A New Era of Safari Luxury in Africa
Safari lodges are undergoing a transformation, moving beyond traditional game drives and canvas tents. Across Africa, a new wave of luxury openings is redefining the safari experience, making it more design-focused, immersive, and centered around unique experiences.
From remote tented camps in Zambia to mountain retreats in South Africa and stylish new lodges in Tanzania, these properties are placing as much emphasis on the setting, food, and atmosphere as the wildlife itself. This shift offers travelers a more relaxed and immersive way to explore some of the continent’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Here are some of the most exciting new openings that are shaping the future of African safaris.
Mantis Hiddn, South Africa
Opened in March, Mantis Hiddn is Accor’s latest venture and has been hailed as one of the most luxurious safari properties in Africa. Located within an 800-hectare private reserve inside Addo Elephant National Park, this “off-grid” mountain-top retreat offers a unique blend of opulence and nature.
The property features 12 suites and two private villas, each offering a high level of comfort and luxury. Some suites include South African-made outdoor hot tubs heated by wood, while the four-bedroom Mountain Villas come with infinity pools, decks, and private butler service.
Mantis Hiddn is also eco-friendly, powered by solar energy and supported by water harvesting and recycling systems. The construction used locally-sourced materials to minimize environmental impact.
Guests can enjoy meals featuring seasonal local produce, along with experiences such as guided open-air safaris, stargazing sessions, and nature walks. There’s also a helicopter marine photography tour along the Eastern Cape coastline.
Auberge Safari, Tanzania
Luxury hotel brand Auberge Collection is making its debut in Africa with Auberge Safari, a collection of nine lodges and camps spread across some of Tanzania’s most stunning wildlife regions.
This portfolio brings together two well-known safari operators, Legendary Expeditions and Chem Chem Safari, under the Auberge umbrella. Guests can move between high-end camps across the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and the Greater Mwiba Protected Wildlife Area.
One standout property is Mwiba Lodge, perched on a granite outcrop within a private reserve. Guests stay in luxurious tented suites with private decks overlooking the wilderness. Experiences include game drives, bush dinners, and visits with the Datoga tribe.
Other notable properties include Mwiba Plains, which places guests close to the Great Migration’s calving grounds, and Mila and Nyasi in the Serengeti, offering classic safari experiences with lion sightings, river crossings, and stargazing dinners.
At Chem Chem Lodge, the focus is on “Slow Safari,” encouraging guests to connect with nature through unhurried wildlife encounters and peaceful stays in elegant tented suites surrounded by palm-dotted landscapes.
The collection also includes Little Chem Chem and Forest Chem Chem, both designed to feel deeply remote and immersed in nature, with opportunities to spot elephants, buffalo, tree-climbing lions, and even leopards.
Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, Zambia
Set inside Kafue National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Africa, Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp offers ultra-luxurious accommodations. Guests arrive by helicopter on a private landing strip, adding to the exclusivity of the experience.
Above the banks of the Kafue River, you’ll find a small group of deluxe tents, elevated above the ground, including a spectacular 600-square-metre presidential villa. Each tent has a private plunge pool, views across the stunning landscape, and a dedicated boat complete with its own skipper.
Wellness is a big focus here, with an on-site spa offering rituals inspired by the local surroundings for ultimate relaxation.
Food is also a highlight, with local ingredients used in Anantara’s meal offerings. Diners can enjoy everything from dinners in the bush to riverbank picnics, and meals served in the traditional boma.
Ubuyu, Tanzania
Opening in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, Ubuyu marks Banyan Tree’s first safari-focused “Escape” property in Africa. Located in one of the country’s quieter and more remote safari regions, the lodge promises a slower, more design-led take on the traditional safari experience.
Ruaha is known for its huge baobab trees, dramatic landscapes, and impressive wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and endangered African wild dogs—yet it remains far less visited than Tanzania’s more famous northern parks.
The property has been designed to blend into the landscape, with villas inspired by local building styles and natural materials. Expect open layouts, river views, and a softer, more contemporary aesthetic than many classic safari lodges, with an emphasis on calm spaces and indoor-outdoor living.
Alongside private game drives and wildlife experiences, Ubuyu will place a strong focus on wellness and slow travel, encouraging guests to spend as much time unwinding in the landscape as searching for animals.
Singita Elela, Botswana
Luxury safari brand Singita is heading to Botswana for the first time with the launch of Singita Elela, opening in the Okavango Delta in December 2026.
The lodge will give guests exclusive access to one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich and biodiverse regions, known for its waterways, floodplains, and extraordinary animal sightings.
The property will feature a small number of elevated suites designed to blend into the surrounding landscape, with a strong focus on privacy as well as immersive safari experiences.
Singita Elela will place an emphasis on low-impact tourism and conservation-led travel, and the experience is expected to lean heavily into exclusivity and remoteness, offering travellers a quieter, more intimate way to explore one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.
