Imagine traveling across the Serengeti and various African plains and natural landscapes to watch the "Big 5" — lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros — go about their days and nights in their natural habitats. Herds of elephants bathing in rivers, antelopes gracefully sprinting across the plains, lions and leopards lazing in the sun, rhinos grazing on grasses. Or, follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey and travel to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The opportunities for African wildlife safaris are bountiful.
To help make your wildlife dreams come true, we have compiled some of the most luxurious African safaris that will pamper you after days spent spotting animals with experienced guides.
Kruger National Park
For a unique safari experience, set your sights on Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge. This luxury accommodation is unlike any other — the 31-room reimagined train is permanently stationed high over the Sabie River on the Selati Bridge, which is steeped in history. Choose from the 24 Train Carriage Suites and seven Bridge House Suites, all of which are tailored for the utmost in comfort, providing bird's-eye views of the river and landscape below. After a day of wildlife spotting on two daily game drives in the heart of Big 5 territory, relax beside one of three pools or indulge in a spa treatment or savor a meal of African-inspired fare. Every luxury is included, from in-room air conditioning, Wi-Fi and Juliet balconies (Train) to patio and gardens (Bridge House).
Sabi Sand Nature Reserve
Redefined luxury is the name of the game at Cheetah Plains, an exclusive-use safari experience in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, sharing a fenceless border with Kruger National Park and Mala Mala Game Reserve to the east. Cheetah Plains’ three exclusive, luxurious villas can each accommodate eight guests In four suites, each with expansive bedrooms, lounges and fireplaces; dual vanities; double rain showers; and more. The shared living space in each villa features formal and entertainment lounges, living and dining rooms, swimming pool decks, fine-wine galleries and fully equipped chef’s kitchens. A complete hospitality team of a host, butler, culinary team, spa therapist, and expert field guide and tracker are dedicated to each villa, ensuring customized and personalized experiences for everyone in your group.
Waterberg
A few hours from Johannesburg is what is considered South Africa’s best-kept secret — Waterberg. Here you will find Red Savannah’s Private House Safari, a weeklong experience at two exclusive-use houses. The fully staffed Observatory in Leobo comfortably accommodates up to six adults and three children, with a number of indoor and outdoor terraces on which to relax and a talented chef who will impress with innovative dishes. The highlight of The Observatory is a 20-inch telescope housed in a two-level library with a domed roof for exceptional stargazing. Within the Madikwe Game Reserve, a Big 5 reserve, is Morukuru River House, a three-bedroom safari house that accommodates six grown-ups and four children. Dive into the heated infinity pool and you may spot elephants, buffalo or antelopes who make their way to the Marico River to drink.
Tanzania
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti consists of 77 rooms, suites and villas, all of which feature the same luxurious accommodations and impeccable service you’ve come to expect from the Four Seasons. Besides spotting the Big 5 on game drives in Serengeti National Park, guests can choose their favorite spots on elevated platforms and walkways tucked alongside an animal watering hole to see herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo and more quench their thirst. Other experiences include walking and hot-air balloon safaris, relaxing in the Kani Spa and dining at the resort’s two restaurants serving African-inspired dishes highlighting locally sourced ingredients.
This summer, luxury safari outfitter Asilia Africa is debuting its new Kokoko Camp in Ruaha National Park on the banks of the Mwagusi River. The camp, which operates from July through October, is reserved on an exclusive-use basis and can accommodate up to six guests. During their time at Kokoko, adventurous safari enthusiasts enjoy day and night game drives, walking and early morning hot-air balloon safaris. In addition to Africa’s iconic animals, more than 570 bird species can be seen and heard at the camp.
Last summer, Asilia Africa introduced The Retreats at Sayari and Namiri, ideal for multigenerational and small-group travel. Sayari Retreats, open June to March, and Namiri Plains Retreats, open year-round, each offer two retreats (two bedrooms each) that share a pool and lounge and a spacious deck with a sunken fire pit from which to enjoy expansive views across the Serengeti. Private guides, hosts and dedicated chefs provide the utmost in personalized safari experiences for all their guests.
With offerings throughout Africa, Cape Town-based Go2Africa specializes in catering to every type of traveler, from honeymooners to multigenerational families, to create exceptional experiences. The Serengeti Explorer, a reimagined safari lodge perched on the Nyaboro Hills Tanzania, opened in January. Overlooking the Serengeti Plains, the 68-room, six-suite lodge provides a terrific vantage point and access to the Great Migration, with six restaurants, a wellness center, outdoor cinema and a stargazing deck to recharge.
Botswana
Another new offering from Go2Africa is now open: Atzaro Okavango Camp in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Powered entirely by solar energy, the camp has all the comforts to make you feel at home in the middle of “savanna meets delta.” Each luxurious tent boasts air conditioning, private plunge pools and Wi-Fi. Beyond the camp you’ll get up close to myriad wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes and hippos.
Africa by jet
Abercrombie & Kent curates a number of Wings Over the World Journeys, including a few in Africa. The 11-day Wings Over East Africa is an intimate journey limited to 16 guests, who travel by private aircraft to experience encountering mountain gorillas in Uganda, tracking wildlife across Tanzania’s Serengeti and witnessing the Great Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara by hot-air balloon.
Wings Over Southern Africa is a 14-day journey limited to 15 guests — who experience the best of the region, including Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Luxury accommodations range from tented suites to private bush pavilions, elegant private villas or a chic Cape Town hotel.
New in 2025 is Africa: Across a Continent by Private Jet. This 23-day journey will feature epic wildlife encounters and incredible experiences in Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa, Benin and Morocco for an unforgettable night at the secluded A&K Private Desert Camp.
John Hall’s Alaska takes its expertise in creating exceptional small-group experiences across the globe with its World Adventures, including African safaris. Partnering with local outfitters like the Shamwari Private Game Reserve and Zambezi Queen by Mantis and working with local guides, World Adventures guests enjoy the same high-quality exploration of culture, history, local flavors and, in this case, wildlife — not to mention four- and five-star accommodations that they’ve come to expect from John Hall’s Alaska.