YOUR ULTIMATE PRIVATE SAFARI!
OUR TOP “EXCLUSIVE-USE” LODGES JUST FOR YOU
Looking for a private safari destination for your intimate family gathering or a special birthday celebration? Wouldn’t it be nice to kick back and escape the dinner time small talk with strangers? Well, we’ve got you covered.
Safari lodges across Southern Africa are responding to the growing demand for “private bush experiences” where you can visit Africa’s most pristine wildernesses and have it all to yourself. It’s wonderful to meet new people from around the world while on vacation, but often a trip abroad is made more special, more relaxing, and ultimately more memorable when it’s just you and your nearest and dearest in a stunning bush destination all to yourselves, without the strangers!
From wild and remote, to low-key and luxurious, here is our pick of Southern Africa’s top exclusive-use lodges that’ll give you the ultimate in privacy, with the best safari and wildlife experiences on the continent!
LITTLE MACHABA
PRIME OKAVANGO DELTA (Botswana)
WHY? Authentic, colonial-style bush camp in the Khwai concession of the Okavango Delta, with excellent leopard sightings!
SUMMARY: Enjoy private game drives twice a day, intimate meals and sunset drinks around your very own camp fire in this family friendly bush camp. Soak in the true wilderness that is the Okavango Delta – one of the most sought-after safari destinations in Africa! Leopards, elephants and hippos are regular camp visitors.
SLEEPS: 12 people in four different luxury tents. Two family tents sleep 2 adults & 2 children.
$$$: From $880 per person per night
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(c) Machaba Safaris
(c) MORE Safaris
KOPANO LODGE
MALARIA-FREE (South Africa)
WHY? Located in the Madikwe Private Game Reserve, just near the border of Botswana, this lodge is not only in a malaria-free area, it is also home to an astounding array of wildlife, and it’s just a 60 minute flight from Johannesburg.
SUMMARY: This is a thatched lodge as opposed to a tented bush camp and each spacious chalet has an open-air shower and a private plunge pool! Enjoy dinners by lantern-light and uninterrupted views of Africa’s scrubby savanna in front of you. When you’re really in the mood to treat yourself, get an in-suite massage or spa treatment of your choice!
SLEEPS: 8 people in 4 luxury thatched chalets.
PRICE: From $650 per person per night (ZAR9,440)
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CHONGWE RIVER
HOUSE
LUXURY (Zambia)
WHY? The Lower Zambezi National Park is a wild and remote patch of Africa where the mighty Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers offer many exciting water activities like canoeing trails and tiger fishing!
SUMMARY: Find tranquil luxury in Chongwe River House – an award-winning lodge design with its two storeys, four bedrooms and private team of staff will ensure you’re never far from a delicious meal, cold drink or unforgettable safari experience! See the huge herds of elephants, lions, hippos and incredible bird life that this area is famous for. Enjoy waterfall showers, open-air bath tubs, and exceptional views in this private safari home away from home.
SLEEPS: 8 people in 4 luxury rooms
$$$: From $775 per person per night
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(c) Time + Tide Safaris
(c) Eagle Owl Lodge
EAGLE OWL LODGE
FAMILY (South Africa)
WHY? Just a short flight from Johannesburg, you’ll find the world famous Greater Kruger National Park, and within this spectacular wildlife sanctuary lies the Timbavati Game Reserve – one of South Africa’s top safari destinations, and home to Eagle Owl.
SUMMARY: Eagle Owl really is a home away from home. Designed with family in mind, an open-plan living and dining area opens out onto an elegant swimming pool with the bush and Timbavati’s wildlife beyond – this really is the epitome of a private home experience. You dictate how each day unfolds, while an in-house chef cooks all your meals and the resident ranger escorts you on exciting game drives twice a day to search for lions, leopards, zebra, Cape buffalo and more!
SLEEPS: 8 people in four rooms (children from 6 yrs welcome)
$$$: From $308 per person per night (ZAR4,500)
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GOMOTI PRIVATE
INTIMATE & REMOTE (Botswana)
WHY? Located in the southern Okavango Delta, Gomoti Private is on the edge of a large, dry “island” and seasonal swamp, making it a wildlife haven like no other.
SUMMARY: The Okavango Delta is hard to beat for its sheer beauty, unspoiled wilderness and spectacular wildlife sightings. Gomoti Private is an exquisite colonial-style tented bush camp where no attention to detail or luxury has been spared. This intimate camp offers its own butler, chef and house-keeping staff, and the vast wilderness that you are able to explore means that you’re unlikely to see one other vehicle or person during your stay!
SLEEPS: 6 people in one luxury tent and one family suite.
$$$: From $880 per person per night
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(c) Machaba Safaris
(c) Little Bayete
LITTLE BAYETE
BUDGET-FRIENDLY (South Africa)
WHY? Located in a private “Big 5” Game Reserve in South Africa’s northern Kwa-Zulu Natal province, Little Bayete is an intimate camp offering a fantastic safari and wildlife experience with a self-catering option.
SUMMARY: Just three hours north of the city of Durban, Manyoni Private Game Reserves offers an exceptional wildlife experience with lions, Cape buffalo, white rhino, zebra and giraffe being common camp visitors! The intimate lodge is simple, yet stylishly designed and includes a sociable open-plan living area and a dreamy pool and deck area to relax around during the heat of the day. Little Bayete’s location makes it easy to do a “Bush & Beach” vacation, with some of the country’s best beaches just a few hours away from the reserve!
SLEEPS: 8 people in 4 luxury rooms
$$$: From $90 per person per night (ZAR1,300) – self-catering
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GALAGO LODGE
SELF-CATERING (South Africa)
WHY? Galago Lodge is located in the highly sought-after Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park – by far the best wildlife destination in the country!
SUMMARY: This basic, self-catering lodge offers the best of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve without the frills, but never compromises on comfort or safari experience. This area is a hot-spot for “Big 5” animals like lions, leopards, elephants and Cape buffalo. The lodge has 5 bedrooms and a fantastic camp fire area, as well as a dedicated staff and your own personal ranger. Enjoy guided game drives and unforgettable bush walks in this beautiful wilderness.
SLEEPS: 10 people in 5 bedrooms (children of all ages welcome)
$$$: $120 per person per night (ZAR1,740) – self-catering
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(c) Colina Verde
COLINA VERDE
PRIVATE BEACH (Mozambique)
WHY? On Mozambique’s vast and wild east coast you will find this hidden gem – an incredible family home away from home, with a private beach and all the activities you could possibly want for a private getaway in superb style!
SUMMARY: An easy boat ride from the capital, Maputo, gets you to the spectacular Colina Verde. Located on a wild stretch of beach, this stylish beach home offers accommodation in ocean-facing suites with spacious living areas, a bar, a huge swimming pool and an incredibly well-trained staff compliment. All meals are provided and activities include snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, tennis and much much more. Colina Verde can be easily visited in combination with any one of the safari destinations mentioned above to create the ultimate “Bush & Beach” vacation!
SLEEPS: 14 adults and 4 children in 7 luxury rooms
$$$: From $440 per person per night
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