Best Safari Camps in Africa: 10 Unforgettable Places to Stay in the Wild

From the sweeping plains of Kenya's Maasai Mara to the waterways of Botswana's Okavango Delta and the legendary Serengeti, these are some of the best safari camps and lodges to consider for an extraordinary African adventure.

1. Singita Sasakwa — Tanzania

Perched in Tanzania's Grumeti Reserve, Singita Sasakwa is one of Africa's standout luxury safari properties. Its setting combines sweeping views with access to a vast private wilderness area, creating an experience that feels both exclusive and deeply connected to the landscape.

The Grumeti ecosystem is particularly appealing for travelers who want more than a conventional national-park safari. With fewer vehicles in private concession areas, game drives can feel considerably more intimate.

Best for: Couples, honeymooners and travelers seeking classic high-end safari luxury.

2. Mombo Camp — Botswana

If wildlife is your priority, Mombo Camp in Botswana's Okavango Delta deserves a place near the top of the list.

Mombo is renowned for exceptional predator and Big Five viewing, while its location in the Okavango ecosystem provides a remarkable combination of floodplains, grasslands and wildlife-rich islands. Botswana's low-volume safari model also helps create a feeling of wilderness and exclusivity.

Best for: Serious wildlife enthusiasts and first-class Big Five viewing.

3. Angama Mara — Kenya

Few safari camps have a more dramatic setting than Angama Mara. Located high above Kenya's Maasai Mara, the camp overlooks the sweeping plains made famous by Out of Africa.

The location provides access to one of Africa's great wildlife ecosystems, including the annual Great Migration. The camp also combines contemporary design with the romance of a tented safari, making it particularly appealing to travelers who want both adventure and comfort.

Best for: First-time safari travelers, couples and spectacular photography.

4. Royal Malewane — South Africa

For travelers who want an African safari combined with exceptional service and easy access, Royal Malewane in South Africa is a compelling choice.

Located in the Greater Kruger region, it offers access to excellent Big Five territory while providing the polished experience of a luxury lodge. The camp is also known for its guiding and tracking, which can add an extra dimension to game drives and walking experiences.

Best for: Luxury travelers, families and travelers combining safari with Cape Town or other South African destinations.

5. Singita Sabora Tented Camp — Tanzania

For those who believe safari should mean canvas, lanterns and the sounds of the African night, Singita Sabora is an excellent choice.

Situated in Tanzania's Grumeti Reserve, Sabora combines a classic tented-camp atmosphere with sophisticated modern comforts. It is an especially attractive option for travelers who want their accommodation to feel like part of the adventure rather than a conventional hotel in the wilderness.

Best for: Romantic getaways and travelers who want an authentic tented-camp atmosphere without sacrificing comfort.

6. Mara Plains Camp — Kenya

Mara Plains Camp sits in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, alongside the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem. Its location makes it particularly attractive for travelers interested in abundant wildlife and the Great Migration.

One of the biggest advantages of staying in a private conservancy is the possibility of a more exclusive safari experience, away from some of the congestion that can occur in heavily visited areas.

Best for: The Great Migration, photographers and travelers looking for an intimate Maasai Mara experience.

7. Jao Camp — Botswana

Jao Camp offers another perspective on Botswana's Okavango Delta. Rather than focusing solely on traditional game drives, a stay here can incorporate the Delta's waterways and changing seasonal landscapes.

The Okavango is particularly special because its annual flood creates a wildlife-rich oasis in the middle of the Kalahari. Depending on conditions and the camp's activities, travelers can experience the region from vehicles, boats or traditional mokoro-style canoes.

Best for: Couples, photographers and travelers who want a water-based safari experience.

8. Singita Ebony Lodge — South Africa

In South Africa's Sabi Sand, Singita Ebony offers the classic combination of luxurious accommodation and excellent Big Five country.

The Sabi Sand shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to move through a vast connected ecosystem. Ebony overlooks the Sand River and is particularly known for its spacious suites and immersive setting.

Best for: First-time visitors to South Africa and travelers seeking a polished Big Five safari.

9. Wilderness Bisate — Rwanda

Not every great African safari is about lions and elephants. Rwanda offers one of the continent's most extraordinary wildlife encounters: mountain gorilla trekking.

Wilderness Bisate, near Volcanoes National Park, combines luxury accommodation with access to one of Africa's most remarkable primate experiences. It is an excellent addition to a wider East African itinerary.

Best for: Gorilla trekking, conservation-minded travelers and adventurous couples.

10. Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp — Kenya

For travelers who love the romance and history of the classic safari, Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp offers an evocative experience in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.

The camp embraces the atmosphere of an earlier era of African exploration while retaining the comforts expected from a luxury property. It is a particularly appealing choice for travelers who want their safari to feel intimate, atmospheric and timeless.

Best for: Classic safari enthusiasts, families and romantic escapes.

What Makes a Safari Camp Truly Great?

The most expensive camp isn't automatically the best. When choosing where to stay, consider five things.

1. The wildlife

The location matters enormously. A beautiful camp in an area with limited wildlife may provide a less rewarding safari than a simpler camp positioned in an exceptional wildlife habitat.

2. The guides

An outstanding guide can completely change your safari. Experienced guides understand animal behavior, know the terrain intimately and can turn an ordinary sighting into a fascinating story.

3. The exclusivity

Private conservancies and concessions can offer fewer vehicles, greater flexibility and a more intimate relationship with the wilderness. This is one reason camps in places such as Botswana's private concessions and Kenya's conservancies are so highly regarded.

4. The style of accommodation

Do you want a luxurious permanent lodge, a classic canvas tent or an ultra-modern safari suite? The accommodation style can shape the entire character of your trip.

5. Conservation

The strongest safari experiences are increasingly connected to conservation. Look for operators that support habitat protection, wildlife research and meaningful relationships with surrounding communities.

Which African Safari Camp Is Right for You?

There is no single "best" safari camp for everyone.

For the Great Migration, Kenya's Maasai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti are natural choices.

For exceptional wildlife and exclusivity, Botswana's Okavango Delta is difficult to beat.

For a first safari, South Africa offers an excellent combination of accessibility, luxury and Big Five viewing.

For a romantic luxury escape, properties such as Singita Sasakwa, Singita Sabora and Angama Mara stand out.

For a more unusual wildlife adventure, Rwanda's gorilla experience offers something completely different from a traditional game drive.

Final Thoughts

The magic of an African safari isn't simply about ticking animals off a list. It is about waking before sunrise, watching the landscape change as the morning light arrives, following fresh tracks with an experienced guide, listening to wildlife after dark and realizing that for a few days, nature sets the schedule.

The best safari camps understand this. They don't simply put luxury accommodation in the wilderness—they make the wilderness the heart of the experience.

Whether you choose Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa or Rwanda, the right camp can turn your African safari from a holiday into a memory that stays with you for decades.