Luxury Hotels - Best Luxury Lodges in Africa

It is quite difficult to get an overview of the many diverse lodges and safari offers in Africa.

I want to recommend this website http://www.africatravelresource.com to anyone planning overland trips or safaris in East Africa or Southern Africa.

It is the most complete compilation of high-end accomodation in that region, with critical remarks and price indicators (click on lodges in each region).

P.S.: I only read their website and have not tried their services.

great maps ^

site design reminds me of http://journeysbydesign.com/home.asp - that site has seasons etc

another one that looks good - http://www.expertafrica.com/

http://www.rhinoafrica.com/ incredible labeled satellite maps by http://wetu.com/Home/Clients

edit - the list, by number of properties >

http://www.africatravelresource.com
http://journeysbydesign.com/
http://www.africaodyssey.com/
http://www.expertafrica.com/
http://www.go2africa.com/
http://www.absolutetravel.com/

reminds me of http://journeysbydesign.com/home.asp

Thank you Kage, looks very competent and experienced.

Interesting rating of lodges: "superb", "excellent", "very good".

Interesting rating of lodges: "superb", "excellent", "very good".Indeed. There's actually "outstanding", "superb", "excellent", "very good", "good", "moderate" and "mediocre". (Maybe more that I didn't see.)

I would love to know the basis on which they decide how to categorise a lodge. Just looking randomly at some ratings, Kirawira in the Serengeti gets a mere "good" - I thought it deserved much more than that. Singita Ebony is "excellent" while Notten's is "superb". Now much as I love dear little Notten's even I am amazed at those relative ratings. Similarly Tshukudu in Pilanesberg is "very good" while the Sun City Cabanas is "excellent"!! That is just ludicrous. :confused:

I drove 10.000km from Kampala to Capetown. Now try to plan that kind of trip - by hearsay, internet or Virtuoso. With lodges priced from 100$ to 2500$, africatravelresource.com proved to be really helpful.

I drove 10.000km from Kampala to Capetown. Now try to plan that kind of trip - by hearsay, internet or Virtuoso. With lodges priced from 100$ to 2500$, africatravelresource.com proved to be really helpful.

:confused::confused::confused:

What does that have to do with the weird ratings on this website? And isn't this website part of the 'internet'?

Indeed. There's actually "outstanding", "superb", "excellent", "very good", "good", "moderate" and "mediocre". (Maybe more that I didn't see.)

I would love to know the basis on which they decide how to categorise a lodge. Just looking randomly at some ratings, Kirawira in the Serengeti gets a mere "good" - I thought it deserved much more than that. Singita Ebony is "excellent" while Notten's is "superb". Now much as I love dear little Notten's even I am amazed at those relative ratings. Similarly Tshukudu in Pilanesberg is "very good" while the Sun City Cabanas is "excellent"!! That is just ludicrous. :confused:

Ya, compleat kak. We're supposed to believe that this site ranking thousands of lodgings in SA is reliable?

Very interesting site. I actually thought the reviews were quite accurate based on the 4-5 SA camps (Exter, Simbambili, Tinga and Phinda) I have visited.

Ya, compleat kak. We're supposed to believe that this site ranking thousands of lodgings in SA is reliable?

Can you please give me your recommended website(s) for an overview of lodges in Southern Africa? Thanks.

:confused::confused::confused:

What does that have to do with the weird ratings on this website? And isn't this website part of the 'internet'?

Complex issues always appear weird at first. But go invest some time. You may understand.

Complex issues always appear weird at first. But go invest some time. You may understand.

Woaw, that's arrogant :)

And you still haven't answered the question. Or do you have an interest in that website somehow?

Ya, compleat kak.You always make me smile when you lapse into the SA vernacular. :D

Can you please give me your recommended website(s) for an overview of lodges in Southern Africa? Thanks.I don't think anybody is arguing against the concept of the site. But unless there is some sense that the relative ratings are consistent and impartial, one has to question what is driving their decisions. Commissions, maybe?

It is a handy resource just as a listing of what is available (though why do they even bother with an arbitrary sprinkling of city listings?). One can then do more research elsewhere before committing.

If you're looking for the best lodges in South Africa check out Singita Boulders and Royal Malewane, both spectacular properties.

