Handpicked: Ten Places To Stay In Africa

Africa is home to so many great luxury lodges, camps and resorts. Here are just a few of our favourites that have been handpicked by our experts.

Governor’s Camp - Masai Mara, Kenya
An authentic safari lodge in the Masai Mara, Governors’ is one of the original and best. Originally built for the exclusive use of Kenya’s colonial governors, it offers one of the best classic safari experiences. There is a hot air balloon launch site just around the corner, and the setting along the Mara River allows for excellent sightings of hippos and crocodiles.

Enasoit - Laikipia, Kenya
An exclusive use camp, Enasoit is the perfect place to stay with your family, or with a group of friends. Take comfort in the fact that you won’t come across any other people on game drives, and that the staff will greet you by name from the moment you arrive. Helicopter safaris, horseback riding and walking safaris are all available, as well as a relaxing pool area and the option of doing absolutely nothing.

Elsa’s Kopje - Meru, Kenya
Perched dramatically atop a kopje, Elsa's Kopje is the site from where Elsa the lioness from ‘Born Free’ was released into the wild. Aside from the game viewing, the visits arranged from here to the Tharaka tribal village are superior to a lot of those offered elsewhere, with the two-bedroom private house the ideal spot for families, who will appreciate the private garden and pool.

Singita Sasakwa - Serengeti, Tanzania
The prime location of Singita Sasakwa overlooks the endless plains of the Serengeti, and this combined with the refined elegance of the lodge makes it a spectacular place to stay. Luxury is the name of the game; each spacious cottage has its own private pool and the manor house has an expansive veranda overlooking the plains. You can be assured of the very best service and guides, coupled with memorable meals making a truly incredible safari experience.

Jongomero - Ruaha, Tanzania
Considered Ruaha’s best safari camp, where the large tented suites, each with their own eight foot wide dhow bed, are set along the banks of the Sand River under giant acacia trees – Jongomero is a true safari experience. This is almost as remote as you can be in Tanzania while a short flight connection also makes it simple to combine a safari here with a beach stay on Zanzibar.

The Residence - Zanzibar
With sister hotels in Mauritius and The Maldives, The Residence has a pedigree of excellence in the Indian Ocean. The major draws for this property are the guest villas, each with their own private pool and deck area, the renowned children’s club, the range of restaurants on offer and the dhow cruises which the hotel operates. Fun with a camera can also be had at the main swimming pool, which is glass-walled. For an extra bit of luxury, indulge in the champagne sundowners on the pier.

Bushmans Kloof - South Africa
Set in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, and within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cape Floral Kingdom, is this gem of a property. Bushmans Kloof will introduce you to 130 sites of rock art – little wonder guests are seduced and enchanted with this connection to the landscape and to the ancient world, countless species of fynbos and a large number of activities ranging from archery to canoeing. There is truly something for all the family at this special property, even a bush spa.

Tswalu Kalahari - South Africa
Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest privately-owned game reserve, covering more than 100,000 hectares and is the model of a serious conservation effort. The desire to ‘restore the Kalahari to itself’ is a motto for the owners, the Oppenheimer family, and to this end no more than 30 guests can visit at any one time. This allows maximum privacy and exclusivity as guests can organise their own daily timetable for excursions, game drives, meals and spa treatments. Highlights of any stay would be visiting the resident meerkats, and spotting an extremely rare pangolin.

Birkenhead House - South Africa
The most luxurious hotel in Hermanus, Birkenhead House offers 11 individually and stylishly designed rooms, the perfect base from which to explore this area. It’s just a short drive into the main town, with boutiques, restaurants and galleries all on offer. It is also near Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which offers great hikes and nature trails, as well as all the ocean excitement of Walker Bay, which in season offers some of the best whale and dolphin spotting.

Hartford House, South Africa
Colonial elegance awaits you at Hartford House, set in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal and surrounded by spectacular scenery. The hotel is on a world class stud farm, and offers an array of activities from the obvious horse riding, to fishing, birding, garden picnics and much more. A stay here is guaranteed to be relaxing, and with an excellent restaurant on site which is considered one of the best in the country, you’ll want for nothing.

For more information on any of these properties contact our experts or call 020 7843 3500.

Handpicked: Ten Places To Stay In Africa