Explore Safari Lodges in Africa!

These vacations with lodging accommodate family or groups all throughout the year. Whether for business or pleasure find the right safari adventure under the perfect Lodge for you and your guest here! If you are interested in a vacation package or Lodge put the name of it on your Travel Request Form. For more information or questions please email or LIVE chat us, we will be happy to assist you.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Gorilla Forest Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary

• The best-located lodge in Bwindi for gorilla trekking
• Highly experienced rangers guarantee to find these elusive creatures every time
• The reimagined lodge is beautifully and consciously designed, setting the gold standard for eco luxury in Uganda
• Every stay helps conserve the endangered mountain gorilla, Bwindi’s local communities, and the forest itself
• The Gorilla Forest Lodge family of staff are renowned for being warm, welcoming, and making every guest’s experience special
• Superb spa treatments restore and revive after a day’s rainforest trekking

Sensationally situated on a hillside overlooking the jungle canopy, the newly revamped Gorilla Forest Lodge is the most beautiful and luxurious place to stay within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park itself. It is also the best-located for gorilla trekking.

Ten standalone villas are set apart in the forest, each with a private viewing deck from which you can watch monkeys, plus rare and wonderful birds and butterflies. Sunrise is breathtaking – pale pastel light, ethereal mist shrouding the trees, the soundtrack of the primeval forest waking up.

The beating heart of the lodge is an indoor-outdoor lounge bar and restaurant space overlooking the rainforest. In the evenings, our resident musician plays traditional African folk songs on a harp while guests drink sundowners and exchange gorilla tales around the campfire. Other facilities include a spa, a boutique selling locally made products and souvenirs, and the Explorer’s Lounge where you will find maps and a selection of books on the flora, fauna and culture of Bwindi and Uganda.

Dense, mountainous, lush, breathtakingly beautiful – and poetically named. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not, however, entirely impenetrable. Gorilla Forest Lodge provides the perfect point of entry into one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Africa – and the world. Bwindi is home to almost 500 mountain gorillas – around half the world’s remaining population. As a base from which to set off in search of these magnificent, critically endangered creatures, Gorilla Forest Lodge is unrivalled. A mist-topped tangle of treetops, strangling roots and coiling ferns, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the success stories of African conservation. Once the site of civil unrest, today it is a mysterious wonderland echoing with the call of 20 species of primate, including golden monkeys – and Africa’s largest population of habituated mountain gorillas. Trek through farmland and foliage to spend an intimate hour watching their loving, complex family dramas play out at your feet. 

• Small and intimate, with just six suites
• Newly rebuilt in 2025 with a focus on sustainability
• Romantic Star Baths make it a perfect retreat for honeymooners
• Located on a private concession, so night drives and walking safaris are allowed
• Seasonal excursions by mokoro (canoe) or motorized boat to explore the wetland habitat
• Facilities include a swimming pool, continuing the watery theme

Baines’ Lodge is the smallest and most intimate of our camps and lodges, with just six impeccably refurbished suites. Raised on stilts and linked by wooden walkways, they have a nautical feel – albeit transplanted into the reedy, wildlife-rich water-world of the Okavango Delta. The crack culinary team at Baines’ Lodge delivers sumptuous, safari-style dishes enlivened with African spices and flavors, to be savored in a setting as delicious as the chef’s baked kingklip (an ocean fish) with seasonal herbs. With its wickerwork ceiling, bare-wood flooring and organic design ethos, the dining area is bright and airy with uninterrupted views of the wetlands. At lunchtime, don’t miss dishes from the new Big Green Egg – a ceramic charcoal burner that barbecues, roasts, slow cooks, smokes, produces baked fruit and even makes pizza.

• A continental or English breakfast is served at the lodge before your morning game drive.
• Coffee, tea, pastries and biscuits are provided out in the bush.
• Lunch is served back at the lodge, with a wide choice including vegetarian dishes.
• On afternoon and evening game drives, stops are made at specially selected spots for classic sundowners and canapés.
• Back at the lodge, guests gather for pre-dinner drinks – perhaps a cocktail in the Explorer's Lounge or around the boma – followed by a three-course table d’hôte dinner with two or three choices per course.