If you're looking for the best lodges in South Africa check out Singita Boulders and Royal Malewane, both spectacular properties.

Bullseye! Give that man a cigar!

Can you please give me your recommended website(s) for an overview of lodges in Southern Africa? Thanks.

Whatever it would be, this wouldn't be it. How can rankings of a thousand places, most of which aren't lodges but hotels, be comparable in a meaningful way? How can one compare, for example, the Cape Grace to Royal Malewane? They are completely different in every criteria, and I don't see how lumping them together in an opaque and confusing ranking makes any sense.

Whatever it would be, this wouldn't be it. How can rankings of a thousand places, most of which aren't lodges but hotels, be comparable in a meaningful way? How can one compare, for example, the Cape Grace to Royal Malewane? They are completely different in every criteria, and I don't see how lumping them together in an opaque and confusing ranking makes any sense.

I agree that the site makes little sense for tourists, looking for a 5-day-safari-package. But it is the best (so far!?) for travelers who spend 5 weeks or 5 months in Southern Africa.

Having visited several properties featured on the website, I would give it a wide berth.

I agree that the site makes little sense for tourists, looking for a 5-day-safari-package. But it is the best (so far!?) for travelers who spend 5 weeks or 5 months in Southern Africa.

I spend plenty of time in South Africa. I rely on FT, Trip Advisor (less so, and filter things quite often), and word of mouth as to where to stay. That website isn't even good enough to tell me what those places are about.

I spend plenty of time in South Africa. I rely on FT, Trip Advisor (less so, and filter things quite often), and word of mouth as to where to stay.

I have also used www.ccafrica.com, which I find pretty thorough and focused.

Your website (pardon my presumption) is an absolute PITA to navigate. What is it with the tiny text squares, wasting 70% of the viewable screen space with a green background and no information? Can you have more pedantic text and informationless drivel in a smaller font, please? And the search engine sucks.

http://www.absolutetravel.com/Hotels.htm

I have used their service before and I think their recommended properties are worth taking a look. Check out the hotels/resorts in the african countries section.

Use it as a starting guide, you can't go far wrong. If in doubt, always ask people in this Forum... :D

I have also used www.ccafrica.com, which I find pretty thorough and focused.
.

CC Africa is fantastic! They own all the lodges. Stayed in Phinda and Londolozi. A company controlled by the Varty brothers (e.g. "Tigers in Africa" project) and the Rockefeller Family, if I remember correctly. I guess vuittonsofstyle would know that.

getty family is an investor in phinda. the getty house is no longer bookable. :( replaced by model home for homestead residences.

http://www.absolutetravel.com/Hotels.htm



Now that is a good one! Reduced to the Max. Not trying to please everybody. Thanks ^

getty family is an investor in phinda. the getty house is no longer bookable. :( replaced by model home for homestead residences.

Getty! Pretty close. Thanks, Kage !

Mia, at go2Africa.com is pretty good at discussing a large number of high end properties. She put together a ten day high end trip for us that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Mia, at go2Africa.com is pretty good at discussing a large number of high end properties. She put together a ten day high end trip for us that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks juuceman, I liked the overview of hotel/lodges and the maps.

Ya, compleat kak.

Your website (pardon my presumption) is an absolute PITA to navigate.

And the search engine sucks.

Sorry, Pickles, not my website. Got bigger fish to fry.

If it really was my website you'd get a nasty reference on "Mrs. Pickles is flying for free" now.

I am still waiting for constructive ideas from you. Criticising is easy.

So far I have only heard the standard luxury tourist recommendations. Kruger Park! Give me a break Pickles. Next you come with Okavango and Sossusvlei?

I was looking for conversations with real Africa experts. How about Gombe Streams, Mahale, Dzangha Sanga, Loango, Lope, Katavi, Luangwa, Kivu, etc. ?

Let me tell you a little secret Pickles: contrary to Aman, FS, MO et al., those top destinations are neither on FT, nor TA, nor GG, nor do they have websites in some cases. That's why I found the extensive listing of places on africatravelresource.com quite helpful during my trips. They cover pretty much ALL the lodges in those countries, not just the ones they own themselves, like your suggestion CC Africa. So don't waste my time Pickles with premature conclusions of bias.

