Some lodges just manage to deliver "romance" better than others - here's our selection of lodges to consider when your focus may be more on your better half than on the game drives!
RE-OPENING 1 DEC! Fantastic 20-suite lodge boasting superb contemporary style and luxury which enjoys a stunning location under the shade of the magnificent trees lining the banks of a permanent pool on the Selati river!
Becks is an interesting blend of old and new - the public areas boast unashamedly modern and contemporary styling and décor that'll appeal to those bored by the old traditional game lodge design rule-book, whilst the 10 stylish and luxurious suites...
Stunningly stylish contemporary lodge consisting of 12 luxurious and ultra-mod suites (10 with private plunge pools!) scattered on a hillside enjoying superb views over an oxbow bend in the White Umfolozi river below!
Perched on the banks of the Mpanamana dam, the 5 romantic semi-tented suites of Camp Shawu are our first choice of accommodation amongst the 3 lodges that occupy this stunningly game-rich concession in the far south-eastern corner of the Kruger!
Combines stylish contemporary suites (including gorgeous private plunge pools) with one of the busiest water holes in the Sabi Sands reserve!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Clifftop stands out for its stunning location, its 8 spacious room (with private plunge polls!) overlooking a spectacular gorge, as well as its unusual trademark white colour palette which makes for an exciting break from traditional...
INCLUDES DRINKS! A superb riverside location + hugely luxurious and spacious suites + fantastic game viewing + unmatched intimacy (just 3 suites!) = SENSATIONAL!
INCLUDES DRINKS! The 6 luxurious newly renovated suites with (heated) private plunge pools looking out over the Mabrak riverbed provide a wonderfully romantic base for great game viewing!
INCLUDES DRINKS! One of our top luxury picks in the Sabi Sand with sensational views over the Sand River making game viewing an all-day event from the comfort of your private deck complete with plunge pool!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Garonga with its unusually styled and very attractive tented rooms was one of the pioneers of the "new style" safari experience when it burst onto the scene back in the late '90's – you must try the gorgeous open-air bush bath...
INCLUDES DRINKS! A superb old-school luxury experience staying in 6 exquisite traditional safari tents, now with private plunge pools and outdoor salas so you can enjoy game viewing from the comfort of your own deck – Hamilton's is a wonderfully...
This gorgeous little tented camp with just 4 stunning rooms is one of the undiscovered gems of the Eastern Cape – a stylish and romantic bush escape!
This luxurious lodge (a member of the highly prestigious Relais & Chateaux) offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to personally interact with a herd of elephants!
OPENING 1 JULY. DRINKS INCLUDED! Stunning re-invention after the old Jaci's lodges were destroyed by flooding in 2025 - this newly built 10-room lodge raises Jaci's to a completely different level altogether, with the gorgeously contemporary new...
Gorgeous tented suites offering old world safari style and romance with contemporary luxury to guests who will also enjoy excellent game viewing!
DRINKS INCLUDED! One of THE most stylish designs of any game lodge in the country with extensive use of raw wood, a neutral colour palette and modern airy open-plan style!
Stunning rooms and great service are the stand-out features of this upmarket lodge overlooking a busy waterhole in the Timbavati.
Gracious old-style hospitality combines with the atmosphere of a 1920’s South African lowveld homestead (and fabulous game viewing!)
Just 5 suites in a stunningly pretty location overlooking the Kuvjename River – add in decent leopard sightings and consistently decent value-for-money rates and Kuname becomes a hugely attractive proposition!
DRINKS INCLUDED! The luxurious and hugely romantic Great Fish River Lodge is set along the lush green banks of the river after which it is named – this is 30 000 hectares of prime game viewing territory in the heart of the Eastern Cape!
One of the most attractive lodges in the Welgevonden with the public areas and 6 suites exhibiting understated contemporary style and luxury - the private plunge pools, stunning bathrooms and waterhole hide are particular highlights!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Stunning hilltop views from luxurious suites complete with private plunge pools set Leopard Hills apart from other top lodges!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Take in the gorgeous views of the Lebombo mountains from the private plunge pool or hammock on your deck at this 9-room lodge offering excellent value for money!
Sensational location on top of a 100 foot high cliff overlooking the Palala river combined with some of the most gorgeously luxurious rooms in South Africa, makes this one of the most exciting new lodges to be launched in this country for many years!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Stunning 9 room luxury lodge perfectly positioned on the banks of the Sabie river - watch the game come down to the river to drink from the comfort of your private plunge pool!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Relax on your private wooden deck overlooking the Sabie river or chill in your private plunge pool as the animals come down to drink at the river right in front of you!
Probably our pick of the Nambiti lodges - the 10 very spacious and luxurious air-conditioned suites at Lions Valley are cleverly decorated to give them completely different identities based on different themes!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Our choice as arguably THE most stylish and luxurious lodge in the Pilanesberg – Lush has just 8 spacious rooms each boasting the latest in contemporary safari style, including private plunge pools!
INCLUDES DRINKS! One of the most stylish and luxurious of all the Madikwe lodges - gorgeous suites complete with private plunge pools on your deck overlooking a waterhole!
