Singita
Ultra-luxury, conservation-led · One-percent-of-land, one-percent-of-guests philosophy; each lodge funds the conservation of the land it sits on.
Camps & Lodges · Special Report
The Best Luxury Safari Lodges, Compared
Choosing among Africa’s top safari groups is less about finding “the best” and more about matching a house style to yours. Below, a practical side-by-side look at the nine names that define the segment in 2026 — what each does well, who it suits, and how they differ on footprint, guiding, and inclusions.
| Group | Style | Footprint | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singita | Ultra-luxury, conservation-led | Sixteen lodges and camps across South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Rwanda | Travellers who want architectural design, cellar-grade wine lists and vast private concessions. |
| Wilderness | Ultra-luxury, remote-first | Around sixty camps across Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Rwanda | Guests building multi-camp itineraries by light aircraft across several countries. |
| andBeyond | Design-led luxury, community focus | Around thirty lodges and camps in Southern and East Africa | Travellers who want strong guiding paired with distinctive, individually designed lodges. |
| Great Plains Conservation | Small-camp ultra-luxury | Intimate camps in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe | Photographers and repeat safari-goers who want very few beds on very large concessions. |
| Angama | Boutique luxury, single-view drama | Two properties — the Mara escarpment and Amboseli | First-time safari guests who want one exceptional place rather than a circuit. |
| Royal Portfolio (Royal Malewane) | Classic opulence, Big Five | Lodges in the Greater Kruger and the Cape | Guests who want antiques, deep spa programmes and some of Africa's most qualified trackers. |
| Time + Tide | Understated luxury, wild places | Camps in Zambia and Madagascar | Walking-safari purists and travellers pairing bush with island time. |
| Asilia Africa | Upper-premium, East African circuit | Around twenty camps in Tanzania and Kenya | Migration-focused itineraries at a step below ultra-luxury pricing. |
| Beyond Green / One&Only Nyungwe & Gorilla's Nest | Hotel-branded luxury, primate focus | Rwanda lodges near Volcanoes and Nyungwe national parks | Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking with full resort-standard service either side of the hike. |
Group by Group
Wilderness
Ultra-luxury, remote-first · Operates its own airline and some of the most remote private concessions in the Okavango Delta.
andBeyond
Design-led luxury, community focus · Its Care of the Land, Wildlife and People model channels lodge revenue into surrounding communities.
Great Plains Conservation
Small-camp ultra-luxury · Founded by filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert; camps carry purpose-built photographic vehicles.
Angama
Boutique luxury, single-view drama · Tented suites hang above the Great Rift Valley with uninterrupted views over the Mara triangle.
Royal Portfolio (Royal Malewane)
Classic opulence, Big Five · Home to several of the country's few Master Trackers, with private Big Five traversing rights.
Time + Tide
Understated luxury, wild places · South Luangwa camps are among the best bases for guided walking safaris anywhere in Africa.
Asilia Africa
Upper-premium, East African circuit · Mobile camps follow the wildebeest migration through the Serengeti season by season.
Beyond Green / One&Only Nyungwe & Gorilla's Nest
Hotel-branded luxury, primate focus · Rwanda's high-value, low-volume permit model keeps trekking groups small and pressure on the primates low.
Common Questions
Which luxury safari group is best overall?
There is no single winner. Singita sets the benchmark for design and conservation, Wilderness for remote reach across countries, and Great Plains for very small camps on very large concessions. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise privacy, guiding, or the number of countries you cover.
What separates ultra-luxury camps from premium ones?
Ultra-luxury camps (Singita, Great Plains, Royal Malewane) hold six to twelve suites on private concessions, include all meals, drinks, game drives and often laundry, and run near one-to-one staffing. Premium camps (Asilia and similar) sit in shared park areas with more beds and fewer inclusions, at a considerably lower nightly rate.
Are luxury safaris all-inclusive?
Mostly. Rates usually cover accommodation, all meals, house drinks, twice-daily game drives and park fees. Charter flights, premium wines, gorilla or chimpanzee permits, private vehicles and gratuities are commonly extra — read the rate sheet line by line before booking.
Which country is best for a first luxury safari?
South Africa's Greater Kruger is the easiest first safari — malaria-low, drivable, reliable Big Five sightings and excellent lodges. Kenya and Tanzania suit travellers chasing the migration, while Botswana rewards those who want the fewest other vehicles.
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