Baines’ Lodge occupies a prime location on the Boro River, at the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve. This is the heart of the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, a unique and uniquely beautiful wetland habitat – the largest inland delta on earth, in the midst of the Kalahari. Its grassy plains flood seasonally and, from May to September, may be transformed into a 5,800-square-mile patchwork of winding waterways, lagoons and forested islands rich in wildlife – elephants, lions and birdlife in particular. Baines’ Lodge is an oasis within this oasis, a place where desert meets wetland and wilderness meets low-impact luxury.

Baines’ Lodge is set within a 260,000-acre private concession, meaning night drives after dark are permitted in search of nocturnal animals. Water crossings are another unique part of the experience, with the chance to see zebras standing belly-deep in the shallows, grazing. The delta is home to an estimated 9,000 species of flora and fauna; eyes peeled for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, impala, zebra, wild dog and hyena. The nearby Moremi Game Reserve, meanwhile, is a paradise of lily-covered wetlands, reed beds, riverine woodland, plains and mopane forest abundant in wildlife

Enhance your stay with these extraordinary experiences

• Games Drives-Expert-led game drives in the early morning and late afternoon take you into the thick of this unique and extraordinarily biodiverse habitat. Depending on the season and water levels, there may be the opportunity to venture out after dark on night game drives in search of nocturnal species.
• Mokoro Excursions: You are on the edge of the greatest inland river delta on earth – so it makes sense to explore it on water, when the season and conditions permit. The most traditional way is to take an excursion by mokoro, the local punt-like canoe made from jackalberry trees.
• Walking Safari-Grab your boots – nothing quickens the senses quite like a stroll in the African wilderness. And because Stanley's Camp is located within a private concession, guided walks are not merely possible but strongly recommended (weather permitting, as ever)
• Sceneic Helicoptor Flights-Fully personalized scenic helicopter flights give you a bird’s-eye view of large parts of the Okavango Delta that are unreachable by land or water. You will swoop and skim above an epic patchwork of waterways, palm islands, lagoons and sweeping floodplains. Note that this activity is at an additional cost.

When to Go

Green season usually lasts from late November until early March and features hot sunny days averaging 20C to 38C, with occasional, cooling afternoon thundershowers. Dry season runs from late May to early October. In June to August, winter temperatures can plummet as low as 0C at night with daily highs of around 27C.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Chief’s Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

• Naturally romantic setting on Chief’s Island, a jewel on the Okavango Delta
• The largest suites in the area, each with a wraparound terrace and private plunge pool
• A rich array of wildlife almost literally on your doorstep
• Seasonal excursions in traditional mokoro canoes to explore the wetlands
• Family-friendly with a dedicated children’s retreat, featuring a games room and interactive nature lessons
• Swimming pool, spa and gym for unwinding after game drives

Chief’s Island is one of the largest and most historically significant islands in the Moremi Game Reserve – located in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta on earth. The grassy plains flood seasonally and, between May and September, are in most years transformed into a 5,800-square-mile patchwork of winding waterways, lily-scattered lagoons and tiny islands, teeming with wildlife – elephants, lions and resident and migratory birds in particular. Chief’s Camp is an oasis within this oasis, where low-impact luxury meets grand-scale wilderness in view of a well-loved waterhole.

Chief’s Camp is a beautifully executed contemporary take on traditional safari style. Located on the north edge of Chief’s Island, the stilted camp overlooks the sprawling waterways of the Okavango Delta and its rich rollcall of wildlife, giving guests front-row seats to the permanent natural spectacle that plays out just beyond the terrace.

