10 Southern African lodges to visit in 2023

Posted on 4 January 2023

Last year was all about getting back to travelling: the thrill of being on a plane, or waking up in a safari camp.

Written by Kim Barnett

However, this year’s travel is about finding destinations that are more off the beaten track and away from the masses. There’s nothing quite like finding those elusive undiscovered spots. Check out our top ten lesser-known destinations this year:

1. Great Tsau Hill Lodge

southern african lodges

On the fringe of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, stands Great Tsau Hill Lodge proudly above the surrounding grasslands. The unique desert-adapted wildlife species make for excellent game viewing. However, the sparkling silence of the night illuminated by the stars makes this luxury lodge one well worth a visit. Be sure to request a night camping under the Milky Way in a luxurious Star Bed!

2. Meno a Kwena

Alternatively, check out Meno a Kwena, situated in Botswana’s more arid regions. Meno a Kwena accommodates guests in 10 spacious safari tents, each decorated with a hint of the safaris of a bygone era.  The adjacent Makgadikgadi Pan appears featureless in the dry season but is miraculously transformed with the summer rains. The summer rains precede the arrival of the zebra migration and countless waterbirds.

3. Rupara Campsite

At the eastern extreme of the Zambezi Region, you’ll find Rupara Campsite on the banks of the Kwando-Linyanti river system. It is ideal for self-drive campers looking for a well-maintained site complete with ablution blocks and barbeque facilities. Regarded as the best place in Namibia for birding, it is ideal for visiting in the dry season, from July to September, as some roads become impassable after the rains. This is truly a destination for the nature lover looking to avoid crowds.

4. Doro Nawas Camp

Located in the extreme northwest of Namibia, Damaraland is a stark contrast to the watery environment of the Zambezi Region. The area is home to desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos. At the same time, the indigenous people for whom Doro Nawas Camp is named continue to live as their ancestors have for millennia. The lodge offers luxurious accommodations, with guests enjoying spacious suites, private outdoor showers, and endless, ever-changing panoramas.

5. King Lewanika

southern african lodges

Moving northeast to Zambia, the vast grasslands and mixed woodlands of Liuwa Plains National Park are home to one of our most endangered predators, Lycaon pictus, the painted wolf. It is also the location of a camp named for King Lewanika, whose foresight saw the area protected in the 1880s. As the only permanent camp in the park, it continues the late king’s conservation mission by being built from locally sourced materials and solar power. The camp’s six safari tents are dressed with age-old safari traditions in mind, each spaced for privacy and appreciation of this jaw-droppingly beautiful landscape.

6. Kutali Camp

In the remote east of the Lower Zambezi National Park, in an acacia forest, Kutali Camp welcomes guests with its scenic charms. As a seasonal camp, visitors get to “rough-it-in-style”; bespoke safari tents positioned for optimal views of the river and comfortably furnished. Some say that the park offers the finest game viewing in Africa. Many say that no one ever leaves disappointed by the sheer variety of wildlife seen. The guides take the safari experience to a different level with their astounding knowledge of the African bush.

7. Jollyboys Backpackers

No trip to Zambia would be complete without seeing the largest waterfall in the world. And the nearby town of Livingstone is the launch site for a huge variety of adrenaline-soaked activities. The town boasts excellent budget accommodation options such as Jollyboys Backpackers.

8. Luxurious Livingstone accommodation

It is worth splurging on a more luxurious Zambezi riverside view. Check out one of these fantastic options:

  • Victoria Falls Waterfront
  • · Loka Leya
  • · Thorntree River Lodge
  • · Tongabezi Lodge
  • · The River Club Zambia
  • · Chundukwa Lodge
southern african lodges

Guests get to savour the view of Africa’s most glorious sunsets before sitting down to enjoy world-class dining experiences. Activities in the area include game viewing, white water rafting, bungee jumping, and scenic flights over Victoria Falls.

9. Davison’s Camp

southern african lodges

For a classic Zimbabwean safari experience composed of abundant wildlife and sumptuous lodgings, check out Davison’s Camp in the renowned Hwange National Park. Catering to the wildlife enthusiast, the camp evokes times past when safari meant exploring the self and the surroundings. Designed in a palette that reflects the tones and textures of the surrounding bush, guests are pampered with delicious cuisine and plush facilities. You can also interact with the community and have a behind-the-scenes look at the park’s specialist anti-poaching unit.

10. Khayelitshe House

southern african lodges

The Matobo Hills comprise a series of huge granite outcrops and massive time-weathered boulders rising above the landscape in southwestern Zimbabwe. Set in their midst on the outskirts of the Matobo National Park, you’ll find Khayelitshe House. Fully serviced with four immaculate en-suite rooms, this is the ideal spot for extended families or groups of friends to come together. Located on a large tract of private, pristine wilderness, it is entirely off-grid, ensuring an “at-one-with-nature” experience without compromising comfort. Game drives, walking safaris, bird-watching, and visits to ancient rock art sites are all included.

Jump into your new year travel plans with inspiration. With so many magnificent attractions and destinations, you’ll surely keep the wanderlust at bay.

Pictures: Supplied

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