Africa's boundless beauty, diverse landscapes, and goosebumps-inducing wildlife encounters have long drawn adventurers and luxury seekers alike. As 2025 beckons, the travel zeitgeist leans heavily towards sustainability, immersive experiences, and the utmost luxury. Whether you’re craving an opulent safari, a serene desert retreat, or a private island escape, take a look at our curated list of the top places to stay in Africa in 2025.
Explore our top places to stay in 2025, Image Credit: Sanctuary Olonana
Southern Africa
1. Silvan Safari – Greater Kruger, South Africa
The World's Leading Luxury Lodge, Silvan Safari, is found in the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It's well-known for its prolific Big 5 sightings, and this boutique retreat gives new meaning to a luxury safari experience in the Greater Kruger.
Each lavish suite features a private plunge pool and a spacious deck, perfectly positioned to showcase the natural surroundings. The lodge's distinctive design, inspired by the ancient trees and wildlife of the region, creates a stunning visual masterpiece.
Beyond the aesthetics, Silvan Safari delivers tailored game drives, intimate bush walks, and evenings under the celestial canopy. A staunch advocate for conservation, the solar-powered lodge operates sustainably, investing in preserving this extraordinary ecosystem for future generations.
Silvan honours the complex way in which all life is connected, Image Credit: Silvan Safari
Why Choose Silvan Safari Lodge for 2025?
Silvan Safari's renowned innovation in hospitality and its award-winning service guarantee a superior safari experience. Moreover, it has recently earned its place among the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association – a sure sign of its top-tier status and one of the finest places to stay in Africa in 2025.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Safari goers seeking luxury in the wilderness, couples or honeymooners, photographers and artists.
- Value: Ultra-luxury; rates start from approximately USD 2,000 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Hoedspruit or Skukuza Airport, followed by a short road transfer to the lodge. Alternatively, private shuttle flights are available to a dedicated airstrip located within the reserve.
- Best Time to Visit: May to September (dry season) for optimal game viewing, as wildlife congregates around water sources and vegetation is less dense.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: Dry winters (May to September) offer prime wildlife spotting. Wet summers (October to April) bring lush vegetation and dramatic skies.
From its very inception, Silvan Safari was envisioned as a transformative sanctuary
2. Tintswalo Atlantic – Cape Town, South Africa
Tucked away at the base of Chapman’s Peak Drive, Tintswalo Atlantic offers a serene oceanfront escape within arm’s reach of Cape Town's vibrant energy. Its individually themed suites draw inspiration from iconic islands around the globe, each telling its own story.
Bask in views of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy gourmet meals on a private deck, or take a leisurely walk along the coastal paths. Sustainability takes centre stage here, with the property embracing eco-friendly practices and supporting local artisans.
Its secluded location on the water’s edge provides solitude near city life, Image Credit: Tintswalo Atlantic
Why Choose Tintswalo Atlantic for 2025?
Tintswalo Atlantic delivers personalised, five-star service, including gourmet dining tailored to guests' preferences. Its secluded setting on Hout Bay’s shoreline, paired with proximity to Cape Town's attractions, makes it a perfect mix of tranquility and accessibility.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Travellers seeking a luxurious, tranquil retreat surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, ideal for romantic getaways and special celebrations.
- Value: Ultra-luxury; rates starting from approximately USD 520 per person per night.
- How to Get There: A 35-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport.
- Best Time to Visit: December to February for warm weather; September to November for fewer crowds and blooming flora.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: Sunny, dry summers (December to February) and cooler, wet winters (June to August).
Savour spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Image Credit: Tintswalo Atlantic
3. Grootbos Garden Lodge – Grootbos, South Africa
Situated within the Cape Floral Kingdom, Grootbos Garden Lodge offers an immersive experience in one of the world's most biodiverse regions. You'll awaken to panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the fynbos-covered hills.
Here, you can partake in marine safaris, whale watching, or horseback rides through the reserve. As one of the standout places to stay in Africa in 2025, the lodge's eco-luxury suites provide a haven of understated elegance, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that invite the natural surroundings indoors.
Grootbos Nature Reserve is home to 3,500 hectares of hills and valleys covered in fynbos, Image Credit: Grootbos Garden Lodge
Why Choose Garden Lodge for 2025?