Though its rich royal heritage is referenced throughout, the camp today embraces a contemporary take on classic safari style. Wood is used generously, from the jackalberry logs hollowed out to make the traditional mokoros, to the whitewoods used to fashion the main bar where sundowners are served. Tactile woven rugs and sumptuous seating soften the living areas, with beaded chandeliers and wall-hangings rooting the decor in local craftsmanship. Accommodation is in 10 private thatched pavilions and the two-bedroom Geoffrey Kent Suite – all of which have their own private wraparound terrace with a close-to-nature outdoor shower, a plunge pool and panoramic views, so wildlife sightings are never far away. And if the sights and sounds of the Okavango aren’t soothing enough, the on-site spa offers environmentally conscious Africology treatments, rejuvenating facials, and therapeutic remedies to help guests fully unwind.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Stanley's Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

• Sublime Okavango Delta landscapes
• Very big on the big cats, and excellent for wildlife generally
• Classic safari style with minimal environmental footprint
• Seasonal excursions by mokoro to explore the wetland habitat
• Located on a private concession allowing walking safaris and night drives
• Just 10 luxury tents for an authentic, intimate experience – and a cooling infinity pool

Stanley’s Camp is a hymn to sustainable architecture and understated elegance set under the dappled shade of mature ebony and sausage trees in 260,000 acres of private concession bordering the southern section of the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve.

Style and drama collide to glorious effect in each of the 10 individually designed tented suites, beautifully positioned to maximize the panorama of the floodplains beyond, with private wooden decks from which the boundary between bush and bed dissolves. The main area – comprising a large, tented Explorer’s Lounge and dining space, plus an outdoor bar – affords magnificent views over the Okavango Delta floodplain in front of the camp, where big game regularly marches past. All of these elements have been designed to foster an unrivalled connection with nature to place guests at one with the wild.

And because there really is no greater pleasure than slipping into the water after a day on the delta, the camp features a striking infinity pool in full sight of the bush and its animals.

Stanley’s Camp is situated on a 260,000-acre private concession bordering the southern section of the Moremi Game Reserve. This is the heart of the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, a unique and uniquely beautiful wetland habitat – the largest inland delta on earth, in the midst of the Kalahari. The grassy plains of the delta flood seasonally and between May and September are transformed into a 15,000-square-kilometre patchwork of winding waterways, lagoons and tiny islands, teeming with wildlife – elephants, lions and resident and migratory birds in particular. Stanley’s Camp is an oasis within this oasis, where low-impact luxury meets grand-scale wilderness.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Ngorongoro Crater Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

• Intimate and minimalist, with just 10 pared-back guest tents and two bar/dining spaces
• Beautiful, forested setting in the shade of acacia trees – with an enchanting dawn chorus from the resident birdlife
• The unique topography of Ngorongoro Crater, abundant with zebras, lions, rhinos, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, warthogs and even the elusive leopard
• Encounters with local Maasai and the chance to take part in cultural activities
• Sundowners overlooking nature while warming yourself by the fire pit

Stanley’s Camp is a hymn to sustainable architecture and understated elegance set under the dappled shade of mature ebony and sausage trees in 260,000 acres of private concession bordering the southern section of the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve.

Style and drama collide to glorious effect in each of the 10 individually designed tented suites, beautifully positioned to maximize the panorama of the floodplains beyond, with private wooden decks from which the boundary between bush and bed dissolves. The main area – comprising a large, tented Explorer’s Lounge and dining space, plus an outdoor bar – affords magnificent views over the Okavango Delta floodplain in front of the camp, where big game regularly marches past. All of these elements have been designed to foster an unrivalled connection with nature to place guests at one with the wild. And because there really is no greater pleasure than slipping into the water after a day on the delta, the camp features a striking infinity pool in full sight of the bush and its animals.

