Safari lodges elevate their game

Across Africa, safari lodges and private game reserves are moving beyond the classic safari formula and creating new and exciting experiences on the ground that go a little deeper, are more immersive, exclusive and memorable than ever before. Some of them even impart new skills!

A new era of safari luxury

From next-level safari vehicles and African-inspired wellness journeys to overnight photo hides, horseback adventures and other sensory-led wildlife encounters, some the continent’s leading safari camps are redefining the essence of what “real luxury” means when it comes to a safari.  

A bevy of beautiful Beests

At Bushtops Camps in Kenya and Tanzania, guests are currently enjoying Attenborough-worthy wildlife sightings as the annual migration crosses the Mara River on their journey from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara National Park– with all three of their properties perfectly positioned for front row seats to all the action.  This year, in celebration of their 20th anniversary, every guest tent booked is allocated its own private 4×4 vehicle, dedicated guide and Maasai spotter for exclusive use – at no extra charge. Normally, having a private vehicle can add up to $400 per day to your tab, so this is a wonderful, celebratory value add.

Bushtops also recently welcomed three new additions to their own “Bushtops herd” AKA safari vehicle fleet.  One new 6×6 Beest game viewer has joined the O.G. prototype in the Serengeti, with two new Beests (named after the wildebeests in the migration) now based in the Masai Mara at Mara Bushtops.   

These custom designed safari vehicles take the concept of a luxury game drive to a whole other level, with extra- large, heated seats, a personal drinks fridge-freezer for each guest, a fold-out sundowners bar, a kitchen with cooking plates and hot running water for incredible meals in the wilderness, and a super-suspension system and flat-bed chassis for the most comfortable of drives over the roughest of terrains. The wildlife is not the only thing turning heads when a Beest is out on safari!

Asili Spa and Wellness in the Serengeti

In Tanzania’s central Serengeti, Warangi Ridge by The Wilderness Collection is also elevating its guest experience, with the recent launch of its new Asili Spa and Wellness Concept. Set in a dramatic landscape of granite kopjes and wide-open plains, this design-led camp is all about combing wildlife adventures with restorative wellbeing.

Between game drives, Warangi Ridge is all about relaxation and self-care – be that taking a dip in your tent’s private, heated plunge pool – enjoying a long nap, relaxing with a drink on one of the elevated decks overlooking the Serengeti – or indulging in some “me-time” in the new Asili Spa.  There is also a yoga deck where you can enjoy sound vibration therapies, guided meditation and breathwork and even mindful pause and reflection journaling.  For those looking to keep up their fitness levels between drives there is also a fully equipped gym. 

All new guest arrivals are invited to enjoy a complimentary 15-minute, lavender infused foot cleansing massage in the spa to relieve travel tension from their journey – and if and when therapists are free in the evenings, complimentary hand & arm massage treatments are offered around the firepit to elevate evening sundowners to the next level.  It’s no wonder Warangi Ridge has just been shortlisted for “Luxury Safari Retreat” at the 2026 World Luxury Hotel Awards!

Sleep amongst the giants of Botswana

At Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana, the Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide offers a very different take on luxury: the absolute privilege of staying out all night and getting an intimate, rare peek at the nocturnal rhythms of the bush. This underground photographic hide overlooks a waterhole that enjoys a steady stream of wildlife traffic including some fantastic predators by night – and is designed for those who want to combine comfort, privacy and exceptional wildlife viewing in one unforgettable stay. It sleeps 4 guests plus a guide – but I say “sleep” lightly as I would certainly not be closing my eyes for very long given the opportunity to spend a night there!

Most guests enjoy the Lala Limpopo “dusk till dawn” experience as an add on to a stay at one of Mashatu’s lodges – but if you really want to push the boat out, a stay at Euphorbia Mashatu will not disappoint!  Just eight private villas, all with their own private plunge pools, are tucked away in a forest of Euphorbia trees overlooking a dry ravine below where elephants and other wildlife love to wander.

Privacy is a given at Euphorbia – with just 4 guests per safari vehicle and an additional adventure activity included each day should you wish to enjoy a cycling safari, a morning on horseback, an additional guided walk, a session in the photographic hide with PhotoMashatu tuition, a river confluence visit, a cultural community visit or even a night drive with stargazing after dinner. 

Life’s better in the wild for curious travellers

In Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, Shearzone Safaris has just launched its new Nzovu Rundu Luxury Camp which overlooks the Nkalange Channel of the Zambezi River. This is a proudly Zambian owned collection with exciting plans for expansion.  They also have their own fleet of light aircraft to ensure your Shearzone experience starts from the minute you arrive in Lusaka, with seamless connectivity between camps. I am heading there this week and cannot wait to experience it!

