New Luxury Camps And Hotels For 2024

From the glistening floodplains of the Okavango Delta, to the pristine wilderness of Linyanti, and beyond to the shimmering salt flats of Makgadikgadi - this family friendly safari will leave you all with lifelong memories. Experience the diverse ecosystems and wildlife Botswana has to offer in this spectacular journey from Delta to Desert.

Botswana is Africa’s most exclusive safari destination. Each enormous private reserve has just one or two luxury lodges guaranteeing a series of private experiences as you travel from one exquisite location to the next. Expert guides will take your family on safari among big cats and vast elephant herds in beautiful deltas and deserts.

Imagine gliding silently along an Okavango waterway in a mokoro canoe as zebra and impala graze the grasslands. Or cantering on horseback with your guide alongside giraffe. In the Kalahari, take an early morning walk with a San Bushman as he explains the ancestral secrets of survival.

Here’s something you might not expect. The people looking after you on safari might create some of your happiest safari memories. You’ll remember laughter and those after dinner stories and jokes around the campfire. During a three-night stay in a luxury camp, you’ll get to make friends with your guide, the chef, the vegetable gardener and the other people who love their work.

Botswana is a great choice for an exclusive family safari. Roaming the spectacular deserts, deltas and savannahs are literally millions of animals. The fertility and abundant water of the Okavango and Linyanti Deltas supports an incredible 200 different mammal species. The Government’s high value, low volume tourism policy helps conservation and enables you to enjoy a top quality private safari.

Between safaris there is plenty for children to do in camp while the adults relax. Safari lodges may be small and in remote locations, but they have excellent facilities and your hosts’ purpose is to give you the best possible time. In this section we also suggest a couple of places that combine easily to complement your Botswana safari.

We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.

The best way to give your family the facilities it seeks may be to book out an entire camp or lodge. Perhaps you are planning a multi-generation safari. Or you may want to fulfil a dream of walking, mokoroing and camping out in the Okavango. You may simply crave an extra degree of privacy. Most lodges we use take fewer than 16 guests, some take only eight, so booking a whole lodge is a viable option.

Booking your family safari to Botswana opens a door to a world of exciting adventure. From the minute your Cessna touches the bush strip, your family will be in the wilds with expert guides. We curated the top 10 family experiences in Botswana to whet your appetite.

Botswana is one of the best places for a family holiday of a lifetime! There are millions of animals across plains, deserts and deltas.

The Kalahari is a fascinating place for a family safari. The children can sit by a meerkat den watching these curious little creatures foraging and playing as one stands guard on its hind legs looking out for eagles. They can watch enthralled as a San Bushman reveals hidden secrets that have enabled them to survive here for thousands of years.

Founded in 1692, Babylonstoren is an historic Cape Dutch farm within one of the best preserved farmyards in South Africa. Set amidst fruit and vegetable gardens covering 3.5 hectares, the character-filled farmhouse still has whitewashed walls, distinctive gables, and impressive fireplaces. This is a property of immense character, and will make for the perfect retreat after a safari or sightseeing in Cape Town.

Drakensberg’s hidden gem, Cathedral Peak Hotel.

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse is a gourmet hideaway that is intimate and personal with magnificent views across the water to the mountains.

Peaks such as the Giants Castle dominate the Drakensberg landscape and are impressive from every angle. Staying at Montusi Mountain Lodge you don’t need to go far for epic views: the natural beauty is already all around you, ready to be explored.

Located in the North West Province of South Africa, on a rocky outcrop in the centre of the Madikwe Game Reserve, sits the Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. There are ten sumptuous suites, all with elegant ‘Afrochic’ furnishings. Guests enjoy their game viewing in open topped vehicles, and short walks along old elephant tracks.

Tswalu (meaning “a new beginning”) is designed in classic African style and blends into the Kalahari environment, offering unrivalled elegance.

Morokuru River House is one of the most exciting exclusive use properties in South Africa.

