adof of In our opinion, there is no better place to experience an African safari for the first time than in South Africa. With the renowned Kruger National Park and an abundance of other Nature Reserves and Private Game Parks dotted around the country, there is no shortage of spots to enjoy the Big Five safari in this beautiful destination.
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South Africa’s safari accommodation ranges from basic camps to 5-star luxury lodges with something for every budget and every interest focus.
Having visited South Africa several times, we’ve had the pleasure of staying in a variety of safari lodges and camps across the country. If there is one thing we have discovered, it’s that every lodge and camp has its list of pros and cons. They range in facilities, wildlife and safari experiences and, of course, prices.
To help you narrow down the endless choices, we’ve put together this list of the best safari lodges in South Africa. It includes only our favourites!
As sustainable travelers, we always prioritize accommodation with sustainable travel practices and operations, so every safari lodge in South Africa on this list has passed our sustainable travel test. You can trust that these properties offer not only the best value for money, but are also doing their best to promote sustainable travel practices and invest tons into the communities and conservation projects in their regions.
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So without further ado, let’s dive in!
Umlani Bush Camp
Location: Timbavati Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Area
Price: $$
Accommodation Type: Bush Camp
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes
Wildlife Sightings: 9/10
Best For: Big Five, off-the-grid bush experience
Founded in 1989 in the central section of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, Umlani Bush Camp is the perfect place to experience South African bush firsthand. The safari lodge is completely off-grid and runs on 100% sustainable energy.
Built using traditional African styles and methods, Umlani offers accommodations ranging from double huts, family huts, and eco huts. Each hut has a comfortable bed, a fan, closet space, and an en-suite bathroom with an open-air bush shower outfitted with biodegradable toiletries. Complimentary drinking water is provided in reusable bottles, and only non-toxic cleaning supplies are used in the maintenance of the camp.
Facilities & Amenities
Facilities at Umlani Bush Camp include a pool, a curio shop, a hang-out bar/sitting area and a veranda overlooking a watering hole. Complimentary laundry services are on offer, and a treehouse for those who want a bush sleepover experience in the tree tops safari lodge.
Meals are served family-style, with lunches served overlooking the watering hole and dinners near the boma. Drinks are available throughout the day, but pre-dinner drinks around the boma are particularly encouraged.
Location & Wildlife
The camp’s location, in the heart of Timbavati Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger area, makes this one of the best safari lodges in South Africa for wildlife sightings. The area is known for abundant wildlife, including the Big Five as well as many other animals and even the elusive African wild dogs. Going off-road is allowed in this Private Nature Reserve, and the game drives offer incredible viewing.
There are two game drives every day, in the morning and evening, allowing you to experience the various wildlife that appears at differing times. Walking safaris are also on offer.
What’s Unique: There is a tree house 2.5km from the lodge overlooking a watering hole, where you can spend the night or enjoy an afternoon. It’s a great spot for mid-day wildlife viewing and a unique experience if you can reserve it for an overnight stay.
READ MORE: Staying at Umlani Bushcamp
andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge
Location: Ngala Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park
Price: $$$
Accommodation Type: Tented Camp
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes
Wildlife Sightings: 8/10
Best For: Big Five, bush walks, luxury
Located in the expansive Kruger National Park, the andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge has exclusive traversing rights to over 36,000 acres of Ngala Private Game Reserve, one of the largest and most well-known private game reserves in South Africa.
The lodge is home to 20 classic thatched cottages with a luxury bed, wardrobe, desk, en suite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows for wildlife viewing. Each cottage has a veranda with a comfortable sitting area. Amenities inside the room include an AC, wifi, minibar, tea/coffee area and biodegradable toiletries, provided in line with andBeyond’s strong commitment to sustainable operations.
Facilities & Amenities
Facilities at the safari lodge include an infinity pool, frequented by a large herd of elephants, a Spa with wellness treatments for relaxation, a fitness centre, and a gift shop. In a bid to be sustainable, they also have excellent recycling practices and implement energy-saving initiatives. Complimentary laundry services are on offer.
