Top Ten South African Safaris | African Safari Travel

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EDITOR'S CHOICE

Top 10 luxury safaris in South Africa

Singita Lebombo, Kruger National Park, South Africa

1. Singita Lebombo for its architectural wow factor. Beautiful glass-lined, loft-style suites perched on the edge of a cliff, gourmet cuisine, fantastic staff. A Kruger Park concession near Mozambique with incredible game experiences. Memory maker: Make sure you spend enough time there so that you can enjoy an unforgettable dinner out in the bush under the stars. Singita has four exceptional properties, each one offering an unforgettable African safari travel experience for the whole family ... read more about Singita Lebombo

Tswalu Kalahari - African desert safaris

2. Tswalu Kalahari: understated luxury in the wild semi-desert. Enjoy the silence of this discreet eco-lodge where sunset on the red dunes has been the same for millions of years. Stunning location for the BBC documentary The Meerkats and home to the black-maned Kalahari lion. Need to know: Tarkuni is the Oppenheimers own personal home when at Tswalu. It may be booked for exclusive use and sleeps 10 - luxury family travel.

Samara Private Game Reserve, Karoo, South Africa

3. Samara Private Game Reserve: in the heart of the Great Karoo overlooking the Plains of Camdeboo near the historic town of Graaff Reinet. Go cheetah tracking or meet an aardvark. Bliss for kids with child-friendly rangers. The private Manor House offers absolute privacy and the newly opened Mountain Retreat is a romantic stone hideaway.

Londolozi, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

4. Londolozi Private Game Reserve Reserve in the heart of the Sabi Sands. World famous for its leopard sightings. Owned and run by the Varty family who are passionate about conservation. Ideal for a sophisticated family safari. For romantic luxe book the Private Granite Suites. A luxury African safari at its best.

Royal Malewane, Kruger National Park, South Africa

5. Royal Malewane, within the Greater Kruger Park: for the ultimate spa safari. Colonial styled interiors for only 20 guests or book the exclusive-use, East-African inspired Africa House for only 12 guests. Experience pure pampering at The Waters of the Royal Malewane Spa. Quintessential African safari holiday.

Parfuri Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

6. Pafuri Camp in the less-explored and more remote northern Kruger is a great self-drive choice with walking trails as an option. Must-see: prolific bird life, the eerie colouring of the fever-tree forests and the Luvuvhu gorge. A biodiversity hotspot. Reasonably priced for an African safari experience.

Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa

7. Phinda Private Game Reserve: great choice of accommodation – from the private butler/chef/ranger at The Homestead to the glass lined Forest lodge set deep in dappled shade of the dry sand forest or thatched Vlei Lodge. See the best of African wildlife including white and black rhino and track cheetah, lion and leopard. Combines the best of beach and safari as it’s close to the St Lucia Wetland Park with unspoilt beaches, spectacular reefs and diving ... read more about Phinda Private Game Reserve

Gorah Elephant Camp, Hunter Hotels, South Africa

8. Gorah Elephant Camp: the only private concession in the middle of Addo Elephant National Park, Gorah is also malaria-free. Eleven colonial- styled tented suites and known for its friendly staff. Goes without saying that you’ll see plenty of Ellies. Close to Port Elizabeth and other well known camps such as Shamwari, Kwandwe and Kichaka.

Sibuya Tented Camps, Kenton-on-Sea, South Africa

9. Sibuya Tented Camps near Kenton-on-Sea: Robinson Crusoe style camp only accessed by a 10km boat ride through pristine riverine forest. River Camp has recently been refurbished and is heaven for families looking for a relaxed African Safari travel adventure that’s close to the Garden Route. Game drives, canoeing, fishing, walks and loads more for active children. Best-kept secret: their day trips (including a river cruise and game drive).

Bushmanskloof Wildernesss Reserve, South Africa

10. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve: a Natural Heritage Site under three hours from Cape Town conserving over 130 exceptional rock art sites. Unforgettable: their outdoor dinners at Embers in a natural sandstone amphitheatre. Barefoot luxury at its best with lush lawns and cool pools for the whole family to enjoy in the heat of the Cederberg. Best spot for magnificent spring flowers. More wilderness experience than traditional African Safari travel but unique in the world ... read more about Koro Lodge Bushmans Kloof