Safari lodges are no longer just about game drives and canvas tents. Across Africa, a new wave of luxury openings is turning the safari experience into something far more design-led, immersive and experience-focused.
From remote tented camps in Zambia to mountain retreats in South Africa and stylish new lodges in Tanzania, these openings are putting as much emphasis on the setting, food and atmosphere as the wildlife itself, giving travellers a more relaxed, immersive way to experience some of the continent’s most spectacular landscapes.
These are some of the most exciting new openings to know now.
Mantis Hiddn, South Africa
Opened in March, Accor’s new venture has been hailed as one of the most luxurious safari properties in all of Africa.
Mantis Hiddn, set within an 800-hectare private reserve inside Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, is billed as an “off-grid” mountain-top retreat.
Featuring 12 suites and two private villas, accommodation at the Eastern Cape spot is nothing if not opulent.
Some suites feature South African-made outdoor hot tubs heated by wood, while the four-bedroom Mountain Villas have infinity pools, decks and private butler service.
The retreat is eco-friendly, too. Powered by solar energy and supported by water harvesting and recycling systems, it was built using eco-friendly, locally-sourced materials designed to minimise environmental impact.
Meals revolve around seasonal local produce, and experiences include guided open-air safaris, stargazing sessions and nature walks, as well as a helicopter marine photography tour along the Eastern Cape coastline.
Auberge Safari, Tanzania
Luxury hotel brand Auberge Collection is making its Africa debut with Auberge Safari, a new collection of nine lodges and camps spread across some of Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife regions.
The portfolio brings together two well-known safari operators, Legendary Expeditions and Chem Chem Safari, under the Auberge umbrella, giving guests the chance to move between high-end camps across the Serengeti, Lake Manyara and the Greater Mwiba Protected Wildlife Area.
Among the standout properties is Mwiba Lodge, perched on a granite outcrop within a private reserve, where guests stay in luxurious tented suites with private decks overlooking the wilderness. Experiences include game drives, bush dinners and visits with the Datoga tribe.
Elsewhere, Mwiba Plains places guests close to the Great Migration’s calving grounds, while Mila and Nyasi, both in the Serengeti, offer classic safari experiences with lion sightings, river crossings and stargazing dinners out on the plains.
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 is ultra luxurious, with guests arriving by helicopter on a private landing strip.
Above the banks of the Kafue River in Zambia, 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.
There’s a real focus on wellness here, with an on-site spa which offers rituals drawing on the local surroundings to provide ultimate relaxation.
Food is a huge aspect of the experience, too. Local ingredients are used in Anatara’s meal offerings, which are served up in multiple locations throughout the resort, from dinners in the bush to riverbank picnics, and eats 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.
Set within 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 itself 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.
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