Best Safari Lodges in South Africa

Ultimate Lux: The Crème De La Crème of Safari Accommodation

1. Royal Malewane

Location: Thornybush Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Couples or small groups and families with children over 10

Known for: Quintessential luxury that pairs perfectly with fantastic wildlife sightings and exceptional guides. Their focus on responsible luxury and conservation make them an ideal choice for the mindful traveller. Child-friendly meals and guided programmes make it a great option for families too.

2. Singita Ebony Lodge

Location: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Couples, families with older children, and solo travellers

Known for: Look no further for classic elegance. Explore this world-class wildlife reserve on game drives, walking safaris and even night drives. Expect exceptional cuisine, sommelier-led wine tastings, and the best of personalised service and hospitality. Admire the river from private plunge pools and keep an eye out for wandering wildlife from the deck.

3. Londolozi Private Granite Suites

Location: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Honeymooners and couples or small groups booked exclusively

Known for: With limited suites, exclusivity and seclusion are the name of the game. Enjoy heated plunge pools and beautiful outdoor baths, plus a variety of amenities including stargazing, a photographic studio, and a yoga deck. Explore this prime wildlife location accompanied by world-class trackers and rangers.

Mid to High Range Safari Accommodation Options

1. Simbambili Game Lodge

Location: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Honeymooners, couples, wildlife enthusiasts

Known for: Immerse yourself in this intimate, riverside lodge. Fantastic wildlife sightings and a personalised safari experience await with expertly guided game drives and bush walks aimed at education, immersion, and adventure. Enjoy daily armchair safaris overlooking the waterhole.

2. Saseka Tented Camp & Little Saseka

Location: Thornybush Game Reserve, Greater Kruger Area

Best for: The tented camp is ideal for honeymooners and couples while Little Saseka is perfect for families, multi-generational travellers, or even groups

Known for: Its location in one of South Africa's best private game reserves. Specially designed safari vehicles await alongside tranquil armchair safaris. Plunge pools provide refreshment and relaxation between activities at the main camp.

3. Dulini River Lodge

Location: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Photography enthusiasts, couples, and solo travellers

Known for: Wonderful photographic and guided walking safaris are this lodges' bread and butter. Tucked away beneath a canopy of ancient trees with an expansive viewing deck and lovely river views. Great gastronomy is one of their calling cards alongside blissful outdoor showers.

Family-friendly South African Safari Lodges

1. Lion Sands River Lodge

Location: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Couples of families with children over 10

Known for: Elegant thatched design and its position along the Sabie River. The lodge is also known for its potential to see the Big 5 and also for an opportunity to sleep under the unfettered African night sky in one of the overnight treehouses.

2. The Homestead at Phinda

Location: Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

Best for: Families, groups, and multi-generational travellers

Known for: Picture eating breakfast with your family or friends on the deck and elephants walk up to the infinity pool – the epitome of an armchair safari. The Homestead also comprises a private safari vehicle and game drives across varied landscapes. Opt for the sleepout under the stars for an unforgettable stay.

3. Morukuru Farm House

Location: Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Best for: Families and multi-generational groups

Known for: Positioned along a river, the lodge offers an intimate, family-friendly retreat in a malaria-free reserve. The lack of scheduling allows for ultimate customisation while child-friendly educational activities and dedicated staff are on hand to ensure young travellers are inspired, entertained, and educated. Enjoy a heated swimming pool, bush walks, and fishing safaris.

Hidden Gems: South African Safari Lodge Style

1. GweGwe Beach Lodge

Location: Mkambati Nature Reserve, Wild Coast

Best for: Families, adventure travellers, and photographers

Known for: Fondly known as the Wild Coast, this rugged coastline offers staggering beauty and a front-row seat to nearby grazers with frolicking dolphins as a backdrop. The perfect ying and yang with hikes, cycling, and nature walks accompanied by scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding, and snorkelling. Spend time exploring every aspect of this biodiversity hotspot. While it's not a Big 5 haven or big game country, there are plenty of species to track and admire.

2. Loapi Camp

Location: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Kalahari

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, and those seeking an intimate escape

Known for: Escape to contours of the Korannaberg mountains to South Africa's largest private game reserve. Lounge amidst the open grasslands and allow a private butler, chef, safari vehicle, and even a guide and tracker team to create the ultimate safari sojourn. Venture out to discover endangered species such as African wild dog and heavy hitters such as elephants, cheetah, lion, and leopard on horseback, by foot, or in a traditional safari vehicle.

Classic Big 5 Kruger Safari Lodges

1. Lion Sands Narina Lodge

Location: Tinga Concession, Kruger National Park

Best for: Honeymooners, couples, solo travellers, and wildlife enthusiasts

Known for: Its private concession location means a chance for off-road game drives and guided walks. The Big 5 and leopard sightings, private plunge pools and outdoor showers, tranquillity and architectural elegance. No guests under the age of 16.

2. Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Location: Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park

Best for: Honeymooners and couples – families are welcome at the Amber Villa

Known for: Classic Big 5 game viewing and great birding, excellent multi-destination dining, unique architecture and organic design, its intimate and exclusive setting, walking safaris and night drives with Shangaan trackers.

The Perfect Romantic Hideaway

1. Rattray’s On Mala Mala

Location: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, and big game enthusiasts

Known for: Found on the banks of the Sand River in the midst of a private and exclusive conservation area sharing an open border with the greater Kruger National Park, this lodge promises great game viewing opportunities and armchair safaris. With just 4 guests per vehicle and no under 16s, it's a chance to reconnect with nature accompanied by expert guides. Nature walks, night drives, and stargazing are all par for the course on this romantic safari.

2. Simbavati Waterside

Location: Klaserie Game Reserve, Kruger National Park

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, and luxury safari seekers

Known for: Discover 60,000 hectares of unadulterated wilderness. Enjoy a seamless symbiosis of luxury, hospitality, and wildlife. Pass time overlooking the adjacent dam where local wildlife seek refreshment. Venture out on day and night drives, dine al fresco in the boma and, late at night, admire a star-studded night sky.

Eco-Conscious and Conservation Focused Safari Lodges

1. Kwandwe Ecca Lodge

Location: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Best for: Conservation enthusiasts, adventure travellers, and photographers

Known for: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is a renowned refuge for endangered animals such as rhino and blue crane. Aside from fantastic big game viewing, Ecca Lodge offers specialised photographic, birding, and rhino conservation safari experiences. Families have access to a private vehicle and guide to create flexibility, while a play centre keeps young minds busy.

2. The Motse at Tswalu

Location: Tswalu Private Game Reserve, Kalahari

Best for: Eco-conscious travellers, adventurers, families, and couples

Known for: Tucked away in the largest privately owned reserve in the country, enjoy peace and comfort in the midst of the desert. Named amongst National Geographic Adventure's Top 50 Eco Lodges and Spa, be sure to visit the Sanctuary Spa and swimming pool. Both adults and children alike will be fascinated by guided bush walks, stargazing trips, and even sleep-outs under the night sky. Seek out wildlife on game drives or even hot-air balloon rides and uncover age-old Bushmen rock engravings around the reserve.

Our Recommended South African Safari Tours

To discover the top safari lodges South Africa has to offer, consider combining various destinations in an enthralling tour:

Tips on Where To Stay On Safari in South Africa

It's easy to recommend the top Kruger safari lodges or the best tried and tested family safari lodges South Africa has to offer, but it's ultimately a multi-factor decision. Our Africa Safari Experts will advise that the final decision on where to stay lies with five elements:

1. Wildlife

For those seeking a Big Five safari in South Africa, the most important factor to consider is where the full five can be found – not all reserves are the same. Further consider any specific species on a safari bucket list as they may be endemic to certain areas.

2. Experience Wishlist

Keeping the phrase ‘horses for courses' in mind, the same is true of safari lodges – not every space is suited to every traveller. The best romantic safari lodges South Africa has to offer are unlikely to also suit a family with young children looking for their first great adventure. For adventure travellers, the likes of hot-air ballooning or white-river rafting would have great appeal, but for photography enthusiasts the draw of jaw-dropping backdrops will capture their imagination.

3. Location, Location, Location

Location is important to consider for various reasons, one of which is malaria-free safari lodges. Some travellers may also value close-proximity to airports and infrastructure or the prime objective is to revel in the quiet off the beaten track. Region-specific considerations are also important, primarily linking to wildlife, experiences, and combination with other offerings.

4. Budget Boundaries

When planning, it's vital to be clear on budget and expectations. Fortunately, South Africa is well-equipped to handle travellers seeking simple comfort with mid-range budgets all the way up to ultra-luxe offerings designed to exceed expectations. Whatever the budget, be sure to communicate it up front to get the best planning experience.

5. Conservation & Community Impact

Camps and lodges have gained eco-consciousness and many now support local conservation efforts and consider community impact. Be it per night, or per guest, that contribution stays local and aids impact. In other cases, visits to the local community to learn about their culture and purchase local, hand-made goods provides a direct, positive impact. For those with a more hands-on mindset, some properties also offer conservation safari excursions.

Ready to Start Planning Your South African Safari?

Now that we've given you a glimpse at some of the best safari lodges in South Africa, it's time to put plans into action, and make travel dreams a reality. Our Africa Safari Experts are well-versed on every aspect, no matter how big or small, and how to make your next great adventure as seamless as possible.