With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.

If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.

Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.

La Residence is the finest boutique hotel in the Cape Winelands. The main house is reminiscent of a French country chateau and is set in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley surrounded by classic Cape Winelands scenery and overlooking a peaceful lake. The hotel is decorated and furnished in style with French antiques, Persian carpets and oil paintings, yet a friendly informal atmosphere prevails.

To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.

Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.

For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.

Set in spectacular African wilderness surrounds, Ecca Lodge is a unique safari property boasting a revolutionary design where penthouse chic meets the bush. Nestled into a gently sloping, densely vegetated hillside, the Lodge is airy and open with barely a barrier between indoors and the African bushveld.

South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.

Camp Jabulani is an amazing place; a luxury lodge surrounded by African bush teeming with wildlife, where you can enjoy an unforgettable experience in the company of elephants.

Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape.

A collection of exclusive-use bush villas, Morukuru Family welcomes you with top-notch personal service. The unrivalled range of activities, outstanding personal service, expert guiding and world-class cuisine make this portfolio of villas some of the best malaria-free safari properties in South Africa for families or a group of friends.

Madikwe Hills Lodge is an intimate and luxurious safari lodge set among the 75,000 hectares of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The main lodge has five luxurious suites, a dining lodge and a spa. The suites have been designed for complete relaxation and comfort, each boasting soft sofas, voluminous mosquito netting and cotton picot linen. Overhead fans and air conditioning are a welcome respite from the harshness of the African heat.

Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari, purpose built for families with children ranging from the very young through to teenage years. You’ll be hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber, who exude warm hospitality and have vast experience of conducting safaris for people of all ages in this pristine wilderness environment.

Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.

One of Cape Town's great landmarks, The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is a truly luxurious resort. A magnificent pale pink building fringed with palm trees, the iconic five star hotel offers tranquillity and seclusion in the heart of the vibrant city. Whether dining in fine restaurants, exploring the bustling streets of the cultural quarter or simply soaking up the sun, your time here promises wonderful memories.

This is one of the world’s great cities. From its peninsular position beneath the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town has centuries of history as a trade hub between Europe and Asia and the multicultural influences are palpable.

Spanning 450 miles along the coast between the Winelands and Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route yields breathtaking panoramic views over the sea, coastal forests, mountains and vineyards.

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s best-known wildlife region, spanning 7,500 square miles over the northeast to the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We recommend exclusive lodging on private reserves adjacent to the park.

The coastal province of KwaZulu Natal stretches from the border of Mozambique to Durban, South Africa’s third largest city. This sub-tropical region is where Zulus, the Boers and the British collided.

South Africa has several outstanding malaria-free wildlife reserves. Madikwe is the largest and its climactic landscape of volcanic hills, expansive plains and winding rivers is a breathtaking backdrop for the private lodges within.

Tucked away in the Limpopo province, the pristine Waterberg region doesn’t make it into most traveller’s itineraries – which, along with a phenomenal array of mammals and birds, is part of the appeal.

Within a two-hour radius of Cape Town are the Cape Winelands. Settled some 300 years ago by Huguenot farmers fleeing persecution in Europe, many of today’s independent wine estates still bear their names.

The Drakensberg Mountains are at once lush and rugged. Ranging in elevation from 6,000 to more than 11,000 feet, this mountain range in KwaZulu Natal offers unparalleled hiking, birdwatching and flyfishing.

The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.

See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

Check in at Mhondoro Safari Lodge, a remarkable property where Africa-meets-Europe chic combines with contemporary design, attentive service, and unbelievable wildlife encounters.

Ellerman House describes itself as being for ‘discerning guests accustomed to the finer pleasures of life’ and everything about this glorious hotel reflects that statement. The Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams, it’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel with unrivalled views across the manicured gardens to Robben Island, and the beyond to the bay. Perhaps the principal attraction to guests, many of whom return year after year, is the discreet yet attentive service giving you the impression that you are among friends.

