May 28

Rhino Africa’s Top 10 Safari Lodges in South Africa 2020

48  comments

May 28, 2020

And who are we? Well we’re the African Safari Experts. We travel the length and breadth of this magnificent continent to find the most incredible destinations, hotels, experiences and safari lodges in South Africa so that we can give first-hand, expert advice to our clients.

Safari connoisseurs is what we are – it’s our job, it’s our passion. In our Top 10 we’ve tried to include a mix of destinations and habitats to cover the awesome spectrum of South African geography and wildlife. As such, we’ve arranged our Top 10 by geographical area.

All the lodges we’ve selected are located in private game reserves, which means that you can expect exceptional game viewing, the best rangers in the business, off-road tracking, night drives and above all, privacy – you’ll be far from the madding crowds. The lodges listed below are in Big 5 reserves with the exception of Tswalu.

At the end of the day though, it all comes down to taste – we’d love to hear your thoughts on our selection. And so without further ado, and in no particular order, we give you… Our Top 10.

Rhino Africa’s list of the 10 Top Safari Lodges in South Africa

1. Kruger National Park

4 of the 5 Kruger lodges that we have selected are in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve on the Western border of the Kruger National Park. The wildlife is abundant and the Sabi Sand is undoubtedly the best place to see leopards in the world. Royal Malewane is in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, located to the North West of the Sabi Sand – the game viewing is also exceptional and there’s a good chance of seeing the elusive black rhino.

pool-view-singita-lodge
Singita Boulders View lodge

Where? In an 18,000ha private reserve in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on the western border of the Kruger National Park.

Why? A 12,000 bottle wine cellar in the middle of the bush and suites that will make you feel more decadent than a Bond villain. The level of indulgence at Singita is quite simply ridiculous.

Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Londolozi Tree camp deck
Where luxury meets nature, Photo Credit: Londolozi

Where? In the Londolozi Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park.

Why?
Each of the three exclusive suites overlooks the Sand River and has a glass encased bathroom, outdoor shower, swimming pool and a private river bath. The Londolozi ‘experience’ is unrivalled.

Chitwa Chitwa

Photo Credit: Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge

Where? In the north of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which forms part of the vast Greater Kruger National Park.

Why?
Spectacular modern design and suites that will have you cartwheeling with delight. The place is so nice they named it twice.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

Photo Credit: Lion Sands

Where? In the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve in the Southern portion of the 65,000-hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Why? Each suite is operated as its own private villa. The More family delivers the ultimate safari experience with oodles of style.

Royal Malewane

Royal Malewane brand photography. Client: The Royal Portfolio, South Africa. Stylist: Nathalie Williams

Where? In the Thornybush Game Reserve within the greater Kruger National Park in South Africa, approximately 50km (30min) from Hoedspruit.

Why?
Impeccable style and classic sophistication. Each piece of furniture is a treasure. Be prepared to have your mind blown when you check out the Spa and Africa House (Royal Malewane’s Private Villa).

Ulusaba Cliff Lodge

Ulusaba Cliff Lodge staff. Credit, Ulusaba Lodge.

Where? Ulusaba Cliff Lodge is located on a 10,000 hectare private reserve in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on the western border of the Kruger National Park.

Why?
Sir Richard Branson’s Private Game Reserve – need we say more?

2. Kalahari

The Kalahari Desert provides a completely unique eco system which means that you’ll see unique and diverse wildlife. The antelope in particular are quite different – you might see Gemsbok, Springbok, Eland, Red Hartebeest, Roan, Tsessebe and Sable. You might also see the incredible desert-adapted black rhino, black-mained rhinos, cheetah, meerkats, aardvark and pangolin. Tswalu is an excellent destination for more experienced safari goers.

Tswalu Game Reserve. Southern Kalahari. Northern Cape. South Africa.
Tswalu Game Reserve. Southern Kalahari. Northern Cape. South Africa.

