We're excited to share that affordable safari experiences not only exist, but they offer exceptional value. "Value for Money" doesn't equate to being budget-friendly or inexpensive; it means maximizing your investment through incredible experiences, wildlife encounters, and high-quality accommodations. Our safari specialists are well-versed in advising travelers on where to indulge and where to economize.
To help inspire your next trip, we've curated a list of Africa's top luxury safari lodges that deliver outstanding value.
Restaurant, outdoor boma, swimming pool, kid's club, wine cellar and cocktail bar, tv room, library, complimentary WiFi, helicopter pad, and spa treatments.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, teas & coffees, return airport transfers, local branded beverages, and scheduled activities.
Experiences:
During your stay at River Lodge, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy river cruises, bird-watching safaris, fishing, canoeing, tours of Victoria Falls, and visits to local villages. Victoria Falls also offers a range of thrilling activities, including scenic helicopter rides, high-wire adventures, and seasonal white-water rafting. Additionally, you can arrange a day trip to the famous Chobe National Park or even combine visits to both destinations.
Why stay here?
Royal Chundu is situated along the serene banks of the Zambezi River, a vital water source for the region's wildlife. The lodge's prime location ensures peace, tranquility, and outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. Few places in this area offer the perfect combination of access to the famous Victoria Falls and water-based safaris, with the Matetsi Private Game Reserve just across the lodge. With every detail carefully attended to and luxurious accommodations featuring stunning river views, Royal Chundu provides exceptional value for an unforgettable experience.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Room types:
12 Luxury Rooms, 6 Superior Luxury Suites, and 2 River Suites.
Lodge facilities:
Dining area, safari lounge and bar; barista’s station with artisanal coffees, art gallery, boutique, spa, gym, and two swimming pools.
Rate inclusions:
Luxury accommodation, all meals, Skukuza airport road transfers, local branded beverages, and safari activities.
Experiences:
Morning and afternoon game drives, guided walking safaris, hippo tours, bird watching, astronomy, local school visits, wildlife lectures, and sleep-outs in the bush.
Why stay here?
Lion Sands River Lodge is a luxurious game lodge that exudes a welcoming, homelike atmosphere, with stunning views of the river from both the main guest areas and the rooms. What sets this lodge apart is its unique location within the only reserve in South Africa that provides access to safaris in both the Sabie and Sand River ecosystems. Additionally, it is one of the few lodges in the area that offers the rare experience of sleeping out in a treehouse in the bush—an essential part of any African safari. With open-sided safari vehicles, off-road driving, night safaris, Big Five game viewing, and a skilled team of rangers and trackers, Lion Sands River Lodge stands out as a premier safari destination.
Kariega Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Room types:
9 Tents.
Lodge facilities:
Restaurant, bar, wine cellar, spacious decks, pool, boma, curio shop, library and spa treatments.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, selected beverages, and safari activities.
Experiences:
Morning and afternoon game drives, river cruises, guided bush walks, photographic safaris, fishing, and canoeing.
Why stay here?
Kariega Settlers Drift delivers a one-of-a-kind safari experience, where guests can explore a variety of habitats showcasing five distinct ecosystems: valley bushveld, savannah grasslands, fynbos, riverine forests, and acacia woodland. Covering 10,000 hectares, Kariega Private Game Reserve is perfect for families, as it is free from malaria risks. Conveniently located near Kenton-on-Sea and Port Elizabeth, the reserve allows travelers to pair their Big Five safari with a visit to the nearby golden beaches.
Luxury accommodation with a private plunge pool, all meals, teas & coffees, selected local brand beverages, twice daily game drives, refreshments and snacks on game drives, and transfers to and from Madikwe airstrip.
Experiences:
Morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles, bush walks, bird watching, astronomy, ecology house and local community village tour, bush dining, and spa treatments.
Why stay here?
Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, covering 76 000 hectares. Madikwe Safari Lodge boasts three unique lodges that are positioned in a vast area of the reserve and each is designed to cater to families, couples and solo travelers. The safari experience offered at Madikwe Safari Lodge is of the highest standard with qualified guides, open-safari vehicles, and sightings of the big five, African wild dog, and 60 other mammal species. Madikwe Safari Lodge is a great option to pair with Sun City.
Private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Room types:
5 Suites.
Lodge facilities:
Dining area, lounge, bar, laundry service, swimming pool with open pavilions, and an expansive viewing deck.
Rate inclusions:
Airstrip transfers, all meals, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages (with the exception of premium brands and Champagne), and all game viewing activities.
Experiences:
Game drives, motorized boating excursions (water-level permitting), walking safaris, mokoro safaris, living with elephants activity.
