Why choose Africa for a luxury safari holiday?

If you think that Africa consists only of wild landscapes where you have to rough it, think again. In fact, luxury African safaris are so sought-after that we specialise in them! Our continent offers some of the most luxurious accommodation options and elegant experiences globally, so there's really no need to settle for anything other than the best.

Talking about the best, say hello to the World's Best Safari Company! Yes, that's us. We're very proud of this title, and we have raving reviews from more than 180,000 guests to prove that we know what we're talking about! Based in Cape Town, South Africa, we have easy access to the top destinations and experiences, and, boy, have we taken advantage of that! We believe in only selling what we've experienced first-hand ourselves, so you can rest assured that it passed our discerning eye and stringent tests.

Whether you're looking for an African safari honeymoonromantic holiday destination or family safari, you can experience the untouched African wild and still be in the lap of luxury.

Why choose Africa for a luxury safari holiday?

We could go on forever, but there are some key reasons why Africa is the way to go for a luxury holiday. Our top luxury safari destinations in Africa will have you feasting on fine dining dishes, sipping some of the world's top wines, seeing some of the most awe-inspiring sights, and staying at anything-but-humble-abodes. 

Here are some of our top reasons to choose Africa:

  1. Some of the most exclusive luxury lodges in the world

  2. Exhilarating and exclusive activities like helicopter rides, paragliding, hot air balloon rides, and more

  3. Experiences that you can’t find anywhere else in the world

  4. Award-winning restaurants, some among the best in the world 

  5. Wide range of wine farms producing excellent wines

  6. Add-on options such as private guides or fly-in safaris are available 

  7. Home to an incredible diversity of animals, from the Big 5 to some of the rarest species in the world

  8. The World's Best Safari Company is located here to take care of everything for you (that’s us!)

  9. Unique cultural experiences across the continent 

  10. Landscapes are so varied that it’s like an entire world on one continent, each offering unique sights and experiences

The best luxury safari destinations in Africa

Africa offers everything from luxury Big 5 safaris in private game reserves like Sabi Sand, glamorous city, mountain and beach escapes in Cape Town, remote escapes to BotswanaNamibiaZimbabwe and Zambiagorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, and many more. 

You can book out luxury villas and lodges for exclusive use, with your own hospitality team, game vehicle, tracker and ranger there at your beck and call. You can also get a private guide or fly in straight to even the most far-flung lodges on the continent while enjoying all-inclusive, all-hands-on-deck luxury. 

Luxury safaris in South Africa

Luxury safari holidays in South Africa are so popular for good reason. Of the many, many safari destinations in the country, the Kruger National Park is the most widely known. As South Africa's premium national park, it promises unrivalled Big 5 safari experiences. 

A private concession bordering the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is the top choice for discerning travellers. Sharing an unfenced border with the park, you get access to the same wide range of animals but with fewer crowds. And as a private game reserve, the number of safari vehicles allowed out at a time is limited. Therefore, guests experience up-close, off-road game drives, including night safaris and exclusive activities like walking safaris. 

Another big drawcard is the high density of leopards found in Sabi Sand. Whereas you would usually have to drive for hours in the hopes of spotting just one (and that's if you're lucky!), seeing leopards at Sabi Sand is almost guaranteed. Depending on where you're staying, of course! But you can leave that up to us.  

The Sabi Sand lodges are also some of the most luxurious in all of Africa. Many of these are favoured by celebrities across the globe, such as LondoloziSingitaSilvan Safari and many more. There are all the luxuries you would expect, with additional exclusivity and personalised service you can only dream of. 

With some lodges offering ultra-romantic seclusion, all-inclusive luxury, family-friendly experiences, and tailored itineraries, you can enjoy the perfect safari to suit your taste and the specific occasion.

Secluded luxury safari in Botswana

Botswana is one of the world's last wildlife sanctuaries and is home to the Big 5 and an abundance of other animals, including some rare species. This makes it the perfect destination for a luxury safari. It's probably best known for its ecotourism initiatives, high density of elephants and big cats, and almost any African wildlife you can think of! 