Where? In Tswalu, a private game reserve near the border between South Africa and Botswana on the transition zone between the Nama-Karoo and Kalahari biomes.

Why?
A night under the desert stars on the Malori sleep deck should be on everyone’s bucket list. And who can resist the allure of those cheeky meerkats?

3. Garden Route

Located at the Eastern end of the Garden Route, Kwandwe is fantastic for those wishing to combine the Garden Route with a Safari. It’s also a malaria-free safari destination. The meaning of Kwandwe in isiXhosa is “Place of the Blue Crane”, and the reserve is a proud home to a population of these rare, vulnerable birds (South Africa’s National Bird). Kwandwe is also a sanctuary to other threatened species including the Knysna woodpecker, Cape grysbok, black wildebeest, crowned eagle and black-footed cat.

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
The luxurious Kwandwe Ecca Lodge. Image Credit: Kwandwe

Where? In Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, a one and a half hour drive from Port Elizabeth.

Why? Forget jodhpurs, pith helmets or stiff upper lips – Ecca Lodge is colourful, modern and trendy. Emblazoned with giant Warhol-like prints and retro light fittings, this is a little piece of Carnaby Street in the Bush.

4. Madikwe

Madikwe Private Game Reserve is on the border with Botswana in the North West Province of South Africa some 4 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. It’s a malaria free reserve and is renowned for its thriving wild dog population.

Jamala Madikwe ofrece momentos mágicos en abundancia
Jamala Madikwe ofrece momentos mágicos en abundancia. Crédito de la imagen: Jamala Madikwe

Where? In the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, in the north-west province of South Africa

Why? 5 exclusive suites are set beneath a canopy of age-old Leadwood trees. The abundantly stylish, deck-fringed lodge gazes onto open savanna and a watering hole popular with the local elephants.

5. KwaZulu Natal

Phinda is in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa – a private game reserve with 7 distinct ecosystems. It’s a very low risk area for malaria and the game viewing is fantastic – a great place to see cheetah.

&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge, Crédit Photo: &Beyond Phinda

Where? In Phinda Private Game Reserve, a 3 hour drive north of Durban.

Why?
It’s different. Set deep in a sand forest this spectacular lodge has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that invite the forest inside. The dense tree canopy provides seclusions while the suites float on stilts above the forest floor.

Book the best safari lodges in South Africa with Rhino Africa

Rhino Africa can tailor-make an African holiday of a lifetime to suit your budget, needs and style. One of our discerning and experienced consultants can give you all the inside information to ensure that you get the best experience and the best value for money possible. So contact us today and let’s start planning!

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About the author 

Tamlin Wightman

Tamlin has been exploring, writing about and photographing Africa ever since her first job as a photojournalist for Getaway Magazine. She's lived on an island, eaten with lions, sailed catamarans in the Indian Ocean, tracked wild dogs with Kinglsey Holgate, and white water rafted down the Zambezi and has kept just about every airplane ticket that has crossed her hands.

  • Cannot imagine a more spectacular experience than the one I had at Londolozi … every single detail was exquisite. The accomodations, the food, the incredible animals and most of all the incredible Londolozi family … as you said … unrivalled!

  • Hi Renata Spadafora, no Kapama didn’t make the list this year, although Kapama Karula was certainly in the running! Is that your favorite?

  • I spent several glorious days at Buffalo Camp at Kapama in 1999. Accomodations were superb, and the hosts were incomparable!

  • WTF !!!! superficiality and decadence indeed , at it’s best …. Minwhile in the same Africa , 1000s starve to death , have no water , or both + AIDS, but never mind ! those with cash can enjoy in oblivion of the world misery. This is obscene. Not to mention the animals killed for a trophee. Humans are the disease of this planet

  • I checked them out. A little too pricey for me. Is this where you’re going on your “surprise” holiday? If you hold off ’til 2014, maybe we can all go together. That is our plan for next year.

  • Wow that looks amazing! Bit different to my distant memories of three months camping and (much to my children’s amusement) being chased by a Warthog lol

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