Each year, we ask our readers to vote for the best safari lodges and camps in the world. From elephant camps to tiger reserves, take a look at our readers’ favorite lodges and camps.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa — Superb luxury lodge on a private tract of riverfront land in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve bordering the unfenced boundary of Kruger National Park.
Kalahari Desert, Botswana — Unique, extremely well-run camp at the edge of the Kalahari’s Makgadikgadi salt pans, an hour by air southeast of Maun.
Okavango Delta, Botswana — Lavish enclave facing a picturesque savannah floodplain in an area teeming with wildlife near the northwest tip of Chief’s Island. The camp consists of two separate facilities connected by elevated walkways: Mombo, with nine stylish guest quarters; and Little Mombo, with three.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa — Refined riverside enclave about five minutes’ drive from Singita Boulders Lodge, comprising 12 expansive air-conditioned suites that evoke the colonial era with antique furniture, handwoven fabrics, 19th-century prints, wood fires and African artifacts.
Kruger National Park, South Africa — The design of Royal Malewane evokes a colonial atmosphere, with English furnishings, Persian carpets and African tribal artifacts.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania — Intimate, comfortable camp of just six tents overlooking a huge U-shaped bend of the Mara River and providing a front-row seat from which to observe the annual wildebeest river crossings.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa — Deluxe riverside enclave under a canopy of ebony trees on its own private game reserve adjacent to Singita. The five independent, family-run camps (totaling 32 chalets and suites) are connected by trails.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania — Luxurious and imaginatively designed safari lodge perched in a cloud forest on the panoramic 7,000-foot rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Okavango Delta, Botswana — Luxury camp amid a shady grove of trees overlooking an immense lagoon on Chief’s Island. Pavilions are raised on stilts and feature polished teakwood floors, sturdy canvas ceilings and siding, insect-proof net windows and French doors offering access to private verandas.
Chobe National Park, Botswana — Classically styled safari camp in the private 320,000-acre Selinda Reserve, overlooking picturesque Zibadianja Lagoon.
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania — Unrivaled luxury safari lodge in a 350,000-acre private concession, set on a hilltop overlooking the Serengeti plains and offering one of the grandest views in Africa.
Kruger National Park, South Africa — Set on a 37,000-acre private concession, this extraordinary safari lodge comprises 15 dramatic suites constructed almost entirely from glass.
Okavango Delta, Botswana — Distinctive camp known as the preeminent place to ride African elephants, set on a 500,000-acre private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta.
South Africa — Eight atmospheric thatched cottages overlook the Sterkstroom River on the 30,000-acre Shambala Private Game Reserve, a three-hour drive north of Johannesburg.
Ranthambore National Park, India — Wilderness camp at the edge of Ranthambore National Park, three hours by train south of Delhi and four hours by car southeast of Jaipur.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya — Ideally located on the exclusive western side of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, this idyllic camp, comprised of 14 “tented” bungalows, overlooks the Mara River.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya — Sumptuous property with four elegantly appointed tents, a two-bedroom cottage and a self-contained three-bedroom house within private 100-square-mile conservancy on Lewa Downs with clear-day views of snowy Mount Kenya.
Rajasthan, India — Luxury camp at the edge of Ranthambore National Park. Its 25 air-conditioned tents come with teak floors, embroidered canopies, luxurious baths, DVD players and broadband Wi-Fi, plus private walled gardens.
Kalahari Desert, South Africa — Distinctive game reserve in a 220,000-acre conservation area owned by the Oppenheimer family at the edge of the Kalahari.
Chobe National Park, Botswana — Comfortable camp overlooking an oxbow lagoon in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve (on the western boundary of Chobe National Park), with excellent wildlife-viewing and a large elephant population, especially during winter.
1. Singita Boulders Lodge - Courtesy of Singita
2. Jacks Camp - © David Crookes
3. Mombo Camp - © Dana Allen
4. Singita Ebony Lodge - Courtesy of Singita / © Mark Williams
6. Singita Mara Tented Camp - Courtesy of Singita / © Mark Williams
9. Sanctuary Chiefs Camp - © Sanctuary Retreats
10. Zarafa Camp - © DOOK
11. Singita Sasakwa Lodge - Courtesy of Singita / © Mark Williams
12. Singita Lebombo Lodge - Courtesy of Singita / © Mark Williams
13. Abu Camp - © Wilderness Safaris / Mickey Hoyle
15. Aman i Khas - Courtesy of Amanresorts
16. Sanctuary Olonana - © Sanctuary Retreats
19. Tswalu Kalahari - © Michael Poliza
20. Kings Pool Camp - © Wilderness Safaris / Mickey Hoyle
