A Guide To Private Villa Safari Holidays In Africa

A Guide To Private Villa Safari Holidays In Africa

Holiday patterns have changed over the past few years - multi-generational trips are gaining in popularity by the day, with mum, dad and the kids now being joined by grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins, all joining in the fun, exploring the unknown and experiencing adventures with their nearest and dearest. More and more travellers are now also wanting a degree of privacy and exclusivity when they travel to Africa. Some people do not want to have to queue at the breakfast buffet, have awkward conversations in a safari vehicle, fight for space by the swimming pool, eat what they don’t want to from a fixed menu, or cut short a game drive because their fellow guests might have had enough. In order to allow a group to travel en masse, and to not have to experience any of this happening, avoid the masses and go private, booking your very own private safari villa.

Any self-respecting safari villa will come ready stocked with your very own staff, and private safari guide and vehicle, allowing you to experience the great African wildlife at your own pace and schedule. A private chef will prepare meals to your exact tastes, at a time that suits you, and your safari villa manager will arrange for the property to be kept clean and in tip-top condition throughout your stay. You will often have your very own private pool, sometimes your own private cinema room, tennis court, sauna, or even your very own spa. And if you still want to be close to the action, many private safari villas are located close to their mother ships so you can still mingle with other guests and use the safari lodges’ communal facilities should you wish.

Which private safari villa should I book?

The answer as to which safari villa will suit you best depends upon a number of factors which you need to consider - are you travelling with children? what is important to your stay? do you want a tented experience or traditional lodge? would you like to be able to enjoy specific safari activities? are WiFi and access to a spa non-negotiables? would you like a private pool, or private guide?

Africa Travel have years of experience in selecting and recommending the right private safari villa for their clients, and we are always able to find the property most suited to each clients’ exact needs & preferences.

Our favourite private safari villas

South Africa really leads the way with private safari villas. The Kruger is practically awash with stunning offerings, which include the 3 villas available at Royal Malewane, the magnificent Singita Castleton and the exclusive villas within the Lion Sands Game Reserve. The Eastern Cape is also blessed with options – which include Melton Manor, Uplands and Fort House at the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Shamwari’s Sarili Private Lodge. The malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is almost tailor-made for private safari villas, where Morokuru’s Farm House, River House & Owner’s Houses set the standard, whilst the adventurous can head for the middle of nowhere and stay in sumptuous desert surroundings at Tswalu Tarkuni.



Kenya is hot on the heels of South Africa when it comes to private safari villas, with the two Mara Bush Houses – Acacia & Mara, and Elsa’s Private House and Saruni Samburu all shining stars.

Neighbouring Tanzania plays hosts to Singita’s Private Villa Collection, which includes uber-luxurious safari villas at Sasakwa & Faru Faru, as well as Kataza House across the border in Rwanda.

The Zarafa Dhow Suite in Botswana and Tom’s Little Hide in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park are both terrific private safari villas, whilst those wanting privacy in Namibia should head for the Grand African Villa at Okonjima or the Safari House Etosha. Private luxury safari villas are also very well represented in Zambia, where the Luangwa Safari House, Chongwe River House, Robin’s House, Sanctuary Chuma House & Tangala House all come fully loaded with private guides, staff & safari vehicles.

Once the safari is over, those heading to the Cape can enjoy the luxury of a private villa at properties such as Ellerman House, Grand Provence or Delaire Graff, with special mention also to be made of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, where two extraordinary private villas offer safari with a twist – nature drives, whale-watching, beach walks and flower safaris.

For those in search of some sand, jet to the Indian Ocean beaches where superior properties like The Residence in Mauritius, Constance Lemuria in the Seychelles, Mozambique’s Azura Benguerra Island and Alfajira in Kenya all offer wonderfully private villa accommodation.

Why book your private safari villa with Africa Travel?

With over 30 years’ experience in creating outstanding holidays to Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise your private safari villa to this iconic continent than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect safari villa and as all of our staff have travelled the continent themselves, often staying in private safari villas with their families, you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the holiday you have always dreamed of. We even have staff situated at the destination itself to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Our years of knowledge mean that we can give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best safari areas to visit, and the most suitable private safari villas to book.

Staying in a private safari villa offers a huge range of benefits and will help to create memories that will last a lifetime.