Why stay here?
Sanctuary Baines Camp nestles in one of Africa’s prime safari destinations, offering world-class accommodation, an impeccable personalized service, and an unforgettable safari experience with both land and water based activities available to guests. Please add something here along these lines: Botswana is known for being an expensive safari destination for many reasons including the logistics involved. Baines Camp offers travelers a great value for money base to experience the ultimate safari destination.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Room types:
6 Suites.
Lodge facilities:
Various lounging and dining areas, bar, wooden viewing decks, a rim-flow lap pool, interactive kitchen, and a play center.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, teas & coffees, twice daily game drives, nature walks, big game walking safari, laundry, emergency medical evacuation insurance, transfers to & from the reserve’s airstrip, and complementary child-minding.
Experiences:
Morning and afternoon game drives, big game walking safaris, interpretive bush walks, fishing and spa treatments.
Why stay here?
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is a luxurious lodge situated in a private reserve within easy reach of the seaside town of Port Elizabeth. This big five game reserve is malaria free which is ideal for families and is easily combined with a tour of the garden route or a stay at one of Port Elizabeth's beachside hotels.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Room types:
6 Luxury Suites.
Lodge facilities:
Lounge, bar, boma, boutique, Wi-Fi access, and a swimming pool.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, twice daily game drives, walking safaris, a house selection of beverages, WiFi, and transfers from our Sabi Sabi Airstrip.
Experiences:
Morning and afternoon/evening game drives, guided bush walks, bird watching, and bush dining.
Why stay here?
Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp offers an intimate five-star safari experience suited to families and small groups. The combination of well-appointed suites, personalized service, open safari vehicles, off-road driving, night drives, and big five game viewing; makes Sabi Sabi Game Reserve one of the world’s leading safari destinations. What makes the price tag that comes with a stay at Little Bush value for money is how they put your experience at the center of their operations.
andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Room types:
16 Suites.
Lodge facilities:
Lounge, dining area, bar, rim-flow swimming pool, interactive kitchen, safari shop, outdoor boma, and Wi-Fi access.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, and scheduled safari activities.
Experiences:
Morning and afternoon/evening game drives, guided bush walks, Zulu village tours, night turtle drives (seasonal), scuba and ocean safaris, black rhino tracking on foot, and participative conservation experiences. Specialist Safaris are also on offer which includes birding, photographic, rhino notching, tracking, walking, family and private safaris.
Why stay here?
Phinda Forest Lodge is one of the world’s first eco-designed lodges and is set within a rare and beautiful sand forest. The glass walls of the suites at Phinda Forest Lodge invite the forest in, and game drives explore two habitats that offer incredible big five game viewing and sightings of other unique species.
Mala Mala Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Room types:
10 Luxury Suites, 8 Luxury Rooms, and 1 Single Room.
Lodge facilities:
Lounge, indoor dining room, historic bar, library with satellite television, complimentary internet connectivity, and a large wooden safari deck.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, snacks, limited laundry service, twice daily game drives, nature walks, and transfers to and from the MalaMala airstrip.
Experiences:
Game drives, guided bush walks, bird watching, and bush dining.
Why stay here?
Mala Mala Main Camp nestles in one of South Africa’s most pristine private game reserves which boasts 39 536 acres of unfenced wilderness. Bordering the world-renowned Kruger National Park, wildlife moves freely between the Kruger and the Sabi Sands, making for unforgettable big five game viewing. Incredible wildlife viewing is also offered from the lodge’s viewing deck that overlooks the Sabi Sand River which is an important source of water for wildlife living in this region.
Matetsi Private Game Reserve, between Zimbabwe and Zambia
Room types:
River Lodge comprises of two intimate river-facing camps. Each camp includes 8 Suites and 1 Family Suite.
Lodge facilities:
Indoor and outdoor dining spaces, outdoor boma, Alfresco lounge areas, 20-meter lap pool, fitness studio, massage sala, library and boardroom, private wine cellar, shopping boutique, iPads for guest use, complimentary laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, and emergency medical evacuation insurance.
Experiences:
Zambezi River boat cruises, Zambezi canoeing, morning and evening game drives, night game drives, full day game drives, bird watching, walking safaris, and fishing. Other activities in offer around the Victoria Falls region included guided tours of the Falls, scenic helicopter flights, and a range of high-wire activities.
Why stay here?
Matetsi River Lodge is a luxury lodge offering opulent accommodation, exceptional service, and a well-rounded safari experience, with land and river-based activities on offer. The lodge is also within easy reach of the magnificent UNESCO world heritage site - classified as the largest waterfall in the world.
Lounge, dining and bar area, and an expansive viewing deck with a fire pit.