Forget about their absolute ranking, which is a stupid eyecatcher for the superficial reader. But their individual rating on a 10-point-basis makes a lot of sense for the particular African lodge/luxury market if you think about it intelligently.

I am still looking for better info, as I want to go back criss-crossing to luxury places through the continent soon. Other ripostes will not be reacted to.

If you Pickles will really go travel to some of these remote places one day, develop your language and (people) reading skills. The places I travel to don't give you a second chance. I do...

They cover pretty much ALL the lodges in those countries, not just the ones they own themselves, like your suggestion CC Africa. So don't waste my time Pickles with premature conclusions of bias.

Listen, Livingstone. This is the luxury forum, we don't discuss ALL the lodges in those countries, so now go away and come back with some suggestions for the luxury forum. Thank you.

Top $ - East & Southern Africa Game Lodges
according to africatravelresource.com

Lodge Name Location Rating Price

Abu Camp Okavango Abu superb $2490
North Island Lodge North Island outstanding $2270
Ol Lentille Laikipia North superb $2115
Zil Pasyon Felicite Island not rated $2000
Ol Malo House Laikipia North superb $1850
Lewa House Lewa Downs excellent $1850
Lewa Kifaru House Lewa Downs excellent $1850
Sasakwa Lodge Serengeti West superb $1815
Fregate Island Lodge Fregate Island superb $1690
Little Mombo Camp Okavango Moremi Central superb $1665
Mombo Camp Okavango Moremi Central superb $1650
Loisaba House Laikipia North very good $1640
Maia Luxury Resort Mahe West excellent $1575
Skeleton Coast Camp Skeleton Coast North outstanding $1520
Chiefs Camp Okavango Moremi Central excellent $1450
Xaranna Camp Okavango Ranns excellent $1375
Xudum Camp Okavango Ranns excellent $1375
Crater Lodge Ngorongoro Crater superb $1345
Loisaba Cottage Laikipia North superb $1320
Lukula Camp Selous not rated $1320
Singita Boulders Singita Reserve superb $1270
Singita Lebombo Lodge Kruger Park Central superb $1270
Singita Sweni Lodge Kruger Park Central superb $1270
Singita Ebony Singita Reserve excellent $1270
Vumbura Plains Camp Okavango Vumbura superb $1250
Zibadianja Camp Linyanti Selinda superb $1250
Jao Camp Okavango Jao Flats excellent $1250
King's Pool Lodge Linyanti East excellent $1250
Jacks Camp Makgadikgadi superb $1250
Mnemba Island Matemwe superb $1250
Beho Beho Camp Selous excellent $1250
Eagle Island Camp Okavango Gunns good $1245
Cousine Island Lodge Cousine Island excellent $1150
Royal Malewane Thornybush Reserve excellent $1125
Round Island Lodge Praslin East superb $1120
Mala Mala Rattrays Camp Mala Mala Reserve very good $1115
Ulusaba Rock Lodge Ulusaba Reserve excellent $1095
Londolozi Granite Suites Londolozi Reserve superb $1085
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge Lion Sands Reserve excellent $1085
Thanda Safari Lodge Phinda Mkhuze excellent $1085
Londolozi Tree Camp Londolozi Reserve superb $1045
La Roussette Mahe Anse Royal good $1030
Sabora Camp Serengeti West superb $1030
Faru Faru Lodge Serengeti Central very good $1030
Saile Bushcamp Chobe Forest Reserve excellent $1025
Saile Tented Camp Chobe Forest Reserve excellent $1025
Saile Walking Bivouac Chobe Forest Reserve excellent $1025
Zambezi Kulefu Camp Lower Zambezi excellent $1025
Ellerman House Bantry Bay superb $1020
Mala Mala Sable Camp Mala Mala Reserve very good $985
Ketumetse Camp Okavango Selinda South excellent $980
San Camp Makgadikgadi excellent $980
Beach House Lamu Shela Village excellent $975
Khwai River Lodge Okavango Khwai River good $970
Savuti Elephant Lodge Chobe Savuti good $970
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge Sabi Sabi Reserve excellent $955
Thanda Tented Camp Phinda Mkhuze excellent $955
Ulusaba Safari Lodge Ulusaba Reserve excellent $955
Mateya Safari Lodge Madikwe very good $955
Londolozi Pioneer Camp Londolozi Reserve excellent $955

(First 4 pages out of 179. Pretty impressive compilation.)

seems to vary whether the rates are per person or per couple.

