10 Safari Lodges You’ll Never Want to Leave

Photo by iStock. Design by Lauren DeLuca for Yahoo Travel.

The opportunity to take an African safari is, for most, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that sits right at the top of their bucket list.

Because seeing the “big five” in their natural habitat, experiencing mind-blowing landscapes, sleeping under the stars, and simply being in nature, at one with it, is an experience that will change you.

With the increase in popularity of safaris as luxury vacation options, safari lodges and camps have been popping up all over the continent. However, use of the word “lodge” or “camp” to describe these accommodations is misleading, as most provide five-star comforts and amenities that would rival any high-end hotel’s — from high-thread-count sheets, air conditioning, and hot running water to private chefs, butlers, and spa treatments.

But most importantly, each offers guests the opportunity to see and feel Africa and its wildlife in the most intimate way.

Here are 10 safari lodges and camps that you will fall head over heels in love with — so much so that you may never want to leave.

andBeyond Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge, Botswana

Photo: andBeyond Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge

Located at the edge of a seasonal lagoon and surrounded by lush greenery, this beautiful open-sided lodge provides panoramic views over the delta, where hippos, rhinos, elephants, zebras, and gazelles regularly roam within feet of the dining deck. Guests can stay in one of only nine private split-level suites, each featuring private roof decks, indoor-outdoor bathrooms with large bathtubs, and luxurious bedrooms with four-poster beds. Rates start from $830 per night, all inclusive of meals, drinks, and safari activities.

Naboisho Camp, Kenya

Photo: Naboisho Camp

This intimate and elegant tented camp is set in the heart of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, a serene 81-square-mile reserve that is chock-full of antelope and a surprisingly high concentration of big cats, including lions and cheetahs. Sleep in spacious open-side tents that feature king-size beds, hot showers, flushing toilets, and their own private verandas. Each tent is also serviced by a private butler who can tend to your every need. Rates start at $400 a night.

Lion Sands River Lodge, South Africa

Photo: Lion Sands River Lodge

Nestled on the banks of the Sabi River, the stunning Lion Sands River Lodge is both luxurious and comfortable, not to mention famous for its record number of leopard sightings. The resort features a spacious and elegant communal central lodge surrounded by 20 lavish suites, each with its own private viewing deck. Spend your days out exploring the wilderness in search of the big five, lounging in the lodge, taking a dip in one of the two heated swimming pools, or indulging in some pampering at the Lalamuka Spa. Rates start at $535 a night inclusive of all meals, drinks, and game drives.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Rwanda

Photo: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

The Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge offers visitors a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a rare one that sadly might not be available in the near future: the chance to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The opulent lodge features individual cottages with private decks and fireplaces; they are tucked into the foothills of the Virunga mountain range, a dramatic and lush landscape that is home to multiple gorilla families. Guests can even take guided hikes directly into the jungle from the resort. Rates start from $384 a night.

Ol Malo House, Kenya

Photo: Ol Malo

This secluded, intimate, family-owned and -operated property is located at the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, in Kenya’s seldom-visited northern territory — an ancient land densely populated with wildlife. The house, which is perfect for families or groups, consists of a spacious living and dining room with huge open fireplaces as well as three beautiful en-suite bedrooms featuring vaulted ceilings and panoramic views. Additional individual cottages complete the accommodations, and there is an infinity pool with panoramic views of the breathtaking landscape. Guests can take daily game drives, take camel or horse rides, and, for the extra-adventurous traveler, spend a night in the leopard blind in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the shy big cat. Rates start from around $1,500 a night.

Sabora Tented Camp, Tanzania

Photo: Sabora Tented Camp

Wake up to zebras grazing nearby or the guttural snort of a wildebeest at this exclusive 1920s-themed explorers’ camp located in the heart of Grumeti Reserves. The nine lavish en-suite tents are adorned with local treasures, antiques, and artifacts from Persian rugs to Zanzibari chests. Each features an open flow onto the plains, making for unmatched wildlife viewing, while the lodge boasts modern amenities such as a TV, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Take guided safari walks or a game drive, enjoy spa treatments, or simply sit and relax with the wild world around you. All-inclusive rates start at $1,210 per night.

Rekero Camp, Kenya

Photo: Aardvark Safaris

Time your stay at Rekero Camp just right, and you will be in the prime location to watch the magical wonder of the great migration river crossing, where approximately 1.5 million wildebeests make their surging journey across East Africa. Located at the center of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Rekero Camp offers guests a more traditional safari experience, with expert guides, world-renowned game viewing, and comfortable, contemporary accommodations, without the frills, or cost, of some of the more luxurious options. Rates start at $615 a night, all inclusive.

Camp Okavango, Botswana

Photo: Camp Okavango

The freshwater oasis of the Okavango Delta is a natural wonder that attracts wildlife in some of the highest concentrations anywhere on earth. With room for just 24 guests, Camp Okavango, located on the delta’s remote island of Nxaragha, is both intimate and peaceful. Each tent sits on a raised teak platform and boasts a private wildlife viewing deck and en-suite bathroom. At the main lodge, enjoy meals in the open-air dining room or read up on the locals, fireside, in the wildlife reference library. Safaris will lead you through the meandering waterways from the comfort of a motorboat, or, for the extremely brave, take a guided canoe tour. Rates start at $510 a night, all inclusive.

Four Seasons Serengeti, Tanzania

Photo: Four Seasons Serengeti

For the ultimate safari experience, few compare to the Four Seasons Serengeti, a resort located in the heart of arguably the most famous game reserve on the planet. This property is ideal if you want to combine your thrilling safari experience with the modern luxuries of a five-star hotel. It is the place to be pampered and indulged while still being immersed in the local culture and wildlife. Each of the secluded 77 guest rooms features breathtaking views, contemporary African decor, and modern comforts such as wireless Internet and air conditioning. Lounge around the pool, retreat to the spa, or simply sit on your private deck and watch the elephants go by. All-inclusive rates begin at $1,155 a night.

Giraffe Manor, Kenya

Photo: Giraffe Manor

There is unlikely to be anything more memorable than enjoying breakfast alongside a family of giraffes from the comfort of an elegant dining room. And at Giraffe Manor, one of Nairobi’s most iconic properties, that is a daily reality for guests. The Manor, a beautiful and historic 1930s home, is one of the only guesthouses in the world that has giraffes freely roaming its grounds. They are so comfortable with the building and its guests that they regularly poke their heads through the windows, giving visitors a rare interaction with these wondrous beasts. Rooms at the hotel are grand and elegant, featuring antique furniture and alluring views of the manicured gardens. Local safaris will have you encountering lions, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, and many others. Rates start at $525 per night for full board.