As a leader in eco-tourism, Grootbos Garden Lodge offers immersive nature experiences that are both luxurious and meaningful, allowing you to contribute to impactful conservation and community projects.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Nature enthusiasts and families seeking eco-luxury experiences amidst unique flora and fauna.
- Value: High-end eco-luxury; from USD 800 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Approximately a two-hour drive from Cape Town along the N2 and R43 highways.
- Best Time to Visit: August to October for prime whale watching and blooming fynbos.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: Spring (September to November) showcases vibrant flora; summer (December to February) offers warm temperatures; winter (June to August) is cooler with increased chances of rain.
Where the interior celebrates the exterior, Image Credit: Grootbos Garden Lodge
4. Motse Lodge – Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa
For those seeking seclusion and exclusivity, Tswalu Motse Lodge is an oasis in the Kalahari. Located within the Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, this intimate lodge features only nine suites, each crafted from natural materials inspired by the surrounding desert landscape.
Days are spent exploring the dunes on horseback, tracking rhinos on foot, or spending a night under the stars at the Malori sleepout. With a focus on conserving the delicate Kalahari ecosystem, Tswalu has become synonymous with responsible luxury.
Surrounded by vast open spaces and red dessert soil, Image Credit: Tswalu The Motse
Why Choose Motse Lodge for 2025?
At Tswalu Motse Lodge, you’ll be swept away in the stunning Kalahari landscapes of South Africa’s largest private reserve. Add groundbreaking conservation efforts like the Kalahari Endangered Ecosystem Project, and you have more than just a getaway – you’ve found one of the most meaningful places to stay in Africa in 2025, where your visit contributes to preserving this incredible wilderness.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Luxury safari enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, and conservation-minded travellers.
- Value: High-end luxury; rates start from approximately USD 2,100 per adult per night, based on double occupancy.
- How to Get There: Scheduled charter flights are available from Johannesburg or Cape Town directly to Tswalu's private airstrip.
- Best Time to Visit: May to September (dry season) for optimal game viewing and comfortable temperatures.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: Dry winters (May to September) offer prime wildlife spotting with cooler temperatures; wet summers (October to April) bring lush landscapes and occasional thunderstorms.
A different vantage point of Tswalu's landscapes and wildlife, Image Credit: Tswalu Kalahari
5. andBeyond Benguerra Island – Mozambique
Step into a barefoot paradise on Benguerra Island, part of the Bazaruto Archipelago. andBeyond Benguerra Island offers refined cabanas blending African and Portuguese styles, all just steps from Mozambique's beautiful beaches.
Dive into crystalline waters for a marine safari, enjoy traditional dhow cruises, or savour the island's culinary delights. Here, you can soak in Afro-Portuguese-inspired elegance – all while enjoying enriching cultural experiences.
Languidly spend their days in a tropical Indian Ocean paradise, Image Credit: andBeyond Benguerra Island
Why Choose andBeyond Benguerra Island for 2025?
With solar-powered energy and a commitment to marine conservation, andBeyond Benguerra Island ensures your stay leaves only footprints in the sand.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Beach lovers, scuba divers, honeymooners, and those seeking relaxation and adventure.
- Value: Luxury; rates start from approximately USD 1,100 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Vilankulo Airport, followed by a helicopter or boat transfer to Benguerra Island.
- Best Time to Visit: May to September for pleasant weather and excellent marine activities.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: Dry season (May to September) offers cooler temperatures; wet season (October to April) is warmer, with the potential for rain and cyclones.
Lush forests spill out onto pearly sands and into effervescent waters, Image Credit: andBeyond Benguerra Island
6. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – Namibia
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Namibia’s Namib Desert, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers breathtaking views of towering dunes and starlit skies. Its state-of-the-art design mirrors the desert's barren beauty, creating a luxurious oasis of serenity.
Recognised as one of the most remarkable places to stay in Africa in 2025, it offers scenic drives, guided nature walks, and hot-air balloon rides over the surreal landscape. The lodge’s sustainability efforts, from solar power to water recycling, ensure minimal impact on this fragile ecosystem.
A surreal quality against the backdrop of the spectacular Namib Desert, Image Credit: andBeyond
Why Choose Desert Lodge for 2025?
For solitude seekers, this lodge offers luxury amid nature’s most surreal wonders. Fancy gazing at the Milky Way from your bed? Sossusvlei Desert Lodge’s glass-fronted suites offer that and so much more.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Desert enthusiasts, stargazers, and travellers seeking solitude and dramatic landscapes.
