There’s something so uniquely special about an African Safari - the sweeping plains, the solitude, witnessing nature at its rawest and the wildness of its skies. Gift yourself an experience in one of these exceptional lodges for an adventure of a lifetime. Don’t forget your binoculars
1. FOUR SEASONS SAFARI LODGE SERENGETI, TANZANIA
Up there with one of the most exclusive lodges in the world, Four Seasons Serengeti combines the best of luxury living amongst wild African adventures. Amongst guided walks with the hotel’s resident naturalist and day-to-night safari drives spotting the Big Five, an even better way to soak up the Serengeti landscape is from the air.
Book a sunrise balloon flight over the savannah, with a champagne bush breakfast when a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each accommodation offers unrivalled wilderness views, where elephants often quench their thirst at the neighbouring water hole, but to max out on privacy, one of the five free-standing pool villas will do nicely. With one, two or three bedrooms, they’re perfect for bigger groups, and come with a round-the-clock personal attendant for all your in villa requests. The Presidential thatched-roof villa also a private chef, in-villa gym, kitchen and infinity-edge pool. This is your sanctuary in the savannah.
2. MAHALI MZURI, KENYA
A beautiful lodge in the majestic Maasai Mara, Mahali Mzuri (meaning ‘beautiful place’ in Swahili) is Richard Branson’s 12-tented safari camp in the Kenya Bush. Here, you’ll have a front row seat to the ‘Great Migration’ and be well-placed to witness some of the most abundant game in the area throughout the year.
Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, your daily game drives will introduce you to lions, wildebeest, elephants, giraffes and cheetah if you’re lucky, with downtime spent languishing in the savannah-side infinity pool, visiting one of the Maasai Villages to get a flavour for local life or surrendering yourself to the solitude at Nasaro Spa (meaning ‘refuge’ in Maa). Little Warriors, as kids are known here, are also well taken care of, with individual activities tailored to their tastes. The African Bush awaits.
3. KIRKMAN’S CAMP & NGALA SAFARI LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA
&Beyond’s 29 luxury lodges are perfectly situated to showcase the very best of Africa’s safaris, such as Kirkman’s Kamp, a gracious historic lodge that celebrates the untouched wildness of the Sabi Sand, and Ngala Safari Lodge, with its classic old-world charm in the heart of Kruger National Park.
You’ll stay at both of these beauties on &Beyond’s Wild Child Adventure In South Africa 11-day family itinerary, that will take you from visiting the penguins of Boulders Beach in Cape Town and spotting leopards in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, to waking up with lions roaring in Kruger National Park and soaking up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls – or the ‘Smoke That Thunders’ as it’s affectionately known. From city to savannah, cable car rides to safari drives, this ticks all the boxes for an awesome adventure for the whole family.
4. DUMATAU CAMP BY WILDERNESS SAFARIS, BOTSWANA
Having undergone a complete rebuild, DumaTau in Botswana has reopened with a bold new design to reflect a serious conservation purpose, with a vision to provide impactful and life-changing journeys. Set on the very edge of Osprey Lagoon in northern Botswana’s Linyanti Wilderness Reserve, DumaTau’s elegant new look keeps the soul of the original property, whilst enhancing its attributes: reorientated dining room and guests rooms to offer more expansive views over the water, a swimming pool so carefully aligned it appears to merge with the water beyond, enhanced cooling with plunge pools and covered decks, and expanded lounges and bathrooms in the guest rooms.
The camp has debuted the brand new Little DumaTau – a more intimate lodge with just four suites, each with its own lounge, plunge pool and outdoor showers, perfect for a family or friends take-over.
The star of the show at DumaTau is the mega-herd of elephants that congregates along the waterways and lagoons, while sightings of zebra, giraffe, lion, cheetah and leopard are likely too, so have your binoculars to hand.
5. SINGITA MALILANGWE HOUSE, ZIMBABWE
Perched high on a sandstone ridge in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast, Singita Malilangwe House is a beautiful exclusive-use home with five bedrooms, an interactive kitchen, an impressive rim-flow pool and several outdoor decks for sunbathing or sundowners under the African sky.
The beauty here is guests can really tailor-make their stay any way they want, as the House comes with a butler, private chef, game vehicle, and dedicated field guide, meaning your safari adventure is on your time. With its location in the pristine Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, you have exclusive access to 130,000 acres of untouched wilderness, making for one of the most private safari experiences on earth. To top it off, embark on a sundowner cruise or settle in for an evening of stargazing.
6. MARA BUSHTOPS, MASAI MARA, KENYA
A wonderland of wildlife awaits at Mara Bushtops, a lodge situated in its own private conservancy making it the epitome of exclusivity, with guests benefiting from private night and off-road game drives and walking safaris direct from the camp. It’s also the only camp in the Mara to have its own substantial natural salt lick, meaning gazelles, zebras, impala and buffalo jostle for a taste just metres from the restaurant and spa.
A five-star hotel under canvas, the rooms match the natural surrounds, with the Leopard Suite the largest and most luxurious. Don’t miss watching sunrise from Sekenani Hill, private sundowners in the African Bush and a visit to Kakiya cave, a place discovered in the 1950s that is still used for rituals and medicine preparation today.