Stanley’s Camp is situated on a 260,000-acre private concession bordering the southern section of the Moremi Game Reserve. This is the heart of the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, a unique and uniquely beautiful wetland habitat – the largest inland delta on earth, in the midst of the Kalahari. The grassy plains of the delta flood seasonally and between May and September are transformed into a 15,000-square-kilometre patchwork of winding waterways, lagoons and tiny islands, teeming with wildlife – elephants, lions and resident and migratory birds in particular. Stanley’s Camp is an oasis within this oasis, where low-impact luxury meets grand-scale wilderness.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Tambarare Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

• Spectacular secluded setting in the 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth
• Abundant wildlife with ample opportunity to see the Big Five and perfectly placed in front of a popular waterhole
• Activities beyond the usual safari fare, including meeting the northern white rhinos, lion tracking, and joining the anti-poaching dog unit
• First-class family friendly service and an utterly spoiling atmosphere
• Intimate camp, with just 10 rooms and one private villa
• Low-impact, high quality design and innovative sustainability efforts including a vertical garden providing homegrown greens for the chefs

With just 10 opulent tents and a private villa set deep in the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy among 90,000 acres of prime African plains, Tambarare Camp is the area’s most luxurious and exclusive camp. Pitched among fever trees in the shadow of Mount Kenya, the camp reflects a profound respect for nature with its thoughtful low-impact design that doesn’t skimp on wow-factor.

Strategically located to face a favorite gathering place for an extraordinary variety of game, it is a place where guests can enjoy drinks or dinner while revelling in widescreen views of buffaloes, zebras, rhinos, elands, and other species grazing on the plains. And with so few guests, an intimate experience is guaranteed. The main tent is lined with comfortable sofas and chairs to encourage relaxation and reflection, and its adjoining Boma Bar is just the setting for a well-earned sundowner and the sharing of stories.

Home to an enormous array of wildlife, the 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy – on the dramatic Laikipia Plateau, reached in about five hours from Nairobi – offers a range of day and night safaris, lion tracking, horse riding and guided bush walks. The protected rhino sanctuary that houses the last two northern white rhinos is also home to the largest black rhino population in East Africa, and the plains beyond are a haven for endangered species, the Big Five, and more than 500 bird species.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Kitirua Plains Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary

• Superb views of Mount Kilimanjaro
• One of the great elephant habitats of East Africa, with outstanding wildlife-spotting opportunities
• Located on a private concession allowing night drives
• Architecturally adventurous, locally inspired, eco-friendly design
• The opportunity to spend time among the local Maasai people
• Unwind after a day’s adventures with a dip in the pool

As nomadic stewards of the land, the Maasai have long understood how to exist alongside nature without disrupting it, a philosophy deeply embedded in the design of Kitirua Plains Lodge. Newly built in 2025-26, it is not only the latest addition to the A&K Sanctuary portfolio but also one of the most architecturally arresting – conceived not to mimic its environment but to meld unobtrusively with it. Curved walls and fluid rooflines echo the undulating terrain and the exterior plaster is blended with soil from the site to create harmony in texture and color. Even the pool, flanked by an earth-toned terrace of day beds, sits neatly within a patch of existing wetland.

Though you can marvel at the imperious Mount Kilimanjaro from your bed (or from your bath, for that matter) you will get even closer on daily game drives where it serves as the impossibly photogenic backdrop for herds of strolling elephants and other local wildlife. Make some time for a scenic helicopter flight or a spectacular hot-air balloon ride and you can get closer still – your lodge all but disappearing into the plains below as you ascend.

The name Amboseli is a corruption of empusel, which means “salty dusty place” in Maa, the language of the Maasai. “Salty and dusty” may not sound immediately appetizing – but nor would a margarita if you were to describe it as “salty and sour”. In fact, the landscape here, a UNESCO World Heritage site at the Kenya-Tanzania border, is one of intoxicating beauty and real enchantment – a deliciously balanced cocktail of wildlife-rich habitats, from deep-green marshes in the heart of the park to clusters of acacia forest in the east and great expanses of undulating savannah stretching all the way to the distant horizon. And with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, it's hard not to be awed.

Included:

Game Drives-Expert-led game drives in the early morning and late afternoon take you directly into this extraordinarily biodiverse habitat. Elephants are the stars of the show (and generally the easiest to spot), but Amboseli is also home to a tremendous variety of species, large and small.

