WILD ABOUT THE CHOICES
10 of the best-value safari lodges in Africa
Who needs butlers and plunge pools when the real luxury is tracking wild animals in a vast and primal landscape?
1. Umlani, Greater Kruger, South Africa
This rustic bush camp offers one of the most authentic safari experiences in Greater Kruger. With no cultivated gardens and a minimal building footprint (eight thatched huts; a dining bar and deck overlooking the riverbed and productive waterhole) this is glamping without the tents. Guests love that there is no electricity, limited connectivity, and staff who have been here so long it’s like coming home. From $425pp umlani.com
2. Gondwana Game Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa
Luxury meets the safari wilds within easy distance of the Garden Route. The game — including the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) — are not fenced off so there’s every chance a giraffe will wander up to the pool for a drink while you are having an al fresco meal (there are also twice-daily drives). The 14 stand-alone huts are striking. From $406pp gondwanagr.co.za
3. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Kenya
A perfect base from which to explore Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a Big Five reserve perhaps best known for protecting the world’s last two northern white rhinos. Six spacious tents set on the banks of Ewaso Nyiro river. From $540pp olpejetaconservancy.org
4. Motswari Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Motswari is within the Timbavati private reserve, part of the 2 million square-kilometre unfenced Greater Kruger National Park. Main Camp (with 15 thatched bungalows) is frequented by an everchanging parade of wild animals. From $529pp timbavatigamerreserve.com
5. Rhino River Lodge, Manyoni Reserve, South Africa
All lodges in the Manyoni enjoy access to the entire reserve, so your game viewing from Rhino River is as good as lodges at triple the price. No facilities beyond the pool but who needs it when you can explore the bush in an open-topped vehicle driven by an experienced guide — vehicles are also allowed off-road for cat sightings. Activities include night drives, rhino dehorning and elephant interactions. From $277pp rhinoriverlodge.co.za
6. Onguma Camp, Etosha, Namibia
This Swiss Family Robinson-style oasis has big game on its doorstep. Keep an eye on the neighbouring watering hole, watching kudus, impalas and springboks as you sip cold beers in the nearby swimming pool. From $689pp onguma.com
7. Kwihala Camp, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Kwihala is one of only a handful of options within the game-rich Ruaha National Park (which is the size of Wales). There’s no pool, spa, gym, room service or activities beyond game viewing, but in addition to drives, there are game walks and night drives. Sandy pathways leading to the six en suite tents. From $724pp asiliaafrica.com
8. Flatdogs, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Originally a backpackers’ camp, Flatdogs is something of an institution. Accommodation ranges from simple Meru tents to a treehouse and luxury villa. Despite not being in the park, you’re very much in the bush, with elephants and hippos wandering around camp. From $72pp flatdogscamp.com
9. The Hide, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
A grand African bush lodge. The canvas tentrooms stand under their own thatched roofs, which extend out front to create a lovely shaded veranda so you can sit and watch the nearby waterhole, where wildlife is almost a constant feature. There are game drives, night drives, birding trips and bush walks. From $540pp thehide.com
10. Magashi, Akagera National Park, Rwanda
The only Rwandan camp inside a national park. The Big Five are all present and you get around in a six-seater, open safari vehicle, or by flat-bottomed boat — the latter recommended to watch the sun set behind the hills. Six gorgeous tents each have a deck overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga. From $829pp wilderness-safaris.com