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In 2024, the allure of the African continent is more compelling than ever, and at the forefront of this awe-inspiring realm lie the treasures of East and Southern Africa. Far and wide, each region offers a distinctive journey. As you traverse between lodges, reserves, and countries, a tapestry of new African perspectives unfolds with every step you take.
In East Africa, stunning scenery surrounds you and iconic safari destinations boast a wealth of sightings, from the revered Great Migration of wildebeests and zebras in Kenya and Tanzania to mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. Walk alongside the Maasai or the Samburu, adorned in bright and colourful clothing and intricate beadwork, on walking safaris guided by locals who breathe life into the tales of the land.
In Southern Africa, great deserts, such as the Namib and the Kalahari, as well as top wildlife reserves, like South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Botswana’s Chobe, welcome you to Big 5 and rare wild dog sightings. Experience the magnificence of Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe paired with South Luangwa explorations. End your journey off in Cape Town where the Cape Winelands invite you to indulge in some of the world’s best reds on pristine vineyards and wine estates.
At each destination, you can expect to indulge in the epitome of luxury with 5-star lodges and award-winning hotels offering unparalleled service, where each day unfolds with the promise of new possibilities and adventures awaiting your discovery. Brace yourself for the journey of a lifetime as you prepare your passports for an African escapade in 2024.
New Safari Camps, Lodges & Island Escapes
Serengeti Explorer (Elewana)
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Primely set high up on the Nyaboro Hills in the south-central region of Serengeti National Park, Serengeti Explorer places you in one of the most breathtaking locations in Tanzania, overlooking the Serengeti’s plains. From here, you’ll have access to one of the best locations to see the Great Migration from. The park is ripe with some of the most exciting wildlife encounters the continent has to offer, with game drives providing the perfect opportunity to see the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo)!
Your suite at Explorer comes with a private balcony, allowing you to luxuriate in views of the plains from the comfort of your suite. Pamper yourselves with a relaxing couple’s spa treatment in the comfort of your room, head outdoors to savour a fusion of African and Swahili flavours at Boma restaurant or savour a farm-to-table meal from the poolside bistro and bar. Swim laps in the high-perched infinity pool, practice your Sun Salute on the deck, or visit the outdoor silent cinema for a cosy night out.
Set to Open: January 2024
Atzaro Okavango Camp
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Located in north-western Botswana, Atzaro Okavango Camp offers an exclusive African safari experience in the heart of the much revered Okavango Delta. Aligning with their commitment to sustainable luxury, a significant portion of the structure incorporates recycled materials, and the entire camp operates on solar power, inviting even the most eco-conscious travellers to indulge.
Walking safaris are available and a great opportunity for up-close viewings, while early morning game drives call out to daybreak enthusiasts who want their safaris served with a breathtaking sunrise. September and October deliver the best predator sightings, but the plains are ripe with game throughout the year and in August you might be lucky enough to spot the endangered African wild dog.
Set to Open: March 2024
Tawana (Natural Selection)
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Tawana is the latest exciting new-build camp by Natural Selection, set in the astounding Moremi Game Reserve. The 5,000 km ² (1,931 mi²) game reserve covers around 40% of the Okavango Delta, opening guests of Tawana to the very best that Botswana’s northern wilderness ecosystems have to offer. Moremi is rich in savannah game and home to over 400 species of bird! The Big 5 are also present, with the reintroduced white rhino rounding off the quintet.
Back at the lodge, you will find a mix of contemporary and locally inspired design elements across several modern suites. Each suite comes with full access to a private deck, your own plunge pool, and an outdoor sala. Explore Tawana’s walk-in wine cellar, swim a few laps in the 16-meter pool, or wind down with a spa treatment. Tawana promises a unique and unforgettable experience for all who visit this natural utopia in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Set to Open: May 2024
New Experiences
Sleep on Water in Luxury
Lamu Archipelago, Indian Ocean
Meet the Tusitiri Dhow – a 65-foot traditional-style dhow that was restored to sail as a private charter, making it one of the most unique safari experiences in the world. Tusitiri is only available on an exclusive basis, and while the dhow caters for up to 20 people for day trips and sundown excursions, multi-night safaris can only be reserved for groups of six to ten – making it perfect for families and groups.
Your amazing journey begins in Lamu, travelling along the Kenyan archipelago. Once you’ve boarded the magnificent wooden dhow, it is yours to explore. Sunbathe on the deck, bonding with loved ones as you sail before enjoying all that the dhow has to offer. When you’re feeling more active you can go snorkelling or wakeboarding on clear waters before stopping at a sheltered bay for lunch.
End the night off with a candlelit dinner of fresh and fragrant crab and prawns and a night of tales shared by the boat crew, before sleeping under the stars on a bed rolled out on the deck with crispy white linen.
ǂKhomani San Cultural Tribute at Twee Rivieren Interpretive Centre
Northern Cape, South Africa
In the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the Twee Rivieren Interpretative Center welcomes all to experience an exhibition showcasing the rich culture of the ǂKhomani and Mier communities, who are the original inhabitants of the land. A stop here makes for a culturally immersive experience for visitors to South Africa’s Kalahari.
