Ngorogoro Crater Lodge
Over the years the level of accommodation in Africa has constantly been on the rise, especially with regard to luxury game lodges and camps. The top end traveller now has many excellent options to choose from and is virtually spoiled when selecting an upmarket safari lodge.
One of the best known lodges in Africa is be found in Tanzania. The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (top) is renowned for its luxury safari accommodation, stunning views and excellent location for years. It is still the place to go when you want to stay somewhere on the rim of this reknowned crater and where you can expect outstanding service, fine dining and an unforgettable stay.
Also in Tanzania, down on the Serengeti Plains within the Grumeti Game Reserve (part of the Serengeti National Park), the opulent Singita Sasakwa Lodge is built in the style of an Edwardian manor house, and includes everything the luxury traveller might want, from excellent food and top wines to stunning décor and design details. Each of the rooms has its own infinity-style pool overlooking the expanse of the plains. Singita Sasakwa manages strike a balance between pure luxury and not being over the top.
Elsewhere in East Africa, another property that belongs on the “best of” list is Kenya's Cottars 1920s Camp, with a fantastic design which resembles a classic 1920s safari camp and where every little detail has been thought of to make you feel like a colonial explorer. Furthermore, the guides at Cottars are some of the best in East Africa, which results in a fantastic safari experience for all.
But probably the most top-end properties are to be found in South Africa, with competition resulting in a very high standard. Among the most luxurious are the Singita Boulders Lodge.which sports an "Afro-chic" design, and the family-owned Ivory Lodge, also with a very contemporary flavor and where accommodations are in individual villas with features such as a heated outdoor swimming pools and breathtaking views over the Sabie River.
Close to both of these lodges, you can also find the Ulusaba Cliff Lodge, one of Sir Richard Branson’s luxury properties. It's breathtaking in terms of both views and design - especially the way it's built into a koppie (small hill). It goes without saying that the level of luxury, food, game viewing, and so forth are world class.
Moving on to South Africa's neighbor Botswana, there are three properties here that deserve the description of the most luxurious. Overlooking the wide open spaces of the Makadikadi Salt Pan, Jack’s Camp is set in between surrounding palm trees and is entirely tented under canvas, including a cleverly sun sheltered pool! Moving from the desert into the lush, green Okavango Delta, two of the best places to stay are the small, exclusive Little Mombo and Baines’ Camp. Baines’ has five luxury suites, while Little Mombo has just three.
Finally, a lodge in one of my favourite locations in Africa and also one of the most luxurious places to stay is the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia. It's situated in the unspoiled wilderness of the Namib Desert, which among other things features the highest dunes in the world. The lodge has ten villas with very elegant interiors built from stone and glass, allowing you to overlook the dramatic surrounding scenery. There is even an observatory, allowing you to do some serious star gazing.
Our very own Aroyo Safari can and will happily help you organise your dream luxury African Safari hassle free, expertly advising you on how to go about everything without missing the essentials.
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