- Value: Exclusive luxury; rates start from approximately USD 1,500 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport, followed by a charter flight to the lodge's airstrip.
- Best Time to Visit: April to October for cooler temperatures and clear skies.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: The dry season (April to October) is ideal for travel; November to March can be extremely hot with occasional rains.
Amidst the dreamy desert dunes, Image Credit: andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
7. Mfuwe Lodge – South Luangwa, Zambia
Known for its unpretentious charm, Mfuwe Lodge sits near the entrance of South Luangwa National Park. Famous for its elephant visitors wandering through the lobby, the lodge provides a front-row seat to Zambia’s wildlife-rich landscapes.
Enjoy guided walking safaris and game drives paired with a refreshing dip in the pool overlooking a busy watering hole. Furthermore, community upliftment and conservation efforts add depth to every stay.
A different kind of guest checking in, Image Credit: Mfuwe Lodge
Why Choose Mfuwe Lodge for 2025?
Its authentic safari vibe, combined with wondrous wildlife interactions, makes it a perennial favourite. Plus, Mfuwe Lodge now sources fresh produce from its very own farm. It’s sustainable luxury at its best, connecting you to nature while giving back to the community.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Wildlife enthusiasts, families, and those interested in sustainable tourism.
- Value: Mid-range luxury; rates start from approximately USD 550 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Mfuwe Airport, followed by a 45-minute road transfer to the lodge.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October (dry season) for peak wildlife viewing.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: The dry season (June to October) offers excellent game viewing; November to April is the wet season, with lush scenery and birding opportunities.
Set in the most prolific game area of the South Luangwa National Park, Image Credit: Mfuwe Lodge
8. Shinde – Okavango Delta, Botswana
Shinde Camp, perched on a palm-dotted island in the Okavango Delta, offers a safari experience that's both intimate and exhilarating. Its refurbished suites merge classic charm with modern luxury, with panoramic views of the surrounding floodplains.
From mokoro excursions to walking safaris, the activities here highlight the Delta’s diverse ecosystems. Shinde also prides itself on community-focused operations, ensuring your visit positively impacts local lives.
The positioning of the camp allows Shinde to offer a wide range of activities, Image Credit: Shinde Camp
Why Choose Shinde for 2025?
This is where water meets wilderness. Shinde has upped the ante with revamped tented suites and their cutting-edge water conservation efforts. As one of the most celebrated places to stay in Africa in 2025, the lodge ensures the Delta remains as pristine as the day you arrive.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Safari purists, bird watchers, and those seeking a classic Delta experience.
- Value: High-end safari; rates start from approximately USD 1,000 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Maun Airport, followed by a light aircraft transfer to Shinde's airstrip.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October during the annual flood for water-based activities.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: The dry season (May to October) is ideal for game viewing; November to April is the wet season, with abundant birdlife.
Thoughtfully positioned to offer exquisite views, Image Credit: Shinde
East Africa
9. Sanctuary Olonana – Maasai Mara, Kenya
Set along the Mara River's banks, Sanctuary Olonana offers an immersive safari experience that combines cutting-edge design with deep cultural respect. Overlooking a favourite crossing point of the Great Wildebeest Migration, the lodge is a wildlife photographer's dream.
Modern and solar-powered, Olonana features glass-fronted suites with sweeping views of the river. Game drives, visits to Maasai communities, and thrilling hot-air balloon rides elevate the experience to something extraordinary.
Situated on the banks of the Mara River, Image Credit: Sanctuary Olonana
Why Choose Sanctuary Olonana for 2025?
Picture yourself front-row for the Great Migration, camera in hand, with private photographic safaris tailored just for you. At Olonana, it’s about connecting with the Maasai Mara’s people, wildlife and landscapes in a way that feels incredibly immersive.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Great Migration spectators, cultural enthusiasts, and luxury travellers.
- Value: Premium luxury; rates start from approximately USD 1,200 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Nairobi's Wilson Airport, followed by a scheduled flight to Kichwa Tembo airstrip and a short drive to the camp.
- Best Time to Visit: July to October for the Great Migration.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: The dry seasons (June to October and January to February) are best for wildlife viewing; wet seasons (March to May and November) bring lush landscapes.