The centre aims to give visitors a look into the cultural and natural heritage of the park and its communities. The immersive experience features a body of work of narratives and storylines of the local ǂKhomani people. The centre’s location in the world heritage site, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, allows visitors to stop over while at the Twee Rivieren Rest Camp.
Take advantage of Kgalagadi’s prime sightings, from the black-maned lion to gemsbok, with game drives and guided walks. Shop the Market Tree where San crafters sell their handcrafted products or explore a wilderness trail by 4X4. Twee Rivieren and Kgalagadi have much to offer.
New Sleep-Out Hide in Kambaku Lodge, Timbavati, South Africa
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Hide, by Kambaku Lodge, is an adventurer’s dream! Romantic and luxurious, the overnight Hide was carefully built on the banks of the Ndun Dam, placing it on one of the most premium sighting spots – on one side, in perfect view of the dam where abundant game come to get their drinking water and on the other side, the bushveld rich with wildlife as your backyard, even if only for a few nights.
After dinner at the lodge, you’ll be whisked away to The Hide, where welcome drinks await you. The raised deck ensures complete safety while you’re there, providing you with peace of mind. Take in the night’s stillness, a sound interrupted only by the occasional rustling or calling hyenas, before retiring on the hide’s third story, under the shimmering sky.
Slip into The Hide’s lush white robes and slippers, kick back and let loose in ultra-comfort for a romantic evening. In the morning, after you’ve enjoyed a beautifully brewed cup of coffee, your guide will collect you for a game drive at dawn where you can watch in awe as the orange skies of the sunrise turn to daylight.
Wellness & Healthy Eating
Relish in healing and organic food at exceptional locations where wellness and healthy eating are prioritised. From Kenya’s Nanyuki to South Africa’s Cape Winelands, these lodges and retreats provide a way to connect with local cultures, people, and yourself through food and mindful farming. Break bread over farm-to-table meals and enjoy a wealth of delicious dishes and rejuvenating wellness experiences away from the crowds.
El Karama Lodge
Laikipia, Kenya
El Karama Lodge is an owner-run eco-lodge on a private ranch. Recognised as a leader in sustainable and responsible tourism, El Karama is hosted by a superb team of Kenyans. All meals at El Karama are homemade and about ninety percent of the ingredients are grown in the lodge’s organic garden. Expect hearty meals filled with flavour, fresh vegetables and herbs. Rosemary breads are baked daily in a charcoal oven, as well as shortbread biscuits and cakes for tea time.
Gibbs Farm
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Gibbs Farm is a welcoming retreat on a working farm. Meals here are healthy, home-cooked and made using only the freshest garden vegetables. Visit the working coffee plantation, the dairy farm and piggery, and perhaps enjoy an interactive experience as you lend a hand in milking the cows, feeding the pigs, or joining the farm’s coffee roasters to experience traditional coffee roasting methods.
Babylonstoren
Cape Winelands, South Africa
Babylonstoren lies on 200 acres of working farmland in the Cape Winelands. Enjoy the Winelands’ best farm-to-table concept kitchen – meals made with fresh, wholesome ingredients from Babylonstoren’s own garden. Go on one of the estate’s daily garden tours during your stay, where you can see, feel, and even taste the ripe and ready ingredients as the expert gardeners walk you through Babylonstoren’s process.
Sterrekopje
Franschhoek, South Africa
Sterrekopje is the epitome of farm-style living and a hidden gem sanctuary at the foothills of the Franschhoek Mountains, inviting you to truly let go. The values here are centred around rest and restoration as well as mindfulness practices that give back to the environment, such as the growth and harvesting of their own ingredients. Enjoy freshly fermented and baked bread with homemade olive oil, an array of seasonal vegetables, or a glass of locally made wine on long tables where the most leisurely and filling dinners take place under the stars.
Community Engagement
For travellers looking to immerse themselves in authentic community engagement experiences, Go2Africa’s Trips With A Purpose offers just that. Our curated itineraries are designed to enrich both you and the communities you encounter, allowing you to explore Africa with a purpose and leave a positive impact.
Go rhino tracking on foot in the Sera Conservancy in Northern Kenya and learn about the efforts continuously being made to protect these precious and endangered creatures or stop by the Ngorongo Conservation Area and meet and engage with the Masaai and Hadzabe tribes to learn about their culture and way of life in Tanzania’s northern circuit.
Visit local communities to learn about school upliftment and water projects or engage in conservation activities with local NGOs. Whether you are in the east or southern part of Africa, each of our Trips with a Purpose promises to foster a closer connection to Africa and its people, while taking you across some of the most astounding landscapes in the world.
Hands-on Wildlife Management
Wildlife conservation is crucial in protecting Africa’s wildlife and enabling travellers to enjoy magnificent and rare sightings while on safari. There are several hands-on wildlife management initiatives that you can take part in that will enrich you, and give you the chance to interact with animals in the most unique and nurturing way. From behind-the-scenes collaring and tracking to vet shadowing, these animal monitoring experiences are some of the best ways to safely interact with wild animals while learning about them with expert guides and trackers.
Inspired to Start Planning Where to Travel in 2024?
Our team of experts have been committed to curating exceptional travel journeys since 1998, with a portion of the revenue remaining in Africa to support local communities and conservation projects. Get in touch with one of our African Safari Experts to tailor-make your next holiday:
