We have tested: The finest safari lodges in South Africa: our pick

We have tested: 12 Hotels South Africa

Many of us dream of heading off on an African safari one day to catch a glimpse of the Big Five and the other extraordinary animals living in the beautiful bush of that conitnent. But this of course can be a big investment - flights, transfers, accommodation and of course you don't go all that way and not stay at least for a while in either Johannesburg or Cape Town. We say if you're going to do it then you may as well do it properly! So, easyvoyage.co.uk headed off to the Sabi Sands and other private game reserves bordering the Kruger National Park to seek out the very best of lodges for you to stay in. Although you can see what we thought of all the places we visited, here is our selection of the crème de la crème, organised into several categories to help you best choose your accommodation for what wiil be an unforgettable experience.

Hotels South Africa

Family
- Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
  
  Easyexperts : 7.65
  The largest and most family-orientated of the Sabi Sabi lodges, it is also fair to say that Bush is the entry level option. That's not to say that you won't have an unforgettable experience here, but it doesn't have the same pizzazz as perhaps the others [...]
- Kirkman's Kamp
  
  Easyexperts : 8.65
  One of the few colonial style properties in the Sabi Sands reserve, Kirkman's is one of the most homely and comfortable. Set in 15,500 acres of land bordering the Kruger National Park it offers spacious and cosy accommodation, top notch food and some [...]
- Thornybush Game Lodge
  
  Easyexperts : 8.35
  This is a great all-round lodge with a full range of services which would suit both couples and families. The largest of the Thornybush operations, it offers a good standard of accommodation in the form of spacious, comfortable rooms, excellent wellness [...]
Charm
- Singita Castleton Camp
  
  Easyexperts : 8.35
  Baby sister to Boulders and Ebony, the Singita Castleton Camp is the most rustic not only of the three but probably of any in the Sabi Sands. Resembling an old house in the country, this incredibly tranquil and homely property welcomes couples and families [...]
- Leopard Hills
  
  Easyexperts : 8.5
  What Volvo is to automobile world, Leopard Hills is to private game reserves: it may not be the coolest or the most glamourous, but it's an outstanding product which won't disappoint and has a faithful group of clients who come back again and again. The [...]
- Tanda Tula Safari Camp
  
  Easyexperts : 8.5
  This is a very special camp, not only because of the excellent game viewing, but also because of the people running it. An intimate tented camp with some fabulous views, it offers charming accommodation, a highly relaxing setting and a high quality of [...]
Sport & Shape
- Royal Malewane
  
  Easyexperts : -1.0
  The Royal Malewane was the final lodge we stayed at during our time in the South African Bush and before we arrived many people told us that we had saved the best to last. These people were not far off the truth. Arguably the finest all-round lodge around [...]
- Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
  
  Easyexperts : 9.15
  The flagship property of the Sabi Sabi group of lodges, Earth Lodge is a fine luxury lodge marrying innovative architecture and design with tip top service and a complete safari experience both within the lodge and outside it. Perfect for families (with [...]
- Singita Ebony Lodge
  
  Easyexperts : 9.35
  The Ebony lodge is one of the warmest we visited: for its colour, its construction favouring intimacy and for the welcome and hospitality shown by its staff. Very different in style to its sister properties, Ebony is a more cosy property than Boulders [...]
Luxury
- Royal Malewane Africa House
  
  Easyexperts : -1.0
  Part of the Royal Malewane property, Africa House is a superb, self-contained private lodge available for private rental for up to 12 people. Unlike any other camp in the bush, this shabby chic affair is the perfect place for a special family celebration [...]
- Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
  
  Easyexperts : 9.5
  Ivory Lodge is quite simply a magnificent property right on top of its game. It boasts breathtaking décor, luxury bedrooms of a generous size and an excellent quality of food. Intimate, romantic and utterly relaxing, Ivory also has a wonderful team of [...]
- Londolozi Pioneer Camp
  
  Easyexperts : 9.0
  Not only is Pioneer Camp, by a whisker, our personal favourite of the five Londolozi lodges, it is also one of our preferred camps full stop. The principal reason for this is thanks to the way in which it manages to marry contemporary design with history [...]