Stays at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge are on a full board basis, so 3 meals a day and all basic wines and spirits are included in your stay. Meals are served from an a-la-carte menu in an open-air restaurant, inside a cozy dining space or in a boma. The menu is expertly designed and changes daily, featuring locally sourced ingredients. Afternoon tea and as well as drinks are available throughout the day.
Location & Wildlife
The wildlife experience at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge includes game drives (morning and evening) to see the Big Five and many other South African species. Guided bushwalks are also available for those who want to get close to the flora, fauna, and bird life during their visit.
Swarovski binoculars are provided to guests, enhancing the wildlife viewing experience.
What’s Unique: andBeyond Nagala Safari Lodge offers a unique Ngala Treehouse experience for those who want to spend a night in the wild. This remote retreat in the middle of the reserve features two sleep levels, including a covered and weatherproof space with a king-size bed, hot running shower and flushing toilets – a perfect spot for an unforgettable overnight stay!
andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Location: Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal
Price: $$$
Accommodation Type: Safari Lodge or Tented Camp
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes
Wildlife Sightings: 8/10
Best For: Big Five, conservation experiences, cheetah and black rhino sightings
andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve occupies a protected area of 73,800 acres of land available for the animals to roam freely on and for you to explore as part of your big game drive. With seven distinct habitats, Phinda is often nicknamed the Seven Worlds of Wonder.
Six lodges are available inside the Phinda Private Game Reserve: Phinda Mountain Lodge, Phinda Homestead, Phinda Rock Lodge, Phinda Vlei Lodge, and Phinda Forest Lodge.
While we have only personally stayed at the Phinda Forest Lodge, we can vouch for the quality and sustainable focus of all Phinda properties.
Phinda Forest Lodge is one of a kind eco safari lodge set within a beautiful sand forest. 16 air-conditioned glass rooms are surrounded on all sides by a rare dry sand forest. The rooms are spacious and outfitted with a comfortable bed, wardrobe, en suite bathroom, and an indoor and outdoor shower. Each room has AC, WIFI, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities as well as a desk. There large private outdoor seating area extends the room into the forest, offering a beautiful spot to relax in between game drives.
Facilities & Amenities
Amenities on-site include a sparkling rim-flow swimming pool and sundeck offering bush views. Healing Earth in-room massages with qualified therapists are available, as are babysitting services and a gift shop.
Like most safari lodges in South Africa, safari packages at andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge are all-inclusive. All meals and all non-alcoholic and basic alcoholic drinks are included in the nightly rate. Food is fantastic and abundant, with 3-course meals served during lunch and dinner and an expansive hot and cold spread available at breakfast. Afternoon tea, sunset snacks and drinks are also on offer.
Sustainability efforts at andBeyond Phinda go well above the expected. Efforts include recycling, reducing plastic waste and energy-saving initiatives, local food sources and extensive conservation projects.
Location & Wildlife
Phinda is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five, but is best known for its sightings of cheetahs and black rhinos. The sand forest is home to a few unique species, including the shy suni and the rare red duiker, while Phinda Reserve has one of the highest populations of wild pangolin in South Africa.
Two game drives a day, morning and night, are included in the stay, and you also have the opportunity to take part in guided bush walking events. The lodge also offers an opportunity to head out on beach adventures, where you can experience the beauty of the Indian Ocean’s coral reefs, watch turtles, and see more wildlife.
What’s Unique: Phinda Private Game Reserve allows guests to participate in impact experiences where you can help the conservation team with their scheduled research of critically endangered species. Additionally, community experiences let you immerse yourself in the daily life of local Zulu tribes.
Cheetah Plains
Location: Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve
Price: $$$$
Accommodation Type: Luxury Private Eco Lodge
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes
Wildlife Sightings: 8/10
Best For: Big Five, eco-luxury, large families, and group stays
The Cheetah Plains Game Reserve, located inside the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, is a private reserve that spans over 160,000 acres of land. One of the best luxury safari lodges in South Africa, Cheetah Plains delivers fantastic wildlife sightings with an incredible private villa stay ideal for multi-gen trips or friends and family trips.
