Africa is where the safari lodge category was built and where our review inventory is deepest. Nine countries carry a serious lodge circuit; four (Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa) do most of the heavy lifting. Coastal properties in Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius and the Cape offer honest downtime after five days on game drives.
Country hubs
Botswana (Delta and Chobe), Kenya (Mara + Amboseli + Laikipia), Tanzania (Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Ruaha), South Africa (Kruger + Sabi Sands + Timbavati), Namibia (Sossusvlei + Etosha + Skeleton Coast), Zambia (South Luangwa + Lower Zambezi), Zimbabwe (Mana Pools + Hwange + Victoria Falls), Rwanda (Volcanoes gorillas + Nyungwe chimps), Mozambique (Bazaruto + Quirimbas).
Best time to combine countries
Botswana + Cape Town in October. Kenya + Tanzania in August. South Africa + Mozambique in September. Rwanda + Kenya plains in June. Namibia + Botswana in May.