Hot-Air Ballooning-Some things really are worth getting out of bed for before dawn, even when you’re on vacation. A hot-air balloon flight over Amboseli, watching Kilimanjaro take shape in the first rays of new morning sunshine, is surely one of them.

Maasai Community Visits-Kitirua Plains Lodge has a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with local Maasai communities. Join us in visiting some of these communities to see the work we’re doing to support healthcare services, education and community enterprise initiatives firsthand.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Sussi & Chuma Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary

• Just seven miles upstream from Victoria Falls on a quiet bend of the Zambezi River away from the crowds
• The only lodge in the area offering guided walking safaris, plus you can go fishing or rafting, and enjoy a sundowner cruise on the river
• Enchanting treehouse accommodation to charm adventurers aged six years and over
• Animals to spot in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park include impalas, zebras, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo and rhinos
• Numerous communal spaces for guests to enjoy, including a cozy lounge, dining area, bar and a striking swimming pool
• Established philanthropy project at Nakatindi Village including the school, bike shop, hospital and bead making workshop

Perhaps if more treehouses were built like the 12 at Sussi & Chuma Lodge, more of us would be living in them. Each is strategically positioned among the ebony trees lining the Zambezi riverbank and joined by wooden walkways. Outside they blend effortlessly into their leafy surroundings; under their thatched roofs inside is a luxurious layout of elegant safari-chic styling. From their private semi-enclosed decks, they offer dramatic river views, and the surround-sound natural accompaniment is as soothing a playlist as you will ever need.

Guests can commune in the main lodge building where the bar, fire-pit deck, open-air dining area and infinity pool are all angled towards the river – you can even gaze across the Zambezi during a revitalizing spa treatment. Upriver, the awe-inspiring falls produce a constant roar and a cloud of brilliant spray, sometimes rising to 2,000 feet or more and visible up to 30 miles away – hence the local name for the falls and the surrounding national park: Mosi-oa-Tunya or “the Smoke that Thunders”.

A place of remarkable contrasts: the lodge itself occupies a blissfully peaceful spot on a bend in the Zambezi within the splendid Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, surrounded by leafy jackalberry trees and majestic phoenix palms. Yet these smooth waters quickly gather momentum downstream, culminating in due course and spectacular fashion at Mosi-oa-Tunya itself, the waterfall to end all waterfalls. If the falls alone aren’t enough to take your breath away, the park is also home to an abundance of antelopes, zebras, giraffes, elephants, warthogs and a variety of birds. Since there are no predators, wildlife here is very relaxed, making for amazing photo opportunities.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary

• Perfectly placed for the Great Migration
• Opportunities to spot the Big Five, year round
• Enchanting riverside setting above a resident pod of snorting hippos
• Walking safaris and night drives in Oloisukut Conservancy
• Stylish and charming, with 15 spacious contemporary suites
• Brilliant local Maasai safari guides who get you close to the action

This is where the Sanctuary story began. Hidden away on a secluded stretch of the Mara River, bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Olonana was our first camp – a pioneer of modern safari style when it opened in 1999. Today, expanded and rebuilt, the lodge is a remarkable essay in pared-down contemporary design, softened by the artful use of local woods and stone, homespun textiles and African art. Solidly built and “mudded” each year by Maasai women using local clay, the 14 glass and adobe suites and the grand Geoffrey Kent Suite allow for deep sleep induced by the ambient noise of the river.

A heated swimming pool and a gym are set within an oasis that has been rewilded by staff and guests over the past decades. In the gardens, the chef grows organic ingredients for delicious farm-to-fork lunches and dinners served in the boma, a cool open-air lounge overlooking the river, where hippos wallow in the shade of acacias and iridescent hummingbirds flit across the water.

