South Africa
South Africa’s best safari lodges, from the Kruger to the Kalahari
Head into the wild at these top safari lodges in South Africa
South Africa’s safari lodges are as varied as the ecosystems they protect. Some are in the far north of Kruger National Park, where rivers draw high concentrations of predators; others are in the arid Kalahari, home to species found nowhere else in the country. What sets these lodges apart is their role in reshaping the land itself, from ambitious rewilding schemes to on-the-ground wildlife protection. These are places built with care, shaped by the land they stand on and run by people who believe conservation is as much about people as it is about wildlife. We’ve selected our favourite lodges that capture the breadth of that experience, spanning iconic game-rich regions and remote, lesser-explored terrain.
Top photography courtesy of Tswalu Game Reserve
Overview: South Africa’s best safari lodges
01
Tswalu Game Reserve
The Kalahari is a place of colour and silence – red sand underfoot, endless sky above and the low call of a sandgrouse carrying across the plains. In the middle of it lies Tswalu Game Reserve, South Africa’s largest privately owned reserve, spanning over 114,000 hectares of ochre dunes, grasslands and rugged mountains. Founded by the Oppenheimer family, Tswalu’s mission is to restore the land and protect rare species such as pangolins, aardvarks and desert-adapted lions. The reserve limits guest numbers to ensure an exclusive and low-impact experience, with each booking including a private vehicle, guide and tracker. Accommodation is split between The Motse, a nine-suite lodge, Tarkuni, a five-bedroom exclusive-use villa and Loapi, a collection of six individual safari homes. All of these lodges echo the landscape in stone, timber and earthy textiles.
Tswalu Game Reserve
Farm Korannaberg
Kuruman
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Tswalu Game Reserve
02
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Make your way to the rolling hills of the Eastern Cape and you’ll find Shamwari Private Game Reserve, a reserve born from the idea that degraded farmland could once again hold elephants, rhinos and lions. That was 1992 – today, 25,000 hectares ripple with life, from herds of buffalo to fish eagles circling overhead. The reserve’s lodges sit in different settings – some raised above the bush with wide views, others set into the thicket for a more sheltered feel. Shamwari offers seven lodges and tented camps that cater to different travellers, from the family-orientated Riverdene to the tented Sindile Lodge. At Shamwari, the game drives happen at sunrise or sunset, moving through open grassland, dense valleys and river corridors. Don’t miss the opportunity to pop in at the Born Free Big Cat Rescue Centre – it really brings a deeper awareness of the threats these animals face.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Paterson
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Shamwari Private Game Reserve
03
Singita Lebombo Lodge
In a remote corner of Kruger National Park, the N’wanetsi River cuts through ridges of volcanic rock and above it sits Singita Lebombo Lodge – all glass, steel and suspended decks. From inside, you see everything – elephants ghosting through the fever trees and baboons sunning themselves on boulders. The design is striking, but the atmosphere is unhurried. Interiors draw on organic shapes and raw materials, echoing the rocky ridges and riverine trees outside. Beyond twice-daily game drives, you can explore on foot with expert guides, enjoy wine tastings from Singita’s celebrated cellar or visit community projects supported by the Singita Lowveld Trust. Singita Lebombo Lodge feels connected to the land not just in its architecture but in the way its guides work – patient, observant and tuned to the rhythms of this corner of Kruger.
Singita Lebombo Lodge
N'wanetsi River
Kruger National Park
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Singita Lebombo Lodge
04
Samara Karoo Reserve
The Karoo can feel endless – mile after mile of open plain broken by sudden mountains, air so clear you can see a storm coming hours away. Samara Karoo Reserve sits in the heart of it all, covering more than 27,000 hectares of grassland, savannah and mountain terrain. Samara Karoo Reserve began as a cluster of old livestock farms, bought in 1997 by Mark and Sarah Tompkins with the vision of restoring it to wilderness. Over time, cheetahs, Cape mountain zebras and black rhinos have returned, sharing the land with springbok and kudu. Accommodation options include Karoo Lodge, a restored farmhouse with nine intimate suites and The Manor, an exclusive-use villa. While staying at Samara Karoo Reserve, you’ll have plenty to do. We love taking part in the on-foot cheetah tracking, hiking to the high plateaus and stargazing in the Karoo’s low-light skies.
Samara Karoo Reserve
Petersburg Road Off the R63
Graaff-Reinet
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Samara Karoo Reserve
05
Londolozi Game Reserve
Few safari names carry as much history as Londolozi Game Reserve. The Varty family has been here since 1926, watching generations of leopards grow up along the Sand River. The reserve shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, allowing free movement of wildlife across its 14,000 hectares. The Varty, Tree, Founders, Granite and Pioneer camps each have their own character, yet all are grounded in a philosophy of minimal footprint living. Interiors use raw timber, stone and neutral fabrics. At Granite Camp, polished concrete walls meet sweeping glass doors that open onto private plunge pools overlooking the Sand River, while Tree Camp is known for its Ralph Lauren-inspired interiors softened by chandeliers and deep sofas. Beyond the suites, you’ll find meditation decks, yoga spaces shaded by jackalberry trees and an interactive kitchen where chefs prepare meals using local ingredients. The reserve also has a photography studio where you can edit your safari shots with professional guidance.
Londolozi Game Reserve
Skukuza
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Londolozi Game Reserve
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