Ivory Lodge is one of the most luxurious and exclusive safari lodges in South Africa.

We love this property’s quirky design, in particular the two-storey Thabametsi Treehouse which is run entirely on solar power and has impressive views across the park.

Journey to Leobo Lodge for a malaria-free safari, and an action-packed itinerary guaranteed to entertain the whole group. There are absolutely no time frames at Leobo, the reserve is yours to explore in the company of knowledgeable guides, and you can do so at your leisure.

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is the premier wildlife reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal, a lush ecosystem which is home not only to the Big Five but to elusive cheetah as well.

Thanda Safari Lodge invites you to experience ultimate luxury and world-class service.

Home to the late David Rattray, the pioneer of Heritage Tourism in the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields, Fugitive’s Drift Lodge has won a reputation as the finest and most interesting lodge in the AngloZulu war battlefield region of KwaZulu-Natal.

Singita really does have the last word in luxury safari experiences, and Singita Boulders is no exception. The location is superb, the game viewing rich, and the lodge is a model of sustainability which other properties should strive to emulate.

Royal Malewane is fit for the king of the jungle, and Conde Nast Traveler has rated it as one of the Best 50 Resorts in the World 2017.

At the heart of the picturesque Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the exclusive One&Only Cape Town stands. Offering an unprecedented level of luxury, this unbelievably chic waterfront resort is the perfect gateway to experience the vibrant and enchanting Cape Town, and its gorgeous surroundings. An idyllic hotel and spa with great vistas and luxury in abundance, the One&Only is perfect for life's most memorable moments.

To simply call this a treehouse would be an understatement. Tsala Treetop Lodge is the most incredible, luxury treetop property set amidst the canopy of an ancient indigenous forest. An idyllic forest getaway, you’ll be met with breathtaking views across rolling valleys, spectacular cuisine, and an array of interesting activities. Imbuing a sense of magic and mystery, a stay in this architecturally unique lodge is an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.

At the edge of Hermanus Lagoon’s glistening waters stands Mosaic Lagoon Lodge. Set in an enviable location, where towering mountains meet the rippling ocean, the lodge is perfect for those interested in marine creatures, bird life and fascinating indigenous flora. Far from a one trick pony, this ecological gem is both an idyllic, remote retreat and an action-packed playground, with a host of activities sure to tickle your fancy.

Exuding sophistication, Grootbos Forest Lodge sits within landscaped gardens dotted with indigenous trees. Carefully designed to reflect traditional African warmth and combine it with an intercontinental twist, the lodge fuses aesthetic beauty with ultimate comfort. With breathtaking views and nature to match, stays at Grootbos are undoubtedly memorable.

“The Pride of Africa” is the most luxurious train in the world, and it steams it way across South Africa. Rovos Rail operates a remarkable heritage railway service, with the oldest locomotive, Tiffany, dating from 1894. You haven’t seen South Africa until you’ve seen it from the rails.

Luxurious safaris and vibrant Cape Town - South Africa is the Rainbow Nation.

The Care for the Wild Rhino Sanctuary is one of the world’s most successful rhino conservation projects, rescuing, rehabilitating and rewilding both black and white rhinos, and occasionally other species too. A stay at their Rhino View Lodge supports the project and gives you the unique opportunity to experience and observe this project first-hand.

Loapi offers the epitome of a private Kalahari experience. You’ll stay in your own spacious tented home with its own team of staff. Each of the six homes is carefully placed in the contours of the valley, offering both incredible savannah views and ultimate privacy. The camp is very welcoming of families and, being in a malaria-free area, is great for young and old alike.

South Africa has added its own unique spin to The Plettenburg: it’s no ordinary beach hotel, but rather has been elevated on account of its position, landscape, and overall quality of design and service to be one of the finest hotels along the Garden Route. Plettenberg is one of the most scenic towns on the Garden Route, and the hotel of the same name is the obvious accommodation choice.