SAFARI / ACCOMMODATION
Luxury Safari Lodges in South Africa
A luxury safari lodge should offer more than an expensive room. The reserve, guiding, wildlife experience, service style, location and ease of reaching the property all matter when deciding whether a lodge is right for a particular trip.
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What “luxury” should actually mean
For us, luxury is not a useful category on its own. Some travellers value privacy and exceptional guiding; others want family facilities, a strong food programme, a plunge pool or seamless air access. The best lodge is the one whose strengths match the traveller.
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Kruger and Greater Kruger
The wider Kruger region offers everything from national-park camps to high-end private lodges. Private reserves can provide a different safari format, while Kruger National Park offers its own scale and character. They should not be sold as interchangeable experiences.
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Madikwe
Madikwe is another strong option for travellers looking for a lodge-based safari and can fit particularly well into certain Johannesburg-led itineraries. The practical choice depends on budget, trip length and how the safari connects with the rest of South Africa.
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Do not choose from photographs alone
Beautiful rooms are easy to market. Less obvious questions can matter more: How long is the transfer? What game-drive format is used? Is the lodge suitable for children? What is included? How much downtime do you want between activities?
THE LUXURY SAFARI COLLECTION
Luxury safari lodges in the Spurwing catalogue
Start with malaria-free Madikwe, the Timbavati in Greater Kruger, a concession camp inside Kruger and Dinokeng. The full collection, including Sabi Sand and the Eastern Cape, follows.
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge
Safari Lodge
Ten Luxury Suites with plunge pools set into a rocky hillside in Madikwe Game Reserve, plus Little Madikwe, a private two-bedroom villa for four with its own safari rhythm.
Exclusive Use · Luxury Safari Lodges · Malaria-Free Safari
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Madikwe Game Reserve
Jaci's Private Lodge
Safari Lodge
Ten safari suites, two private villas and a five-bedroom house in Madikwe Game Reserve, with Expedition Suites for families and the Terrapin Hide for close wildlife viewing.
Exclusive Use · Family Safari Lodges · Luxury Safari Lodges
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Madikwe Game Reserve
Tuningi Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge
Four Luxury Suites and two two-bedroom Family Suites in Madikwe Game Reserve, each with a private deck and splash pool, for no more than 16 guests; children from six.
Family Safari Lodges · Luxury Safari Lodges · Malaria-Free Safari
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Madikwe Game Reserve
Etali Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge
Eight standalone suites with splash pools and a family suite in Madikwe Game Reserve, for up to 16 guests; one suite is wheelchair accessible.
Accessible Stays · Family Safari Lodges · Luxury Safari Lodges
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Madikwe Game Reserve
Motswiri Private Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge
Five secluded Bush Villas for two and a three-bedroom Family Villa for up to six in Madikwe Game Reserve, with a private safari vehicle on request.
Family Safari Lodges · Luxury Safari Lodges · Malaria-Free Safari
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Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Tented Camp
Seven canvas-and-glass Safari Suites and two two-bedroom Family Suites, all with plunge pools, in a solar-powered camp on the Nhlaralumi River in the Timbavati; children from six.
Family Stays · Luxury Safari · Sustainable Stays
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Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Kings Camp Private Game Reserve
Safari Lodge
Six Luxury Suites with private plunge pools, two Honeymoon Suites and Waterbuck Private Camp for up to eight, overlooking a waterhole in the Timbavati; children from six.
Family Stays · Honeymoon · Luxury Safari
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Kruger National Park
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Tented Camp
Six air-conditioned tented suites with private plunge pools, Victorian baths and Sala lounges, linked by raised timber walkways above a seasonal river inside Kruger; adults from 12 unless the camp is taken exclusively.
Big Five · Exclusive Use · Inside Kruger
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Dinokeng Game Reserve
Little Mongena Tented Camp
Tented Camp
Ten air-conditioned safari tents overlooking Mongena Dam in an unfenced part of Mongena Private Game Reserve, Dinokeng; full board, two wildlife activities a night, guests 12 and over.
Groups · Luxury Safari Lodges · Malaria-Free Safari
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Dulini Moya
Six suites on the Mabrak River in the Dulini area of the Sabi Sand, each with a deck, heated plunge pool and outdoor shower.
Dulini River
Six open-plan suites with heated private plunge pools, raised above the perennial Sand River in the Sabi Sand.
Kariega Settlers Drift
Nine tented suites in a remote section of Kariega Private Game Reserve, with meals, selected drinks, game drives and reserve activities included. Guests must be ten…
Kingfisher Villa Suites
Five suites for two guests each, for up to ten guests in all, beside a dam in Mabula Private Game Reserve near Bela-Bela.
Kings Camp Private Game Reserve
Six Luxury Suites with private plunge pools, two Honeymoon Suites and Waterbuck Private Camp for up to eight, overlooking a waterhole in the Timbavati; children from…
Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
Nine suites on a ridge inside Manyoni Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, each with its own plunge pool. Guests must be 12 or older.
Lion Sands River Lodge
Eighteen rooms and suites along the Sabie River in the Sabi Sand: Luxury and Superior Luxury Rooms, River Suites and a two-bedroom Family River Suite.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Safari Rooms, two Safari Family Rooms, eight Luxury Bush Villas and two Honeymoon Bush Villas on a ridge inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Twenty-one Luxury Suites, an Accessible Suite and three Luxury Villas at Sabi Sabi in the Sabi Sand, with the EleFun Centre for children; all ages are…
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Twelve suites and the Amber Villa at Sabi Sabi in the Sabi Sand, in a low-slung lodge built into the landscape, with a spa and gym.
Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp
Six suites beside the Msuthlu riverbed in the Sabi Sabi reserve in the Sabi Sand, for guests aged 13 and over unless the camp is booked…
Sabi Sabi Selati Camp
Seven suites at Sabi Sabi in the Sabi Sand, styled on the early safari era: five Luxury Suites, the Lourenço Marques Honeymoon Suite and the Ivory…
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Explore safari accommodation
See Kruger Accommodation, Greater Kruger Accommodation and Madikwe Accommodation.
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