The Best Luxury Safari Destinations for Your Next Trip
Luxury safaris aren't just about spotting animals—they're about disconnecting in places that feel untouched, staying in properties that respect the landscape, and getting close to wildlife without the crowds or the circus. The best retreats combine serious conservation efforts, design-forward accommodations, and experiences you can't replicate anywhere else. Below, I'm breaking down ten destinations that earned their spot on this list—no fluff, no overhyped properties, just the truth about where to go when you want wildlife, luxury, and landscapes that don't disappoint.
Photo courtesy of Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Serengeti, Tanzania - Meliá Serengeti Lodge
The Serengeti delivers what people picture when they think "African safari"—endless golden plains, the Great Migration, and raw, untamed wilderness that hasn't been sanitized for tourists. Between June and October, over 1.5 million wildebeest move through the landscape, followed by predators hunting in real time, while calving season (January to February) brings newborns taking their first steps as lions and cheetahs circle. Meliá Serengeti Lodge sits inside the national park with direct views over the plains, contemporary design that doesn't fight the environment, and spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the wildlife. Game drives start early, return for lunch, head out again in the afternoon, and the lodge handles logistics smoothly—which matters when you're coordinating multiple drives and dealing with unpredictable animal movements. The location means you're not wasting time in transit, and the service is sharp enough to let you focus on the experience instead of the details.
Photo courtesy of Xigera Safari Lodge
Masarwa, Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge
The Okavango Delta operates on a completely different system than traditional safari destinations—water dictates everything here, creating flooded plains you explore by mokoro (traditional canoe), boat, or on foot. Botswana limits tourist numbers through high costs and strict concession management, which means you're not competing with twenty other vehicles for a lion sighting, and Xigera's private concession delivers elephants, hippos, leopards, and hundreds of bird species without the crowds. Visit between May and October during dry season when water levels peak (June to August is ideal for mokoro experiences), and you'll see why this area earned its reputation. Xigera Safari Lodge is one of the most design-forward properties in Botswana—twelve suites built into the landscape with interiors by Cecile and Boyd, floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor showers, and elevated walkways that float above the Delta. The food is excellent, walking safaris are led by expert guides who know the ecosystem intimately, and the property's commitment to sustainability doesn't feel performative.
Photo courtesy of Royal Malewane
Kruger National Park, South Africa - Royal Malewane
Kruger National Park and its surrounding private reserves deliver consistent Big Five sightings without the logistical headaches of more remote destinations—fly into Johannesburg, connect to Hoedspruit, and be on a game drive the same day. The private reserves, especially Sabi Sands, offer unfenced access to Kruger's wildlife with far fewer tourists and higher-end accommodations, and leopards are spotted regularly here along with lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo against classic African bush landscapes of acacia trees and rocky outcrops. Royal Malewane is one of South Africa's top luxury lodges with six suites, private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and interiors that balance colonial elegance with modern comfort, plus game drives led by expert trackers who know the reserve intimately. Visit between May and September for peak wildlife viewing, or hit the shoulder seasons (April and October) for good weather with fewer crowds. The lodge also offers walking safaris, spa treatments, and a wine cellar stocked with South African bottles you won't find elsewhere, all delivered with service that's polished without being stiff.
Photo courtesy of LOIRIEN Mara
Maasai Mara, Kenya - LOIRIEN Mara
The Maasai Mara is part of the same ecosystem as the Serengeti, which means it gets the northern leg of the Great Migration between July and October, plus calving season (January to February) brings predator action worth the trip. Kenya leans harder into cultural experiences—Maasai communities, traditional practices, and opportunities to learn about pastoralist life that's been practiced here for centuries—all set against rolling plains, dramatic skies, and river crossings where wildebeest risk their lives while crocodiles wait below. LOIRIEN Mara is a newer camp that brings contemporary edge to the traditional safari lodge with eight tented suites, private plunge pools, floor-to-ceiling windows, and interiors that feel closer to a boutique hotel than a bush camp. The property is owned by a Maasai family (your stay supports the local community directly), sits in the Mara North Conservancy for lower tourist density than the main reserve, and delivers exceptional game drives with knowledgeable guides and cultural visits handled respectfully without the performative nonsense you sometimes see elsewhere.
Photo courtesy of Victoria Falls River Lodge
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls River Lodge
Victoria Falls is one of the world's largest waterfalls—walls of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge, mist rising hundreds of feet, rainbows forming in the spray—but the wildlife experience goes beyond the spectacle. Hwange National Park sits two hours away and holds some of the largest elephant herds in Africa (August to October is peak viewing), while the Zambezi River supports hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife you'll see on sunset cruises. Victoria Falls River Lodge sits on the Zambezi, ten minutes from the falls, with just ten tented suites and private decks overlooking the river where elephants and hippos pass by regularly. Visit between May and October for dry season game viewing, or February to May if you want the falls at full flow—the lodge handles logistics efficiently either way, arranging excursions to both the falls and Hwange while maintaining a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Interiors are understated and comfortable, service is warm without being intrusive, and river cruises at sunset offer a quieter, more beautiful pace than traditional game drives.
