Top 5 South Africa Safari Lodges

If you are thinking about a golf holiday in South Africa, why not include a stay at one of these top five safari lodges. Whether it’s your first visit to South Africa or you’ve been before, experiencing a safari is on most peoples bucket list. If you want to experience something different, why not choose to stay at an eco camp, for a genuine experience and to find out more about the environment and what’s it like to run a game reserve. These lodges range from four luxury tented suites to 16 glass suites, in the following regions; Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Greater Kruger National Park and the Eastern Cape.

&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge - Phinda Private Game Reserve - Northern KwaZulu-Natal

Located in the Phinda Private Game Reserve, approximately 270 km north of Durban King Shaka International Airport. This particular five-star lodge is situated in one of the worlds’ last remaining rare sand-forests. The reserve is a marvellous tapestry of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and indigenous forests.

This uniquely designed lodge offers 16 air-conditioned glass suites built on stilts that appear to float between the forest floor and the lofty torchwood trees. Adventurously designed in a style affectionately known as Zulu Zen, each handcrafted, glass-encased suite boasts a minimalist flair that incorporates high-gloss wooden floors, richly tactile fabrics and brightly accented Zulu artifacts.

Guests enjoy daily game drives to see some of the continent’s finest game including Africa’s Big Five. But the really unique and special reason to stay at Phinda Forest Lodge, is to get the opportunity to be taken on a guided sand-forest walk, where you get to see an array of smaller wildlife and plenty of birdlife (Phinda is home to some 436 bird species). The reserve is particularly well known for close-up sightings of the elusive cheetah, as well as the rare Black Rhino. Other unique activities that guests can do, include Zulu village tours, night turtle drives in nearby St Lucia (seasonal), scuba safaris and a once in a lifetime Black Rhino tracking experience on foot.

This truly spectacular award winning lodge with its exceptional architectural design, eco-sensitive structures and light environmental footprint makes it one of South Africa’s unique safari destinations. 

Tintswalo Lapalala Lodge - Limpopo

Located in the 44,500 hectare malaria-free Lapalala Wilderness Reserve in the Waterberg Region, Limpopo, a 3.5-hour drive, or a 30-minute charter flight, north of Johannesburg. Tinswalo at Lapalala is an authentic luxury tented bush experience that captures the essence of the wild in a luxurious setting. This is a new lodge in the Tintswalo Collection, and is as close to nature as you can get with 5-star touches, magnificent views and superb accommodation. The lodge is eco-friendly and completely off the grid, with views overlooking the rolling mountains and plains of the malaria-free Waterberg region. There are 4 luxury-tented suites with indoor and outdoor showers as well as an outside bath, and a private plunge pool (two of the suites can sleep a family of four). This malaria-free reserve and lodge is perfect for families wanting to experience nature and the great outdoors.

Guests can enjoy spectacular stargazing on cloudless nights and see herds of buffalo, black and white rhino, sable and roan antelope that are all bred on the reserve. A picnic down at the Palala River including tubing and swimming in the rock pools for the kids is also a unique experience in the wild.

Londolozi Varty Camp - Greater Kruger National Park

Situated on the banks of the Sand River, in the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park. The lodge is situated approximately 2-hours transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, or 90-minute road transfer from Skukuza Airport. Scheduled charter flights are also available flying directly to Londolozi Airstrip from OR Tambo International.

Londolozi Varty Camp is a luxurious family-friendly lodge that boasts 8 Chalets and 2 Superior Chalets each with their own private swimming pool, outdoor shower and outdoor dining sala, surrounded by timber decks raised off the ground under the shade of an ancient riverine forest. It is renowned for its down to earth relaxed feeling and its amazing staff and service.

The safari experience at Londolozi is a unique experience tailored to suit individual preferences and expectations. The rangers at Londolozi are world renowned for their knowledge, enthusiasm and entertainment. With over 16,000 hectares of traversing wilderness, no two game drives are ever the same. On this luxury private game reserve, guests will have the opportunity to spot the big 5 as well as track a leopard.

Shamwari Eagles Crag - Eastern Cape

Located on the malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape about an hour and a half’s drive or transfer from Port Elizabeth Airport. Shamwari, meaning “my friend” in Shona, is the pinnacle of private game reserves and home to the coveted Big 5. It’s a place where guests can exist in harmony with nature, however fleeting the moment, where wildlife roam the landscape under the relentless African sun. The award-winning and exclusive Eagles Crag Lodge is positioned in a valley that is surrounded by lush African bush.

The lodge has 9 individual junior suites, each with classy interiors blending well with the natural surroundings. The suites each have their own private deck and heated plunge pool and are surrounded by nature’s magnificent beauty, lush vegetation and rocky cliffs. Shamwari offers guests an array of different experiences including Game Drives, Birding, Walking Safaris, Photographic Safaris and more. Visits can also be arranged to Shamwari's Born Free Foundation Animal Rescue Centre, Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre, and the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, making it a perfect family reserve too. For a truly authentic unforgettable Eastern Cape Safari experience with scenery and sunsets to die for a minimum of 2 nights stay is recommended.

Gondwana Game Reserve Eco Tented Camp - Garden Route, Eastern Cape

Located along South Africa’s scenic Garden Route in the Western Cape region of South Africa. This private game reserve offers a distinctive and luxurious malaria-free Big 5 safari holiday within easy reach of Cape Town. The Eco-camp is one of the four differing accommodation options available on Gondwana Reserve and offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the bush as a “Trainee Ranger”.  The eco-friendly camp includes 5 large, comfortable double share tents set on raised decks each, all with en-suite bathrooms and covered deck areas. All meals are provided in the recreational communal tent area and are prepared by your dedicated guide and experienced Ranger hosts.  A relaxation area with hammocks and a “pool in the wild” is also available for afternoon chill time.

The camp offers a truly unique one-of-a-kind conservation tourism experience that allows guests and especially families to be more involved in Conservation during their safari holiday. During their stay, guests will enjoy plenty of game drives and bush walks, but more importantly, they get so much more involved with the important daily conservation work that is required on a Big Five game reserve.  Guests will get first-hand experience in wildlife and field management, animal and bird identification and monitoring, learning important bush skills and interpretation, assisting in alien vegetation management and simply getting to enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of how a Big Five private game reserve operates.

You now just need to decided which one of these you want to experience!