There is a children’s retreat, and spa treatments are available, but the biggest thrills lie in the great beyond. The Maasai Mara is where the Great Migration plays out from July to October – but, year-round, the brilliant Maasai guides will reveal the reserve’s natural and cultural wonders, from the Big Five to sessions learning about bushcraft. A stay at Olonana Lodge is a deeply immersive experience that will change the way you see the world.

Connoisseurs of the Maasai Mara – that vast, gorgeous expanse of wilderness in southwestern Kenya, at the border with Tanzania – know that its character changes subtly from one nook to the next. Olonana Lodge occupies a covetable position just north on the famous Mara Triangle, at the edge of the National Reserve – a marvellously secluded and leafy spot, between looming escarpment and fast-flowing river. Here the “Sanctuary” label seems especially apt. Below the terraces of the lodge, a resident pod of hippos wallows, snorting and harrumphing, in the shade of acacia trees, which screen Olonana from the outside world.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Kichakani Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

• The sheer scale, sweep and uplifting beauty of the Serengeti itself
• Intimate mobile camp following the Great Migration in two locations throughout the year
• Puts you smack bang in the middle of one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events
• Authentic close-to-nature safari experience – just you, the canvas, a bucket shower, and the bush (with plenty of cosseting contemporary touches)
• Abundant wildlife with ample opportunity to see the Big Five, and more than 500 bird species
• Communal evenings round the fire pit to swap tales of sightings

The name “Kichakani” is Swahili for “in the bush”, and this is exactly where you’ll find yourself at this extraordinary camp that celebrates the ultimate remote, close-to-nature experience. With two locations in the north and south Serengeti, guests can choose the best time to visit depending on their preferences. The northern location showcases an incredible view of wildebeest crossing the Mara River during the Great Migration from June to November, while the southern location enjoys a prime position for observing wildebeest calves, every December to March.

Kichakani Camp takes the traditional tented camping experience to luxurious new heights, offering a true immersion into the life of roaming 19th-century explorers. In an authentic touch, each ensuite bathroom features a traditional bucket shower, filled at the perfect temperature by a dedicated tent attendant. The stylish furniture, including handcrafted luggage, mid-century modern chairs and characterful cabinets, is all designed to be perfectly portable, and the large open-fronted communal tents are pitched to provide a panoramic setting for suppers, sundowners and relaxing afternoons. In the evenings, guests can gather around the traditional fire pit, swap stories under starry skies and listen to passionate guides share their knowledge of wildlife encounters and local legends. This enchanting light-touch home in the bush promises unforgettable up-close encounters.

You’ll find Kichakani amid the widescreen, unspoilt, acacia-dotted grandeur of the Serengeti National Park, though precisely which bit of the bush you’ll be in will depend on the time of year. The camp has two locations, one in the north, one in the south, to be in pole position for the Mara River crossing during the Great Migration, and for wildebeest calving season. As for the park itself, the Serengeti is widely considered the most magnificent in all of Africa. At 5,700 square miles of grassland plains, savannah, forest and woodlands, it is the largest park in Tanzania and also the oldest – and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. It bustles with elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, impalas, warthogs and reedbucks, all the likely big cat predators, and more elusive animals such as the African wild dog.

Kichakani’s skilled bush-kitchen team deliver first class safari-style cuisine with a local twist – from soups and salads to grilled meats, fish, and fresh vegetables (and plenty of thoughtful snacks). A dining wing of the main tent provides an idyllic setting for meals looking out over the plains, and romantic private dinners can be arranged around the camp on request. A well-stocked bar sits on the other side where you can settle in on comfortable sofas for a scenic sundowner or a nightcap. Beyond it is a fire pit surrounded by classic safari chairs (and blankets) for warming evenings under the stars to round off your day of exploring.

• A continental or English breakfast is served in camp before your morning game drive.
• Lunch is either back at the camp or picnic-style in the bush if you are out game-spotting.
• Sundowners are a delightful daily ritual, followed by a three-course dinner in the elegant mess tent, expertly assembled from fresh, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
• Picnic lunches can be arranged on request.



