Choosing the best safari lodge in South Africa: a guide for your safari style
Choosing a safari lodge in South Africa sounds wonderfully simple at first. You pick somewhere with lions, elephants and a nice view, and off you go. Then, approximately twelve minutes later, you’re deep in safari internet territory comparing reserves, room categories and whether a plunge pool is apparently essential to your happiness.
Some lodges promise complete wilderness. Others involve chandeliers, wine cellars and bathtubs large enough to host a small committee meeting. None of this necessarily helps with the important question: what sort of safari do you actually want? Do you want campfires and animal sounds at night, but with a mattress your back won’t hold against you later? A quiet lodge where afternoons involve books and birdsong? A malaria-free safari? Somewhere close enough to Cape Town or Johannesburg that half your holiday doesn’t disappear into travel logistics?
Do you want to bring your adult children and enjoy the rather pleasant discovery that everyone around you can carry their own luggage, order their own drinks and no longer needs emergency snacks every seventeen minutes?
South Africa has all of these options. So rather than organising this guide by province, reserve or how many zebras happen to live nearby, I thought I’d do something more useful: let’s find your safari style.
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Choose Your Safari Style
Every safari lodge has its own personality. Whether you’re looking for authentic bush experiences, a luxurious escape or somewhere to completely unwind, start with the style that suits you.
Without over-the-top luxury.
Beautiful rooms, great food and a touch of indulgence.
Enjoy the safari without malaria precautions.
Great safaris close to Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Lodges that support nature and local communities.
Birdsong, books and time to unwind.
Bush magic without over-the-top luxury
This category is for people who want to feel like they’re in the bush, not in a luxury hotel that happens to have zebras wandering past. You still want proper beds and decent food, obviously. These days, unnecessary discomfort has stopped feeling like a personality trait.
Think campfires, animal sounds at night and the sort of safari atmosphere that makes you forget your phone exists for a while. And, if you’re lucky, outside showers and perhaps even a treehouse.
That’s exactly what drew us to Umlani Bush Camp. It had the bush magic we were looking for, without feeling like we’d accidentally signed up for hardship.
Umlani Bush Camp
Location: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve • Price: €€€ • Style: Authentic bush camp
Umlani was exactly what we were looking for. It felt immersive rather than polished, with candlelit dinners under the stars, early morning game drives and an atmosphere that made it easy to forget the outside world for a while. We even spent a night in the treehouse and loved the outdoor shower. It delivered all the bush magic we were hoping for without sacrificing a good night’s sleep.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ Authentic safari atmosphere
✔ Excellent game viewing
✔ Outdoor showers and optional treehouse sleep-out
✔ Comfortable without feeling overdone
Before you book
• Rustic rather than ultra-luxurious
• No spa or five-star extras
• Best for travellers who want to feel immersed in the bush
Also worth considering:
Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp
Location: Manyeleti, Greater Kruger • Price: €€€ • Style: Tented safari camp
If sleeping under canvas appeals to you but you’d still like a proper bed, Honeyguide offers a relaxed safari experience with plenty of bush atmosphere. It’s a great choice if you want to hear the sounds of the wild at night without giving up life’s little comforts.
Best for
✔ Couples
✔ Classic tented safari experience
✔ Relaxed bush atmosphere
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Location: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve • Price: €€€€ • Style: Luxury safari camp
If you love the idea of an authentic safari but would enjoy a little more luxury, Tanda Tula strikes a lovely balance. Think beautiful suites, excellent guiding and outstanding wildlife viewing, without losing that special bush atmosphere.
Best for
✔ Couples and families
✔ Luxury without losing the safari feel
✔ Outstanding game viewing
For luxurious retreats
Some people love the thrill of safari and then enjoy returning to beautiful rooms, excellent food and service that somehow appears exactly when you need it.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting wildlife and luxury. If you’re going to wake up before sunrise, you’ve probably earned the plunge pool, attentive staff and a rather lovely suite afterwards.
Royal Malewane
Location: Thornybush Private Game Reserve • Price: €€€€€ • Style: Ultra-luxury safari lodge
If your dream safari includes exceptional game viewing without giving up life’s finer things, Royal Malewane is difficult to beat. The suites are wonderfully elegant, service is famously attentive and every detail feels thoughtfully considered. Between game drives, you can relax by your private plunge pool, enjoy outstanding food and make full use of the spa before heading out in search of the Big Five again. It’s safari with a generous helping of indulgence.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ Exceptional guiding and game viewing
✔ Beautiful suites with private plunge pools
✔ Outstanding food and personalised service
✔ One of South Africa’s finest luxury safari experiences
Before you book
• One of the most expensive safari lodges in South Africa
• Best suited to travellers who want to combine wildlife with world-class luxury
• Book well in advance, especially during peak safari season
Also worth considering:
Singita Boulders Lodge
Location: Sabi Sand Nature Reserve • Price: €€€€€ • Style: Contemporary luxury
If understated elegance is more your style than classic safari décor, Singita Boulders is a beautiful choice. Spacious suites, private plunge pools and thoughtful design create a wonderfully calm retreat, while the exceptional guiding and wildlife viewing remain firmly centre stage.