Oozes authentic African style using natural materials like tree trunks in a rustic but very stylish way and combining this with all the latest mod-cons.
Unapologetically traditional in style, Makweti really delivers a quality safari experience with elegantly luxurious accommodation (including private plunge pools for 4 of its 5 rooms), superb personal service, a maximum of just 6 people on a vehicle...
INCLUDES DRINKS! Situated beneath the towering Waterberg Mountains in a malaria-free reserve boasting the Big Five and spectacular landscapes, we really love the superbly styled and luxurious tented suites here, their stunningly contemporary designs...
DRINKS INCLUDED! A stunningly stylish and luxurious new lodge of 5 gorgeous suites in the private Black Rhino reserve area that will delight fans of new contemporary game lodge architecture and design!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Extremely classy and elegant yet hugely welcoming top-end luxury lodge that attracts rave reviews from guests - in fact, Monwana was voted the No. 1 Safari Lodge in Africa by the readers of the prestigious travel magazine Travel +...
INCLUDES DRINKS! One of the most stylish and upmarket lodges in the Nambiti reserve boasting superb views out over the southern reaches of the reserve.
Previously known as Camp Ndlovu, this is a lovely upmarket lodge in traditional style with a gorgeous deck perched literally above an active waterhole - class, elegance and superb service is delivered in spades!
A wonderfully chic and stylishly contemporary take on the traditional tented safari lodge, Ngala Tented Camp also delivers great game viewing in its exclusive traversing area in the southern part of the Timbavati!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Attractive tented camp with a beautiful location along the banks of the Komati River in a scenic reserve full of big game just 3 hours drive from Gauteng.
INCLUDES DRINKS! Personally run by the Notten family, this charmingly simple camp offers a romantic and truly authentic bush experience with breathtaking Big 5 game viewing!
Zen inspired glass-walled suites on stilts nestled within an ancient sand forest are some of the most stylish and unique rooms in South Africa!
With just 6 luxurious suites carved into Phinda's rocky hillside, Rock Lodge offers up unusual Mexican adobe-inspired architecture.
Overlooking an open wetland complete with a watering hole, this wonderfully stylish and private lodge brings you up close and personal game encounters!
An attractive and charming camp in a scenic riverbank location on a prime Kruger concession just north of Skukuza – attractive and luxurious yet understated!
Here at Bushscapes we make no secret of the fact that we LOVE tented camps – for an absolute cracker, look no further than this stylish and intimate new lodge consisting of just 5 luxurious tented suites in Zululand’s Manyoni Reserve!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Stunning modern tented lodge that brilliantly manages to break the traditional tented game lodge styling mould - a worthy flagship of the Thornybush collection!
If it’s space you’re after then look no further than the huge 120 m2 suites at Sediba! Add in your own private Jacuzzi on your deck and you can see that a stay here promises to deliver a romantic experience par excellence!
Winner of the World's Leading Luxury Lodge in 2018 and 2019, this stunning contemporary ultra-luxury lodge in the Sabi Sand reserve is now available to South Africans at never-to-be-repeated prices!
INCLUDES DRINKS! One of our favourites - when you’re not on the trail of big cats, your lovely deck with private plunge pools and relaxing sala is the perfect spot to while away the hours at this gorgeous lodge located in the north of the Sabi Sands!
DRINKS INCLUDED! Gorgeous contemporary tents complete with private plunge pools are the standout feature here along with the commanding hilltop position with views of the dammed up river below!
INCLUDES DRINKS! With its more contemporary styling and decor this is one of the top lodges in the Pilanesberg with just 5 absolutely gorgeous suites set within a tamboti forest!
INCLUDES DRINKS! One of the most stunning transformations we've ever seen, this legendary old tented camp rebuilt in 2023 now boasts 9 superbly luxurious hybrid glass-and-canvas suites (with heated plunge pools!) that, along with the gorgeous main...
andBeyond's flagship new Sabi Sands lodge boasts 9 incredibly stylish and luxurious suites with private plunge pools overlooking the Sand River - wonderfully elegant yet contemporary style that instantly places it in the very top echelon of game...
Laze in your sala or take a dip in your private plunge pool – the 9 gorgeous and wonderfully spacious villas are some of the most luxurious around!
CLOSED CURRENTLY DUE TO FLOOD DAMAGE. Soak up the 180 degree views from the spectacular cliff top location overlooking the Luvuvhu River below – the stunning open-fronted design of the rooms are unashamedly contemporary and stylish and make the most...
Wonderfully stylish and luxurious lodge with private plunge pools - it also offers perhaps the least crowded and rushed safari experience in the Kruger area!
Long regarded as one of the most prestigious lodges in the Pilanesberg, the luxurious rooms at Tshukudu are set high on a hilltop with great views over a plain complete with waterhole below.
With just 5 lovely suites on a hillside giving wonderful views of the mountains of the Waterberg, this is a great choice for couples looking for a romantic break!
INCLUDES DRINKS! Stunning top-end luxury lodge of just 4 superb suites which manages to stand out from competitors through the use of unusual feature materials which complement the hugely attractive contemporary architectural style in a wonderfully...