Cheetah Plains accommodation consists of 4 private villas, each housing up to 8-10 guests in 4 luxury suites. Each suite is separated from the main villa and acts as a private retreat for guests. The suites have King size beds and feature a lounge, kitchenette, his and hers walk-in wardrobes, bathtub with a view, and a separate toilet/shower set up.
The main villa and suites are decorated with modern aesthetics and African artworks and contain a formal lounge, sitting and dining rooms, an expansive pool deck, an entertainment area, a wine room, an art gallery, a boma for fire-side dining, and a professional kitchen. The setup is ideal for a group traveling together, particularly multi-generation groups, families and those traveling with kids. In fact, the lodge is designed for to accommodate only groups.
Facilities & Amenities
One of the biggest drawcards of Cheetah Plains is their dedication to sustainability which comes through in every big or small element of their operations. The lodge uses an expansive network of solar panels to power its entire operation, including its safari vehicles, which are electric – a first in South Africa.
The food is locally sourced, and the menu is custom designed by in-house chefs to suit the needs of each group. Dishes are delicious, served family style in a formal or a casual boma style setting. The wine selection at Cheetah Plains is one of the best in South Africa. Private cellar rooms at each villa are filled with the most delectable wines from the region, and an in-house sommelier is on hand to offer wine-tasting experiences and wine pairings for every meal. Cocktails and afternoon tea overlooking the bush are also on offer.
Location & Wildlife
While you will have no problems spotting the Big Five, this reserve offers so much more, including access to over 400 species of bird. This Private Reserve is particularly famous for their leopard sightings.
What’s Unique: The morning and afternoon game drives are led by the expert safari guide and tracker teams in unique Electric Land Cruiser Safari Vehicles. This strive towards zero-emission game viewing is what makes a stay at Cheetah Plains the most sustainable safari experience in South Africa.
READ MORE: Staying at Cheetah Plains in Sabi Sands
Singita Sweni Lodge
Location: Kruger National Park
Price: $$$$
Accommodation Type: Luxury Safari Lodge
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes
Wildlife Sightings: 8/10
Best For: Big Five, luxury safari, close wildlife encounters
Located on the southeastern edge of Kruger National Park, Singita Sweni Lodge is located on 33,000 acres of exclusive concession land, offering some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in South Africa.
Singita Sweni Lodge is one of the best luxury safari lodges in South Africa, offering an intimate safari lodge experience with just 7 suites hidden in the canopy of trees. Each suite is spacious with an open-plan design, featuring a King size bed, lounge area, his and her en-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms. The outdoor showers overlook the sand river banks, so you can feel truly immersed in the natural environment during your stay. If you are looking for extra luxury, the lodge offers a honeymoon-style Pool Suite with its own private plunge pool overlooking the Sweni River.
Facilities & Amenities
Some amenities at the river lodge include a state-of-the-art sound system, a wellness and fitness centre, energy-efficient AC systems, and locally-made toiletries.
The open-air restaurant, lounge and swimming pool offer great views of the river, so the opportunities for unique wildlife sightings continue well beyond the game drives.
The reserve is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. In addition to being passionate about conservation, they also enforce environmentally friendly building practices and techniques and vigorous recycling regimens.
Stay at the Singita Sweni river lodge is on an all inclusive basis. Three plated meals a day and an abundance of snacks are provided at the lodge, as is a wonderful selection of top-rated wines, spirits, and liqueurs. 80% of the fruits and vegetables are sourced from a local farm, and everything served is seasonal to remain sustainable and minimize food waste.
Location & Wildlife
Morning and evening game drives are included in the stay, and you have the opportunity to see the Big Five as well as an abundance of other species and plenty of birds. You might even see the rare white lion found in the area. Guided safari walks are also on offer.
What’s Unique: What makes this location unique is the views you get from your room. Every suite in the lodge allows you to gaze upon the river below, giving you unparalleled views of the wildlife. The food and wine experiences take this South African safari at Singita Sweni Lodge to the next level.
