Atzaró Okavango Botswana

Set sights on the Okavango Delta – a Unesco-listed wilderness and one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth. Covering over 16,000sq km, this watery wonderland is fed by the floodwaters of Angola’s highlands, fanning out into a labyrinth of lagoons, papyrus-fringed channels, floodplains and islands. The result is a thriving sanctuary teeming with life: elephants wadethrough reeds, hippos wallow in deep pools and predators stalkthe edges, while hundreds of bird species fill the skies.

This oasis has seen a surge of camp offerings and, when Atzaró Okavango launched last year in an isolated lagoon-side setting,it set a new standard. In a private community-run conservancy between the Moremi Game Reserve and the Gomoti Plains, thecamp offers eight private suites and two spacious villas. Expectplunge pools, a gym and spa, interiors that celebrate African artistry and craftsmanship and sommelier-led wine tastings that explore renowned African vineyards.

Venture out on private game drives or guided walking safaris; glide silently through the delta’s winding channels in a traditional mokoro canoe; or take to the skies in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view. Thanks to its community-led conservancy status, Atzaró Okavango also offers night safaris – a rare thrill in Botswana – to encounter civets, honey badgers and leopards under the cover of darkness. The camp has also introduced female safari guides this year in partnership with the African Bush Camps Foundation.

Monachira Camp Botswana

The newest addition to the independently owned Machaba Safaris portfolio, Monachira Camp welcomed its first guests this summer, offering a year-round retreat in one of southern Africa’s most wildlife-rich corners. Also in the Okavango Delta – this time in the remote north-eastern reaches – the camp sits gracefully on the banks of the Monachira Channel, home to leopards, lions, wild dogs and hyenas, plus over 400 species of birds.

Designed for just 24 guests, Monachira is all about being private, yet connected – ideal for families seeking adventure. Theaesthetic is traditional safari: canvas-style tents with natural textures and wooden decks offering sweeping views across the untamed delta, where elephants and other creatures wander justbeyond your tent. Communal spaces, such as the open-air dining area, a refreshing pool and glowing campfire, offer spaces for story-swapping after a day in the bush.

Safaris span land and water, with expert guides leading game drives, canoe excursions and walking safaris. For birdwatchers,the area is second to none: notably, thousands of herons, egrets and storks come to nest at the nearby Gudigwa heronries.

Depending on the season, there’s a chance to see buffalo and elephant treading through the flooded plains. Low-impact tourism is a theme here: constructed from locally sourced materials, the camp operates on solar power, is designed to leave a minimal environmental footprint and its operations support community-led initiatives.

Masiya's Camp South Africa

Forget what you know about traditional safari lodges: Masiya’s Camp has torn up the plan. With a riot of colours, patterns and fabrics, the maximalist approach proves camps can be anything but beige. Royal Malewane’s rich portfolio of properties across South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park are known not only for their bold take on design, though, but also for world-class wildlife viewing (particularly the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros), personalised service and a wealth of intimate gourmet experiences, including al fresco braai. Masiya’s, which opened in June this year, takes its name from master tracker Wilson Masiya and offers twice-daily game drives for guests, plus other conservation activities – helping to protect rhinos, wild dogs and ground hornbills.

Under canvas, the six tented suites stretch up to 230sq m and blend a vibrant mix of vintage fabrics and African craftsmanship. They all come equipped with heated plunge pools, floorto- ceiling windows and wooden decks. Plus, with an on-site boutique lined with local art pieces handpicked by co-owner Liz Biden, you’ll be able to retain a piece of Masiya’s long after you’ve departed.

Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Springboarding on to the scene at the close of last year, Anantara’s debut in Zimbabwe brought a design-forward edge to the safari experience. The boutique retreat’s greatest draw is its setting within a private game reserve – it offers guests the rare privilege of exclusive wildlife encounters free from the crowds sometimes found in larger national parks. Here, sightings of the iconic Big Five are common. What sets the escape apart is the opportunity to pair a wildlife-filled safari with one of the world’s most famous natural wonders, Victoria Falls: a rare double act of uncharted adventure.

True to its name, the lodge takes inspiration from the spirit of early explorers, with interiors evoking a bygone era by way of art deco chandeliers, vintage antiques and old paintings. Each of the 16 thoughtfully designed suites comes with its own private terrace and lounge area, overlooking lush tropical gardens. At the heart of the property, the 1871 Restaurant awaits hungry adventurers returning from days spent exploring: here, the focus is firmly on local flavour – think butterflied Zambezi crayfish, pan-fried Zambezi bream with seasonal vegetables, and sticky umnyi pudding laced with butterscotch.

ONE TO WATCH Another Anantara property is on the horizon for 2026, with the launch of Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp in Zambia. It will feature 12 tents and a presidential villa.

&Beyond Suyian Lodge Kenya

Far from what one might consider a traditional safari lodge, when &Beyond touched down in Kenya this summer it caused quite a buzz. Within the 17,800ha Suyian Conservancy in the lesserexplored reaches of northern Kenya, this new outpost may attract fewer visitors than the famous Maasai Mara, but the rewards are high for those who dare venture off the beaten track. With MountKenya breaking the horizon and the Ewaso Narok River flowing below, the lodge is an ideal base for exploring this wild frontier.

