Lodge Safari in South Africa

South Africa is the progenitor of the archetypal luxury lodge safari. Prior to the 1970’s the notion of a lodge safari was a completely different affair.

A bush break was a rustic adventure, usually involving simple tented accommodation, open-fire cooking and the most basic of ablutions. Since then, SA’s safari industry has grown exponentially, with hundreds of quality establishments to choose from, including some of the top luxury safari lodges in South Africa.

Benefits of a South Africa Lodge Safari

South Africa is the ideal destination for a safari holiday for a couple of key reasons. Due to its size and rich geological history, there are a multitude of different habitats to be found, which leads to a species diversity unmatched by most other safari destinations. From the arid desert landscapes in the west to the tropical forests of the east coast, one is guaranteed to find a South Africa safari lodge for any occasion, regardless of requirements.

Compared to most other safari destinations, South Africa has a variety of other offerings that can be incorporated into a trip. The dark skies of the Karoo, sun-kissed beaches of Kwa Zulu Natal and the vibrant mother city of Cape Town are all wonderful additions to any South Africa lodge safari. The extensive road network also makes transfers from the airport to South Africa safari lodges a breeze, and opens up a great opportunity for intrepid travellers to hire a car and explore the country at their own pace.

Private reserves and safari lodges

Despite the fame of the Kruger National Park, the majority of South Africa lodge safaris are carried out in Private Game Reserves adjacent to this great wildlife haven, and in similar reserves across the country. Government owned national parks are more about the self-drive experience with simple rest camps and camp sites on offer for overnight visitors.

The benefits of a South Africa lodge safari in a private reserve are legion. Private ownership ensures good financial backing that can be used towards the protection of these wildlife preserves. Road maintenance, alien plant removal, anti-poaching and research projects all benefit from this more focused approach, culminating in a healthy environment for the ecosystem to flourish.

South Africa safari lodges have some of the best guides in the world. As part of their training, safari guides must study a vast array of skills before being declared competent to guide. Animal behaviour, birds, reptiles, tracking, geology, botany and many more disciplines are covered, and the best safari lodges in South Africa pride themselves on their guiding team.

Another great benefit of private reserves is the ability to regulate sightings. During a sighting in a national park, there is no element of control and it is not unusual to share the sighting with dozens of other cars. This goes against the whole ethos of reconnecting with nature on a South Africa lodge safari. Not only are the aesthetics ruined, but the pressure on the animal in intense, often causing it to flee, traumatised from yet another unethical human interaction. Private reserves regulate the number of vehicles in a sighting allowing a far more peaceful and natural experience for guest and the environment alike.

Where to find the best safari lodges in South Africa

The epicentre of the safari industry is the area surrounding the Kruger National Park. Although privately owned, most of these reserves have dropped their fences with adjacent parks to allow a natural movement of the animals, and their conservation ethic means that animals tend to be very habituated, allowing for incredible sightings. Many of the top luxury safari lodges in South Africa can be found spread across the Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Thornybush game reserves, to name a few.

For a different South Africa lodge safari, the arid north west of the country offers some unique habitats and jaw-dropping scenery. Some of the best safari lodges in South Africa can be found in reserves such as Madikwe and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The tropical climate of Kwa Zulu Natal also houses some incredible game viewing opportunities, as well as being a birding hotspot for the avid twitcher.

Are South Africa lodge safaris child friendly?

Some of the best child friendly lodges in South Africa offer various programs to keep the young ones active, allowing parents to enjoy a well-earned rest in between game drives. These activities are usually run by a qualified guide and are always a hit with kids as they identify bugs, birds, trees and anything else they come across. However, some South Africa safari lodges have an age limit in place and it is thus recommended to check with your travel agent, or the lodge directly, before committing to a reservation.

How much does a lodge safari cost?

Although famous for the luxury safari experience, private game reserves also contain some of the best affordable safari lodges in South Africa. Not every lodge has to cost a fortune and there are gems to be discovered if one is willing to sacrifice a little extravagance. A South African lodge safari is about spending time in nature and whilst staying in lavish accommodation is nice, it is the location, game density and skill of the guiding team that will make or break a stay. (And a good portion of luck of course!)

The top luxury safari lodges in South Africa can reach into the 1000’s of dollars per person, per night, but some of the best affordable safari lodges in South Africa come in at a fraction of the cost.

Spoilt for choice

In addition to safari experiences, visitors to South Africa can also enjoy other attractions such as the Karoo, KwaZulu-Natal beaches, and Cape Town. Private reserves in South Africa offer advantages such as conservation efforts, knowledgeable guides, and regular animal sightings. The Kruger National Park area is a hotspot for top luxury safari lodges, while the northwest and KwaZulu-Natal offer unique and memorable safari experiences.

Some lodges are child friendly, and there are both expensive and affordable options available, however finding the right fit for you is never far from reach in this beautiful country.