Although it's remote and untouched, there are several luxury lodges in the area. Whether you decide to visit the meandering water channels of the Okavango Delta, the ghostly white stretches of the Makgadikgadi Pans, burnt sienna dunes and rolling grasslands of the Kalahari Desert, or want to see the never-ending herds of elephants at the Chobe National Park, Botswana is a safari enthusiast's dream destination. 

An exhilarating activity to enjoy on luxury safaris in Botswana is to go on a horseback safari at the Makgadikgadi Pans lodges. Another popular activity is to go on a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe reminiscent of a gondola) safari, gliding along the Okavango Delta and admiring the flora, fauna, and diverse wildlife calling it home. The Kalahari Desert offers sleepouts under the glittering African sky, meeting the adorable meerkat scurrying across the desert, and quad biking rides through the vast plains on your luxury safari in Botswana. 

Botswana is the perfect safari destination for an adventurer at heart who still enjoys the finer things in life and wants to combine the two.

Retreat to Rwanda and Uganda for a luxury African safari

Gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda or Uganda might sound, well, pretty wild, but it's actually one of the most luxurious and exclusive experiences. You can take our word for it  – the opportunity to meet some of human's closest relatives is a heart-stirring, life-altering experience. 

A luxury safari in Rwanda features rare primates like the endangered mountain gorilla, lush rainforests, and plenty of wellness experiences at unique yet luxurious lodges. Think treehouse-style suites overlooking the treetops! Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is famous for being the setting for the book and film "Gorillas in the Mist". It's also the oldest national park in Africa and one of the best places for gorilla trekking. 

For your luxury safari in Uganda, also known as the "Pearl of Africa", the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the top destinations. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you get to see gorillas and chimpanzees here. Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park is also known for its unique tree-climbing lions, so you can combine a safari with your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.  

Luxury safari experiences in Africa: What to expect? 

So, now that you know the best places to be, you need to know what luxury safari experiences you'll get to experience here! Regardless of what tickles your fancy, how picky you are, or who you're travelling with, there's something for everyone in Africa. 

From taking on Africa at your own pace with a private guide to enjoying the convenience of a fly-in safari or changing things up by travelling on rails instead of roads, get ready to have the time of your life!

Luxury African safari with a private guide

If you'd like to elevate your experience to another level of opulence, we can organise your very own private guide to accompany you on your trip.

Your safari is only as good as your guide. A private guide safari unlocks a whole new way of experiencing everything the continent has to offer! From expert first-hand knowledge and valuable insight to streamlining the logistics of your trip and ensuring it's smooth sailing all the way, a private guide is the luxury experience you need on your trip to Africa. 

Furthermore, you don't have to arrive disoriented in a new country as you try to find your way. Your private guide can collect you at the airport so that you can sit back and enjoy the ride instead of stressing over the details. Armed with a private guide, you can take each day at your own pace and request new adventures when the mood strikes you. 

Fly-In luxury African safari

Reach new heights (pun intended) by turning your safari into a fly-in luxury safari! This way, you can avoid the headaches of traffic and bumpy 4x4 rides. 

Instead, you can reach your destination much quicker and look down on Africa's magnificent landscapes, perhaps even spotting some wildlife as a little teaser for what's awaiting you on the ground! 

Want to visit really remote destinations and escape the crowds? A fly-in safari is the answer. You can usually take a light aircraft straight to a private landing strip near our favourite luxury lodges in Africa to maximise your time spent marvelling at the wildlife and revelling in the luxury your lodge offers.

Luxury rail journeys

Step back in time and old-world luxury on our African rail journeys. From our personal experience, there's nothing more soothing and romantic than that monotonous rhythm, ever-changing scenery, and the chance to sit back and be. 

And our favourite part? Dressing up for dinner is mandatory, adding to that ultra-luxurious experience. It's all about the details on these luxury rail journeys, from sipping your morning coffee in fine china and your wine in crystal and having your own personal butler, it's this personalised, all-frills experience that makes it one of our absolutely favourite ways to travel across the continent.

Let’s plan your luxury safari in Africa! 

Perhaps you've always dreamt about seeing Africa, but it just seemed so, well, wildly out of reach. Well, planning luxury safaris is what we specialise in! In fact, we're the best in the biz and were voted World's Best Safari Company. So, what are you waiting for? Contact our Travel Experts and let them plan your luxury safari in Africa so that all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

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