African safaris have upped their game . We 're not talking about the `` Big Five '' beasts -- lion , leopard , elephant , rhino , buffalo -- that people pay top dollar to see . We 're talking about the accommodations . For those with budgets as grand as the sweeping plains of southern and eastern Africa , exploring the wilderness need n't come at the expense of luxury . Lake Manyara Tree Lodge ( Lake Manyara National Park , Tanzania ) Lake Manyara is the only permanent lodge within Lake Manyara National Park -- it comprises 10 stilted tree house suites in the boughs of ancient mahogany trees . The words `` tree house '' might be misleading -- there 's not a splintered plank in sight . Instead , there are free-standing bath tubs ( complete with a nightly sprinkling of rose petals ) and enormous bathrooms with twin sinks and split-level living areas . After dusty safaris , guests are welcomed back with gin and tonics and cold , scented towels . Lake Manyara Tree Lodge , Lake Manyara National Park , Tanzania ; +27 11 809 4300 ; from $ 555 per person per night . Cottars 1920s Camp ( Masai Mara , Kenya ) As revealed by the date in its name , Cottars harks back to a `` golden age '' of safari by kitting out staff in vintage livery and furnishing quarters with antiques . On the outskirts of the Masai Mara , the camp has 10 tents in total -- five doubles , four family-sized and one for honeymooners . The latter have fireplaces and separate living rooms . Guests can eat in the well appointed communal dining area or opt for a candlelit meal within the privacy of their own tent . Cottars 1920s Camp , Masai Mara , Kenya ; +254 7337 73377 ; From $ 520 per person per night . Mahali Mzuri ( Motorogi Conservancy , Kenya ) The 12 suites at Richard Branson 's safari camp are tents in name only . The units all have enormous canopied verandas replete with roll-top bath tub and infinity pool . After a day of lion spotting , guests retreat to the Nasaro spa tent where the signature treatment is a `` healing journey '' involving rose quartz and amethyst . Dinner is served in a communal area but staff can arrange champagne barbecues in the bush . Mahali Mzuri , Motorogi Conservancy , Masai Mara , Kenya ; +44 208 600 0430 ; from $ 800 per room per night . Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Retreat ( Western Cape , South Africa ) Bushmans Kloof Nature Reserve makes no pretense of being under canvas , housing its 16 luxurious rooms and suites within a main lodge or individual cottages . Although the Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve is n't a Big Five reserve , it does contain bushman 's rock paintings and is home to the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra . Those staying in the main lodge get their own private chef and ranger along with a private pool and library . The spa is enormous , with a pool , crystal steam room , health bar and gym . Bushmans Kloof , Western Cape , South Africa ; +27 27 482 8200 ; from $ 230 per person per night . Royal Malewane ( Kruger National Park , South Africa ) Nicolas Sarkozy , Bono and Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen have all stayed at this luxurious safari camp , where highlights include private infinity pools , enormous , window-side baths and personal butlers , rangers and trackers . Even the safari guides are classy -- one of them is Wilson Masiya , one of only two `` master trackers '' ( the highest rank a wildlife tracker can achieve ) working in southern Africa . Royal Malawene , Kruger National Park , South Africa ; +27 15 793 0150 ; from $ 1,197 per person per night . Ivory Lodge ( Lion Sands Reserve , South Africa ) There are no mini-bars at the Ivory Lodge , only maxi-bars rammed with cured meats , chocolate , nougat and fruit . There are six plush villas in total -- all come with private infinity pools and spacious decking areas rigged out with telescopes . This area of Kruger National Park is unaffected by migration so the wildlife viewing is consistently good , and is especially popular with bird watchers . Ivory Lodge , Lion Sands Reserve , South Africa ; +27 13 735 5000 ; from $ 503 per person per night . Khwai River Lodge ( Moremi Wildlife Reserve , Botswana ) A safari camp by the company that operates the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is never going to be too shabby . Khwai River Lodge offers enormous private viewing platforms , complimentary Zeiss binoculars , and an intercom system to summon room service . The private suite features an infinity pool in which guests can wallow while watching hippos on the riverbank overlooking the pool doing the same . Khwai River Lodge , Moremi Wildlife Reserve , Botswana ; +27 21 483 1600 ; from $ 875 per person per night . Tswalu Kalahari ( South Africa ) Owned by De Beers diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer , Tswalu Kalahari is modeled on a traditional Tswana village -- albeit one that 's clearly won the lottery . Guests do n't just get their very own enormous tent , complete with fireplace and mini-bar , they get their own ranger , guide and Land Rover . This means itineraries are totally flexible . The camp can accommodate a maximum of just 30 people who eat in the communal dining area or on their tent 's private deck , with just a telescope and bottle of vintage wine for distractions . Tswalu Kalahari , Kalahari , Kenya ; +27 53 781 9331 ; from $ 933 per person per night . Chinzombo ( South Luangwa National Park , Zambia ) Going on safari could seem like a nuisance for anyone ensconced in the luxury at Chinzombo . The camp 's six villas , which opened earlier this year , all have private dining areas , lounges , libraries and tree-shaded pools with viewing decks . There 's also a large yoga area and a spa . For those who do tear themselves away to spot some animals , the camp is surrounded by 60 acres of private land , and its position on the banks of the Luangwa River means there 's no shortage of wildlife . Guests also get direct access into one of the most game-rich areas of the South Luangwa National Park . Chinzombo , South Luangwa National Park , Zambia , +44 1980 849160 ; from $ 254 per person per night . Four Seasons Safari Lodge ( Serengeti National Park , Tanzania ) For those that want safari and the comfort of a hotel , there 's the Four Seasons Safari Lodge . There are 77 guestrooms , 12 suites ( with private plunge pools ) and five villas -- all of which come with rooms large enough to accommodate a herd of bison . At night , hotel staff armed with flashlights are posted along the hotel 's elevated walkways in case guests accidentally stumble into the bush . The best feature is the hotel 's most popular television channel . Sadly , it 's not CNN , but a live stream from a web cam positioned over the local watering hole . Four Seasons Safari Lodge ; Serengeti National Park , Tanzania ; +255 778 888 888 ; from around $ 990 per night .
Khwai River 's `` super safari '' camps and hotels bring luxury to the Richard Branson . Bono , bush and Nicolas Sarkozy are some of the guests at these `` camps '' Kenya 's Mahali Mzuri Kruger National Park kits out staff in vintage livery .