Best for
✔ Contemporary design lovers
✔ Exceptional food and wine
✔ Luxury that still feels connected to the bush
Londolozi Private Granite Suites
Location: Sabi Sand Nature Reserve • Price: €€€€€ • Style: Intimate luxury
With just three suites overlooking the Sand River, Londolozi Private Granite Suites offers a wonderfully private safari experience. It’s ideal for couples looking for exceptional wildlife, thoughtful service and the kind of quiet luxury that never feels overdone.
Best for
✔ Honeymoons and special occasions
✔ Privacy and personalised service
✔ Luxurious safari in an intimate setting
For malaria-free safaris
Not everyone wants to spend part of their holiday wondering whether they already took today’s tablet or trying to remember whether the insect repellent came before or after the sunscreen. And that’s without having to worry about side effects.
If you’d rather remove malaria concerns from the equation entirely, South Africa has some excellent options where you can do exactly that.
Shamwari Eagles Crag
Location: Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape • Price: €€€€ • Style: Luxury malaria-free safari
If you’d rather leave the malaria tablets at home without compromising on the safari experience, Shamwari is a wonderful choice. Eagles Crag combines excellent Big Five game viewing with luxurious suites tucked into the surrounding cliffs and forest. Between game drives, you can relax by your private plunge pool, enjoy the spa or simply soak up the peaceful surroundings knowing that malaria isn’t something you need to think about here.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ Malaria-free Big Five safari
✔ Beautiful suites with private plunge pools
✔ Excellent wildlife and guiding
✔ Strong conservation focus
Before you book
• Located in the Eastern Cape rather than Greater Kruger
• Wildlife sightings can be a little less predictable than Sabi Sand
• A great option if avoiding malaria is high on your priority list
Also worth considering:
Settlers Drift at Kariega Game Reserve
Location: Eastern Cape • Price: €€€€ • Style: Luxury tented lodge
Kariega is a wonderful option if you’re combining a safari with Cape Town or the Garden Route. Settlers Drift offers spacious tented suites overlooking the bush, excellent guiding and all the advantages of a malaria-free reserve, making it an easy introduction to safari without compromising on comfort.
Best for
✔ Garden Route itineraries
✔ Malaria-free Big Five safaris
✔ Couples looking for a relaxed luxury experience
Madikwe Safari Lodge
Location: Madikwe Game Reserve • Price: €€€€ • Style: Contemporary safari lodge
Madikwe is one of South Africa’s best-known malaria-free safari destinations, and this lodge makes the most of it. Expect stylish suites, excellent game drives and thoughtful service, all in a reserve renowned for Big Five sightings and African wild dogs. It’s an excellent choice if you want luxury without travelling to the Greater Kruger.
Best for
✔ First-time safari visitors
✔ Big Five game viewing
✔ Malaria-free luxury close to Johannesburg
For travellers who want more safari and less travelling
Not everyone wants safari to begin with domestic flights, long transfers and the gradual disappearance of an entire day. Sometimes you simply want to leave the city and find yourself drinking sundowners a few hours later while wondering how giraffes manage to look elegant from every angle. These safari lodges offer exactly that.
Dwyka Tented Lodge
Location: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve • Price: €€€€ • Style: Luxury tented lodge
If you’re combining safari with Cape Town, Dwyka Tented Lodge is hard to beat. Hidden amongst spectacular rock formations in an ancient volcanic crater, it feels wonderfully remote despite being just a few hours from the city. It offers a luxurious Big Five safari without the need for domestic flights or lengthy transfers.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ Easy to combine with Cape Town
✔ Spectacular crater setting
✔ Luxurious tented suites
✔ Big Five safari in the Western Cape
Before you book
• Around 3½ hours by road from Cape Town
• Excellent choice for shorter itineraries
• Wildlife sightings are different from Greater Kruger
Also worth considering:
Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa
Location: Welgevonden Game Reserve • Price: €€€€ • Style: Contemporary safari lodge
Just a few hours’ drive from Johannesburg, Mhondoro is ideal if you’d rather spend your time on safari than in airports. Expect stylish suites, excellent game drives and a waterhole that’s often busy with wildlife right in front of the lodge.
Best for
✔ Easy access from Johannesburg
✔ Couples and families
✔ Watching wildlife from the lodge itself
Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge
Location: Pilanesberg National Park • Price: €€€ • Style: Classic safari lodge
Only a few hours from Johannesburg, Shepherd’s Tree makes safari remarkably easy to fit into your itinerary. Comfortable accommodation, Big Five game drives and a relaxed atmosphere make it a great choice for first-time visitors or anyone short on time.
Best for
✔ Short safari breaks
✔ First-time safari visitors
✔ Easy road access from Johannesburg
For people who prefer safari at a slightly slower pace
Not everyone approaches safari as if they’re training for an endurance event. Some people are perfectly content with one excellent game drive, a comfortable chair and the difficult decision of whether to read another chapter or simply watch the birds around camp.
