Luxury comes in many different forms, some obvious and others less so. In Africa, luxury means smaller and exclusive camps that give you more privacy and personalized service, as well as elevated amenities. Many also provide the option of a private vehicle for your safari activities, giving you the treat of spending your days exactly as you want them, down to the minute.
At Africa Adventure Consultants we partner with many exclusive micro camps across the continent. With five rooms or fewer, each of these camps holds at most 10 guests at a time, without requiring a full buy out. Here we explore a few favorites in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nestled in a forest at the confluence of two rivers, Dulini Leadwood is situated in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve in South Africa, known for its prolific wildlife sightings, including Africa’s Big Five. The camp offers just four expansive suites, each elegantly and thoughtfully laid out with separate lounge, bedroom and bathroom spaces, with picture windows framing the beautiful natural surroundings. We love the open-plan bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs, and indoor/outdoor showers, as well as a private heated outdoor lap pool. Private dining is available in your suite, as are spa treatments.
Duba Plains Camp, a Relais & Châteaux member, is located in the Duba Concession in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Set among palm-dotted islands, its five private suites are perfectly situated to take full advantage of the Delta’s incredible wilderness. The 1920’s style of the camp harkens back to the early days of safari, while providing every modern luxury you might want including indoor/outdoor showers, a luxurious bath, private swimming pool and even an environmentally friendly air-conditioning system over your bed. We love the spacious private verandas on each suite, as well as the interactive kitchen and wine cellar. Private vehicles are available for an added fee.
Ngare Serian is cozy and intimate. Located in Kenya’s private Mara North Conservancy, it can only be reached on foot, over a rope bridge. In a way the crossover is symbolic – a call to step out of touch and out of time, and give yourself over to the wonder of an African safari. Being in a private conservancy gives you a more exclusive wildlife viewing experience in one of the most in-demand safari destinations on the continent. Its four spacious tents are set above the Mara River with stunning views of the Oloololo Escarpment and feature a luxurious bathtub overlooking the river. Each tent comes with exclusive use of a safari vehicle with a dedicated guide and spotter, giving you total freedom and flexibility over your days.
At Sindabezi, you’ll not only enjoy few other guests, you’ll be on a private island away from the hustle and bustle of the Livingstone area of Victoria Falls. This camp is gorgeous, secluded and peaceful, with just five river-facing chalets tucked away in a quiet spot on Sindabezi Island, Zambia. Each one is unique with little luxuries like a loo with a view or a hammock to laze away the afternoon. We love the private dining options as well as their ‘Sampan,’ one of the world’s most exclusive pop-up bars where you can tuck into a private picnic lunch or sundowners next to the Zambezi.
Somalisa Acacia is situated in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest. It features two luxury tented suites and two luxury tented family suites that feature inter-connecting bedrooms. From the comfort of your own private viewing deck, you can watch wildlife passing by. All luxury tented suites include a wood-burning fireplace, a copper slipper-style bath, a king-size bed and an indoor and outdoor shower.
These are just a sampling of some of our favorite micro camps in Africa. There are also many other private, exclusive-use camps and lodges if you’re interested in a private buy out for your own traveling party.
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Photos courtesy Dulini Leadwood, Duba Plains, Ngare Serian, Sindabezi, Somalisa Acacia