Ol Lentille Laikipia North is from $1435 per couple.

zil pasyon isnt open yet, but seems on track. http://www.seychelles.travel/en/news/display-item.php?newsid=263

As others have said, interesting and odd and very unclear-sounding ratings. Having just returned within the past month from Xudum and Singita Ebony, I find it completely inaccurate to rate them the same - excellent. Not a shot at Xudum but it is certainly not in the Ebony class at this time.

getty family is an investor in phinda. the getty house is no longer bookable. :( replaced by model home for homestead residences.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/travel/article-23743371-life-on-a-south-african-game-reserve.do
The Gettys' home, Zuka house, is only available to Africa Foundation donors. :cool:

Did anyone else get this? Just got an email from the new hotel bible A Rare World with a free link to download their review on Londolozi... pretty scathing stuff. In case anyone didn't get it, the link in the email is here... http://www.arareworld.com/free/londolozi.pdf

I'm working on a trip to South Africa right now and had thought about staying at Londolozi. Reading this review, I have to say I'm guilty of being intrigued by the enticing and sexy ad campaigns that the camp uses. It really sounds like they had a very different experience from some of the people on this board... Maybe Londolozi is a dud after all?

Has anyone had any experience with A Rare World? I'd love to find a new source for this sort of thing. I just find Andrew Harper to be such a drone and Galavanters to be so one-sided. Something about this stuff just sounds a little refreshing to the point I'm intrigued. Is anyone on here a subscriber? I am thinking of biting the bullet and paying the $199 but would love to hear about others' experiences with it...

--Stanley

Did anyone else get this? Just got an email from the new hotel bible A Rare World with a free link to download their review on Londolozi... pretty scathing stuff. In case anyone didn't get it, the link in the email is here... http://www.arareworld.com/free/londolozi.pdf

I'm working on a trip to South Africa right now and had thought about staying at Londolozi. Reading this review, I have to say I'm guilty of being intrigued by the enticing and sexy ad campaigns that the camp uses. It really sounds like they had a very different experience from some of the people on this board... Maybe Londolozi is a dud after all?

Has anyone had any experience with A Rare World? I'd love to find a new source for this sort of thing. I just find Andrew Harper to be such a drone and Galavanters to be so one-sided. Something about this stuff just sounds a little refreshing to the point I'm intrigued. Is anyone on here a subscriber? I am thinking of biting the bullet and paying the $199 but would love to hear about others' experiences with it...

--Stanley

An interesting take on Londolozi.
Personally I would trust Gallivanters Guide above Harpers and rareworld.com.

I subscribe to both the Gallivanter's Guide and A Rare World. While I've enjoyed A Rare World, it's nowhere nearly as informative, detailed, and nuanced in its reviews as the GG.

A Rare World:
Pros:
-- Includes a very decent number of reviews in each edition, which typically covers one area thoroughly (Singapore in the most recent edition), but also includes a few one-offs (the last issue also included Park Hyatt, DC). And each edition also includes a number of one-two paragraph mini-reviews of properties that don't get the full review.
-- They have a "Do" and "Don't" listing for each hotel, which occasionally points out some interesting suggestions that have helpfully informed my visit.

Cons:
-- The quality of writing is not professional, and nowhere nearly as polished, evocative and acute as in the GG. The language is fairly cliched and repetitive, with occasional typos, etc.
-- The photography appears to be hotel publicity stills which don't give you a true depiction of the property, whereas all the photography in the GG is original and shows what the rooms and facilities really look like.
-- It really suffers from not having a score scale. I think the "6-point" scale used by the GG is incredibly helpful in quantifying the degree of specialness of the property. In A Rare World, I sometimes feel as if it's difficult to distinguish one rave from another. The writer does indicate some degree of preference between properties, and also is clear when a property has become tired and no longer deserves the same sort of ranking as other luxury properties, whatever its reputation may have been.