READ MORE: Staying at Singita Sweni Lodge in Kruger National Park
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Location: Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park
Price: $$
Accommodation Type: Luxury Safari Lodge
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes (14+)
Wildlife Sightings: 7/10
Best For: Rhinos
South Africa’s oldest nature reserve – Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park- is home to over 80 species of animal and is famous for having the largest population of white rhinos in the world.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the first luxury safari lodge to be established in Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park. This Fair Trade Certified eco-lodge offers four room types, including two Safari Family Suites, a Honeymoon Villa with a private plunge pool and expansive views, Luxury Bush Villas and Safari Rooms. All rooms are spacious and luxurious, featuring comfortable bedding, en suite bathrooms with deep baths and open bush showers and even a fireplace.
Facilities & Amenities
Room amenities at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge include a fully stocked minibar and bottled water that comes in glass bottles (eliminating single-use plastics). There are also toiletries in refillable dispensers. The lodge has an 11-metre infinity lap pool on site, along with a sundeck and a spa. The stunning views of the park are definitely a selling point.
The lodge is dedicated to sustainability, with 60% solar energy from a solar farm nearby. In the future, they hope to be completely off the grid, and they have several recycling and biodiversity initiatives in place.
Accommodation at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is on a full-board basis. All meals are included, as is a good selection of wine, beer and spirits. Breakfast is served family-style, while lunch and dinner are plated, offering you a finer dining experience and some truly delightful local cuisine.
Location & Wildlife
As with most luxury safari lodges in South Africa, two game drives are included in the nightly rate at Rhino Ridge. The park is particularly famous for the dense population of rhinos, however, Big Five sightings are available here, as well as other game, like giraffes, lions, and even an African wild dog. Guided game walks are also on offer.
What’s Unique: The lodge is particularly known for its sightings of rhinos. The deck at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge runs the full length of the lodge, offering incredible views of the reserve from a vantage point.
READ MORE: Staying at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge in Hluhluwe-IMfolozi Park
Amakhala Safari Lodge
Location: Amakhala Game Reserve
Price: $$
Accommodation Type: Safari Lodge
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes (12+)
Wildlife Sightings: 7/10
Best For: Big Five, affordable luxury accommodation, safari for first-timers
Located in the impressive Amakhala Game Reserve, Amahkala Safari Lodge is one of several safari lodges found inside the reserve.
This Fair-Trade Certified lodge offers an intimate thatched lodge experience with 11 suites designed in a traditional African tribal design. Each suite is furnished with a large bed draped with mosquito nets, a separate sitting area, an en suite bathroom with an outdoor shower and a luxurious double bath.
The spacious design makes the rooms feel luxurious, and the thatched roofs and fine African beadwork add to that appeal. The private terrace and private plunge pools elevate the accommodation to the next level.
Facilities & Amenities
Some of the facilities at the lodge include two separate lounge areas where guests can relax in between safari drives, a bar where friendly staff serve up tea and coffee and drinks throughout the day, and the dining area that overlooks the bush and features a cozy communal firepit. There is also a shared pool overlooking a watering hole.
Meals at Amakhala Safari Lodge are included in the stay. The menu varies daily, and dishes are served plated on an a la carte basis. The spacious dining area gives you wonderful bush views, and authentic African cuisine helps you to continue to immerse yourself in the rich local culture.
Location & Wildlife
Sustainability efforts at Amakhala Safari Lodge do not go unnoticed, with extensive efforts focused on reducing plastic use, recycling, and using natural toiletries and cleaning products throughout the property. The conservation efforts in this Private Game Reserve are impressive, with incredible results seen in the increased biodiversity and wildlife reintroduction in the park.
Amakhala Game Reserve is home to the Big Five – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos, as well as giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, plenty of other antelopes, and more elusive some inhabitants like hyenas or bat-eared foxes. Two Game Drives a day are included in the stay and offer plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching. It’s worth noting that while many animals are present in the park, the abundance and likelihood of spotting these animals is not as high in Amakhala compared to, say, Kruger National Park.
This lodge and the reserve itself are best suited for first-timers or those particularly excited to see grazing animals, birds and less elusive wildlife.