WHY YOU’LL LOVE Swala Camp, an A&K Sanctuary

• Spectacular location in Tarangire National Park, one of the most captivating and least visited parks in northern Tanzania, famed for its baobab trees and elephant herds
• Just 12 luxurious acacia-shaded tents, all with outdoor showers and views over the wildlife-drawing savannah
• Wildlife in and around the camp include elephants, a resident herd of impala, mongoose, leopards and lions
• As well as twice-daily game drives, additional activities include bush picnics, night drives, walking safaris and hot-air balloon rides
• The lounge, bar, and dining area are elevated decks built on stilts for optimal animal-spotting pleasure
• At the heart of the camp is a cooling swimming pool under the shade of an ancient baobab tree

Located deep inside Maasai country in Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most captivating but least-visited wilderness regions, Swala Camp has been consciously crafted in every detail to bring guests closer to nature. It fits snugly and sensitively into its surroundings beneath a natural canopy of acacia trees – stilted, thatched-roof communal areas are well-placed vantage points, a swimming pool is tucked neatly at the foot of an ancient baobab tree, a bijou boutique sells locally crafted wares, and just 12 spacious guest tents (with delightful outdoor showers) are pitched precisely for optimum views of the wildlife-drawing savannah.

Swala Camp is located in an out-of-the-way section of Tarangire National Park, an all too often overlooked gem of northern Tanzania. This is quintessential East African safari country: rolling savannah dotted with acacias, baobabs and termite mounds, with rivers and marshlands which, during the dry season, sustain the highest concentration of mammals in the country – including elephants, big cats, wild dogs, buffaloes, kudu, and more than 500 species of bird. When game from far and wide gathers at the park’s rivers, it provides the backdrop for some of nature’s most dramatic encounters – yours to witness free of the crowds that other parks in Tanzania tend to draw. Even while relaxing on the deck of your elevated lounge area, in the shade of a majestic baobab tree, you can gaze out at elephants and impala as they congregate before you for a drink at their prized waterhole.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary

• The extraordinary, uplifting, Himba-inspired architecture of the lodge
• A tranquil infinity pool with a spectacular view across the desert
• The chance to immerse yourself in the lives and culture of local Himba tribespeople
• Marvel at a desert sunset from atop a dune – with a sundowner, naturally
• Few people have set food in this remote location – or experienced the extraordinary desert safaris

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge may be truly off the beaten track, but its remoteness has been no obstacle to inspired design. The colors and textures echo the landscape, while the dramatic dome at its center is styled like a signature Himba home. Interiors are pared-back, pale and tactile, and the views – flat desert, rocky peaks, strolling giraffes, springbok and ostrich – are mesmerizing, particularly from the exquisite infinity pool.

There are just seven suites and one two-bedroom family villa – the only buildings with doors here. The rest, including the convivial dining room, are open-sided and positioned to frame different aspects of the awe-inspiring terrain beyond. Inside, the Bush Boutique showcases local artistry in an array of distinctive styles, stocking the likes of sandals, shoes, baskets, Himba perfume, clothing, sunglasses, bracelets, backpacks, necklaces, hats and much more besides. The setting, on the banks of the Hoarusib Riverbed, is the perfect base for adventures out into it – enjoy scenic drives in the desert with local guides, explore the region’s phenomenal clay castles, and sip sundowners as the sun sets over the dunes. As the fires are lit each evening, take some time to gaze up and admire the expanse of stars – you’ll be struck by just how few people have had the privilege of sitting beneath this particular patch of inky sky.

However much you may have read, seen or heard about Namibia, nothing can quite prepare you for your first actual visit. The raw splendor of its landscapes must be seen to be believed. Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is as out-there as it gets, situated on the banks of the Hoarusib River, within the Puros Conservancy – breathtaking testament to Namibia’s rich biodiversity and a true haven for nature enthusiasts. The conservancy encompasses a vast stretch of untouched terrain where wildlife – the big, the small, the native, the migratory – thrives in its natural habitats.