To elevate the experience at this brand-new camp, guests enjoy lovely extras such as a complimentary spa treatment.   There is also a unique “Sixteen at Nzovu Rundu” gathering every afternoon at 16h00 – be it for a wine tasting with a Zambian twist or a traditional herbal/floral tea tasting with local treats and accompaniments from the chef! Guests will also love the mile long Nkalange Board Walk along the riverfront, between the usual game drives, walking safaris and boat-based activities.

A safari for your senses in Namibia

At Onguma Nature Reserve on the fringe of Etosha National Park in Namibia, their new Onkolo Soundscapes (I am very proud to have suggested the name for this!) experience introduces an entirely new sensory dimension to your safari. Set at the Onkolo water-level hide, this activity pairs up-close game viewing with carefully captured and amplified bush sounds, creating a listening-led encounter that turns the wilderness into something guests don’t just see, but hear.

Onguma has six different lodges and two luxury camp sites to choose from – from the family friendly Onguma Bush Lodge to the ultra-exclusive Onguma Camp Kala which has just 4 suites. Your suite at Camp Kala comes with a huge deck overlooking a watering hole with a choice of both a cooling plunge pool for the day and wood fired hot tub by night – and a day bed where you can also sleep out under the stars at night, without leaving your little bush haven.  It feels really decadent to have so much choice and exclusivity!

You can also opt to spend a night out in the middle of the bush on the one-of-a-kind Onguma Dream Cruiser which is a real bucket list sensory experience! 

Saddle up for adventure at Nsele

At Nsele Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg, the real stand out “luxury” is having the entire lodge and in fact the whole game reserve completely to yourself!  The lodge sleeps 12 adults and up to 6 children in 6 double rooms and 2 children’s bunk rooms.

The large open living room has a fully stocked bar, a dining area, a sitting area with fireplace for cooler evenings, and a grand piano for any musically-inclined guests. There is also a TV room and library. Outside, the dining deck has stunning views across the plains. The heated infinity pool and surrounding decks have a variety of seating areas to enjoy – be it from a sunbed, sofa, armchair or beanbag.

Another reason people love Nsele is for its adventure activities.  The property has its own stables with ten beautiful horses and expert guides, ready and waiting for you to explore this private wilderness on horseback.  The property’s equestrian focus gives the experience a more intimate, quietly adventurous feel and is a must for those who love to ride in the wild, without worrying about predators.

Take home more than just memories at Tembe Elephant Park

Tembe Elephant Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is home to all the big five plus some of the most magnificent tuskers you will find anywhere.  The accommodation is in beautiful tents with ensuite bathrooms including an outdoor shower and private massage tent. Tembe is the only lodge within the 300km2 reserve so you will also very rarely see another vehicle in the park. When I visited in May we saw only one other Tembe vehicle across all six of our game drives.

They also offer the rare opportunity to learn new skills while you are there – for example you can sign up for a photography workshop in September with expert Rory Baker to sharpen your wildlife & bird photography techniques. The park’s intimate elephant encounters also make it a strong fit for occasional elephant focussed workshops.

Tembe has just been voted “Best Community Focused Lodge in Africa” and “Best Game Lodge in Africa” at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards.

Flexibility and exclusivity at Carmines River Lodge

Carmine’s River Lodge, due to launch around October/November in Zambia’s South Luangwa will pair an exceptionally private setting with just three two-bedroomed villas with one of Zambia’s most rewarding safari landscapes. It is a deliberately small camp, initially sleeping just 12 guests on a private 54-acre island between two rivers, 10 minutes from South Luangwa National Park and 20 minutes from Nsefu Game Reserve.

Each villa will have its own host, private guide and custom-built six-seat game vehicle, elevating your safari to an incredibly memorable, personal experience, where you can indulge your individual interests—be it photography, big cats or birding … and all at your own pace – be it a shorter, family-friendly game drive after a leisurely breakfast, a guided walk at dawn – or perhaps heading out for a full day drive with a packed lunch.

Located near the confluence of the Luangwa and Wafwa river systems, Carmines River Lodge enjoys a prime spot in the Valley of Leopards – with one of the world’s largest Southern Carmine bee-eater colonies right on its doorstep.

The lodge will have an avian-inspired theme as well as wonderful touches such as its own on-site photographic studio and high-quality cameras and equipment available to borrow.  Here, flexibility will be Carmine’s biggest flex!

The bigger picture

All these exceptional experiences are just an example of how Africa’s safari lodges are broadening their appeal far beyond traditional game viewing. Luxury now is less about marble baths and gold taps. It is far more experience led – encompassing aspects like health and wellness and engaging all your senses for a truly memorable safari holiday.  Immersing yourself in the local culture and cuisine and digging deeper into the heart and soul of these special places, and knowing that your stay and tourism dollars will leave a lasting, positive impact is ultimately what elevates your safari to the next level.