So would I renew: yes, I think I will. There are enough helpful tidbits and insights that I think it's a good source.

Is it as good as the GG? Nowhere near, for the reasons described above. I do wish there were slightly more reviews in the GG--occasionally it's a bit skimpy (3 properties, for example). And I do prefer the way A Rare World balances focus on one particular region/area with one-off reviews included as well. But GG is just so very well written, so insightful, so detailed--I find myself eagerly awaiting its arrival every month.

accidental posting

Be careful what you read. My experience at Londolozi was a complete 180. It was the highlight of my trip to South Africa, which also included stops at the Cape Grace, Le Quartier Français, and Singita Sweni.

Yes Singita pampered you nonstop, the food was delicious, the spa was beautiful and the rooms were immaculate. However, I missed the connection to the natural surroundings and the warm family-like atmosphere that Londolozi provided. Jackie and Brett were beyond phenomenal. She would pick up on our conversations and surprise us with meals, wines, and services catered to our personal tastes. Brett's game drives were by far the best. They put Singita to shame. If you want to have a game drive where the ranger boasts about driving around celebrities then Singita is for you. If you want to experience the hunt and chase and learn a thing or two about your surrounding environment then head to Londolozi where they specialize in environmental preservation.

My one complaint is that Brett and Jackie have since left Londolozi. It is a shame that other visitors won't get the chance to experience their amazing hospitality.

Ya, compleat kak. We're supposed to believe that this site ranking thousands of lodgings in SA is reliable?

Bullseye! Give that man a cigar!

So, you say that no website could possibly be reliable, but one person's opinion about the "best lodges" is "bullseye"? Have you stayed at thousands of different properties? I am not disparaging your or any individual poster's opinion, but your logic is a bit strange.

Thanks, OP, for the link -- this is one of many sources that I would read in researching options. @:-)

so many new posters.

botswana is best regarded here for experience. seems service is not regarded as worse than singita.

anyone else have thoughts on brett wallington and jackie _ from londolozi? if they were indeed great, are they still, somewhere else?

Be careful what you read. My experience at Londolozi was a complete 180. It was the highlight of my trip to South Africa, which also included stops at the Cape Grace, Le Quartier Français, and Singita Sweni.

Yes Singita pampered you nonstop, the food was delicious, the spa was beautiful and the rooms were immaculate. However, I missed the connection to the natural surroundings and the warm family-like atmosphere that Londolozi provided. Jackie and Brett were beyond phenomenal. She would pick up on our conversations and surprise us with meals, wines, and services catered to our personal tastes. Brett's game drives were by far the best. They put Singita to shame. If you want to have a game drive where the ranger boasts about driving around celebrities then Singita is for you. If you want to experience the hunt and chase and learn a thing or two about your surrounding environment then head to Londolozi where they specialize in environmental preservation.

My one complaint is that Brett and Jackie have since left Londolozi. It is a shame that other visitors won't get the chance to experience their amazing hospitality.

Interesting that there is always another side to every story. It's hard to choose where to stay on these big adventure trips, especially because it's so costly to make the wrong move. It's so personal at these kinds of hotels that it's hard to know which recommendations to take and which to leave. I've been planning the safari that may never happen for ages... constantly getting differing opinions and holding short of going for it. :/

:rolleyes: SO hard determining the comparable reliability of various sources...

not to mention the point is specificity so that you find discussion on what matters to you.

so many new posters.

botswana is best regarded here for experience. seems service is not regarded as worse than singita.

anyone else have thoughts on Brett and Jackie from londolozi? if they were indeed great, are they still, somewhere else?
sadly they left for personal reasons. When we were there we noticed that guests specifially asked to have Brett as their ranger because his drives were that top notch. He worked with his tracker seamlessly and he involved the guests to every degree. We were so lucky to have him as our guide and were disappointed when we had to leave.

I cannot speak about the other rangers that Londolozi provided because we were solely with Brett but while following a pack of wild dogs on a hunt three vehicles worked together so the guests could experience the thrill of the chase from every angle. Rangers would communicate via radio if an animal was spotted. Once one vehicle left a sighting another would be allowed access to view....I specifically liked this way of driving because you never felt like you were at an amusement park ride surrounded by other vehicles. You were one with the bush.

