guests are among one of the biggest lion populations in the whole of the Masai Mara and sighting these beautiful animals is almost a daily occurrence.
And, just like Pride Rock in the film, one of the lion prides has their very own favourite rock too, named Nkuyana rock. With twice-daily game drives led by expert guides, and 12 luxurious tented suites that look out onto some of the world’s most stunning scenery, Mahali Mzuri offers a truly intimate experience amidst an astonishing natural spectacle.
Between now and December, Mahali Mzuri is offering a free night on bookings of four nights or more, allowing for a four-night stay for the price of three. The offer runs until December 2019 and can be combined with a kid’s go free offer, making it a perfect family holiday experience.
Sasaab
Samburu, Kenya
Sasaab in Kenya is part of The Safari Collection (which the famous Giraffe Manor is also a part of!), and is a stunning blend of Moroccan and Swahili style located in the heart of the African bush. Each individual cottage is designed to offer majestic views of the landscape and offer a cooling retreat from the African heat.
After arriving via helicopter transfer, you’ll be greeted by airy rooms with four poster beds, enormous, open-air bathrooms and private plunge pools, making for a completely invigorating experience. Sasaab also has a main swimming pool, built on the hillside overlooking the river.
For the ultimate exclusivity there’s also a family suite (rooms 8-9) which has a shared central area and can be taken as an exclusive villa with separate access. Don’t miss spending time in the beautiful Spasaab, where all treatments use Healing Earth skin care products and an assortment of natural Kenyan ingredients.
Lengishu
The Borana Conservancy, Kenya
Lengishu is located on The Borana Conservancy, a leading wildlife destination and a haven for adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It is home to some of Kenya’s most prolific wildlife, including The Big Five, as well as the highest population of endangered species in Kenya, such as rhino. It is here that guests have the chance to spot some of the real-life animals behind the adored characters, including Simba, Pumbaa and Zazu.
There are a number of ways to see the wildlife at Lengishu including game drives, mountain biking, horse riding, helicopters or of course walking. Walking is the best way to get up-close and personal and certainly the best way to enjoy Pride Rock. Guests can be led up to Pride Rock directly from Lengishu by their private guide, Nisa, where they can enjoy sundowners and the never-ending views across the conservancy.
Lengishu is perfect for a group or family looking to enjoy this experience together as it accommodates up to 12 people. It has six bedrooms within four cottages that are all separate from the main house. For those not searching for the king of the jungle, the property also has a wide range of activities available on site; its own gym, a games room, infinity pool, in-house masseuse, studio, and pétanque pitch.
Cottar’s Private Bush Villa
Masai Mara, Kenya
The multi-award winning Cottar’s Private Bush Villa is the only truly private villa in the heart of the Masai Mara, with the award-winning villa bordering the latest addition to the ‘7 Wonders of the World’, the Masai Mara and Serengeti game reserves. The Bush Villa provides a luxury private stay option for up to 12 guests and comes complete with its’ own private 25 meter swimming pool.
Offering an abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy, and the highest standards of professional guiding in a luxurious and elegant safari environment. The villa was built by hand using indigenous and eco-friendly materials, and is managed within the same area as Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, with guests enjoying the same levels of service and standard for which the camp is known.
Cottar’s Bush Villa has a breathtaking view onto the Savannah plains that carry the great annual wildebeest migration, and is set amidst a backdrop of the Olderkesi Hills. Guests can enjoy privately guided game drives, night game drives, bush walks, swimming and fishing. Cottar’s Bush Villa is rented only on an exclusive basis, and comes with a dedicated staff of 8.
As well as these ten stunningly luxurious safari lodges, make sure you add Lepogo Lodges, South Africa, to your radar, as it opens this September. One of Africa’s few entirely not-for-profit high-end safari lodges is just a short air transfer or a three-hour drive from Johannesburg, and will be set within the 48,000-hectare, malaria-free Lapalala Wilderness Reserve in the Limpopo Province – also known as the home of the ‘big five’!
Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