If your ideal holiday includes long breakfasts, afternoon naps, birdsong and nowhere in particular to be, these lodges understand the assignment.
Dulini Moya
Location: Sabi Sand Nature Reserve • Price: €€€€€ • Style: Intimate luxury
Some safari lodges encourage you to do more. Dulini Moya quietly encourages you to do less. With just a handful of suites tucked beneath ancient trees, it feels wonderfully peaceful. Between game drives, you can read on your private deck, watch the river drift by or simply listen to the sounds of the bush. It proves that slowing down can be just as memorable as chasing the next wildlife sighting.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ Small, peaceful lodge
✔ Beautiful riverside setting
✔ Private decks and plunge pools
✔ Excellent game viewing without feeling rushed
Before you book
• Ideal for couples
• Quiet rather than lively
• Perfect if your favourite holiday activity is doing absolutely nothing for a while
Also worth considering:
Makanyi Private Game Lodge
Location: Timbavati Nature Reserve • Price: €€€€ • Style: Peaceful luxury
Makanyi combines excellent wildlife viewing with a wonderfully unhurried atmosphere. Spacious suites overlook a busy waterhole, making it just as enjoyable to stay at the lodge as it is to head out on a game drive.
Best for
✔ Quiet escapes
✔ Watching wildlife from the lodge
✔ Couples looking to unwind
For travellers who care about conservation and local communities
For some people, safari isn’t only about seeing wildlife. It’s also about knowing their holiday is helping protect wild places, support local communities and ensure future generations can experience them too.
You still get the sundowners and excellent meals, by the way. Nobody is asking you to suffer for conservation.
Tswalu Motse
Location: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve • Price: €€€€€ • Style: Ultra-luxury conservation safari
If conservation is just as important to you as spotting wildlife, Tswalu is in a league of its own. South Africa’s largest private protected reserve has been carefully restored over the years, with conservation, research and habitat restoration at the heart of everything it does. Guests enjoy extraordinary wildlife experiences in a vast, uncrowded landscape, knowing their stay helps support the reserve’s long-term conservation work. Luxury and purpose coexist beautifully here.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ South Africa’s largest private protected reserve
✔ Outstanding commitment to conservation and research
✔ Exclusive wildlife experiences with very few other vehicles
✔ Incredible Kalahari scenery and unique species
Before you book
• One of South Africa’s most exclusive safari experiences
• Focuses on rare Kalahari wildlife as well as the usual safari favourites
• Perfect if meaningful conservation is part of your travel philosophy
Also worth considering:
Phinda Forest Lodge
Location: Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal • Price: €€€€ • Style: Luxury forest lodge
Phinda is one of South Africa’s great conservation success stories. Once farmland, the reserve has been restored into a thriving wilderness where endangered species such as cheetah, black rhino and pangolin are actively protected. Forest Lodge adds a wonderfully peaceful setting amongst rare sand forest to an already inspiring conservation story.
Best for
✔ Conservation-minded travellers
✔ Rare habitats and diverse ecosystems
✔ Excellent Big Five game viewing
Samara Karoo Reserve
Location: Great Karoo, Eastern Cape • Price: €€€€ • Style: Conservation-focused luxury
Samara has transformed former farmland into a thriving wildlife reserve through decades of habitat restoration and species reintroductions. It’s a wonderful choice if you’re interested in seeing conservation in action while enjoying a quieter, more intimate safari experience in the beautiful Karoo landscape.
Best for
✔ Conservation-minded travellers
✔ The unique landscapes of the Karoo
✔ Smaller, more intimate safari experiences
So which safari lodge would I recommend?
After all this, you may have noticed I still haven’t told you which safari lodge is actually best. That is partly because I dislike impossible questions and partly because the answer genuinely depends on the sort of trip you want.
If I wanted campfires and bush atmosphere, I’d happily go back to Umlani. If I wanted complete luxury, attentive staff and cocktails appearing at suspiciously convenient moments, I’d head in a very different direction. And if conservation and community involvement mattered most to me, I’d choose somewhere with a strong story behind it.
The good news is that South Africa does safari extraordinarily well. The trick isn’t finding a good lodge. It’s finding the one that feels like your kind of safari.
Still not sure which safari to choose?
Not sure where to start? You’re not alone. There are hundreds of safari lodges, and they all look suspiciously gorgeous.
If you’d rather not spend your weekend comparing infinity pools and lion photos, Safari.com can help you find a lodge that actually suits you. Their safari specialists know the destinations inside out, and their advice doesn’t cost anything.
If you book through my link, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps pay for this website, which in turn helps me spend an unreasonable amount of time writing about safari lodges.
You may also enjoy:
- Umlani Bushcamp: safari and starlit showers
- Our three-week South Africa itinerary
- South Africa trip cost for three different budgets
- Safari guide