Best trip thus far!

Interesting that there is always another side to every story. It's hard to choose where to stay on these big adventure trips, especially because it's so costly to make the wrong move. It's so personal at these kinds of hotels that it's hard to know which recommendations to take and which to leave. I've been planning the safari that may never happen for ages... constantly getting differing opinions and holding short of going for it. :/
It is really hard to go wrong! I know we were nervous with our choices (Londolozi Granite and Sigita Sweni) but I'm glad we did both. Now we just have to start saving up again so we can go back!

I believe we eventually narrowed down our list to about 5 and then weighed pros and cons. It was nice to go to two different parts of Kruger because in the Sabi Sands area the animals were definitely more familiar with the land rovers. Baby cubs, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes....would literally walk right next to your vehicle just feet away. At our second stop the animals were less famliliar so you had to "hunt" for sightings. It was nice to have this variety.

I would definitely recommend getting a variety. We spent 3 nights at two different camps. If we had more time we would have loved to have visited Botswana as well but unfortunatelty flights and vacation days wouldn't go our way.

I can only speak honestly about the two camps we went to:
Singita Sweni and Londolozi Granite
No matter what you will feel pampered at both.

The room design and architecture at Singita was amazing. The food was slightly better (both were delicious) and the massage I had at the spa was one of the best. The game drives were nice but definitely fell short compared to Londolozi. Although the snacks on the drives at Singita were amazing! And the wines were spectacular. Singita definitely has the edge when it comes to "hotel luxury."

The room at Granite was beautiful as well. It felt more like a home than a fancy tree house. The staff treated you like family. The game drives were the best of the best when it comes to animals and excitement.

We would definitely love to return to both however in the end Londolozi edged out Singita. They made us feel so welcomed and we didn't want to leave. We both agreed it was the highlight.

You really can't go wrong though! Have a great trip - if and when you sort it all out! Oh and if you choose granite - request room #2 - it is the one with the rock pool in the brochures.

So, you say that no website could possibly be reliable, but one person's opinion about the "best lodges" is "bullseye"? Have you stayed at thousands of different properties? I am not disparaging your or any individual poster's opinion, but your logic is a bit strange.

Thanks, OP, for the link -- this is one of many sources that I would read in researching options. @:-)

Thanks mecabq !

This seems to be another interesting guide to luxury lodges in Africa: http://www.expertafrica.com/

Thanks urbane.nomads!

This seems to be another interesting guide to luxury lodges in Africa: http://www.expertafrica.com/

Thanks urbane.nomads!http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12471996-post2.htmlanother one that looks good - http://www.expertafrica.com/
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Dec 31, 09 at 9:37 am..

:D

http://www.go2africa.com/ "Over 20,000 pages of hotels, tours & safaris."
edit - im sure i got this from juuceman above when rereading

Can you forgive my limited memory, Kage? :D considering how much africa stuff you must look at. :cool:

Can you forgive my limited memory, Kage? :D

You probably know these people, trophy, but just in case - www.remoteafrica.com

You probably know these people, trophy, but just in case - www.remoteafrica.com

Thanks, vuittons. I recently got recommended to Tafika Camp. Good to know that you like it too!

Be careful what you read. My experience at Londolozi was a complete 180. It was the highlight of my trip to South Africa, which also included stops at the Cape Grace, Le Quartier Français, and Singita Sweni.

Yes Singita pampered you nonstop... Brett's game drives were by far the best. They put Singita to shame. If you want to have a game drive where the ranger boasts about driving around celebrities then Singita is for you. If you want to experience the hunt and chase and learn a thing or two about your surrounding environment then head to Londolozi where they specialize in environmental preservation...

I'll suggest that this is very guide and tracker specific. We experienced the hunt and chase with Singita, hiked and tracked, with the guide and tracker. There was no mention of anyone in the past.

Looking at high-end lodges and noticed that Mala Mala does not include wine or drinks, unlike almost all the others. Does anyone have any experience with their wine & drink prices? Are you forced to pay $100 for a bottle of plonk, or are they reasonable mark-ups?