Chobe National Park, Botswana - Chobe Chilwero Lodge
Chobe National Park holds the largest elephant population in Africa—herds of 100+ animals gathering along the Chobe River during dry season (July to October brings peak concentrations)—and the river creates a natural stage for wildlife viewing with elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and predators moving through throughout the day. River-based safaris offer a completely different perspective than traditional game drives—quieter, closer to the water, more relaxed—and Chobe is less remote than the Okavango Delta with easier access from Victoria Falls or Kasane, making it a solid addition to a multi-destination itinerary. Chobe Chilwero Lodge sits on a hillside overlooking the Chobe River and floodplains with panoramic views from every suite, fifteen cottages with private plunge pools and outdoor showers, and interiors that balance colonial style with modern luxury. The property is part of Sanctuary Retreats, which means service and logistics are handled smoothly, game drives and boat safaris are led by expert guides who know the park intimately, and the spa treatments, excellent food, and South African wine cellar deliver exactly what's promised without pretense.
Photo courtesy of Time & Tide Mchenja
South Luangwa, Zambia - Time & Tide Mchenja
South Luangwa is where walking safaris originated, and it remains one of the best places in Africa to experience wildlife on foot—remote, less crowded than Botswana or South Africa, and known for exceptional leopard sightings with some of the highest concentrations in Africa (August to October offers the best viewing). Night drives are allowed here, which adds another dimension to the experience with predators hunting, nocturnal species like genets and civets, and a side of the bush most safari-goers miss, all while the Luangwa River supports huge populations of hippos and crocodiles. Time & Tide Mchenja is a small, seasonal camp with just five bush suites set along the river, intentionally low-impact design using canvas and wood, and open-air living spaces that prioritize the environment over Instagram moments. Walking safaris are led by expert guides who know the ecosystem intimately, game drives and night drives are excellent, the camp's remote location means you're often the only vehicle in the area, and service is personal and unpretentious—visit between June and October during dry season for the full experience without sacrificing comfort.
Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India - Aman-i-Khas
Ranthambore National Park offers something completely different from African safaris—Bengal tigers moving through ancient ruins, temples, and forested landscapes that feel like they belong in a different era, plus leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. Tiger sightings aren't guaranteed, but March to May offers the best chances (hot but worth it), and when they happen they're unforgettable—massive cats walking past crumbling fortresses, lounging near lakes, or stalking prey through dense vegetation where history and wildlife coexist. Aman-i-Khas is a seasonal luxury camp (October to May) with just ten tented pavilions set on the edge of Ranthambore, Mughal-inspired interiors with rich fabrics and handcrafted furniture, and the precision and discretion you'd expect from Aman—flawless service, excellent food, and logistics that work seamlessly. Game drives are led by expert naturalists, the camp arranges private access to certain areas when possible, and this is one of the best properties in India, period—it just happens to be in one of the best places to see tigers in the wild.
Photo courtesy of Pikaia Lodge
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador - Pikaia Lodge
The Galápagos Islands operate on completely different logic than mainland wildlife experiences—animals here don't fear humans because they evolved without natural predators, which means you can walk within feet of giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies, while snorkeling puts you in the water with sea turtles, penguins, rays, and reef sharks. It's a year-round destination, though December to May brings warmer weather and calmer seas while June to November delivers cooler temperatures with more active wildlife—either way, every island has a distinct ecosystem and the experience feels like stepping into a nature documentary where you're allowed to participate. Pikaia Lodge sits on Santa Cruz Island with views over the volcanic highlands and Pacific Ocean, fourteen suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary design that respects the landscape, and a strong commitment to conservation. The lodge operates its own yacht for daily excursions to different islands, guided hikes, snorkeling trips, and wildlife encounters that feel surreal in their proximity, all delivered with exceptional service, excellent food (emphasis on sustainable seafood), and luxury that doesn't feel out of place.
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada - Blueberry Inn
Churchill is where you go to see polar bears—one of the most powerful predators on earth—in their natural habitat, with tundra buggies taking you across frozen landscape where bears gather along the Hudson Bay shoreline waiting for ice to form so they can hunt seals. Visit October to November for polar bears, July to August for beluga whales, or December to March for northern lights—the landscape is stark, beautiful, and unforgiving in exactly the way you'd expect from the subarctic, and completely different from tropical or savanna wildlife experiences. Blueberry Inn is a small, locally-owned property in Churchill with a reputation for solid hospitality and no-nonsense service—it's not luxury in the traditional sense (this is a remote northern town with limited infrastructure), but it's clean, comfortable, well-managed, and the staff are knowledgeable about the area. The inn arranges tundra buggy excursions, northern lights tours, and cultural experiences with the local community, handling logistics efficiently despite extreme weather and unpredictable wildlife—this is the property to book if you want polar bears without the pretense.
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