What’s Unique: The varied landscape at Amakhala Game Reserve makes this a very unique eco system to experience a safari in South Africa. The Game Reserve is hilly and vast with 7 different biomes on the reserve, offering refreshing changes in scenery and atmosphere on every drive.
READ MORE: Safari at Amakhala Safari Lodge in Amakhala Game Reserve
Gondwana Game Reserve
Location: Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Price: $$
Accommodation Type: Tented Camps or Safari Lodge
All Inclusive: Yes
Family Friendly: Yes (Restrictions Apply)
Wildlife Sightings: 7/10
Best For: Big Five, first-timers
Located near the town of Mossel Bay, Gondwana Game Reserve, is home to an array of luxury accommodations and offers a truly unique safari experience in the Cape Fynbos environment.
Accommodation options in Gondwana Game Reserve include:
- Kwena Lodge – a modern and luxurious twist on the traditional African hut, with each suite nestled into spectacular natural surroundings offering 180-degree views of the mountainous landscape and passing wildlife.
- Fynbos Villas – spacious private 2, 3 & 4 Bedroom configuration, all with en suite bathrooms, AC, double volume lounge, kitchen, dining area with thatch roof, fireplace and TV. The expansive deck with BBQ offers magnificent valley and mountain views ideal for families or friends traveling together.
- Bush Villas– remote villas but spacious 3 & 4 Bedroom Villas featuring luxury amenities of a Safari Lodge with all the comforts of home. Ideal for families and groups of friends looking for a more secluded stay.
- Ulubisi House – spacious and stylish, the most exclusive private safari villa at Gondwana features a private Field Guide, Chef and Butler. The villa is privately situated in the reserve’s 1000-hectare walking area surrounded by grasslands. Three luxurious guest suites can accommodate up to 6 adults or 4 adults and 4 children.
- Eco Camp – tented safari experience that’s completely off the grid set in a pristine natural setting in the Fynbos valley. Tents are small and basic but feature a comfortable bed, en suite bathroom and a private porch.
All 5 accommodations are set inside the 27,000 acres of protected Game Reserve sharing the space with expansive wildlife.
During our visit, we stayed in the Eco Camp, which we particularly recommend for sustainable travelers looking for a more down-to-earth African bush experience.
Facilities & Amenities
Eco Camp consists of just 8 tents and is managed and run by a small staff team, resulting in a very intimate and personal safari experience. Guests can get to know each other over meals or during shared safari game drives.
The common areas at Eco Camp include a lounge area, dining area, a bar and a small plunge pool and sun deck where guests can relax in between game drives. The camp itself is a plastic-free zone, operating completely off the grid, with water sourced from a nearby borehole.
All meals are included in the stay, although meal selection is limited to whatever the chef cooks that day. Dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice. Meals are generally served on the wooden deck overlooking the valley or in the African boma and often feature African favourites like homemade venison, seafood, and vegetable stews.
The full board package includes all your meals, morning and afternoon game drives, and a hands-on conservation experience after breakfast.
Location & Wildlife
Morning and evening game drives offer a chance to explore the wildlife habitat at Gondwana. Gondwana is Home to lion, white rhino, eland, red hartebeest, endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, springbok, kudu, hippo and Cape buffalo, to name a few. While the area does have all Big Five, prominent sightings of lions, leopards and elephants are infrequent. It is for this reason that we would recommend Gondwana to first-time safari guests over those looking to see a lot of action or wildlife in abundance.
Final Thoughts
There is no shortage of bush camps, tented lodges and luxury safari lodges in South Africa, ranging from as cheap as $200 per person per night to over $2000 per person per night. There is something here for every budget and every travel style, with accommodations ranging from traditional African style to very modern luxury lodges with all the comforts of home and then some.
If this is your first time on a safari in South Africa, we recommend spending a few days in basic accommodation for that African bush experience and finishing the trip with a touch of luxury at one of the above-mentioned luxury safari lodges. Start with accommodation that’s more suitable for first-timers to carve out time to fully appreciate the smaller animals, like antelopes, zebras and other grazers, before moving to a more abundant area where you’ll likely encounter an abundance of predators and enjoy incredible action.
