Top Budget Friendly Lodges

our top 10 recommended choices

South Africa has always been one of the top safari destinations in the world, offering unrivalled Big 5 viewing opportunities and stunning, lavish budget safari accommodations. The selection of budget lodges available to travellers is extensive, ranging from rustic, intimate, charming and family-friendly. A South African safari promises absolute comfort, thrilling wildlife and scenic views as well as tranquillity and in the dense African bushland. Have a look at our top South African safari lodges and join us on a South African safari holiday!

Guernsey Private Nature Reserve

Kusudalweni Safari Lodge ★★★★

1At Kusudalweni Safari Lodge & Spa in Hoedspruit South Africa, guests can look forward to every comfort and convenience, including game drives conducted by knowledgeable nature guides, a full-service restaurant that serves the very best in Pan African wines and cuisine, as well as al fresco boma barbeques prepared by talented chefs. Contemporary and luxuriously furnished chalets are stylish with an understated opulence, rooms were designed and decorated to allow for a decidedly unique bushveld stay. Imagine a cool, calm oasis of crisp, white Percale linen, gentle air-conditioning and utter privacy where you can retreat to enjoy a refreshing afternoon rest, peaceful evening slumber or linger on your private deck over a glass of wine or a good book. Each chalet has its own private plunge pool/ jacuzzi for your enjoyment.

combine the rustic nature of a bushveld retreat with the style and elegance you’d expect of a first rate safari destination.

Hluhluwe

Ezulwini Game Lodge ★★★★★

2Ezulwini offer four private and spacious luxury suites, complete with a personal lounge, mini-bar, dining area, super king-size bed, en-suite bath, indoor and outdoor shower, private plunge pool and a deck with unspoiled views of the surrounding bush. Billy’s Lodge also boasts one of the finest wine cellars in Africa; set against the natural rock face in resemblance of an ancient Bushman cave. This luxury lodge is located in the Riverine Forest, which boasts the magnificent Olifants River–largest in all of the lowveld. This region is home to hippos, crocodiles, elephants and other massive Riverine trees. River Lodge is the venue for any avid bird watcher.

combines romance and adventure with luxury suites and private plunge pools, which overlook the hippo-filled Olifants River.

Kruger National Park

Shishangeni ★★★★

3Shishangeni is legendary when it comes to experiencing unforgettable African safaris that evoke mystery, wonder and above all else, adventure. Our camps offer big 5 game viewing, superior service, excellent cuisine, and accommodation to rival any in southern Africa. Experience magnificent sunsets, all manner of beast and prey at the watering hole, early morning or late afternoon game drives in search of the ‘Big 5’ with an expert guide, boma fires under an African sky, pampering at the spa, a splash in the pool, sundowners in the bush and endless photo opportunities.

legendary when it comes to experiencing unforgettable African safaris that evoke mystery, wonder and above all else, adventure.

Madikwe Game Reserve

Rhulani Safari Lodge ★★★★★

4Enjoy the total privacy of your own private plunge pool while you relax in the spacious luxury of your private chalet. The seven chalets are air-conditioned for warm summer evenings and have a Morso fireplace for the cool winter nights. All rooms are fully equipped with coffee and tea stations and a fully stocked bar fridge. The en-suite bathrooms have an oval bath, twin basins, indoor and outdoor showers. The two-bedroom luxury family suite has two en-suite bedrooms, with outdoor showers.

An oasis of calm, a place to nourish the soul and lift the spirit.

Makalali Concervancy

Garonga Safari Camp ★★★★

5Garonga Safari Camp is an exclusive 12 bed camp in the 22,000 hectare greater Makalali Conservancy situated west of the Kruger National Park. Garonga Safari Camp is a proud member of Classic Safari Camps of Africa. Garonga Safari Camp reflects the surroundings of the bush’s textured earthy colours and clean lines have been incorporated with fine linen to ensure pure comfort, a tempting place to lie and meditate for hours. The luxury tents are situated overlooking a dry riverbed – each with a wooden deck complete with hammock that commands spectacular views.

relaxing and holistic wilderness experience allowing you the time to reflect and find inspiration in nature.

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Umkumbe Safari Lodge ★★★

6Due to the position and openness of Umkumbe Safari lodge, there are excellent game viewing opportunities for small mammals, various types of antelope and much more throughout the day. Umkumbe is a well-run and comfortably luxurious game lodge that strives to fulfil their guests’ desires of an unprecedented wildlife experience. The perfect location of this lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve allows guests to participate in exciting game drives to see an amazing array of wild animals. This includes the magnificent Big 5 (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo), wild dog, cheetah and hundreds more. Umkumbe is very good at offering safari drives that include the Big 5 and plenty of additional animals that you often do not even expect to see.

Umkumbe is informal, relaxed and ideal for guests wanting an authentic safari in a premier private reserve.

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Arathusa Safari Lodge ★★★★

7Arathusa Safari Lodge offers an exceptional safari experience – expect a high concentration of an assortment of game, including the Big 5, and frequent leopard sightings. Arathusa Safari Lodge is situated on a large waterhole, ensuring interesting game and bird viewing from the comfort of the camp. Standard and private luxury accommodation options, exceptional service, value for money and luxury spa services from Arathusa Safari Lodge are just a few of the things that put Arathusa Safari Lodge in a league of its own.

unique and highly sought-after by visitors because of its prime location within the Sabi Sand Reserve, adjacent to the unfenced Kruger National Park.

AM Luxury Private Reserve

AM Lodge ★★★★★

8AM Lodge is a 5-star Private Luxury Game Lodge unlike any other in the Klaserie region in South Africa. Inspired by the hues, textures, and contours of the Lowveld landscape, these facets of nature are amplified through pure and simple architecture that integrates land and building.This exquisitely crafted architectural masterpiece is established in the heart of the African bush. Water features throughout the public areas of the main lodge serve as a reminder of its proximity to the Klaserie River, a lifeblood for the fauna and flora of the Greater Kruger National Park.

Unlike any other Safari Experience, AM Lodge offers an unforgettable 5 star luxury experience.

Kapama Buffalo Camp

Kapama Buffalo Camp ★★★★★

9Buffalo Camp is reminiscent of a traditional African safari, offering the ultimate tented accommodation. The camp consists of 10 luxury safari tents that are incredibly spacious and complete with everything needed to ensure maximum comfort for guests. Safari activities such as game drives, bird watching and nature walks are available from Kruger National Park.

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which.

Addo Elephant National Park

Kuzuko Lodge ★★★★★

10Also known as the “Place of Glory”, Kuzuko Lodge is built high upon a hill in a private section of the northern part of the malaria-free Addo Elephant Park. It is here where breathtaking views from your private veranda, are complemented by luxurious chalets and warm, attentive service. All chalets have a private deck, en-suite bathroom with bath and separate shower, colour television, direct dial telephones, digital safes, wifi, mini-bar and tea and coffee facilities.

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which.

Tailor-made

We tailor-make safaris that take you to the real Africa – no readymade tours or set departures.

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