The design itself is a tribute to its untamed surroundings. The 14 suites are carved directly into stone, their curved roofspartially hidden by the landscape, artfully integrating the campinto the terrain. Indoor-outdoor living comes easily, with floor-toceiling glass, multiple decks and the natural colour palette andhandcrafted details that are inspired by local Samburu culture.

From here, guests can embark on unforgettable journeys intothe wild – night game drives, off-road adventures, camel treks andhorseback safaris are on offer, as well as guided tours of nearbycultural sites, including prehistoric cave paintings. And when it comes to wildlife, the elusive black leopard is high on most visitors’ wish lists, but other sightings are just as rich: be on the lookout for lightning-fast cheetahs, Grévy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Laikipia hartebeest.

Warangi Ridge Lodge Tanzania

Central Serengeti National Park is home to some of Africa’s highest concentrations of wildlife, so solitude may not be the first word that comes to mind. But at Warangi Ridge Lodge, it’s very much the point. Atop a dramatic granite cliff deep within a restricted, rangers-only TANAPA Research Area, you’ll find no neighbouring lodges within a 12km radius. The striking shape, designed by South African Les Harbottle, is inspired by the curvy, spiky silhouette of the pangolin, which is reported in the area. All 15 tented suites feature private decks, plunge pools and outdoor rainfall showers.

Sculpted into the cliffside and shaded by sprawling acacias, the lodge also houses a bar, restaurant, spa, yoga deck and pool.

ENVI Sisni Mara Tanzania

In one of nature’s greatest shows, millions of wildebeest, zebras and antelope thunder across the plains in The Great Migration, and newly pitched Envi Sisni Mara gives you a front-row seat asthe drama unfolds. Just 15 minutes from the Mara River crossing, Envi Lodge’s second Serengeti outpost is one of the few permanent camps in northern Tanzania, taking you closer to the action all year round. After days spent experiencing all the drama and beauty of the wilderness – whether by guided walking safari or hot air balloon ride – retire to one of nine tented suites with sweeping vistas, open-air bathtubs and interiors rich in local craftsmanship.

And, for a luxury step up, The Retreat offers a private two-bed sanctuary complete with plunge pool and dedicated butler.

Lemala Osonjoi Lodge Tanzania

When Lemala Osonjoi Lodge opened this summer, it caused quite the stir. Not only was it the first luxury launch on the Ngorongoro Crater in a decade, but it aimed to set a new benchmark for eco-conscious travel, built entirely off-grid from recycled materials, powered exclusively by solar energy and supporting local communities. At 2,000 metres above sea level, it was designed to make a virtue of the cooler climate – think indoor heated pool, cosy nooks and crackling fireplaces – and 20 suites, including two family-sized spaces, offer views across the volcanic caldera.

Best of all, the secluded setting on the quieter, eastern rim of the crater means wildlife encounters, from rhinos to elephants to hyenas, take place with significantly fewer visitors around.

Gorilla Forest Lodge Uganda

Trekking deep into the misty rainforest to discover a 195kg silverback – one of the world’s most critically endangered species – is an experience that will stay with you for life. Reopened in mid 2025 after a complete overhaul, Gorilla Forest Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, is one of the few eco-lodges located within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Home to over half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Uganda’s Bwindi region is a Unesco World Heritage Site. A stay here offers access to gorilla trekking with sightings pretty much guaranteed, thanks to dedicated trackers and the lodge’s well-hidden location that blends into the surroundings – gorillas have even been known to stumble on to the site.

Natural materials, local culture and sustainability have all been carefully considered. There are ten spacious suites, featuring high banana-leaf ceilings, thatched roofs and wooden floors, completed by an earthy colour palette, four-poster beds and deep soaking tubs looking out into the forest. Constructed with conservation in mind, a stay here helps fund A&K Philanthropy projects that give back to the forest and community, including the protection of the endangered gorillas.

Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Kenya

The Ritz-Carlton’s first foray into safari territory touches down in Kenya’s Maasai Mara with a treetop retreat built on the pillars of sustainability, culture and tradition. Expect plunge pools and stargazing decks, with whole experience enriched with Maasai-led storytelling and East African cuisine.

Wilderness Magashi Peninsula Rwanda

A rare mix of game drives and boat safaris across the plains, woodlands, lakes and wetlands of Rwanda’s Akagera National Park. With eight villas spaced 200m apart, privacy is assured. And there’s more to come: look out for the launch of Wilderness Mara Kenya next year.

Chichele Presidential, Zambia

The former retreat of Zambia’s founding president takes on a new life as a luxury, all-suite safari camp high on Chichele Hill in South Luangwa – Zambia’s most iconic wildlife region. Expect first-rate service from an award-winning team, taking you closer to elephants, wild dogs and even leopards.

Mantis Hiddn in Addo South Affrica

All eyes will turn towards South Africa early next year with the arrival of this five-star, off-grid eco-lodge deep within the untouched Addo Elephant National Park. Intimate safaris are expected to take you close to the Big Five, with a focus on noctourism, wellness and reconnection with nature in the most immersive way possible.