Explore this immense area through exciting, Image Credit: Sanctuary Olonana game drives and bush walks
10. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Tanzania
An architectural marvel perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, this Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is as impressive as the wildlife spectacle it overlooks. Recognised among the top places to stay in Africa in 2025, its interiors reflect Maasai culture while exuding decadent luxury, with chandeliers and rich silks offset by volcanic vistas.
Daily crater safaris provide encounters with the Big 5 and rare species like black rhinos. Meanwhile, visits to nearby villages offer insight into the Maasai way of life.
Located right on the edge of the caldera, Image Credit: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Why Choose Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for 2025?
For couples or families, this is an otherworldly retreat. And with new sustainability upgrades like solar energy systems and cultural immersion programs, your stay feels as good as it looks.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Romantic getaways, architecture aficionados, and wildlife lovers.
- Value: Ultra-luxury; rates start from approximately USD 1,500 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, followed by a charter flight to Manyara airstrip and a road transfer to the lodge.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October for optimal wildlife viewing.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: The dry season (June to October) offers excellent game viewing; wet season (November to May) features fewer tourists and vibrant scenery.
The lodge boasts architecture as remarkable as its setting, Image Credit: andBeyond
11. Bisate Lodge – Rwanda
For those who are craving life-changing experiences, Bisate Lodge near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is your answer. Its pod-like villas nestle into the hillside, offering dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. This lodge is the ideal base for gorilla trekking, where intimate encounters with these endangered species move you.
In between adventures, indulge in locally-inspired cuisine or participate in reforestation projects contributing to the lodge's sustainability efforts.
The fascinating Bisate Forest Villas, Image Credit: Bisate Lodge
Why Choose Bisate Lodge for 2025?
Few places offer such a rare combination of luxury, conservation, culture and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Gorilla trekking enthusiasts, conservation-minded travellers, and those seeking cultural immersion.
- Value: Exclusive luxury; rates start from approximately USD 1,400 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Kigali International Airport, followed by a 2.5-hour road transfer to the lodge.
- Best Time to Visit: June to September (dry season) for gorilla trekking.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: Dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are ideal for trekking; wet seasons (March to May and October to November) can make trails slippery.
Meet the misty mountain gorillas, Image Credit: Wilderness
12. Ngaga Camp – Republic of Congo
Deep in the Congo rainforest, Ngaga Camp offers intimate encounters with western lowland gorillas. The camp’s treehouse-like suites are designed to blend with their surroundings, creating a tranquil base for exploration.
Here’s your chance to trek with researchers through pristine forests to observe western lowland gorillas. At Ngaga Camp, solar power and thoughtfully designed walkways ensure you tread lightly while delivering a truly immersive jungle experience in the Republic of Congo.
The breathtaking Ngaga Lodge, Image Credit: Ngaga Camp
Why Choose Ngaga Camp for 2025?
For those seeking off-the-beaten-path wildlife and birding experiences, Ngaga is as wild as it gets and firmly stands out as one of the most adventurous places to stay in Africa in 2025.
Insider Tips
- Perfect for: Primate enthusiasts, adventure travellers, and those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.
- Value: Mid- to high-end; rates start from approximately USD 1,000 per person per night.
- How to Get There: Fly into Brazzaville, followed by a domestic flight to Odzala-Kokoua National Park and a road transfer to the camp.
- Best Time to Visit: June to September (dry season) for optimal gorilla trekking conditions.
- Weather and Travel Seasons: The dry Season (June to September) offers easier trekking and better trail conditions with minimal rainfall; wet season (October to May) brings lush vegetation, ideal for photography, but trails can be muddy and challenging to navigate.
Guests enjoying the tranquility of the Odzala forest, Image Credit: Ngaga Camp
Your 2025 Adventure Starts Here
Each of these carefully selected properties offers something truly extraordinary – from its locations to experiences, all while championing the preservation of Africa’s natural wonders. Whether you’re tracking wildlife in Botswana, unwinding on Mozambique’s pristine beaches, or exploring the surreal beauty of Namibia’s landscapes, these places to stay in Africa in 2025 will surely leave you inspired.
Let’s make 2025 the year you’ll never forget – reach out to our Travel Experts today, and we’ll craft a tailor-made adventure that exceeds your wildest dreams.
Featured Image: andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