Rate inclusions:
Luxury accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, twice daily scheduled camp activities, laundry and park fees.
Experiences:
Morning and afternoon game drives, night game drives, mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions, boating safaris, guided nature walks, catch-and-release fishing, bird watching, and hot air balloon safaris (April to mid-October).
Why stay here?
Vumbura Plains Camp offers guests the opportunity of experiencing authentic tented accommodation and a selection of land and water-based activities, including unforgettable hot air balloon safaris. With the arrival of the annual floods, the plains surrounding Vumbura Plains become flooded and attract an abundance of wildlife, offering incredible game viewing opportunities.
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Room types:
10 Rooms and 1 Suite.
Lodge facilities:
Reception area, lounge area, dining area, swimming pool, bush observatory, two tennis courts, gym with a running machine, bike, multifunctional weight station and free weights, spa treatment room, outdoor boma, wine cellar, and a gift shop.
Rate inclusions:
Accommodation, all meals, beverages including top quality wine and fine champagne, twice daily game drives and walking safaris, informative talks, and laundry service.
Experiences:
Morning and late afternoon open vehicle game drives, Panorama tours, helicopter flights over the bush, and an authentic Shangaan experience with a visit to the local villages.
Why stay here?
Ulusaba Safari Lodge nestles in the private Sabi Sands Game Reserve, offering some of the world’s best sightings of the elusive leopard, and up-close encounters with the famous big five. With its state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, Ulusaba Safari Lodge is one of South Africa’s most luxurious lodges.
Luxury accommodation, all meals, beverages excluding champagne, daily laundry, return airstrip road transfers, and scheduled safari activities.
Experiences:
Game drives, guided bush walks, boat cruises, and bird watching.
Why stay here?
Zarafa Camp nestles in a prime wildlife viewing area, linking the world-renowned Okavango Delta, Chobe and Savute corridors. Guests to Zarafa Camp can look forward to an exclusive safari experience with fewer lodges on the reserve, a selection of land and water based activities, and luxurious tented accommodation. Thus offering exceptional value.There are many ways to measure the value of a safari lodge, but if the overall experience of a luxury African safari is what you are after the team of Safari Experts at Safari.com is able to tailor-make an African adventure that will fit your budget and exceed all of your expectations.
Leigh-Ann from Safari.com was great to work with to plan our group safari trip. She was able to get me on the priority waitlist for a lodge that I liked, which ended up working out for our group during my preferred dates. Leigh-Ann was responsive and provided various tour recommendations for us to decide on the best option for us. There were a few email and name typos from Leigh-Ann that I had to correct, but other than that, I had a great experience.
Stanley Choi
,
US
Dec 12, 2024
Dolan was terrific
Dolan was terrific. He got back to us immediately to answer all of our questions. And was so nice to hold a room for a couple of days because of my moms passing. It gave us time to finalize her arrangements and time to book our trip. I would highly recommend using him to book your trip!!
Scott Roberts
,
US
Dec 12, 2024
Great support and communication
I had great support from Lana, she has been helping to book the dream trip to Bostwana in a very efficient way. Great communication, very responsive and precise, could not wish for more. Highly recommend her.
Michael
,
CZ
Dec 12, 2024
Anja Is A Fabulous Travel Consultant
Anja Mayer was extremely knowledgeable, patient, prompt with her responses to questions, and always very helpful. She was also a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone that asks that Anja is the right person to contact if they are interested in travelling to South Africa or Botswana.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 12, 2024
Anja did a fabulous job!
Anja was knowledgeble, patient prompt with her responses to questions and always very helpful. In addition, it was a pleasure working with her. I would recommend her to anyone without any reservation.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 10, 2024
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to…
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to arrange and organize our trip!! She was on the ball, made sure everything was in place and travel arrangements secured! I highly recommend her!!
JUDITH ANN
,
US
Dec 9, 2024
Great support from Shann
Shann made the booking experience seamless - provided very helpful information to ensure we fully understood what the experience would be like and made sure we felt safe with experiences we have booked.
SUE And Bryson STEIN
,
AU
Dec 9, 2024
Quick & efficient
Very fast response, polite - impressive
Eduardo Rocha
,
BR
Dec 7, 2024
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays…
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays travel ..information about flight changes hard to get..but on arrival the holiday was taken over Safari.com..amazing ..experience everything was fine tuned and the staff ..guides drivers fabulous and friendly ..lots of knowledge..lots of fun and the surprises they did was so lovely ...loved every minute ..Paris our guide was amazing..10/10 and Eric driver ..the waiters and waitress every and everyone in the hotels .smiling and friendly..Best holiday of my life
