EAST AFRICA'S TOP 20 MOST UPSCALE SAFARI LODGES
The 20 Most Upscale Safari Lodges in East Africa, as chronicled by Beyond Travel, Are Listed Below.
LOCATION; Kenya's Maasai Mara
High above the Great Rift Valley bottom in Africa, Angama Mara is one of Kenya's most upscale safari hotels. The lodge boasts expansive, dramatic vistas that go on for miles and overlook the Mara Triangle. There are only two small camps with 15 glass-fronted suites each, giving guests seclusion, individualized attention, and easy access to the renowned Maasai Mara Reserve. Angama Mara is renowned for its stunning setting, friendly Kenyans, and life-changing activities like hot air ballooning, walking safaris, and private picnics.
LOCATION: Kenya's Maasai Mara
A private reserve that borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to the opulent tented safari resort known as Mara Bushtops. Known for its luxury, each tented apartment has a personal butler and a private hot tub, guaranteeing unmatched comfort amid the woods. Close-up animal experiences, including Big Five sightings, are combined with five-star comforts at the lodge. Its high wooden decks provide breathtaking views of the savannah, making it a popular choice for discriminating tourists looking for adventure and solitude.
LOCATION: Kenya's Chyulu Hills
Ol Donyo Lodge, tucked away between Amboseli and Tsavo in the slopes of the Chyulu Hills, provides a unique fusion of luxury, seclusion, and preservation. Visitors can experience unmatched privacy and wildlife interactions with views of Mount Kilimanjaro and access to a private 275,000-acre sanctuary. There are only a few suites at the lodge, and they all have rooftop star beds and plunge pools. Ol Donyo is perfect for tourists looking for both comfort and purpose because of its strong commitment to environmental conservation and community collaborations.
LOCATION: Kenya's Maasai Mara
Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp, which offers vintage-style luxury on a private 7,600-acre conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, embodies the romantic essence of a bygone period. Elegant white canvas tents with brass fittings and antiques are available at this family-run establishment, which has been in operation for more than a century. Personalized wildlife drives, escorted bush walks, and Maasai culture experiences are all enjoyed by visitors. It's a place where genuine conservation initiatives and contemporary comforts coexist with the traditional safari atmosphere.
LOCATION: Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
The family-run Sirikoi Lodge is renowned for its elegant design, friendly staff, and wildlife-rich environs. It is situated within the UNESCO-listed Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The resort is centered around a natural waterhole that attracts a constant flow of wildlife and offers a variety of opulent tents, a cottage, and a private home. Sirikoi is well-known for its strong conservation philosophy and is in favor of community initiatives and rhino protection. In one of Kenya's most biodiverse areas, this tranquil haven provides a genuinely immersive, environmentally responsible safari experience.
LOCATION: Grumeti Reserves, Serengeti, Tanzania
Looking out over the Serengeti plains, Singita Sasakwa Lodge is perched on Sasakwa Hill. The manor's nine opulent cottages, each with its own private infinity plunge pool, antique antiques, and contemporary conveniences, are designed in the Edwardian style. The lodge provides customized game drives, horseback safaris, and hot air ballooning, among other carefully chosen wildlife experiences. With a private airport and a dedication to conservation through the Grumeti Fund, it continues to be one of the most upscale and exclusive safari locations in East Africa.
LOCATION: Tanzania's Southern Serengeti
The pinnacle of privacy and elegance, Mwiba Lodge is situated on a private 129,000-acre wildlife reserve that borders the southern Serengeti. Situated above a steep gorge, the lodge offers ten opulent apartments that combine luxurious design with unspoiled wilderness. Mwiba provides year-round wildlife viewing, fly-camping, private guided safaris, and cultural immersion with indigenous tribes. It is a popular choice for individuals looking for an upscale safari that offers individualized attention, seclusion, and access to Tanzania's less-traveled routes.
LOCATION: Central Serengeti, Tanzania
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge, which is located in the center of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, combines five-star luxury with extraordinary wildlife interaction. Some of the villas and suites have private plunge pools and expansive views of the savannah, and they are connected by elevated walkways. Viewed from the terrace or infinity pool, a central drinking hole is often the attraction for elephants. Travelers looking for comfort in the middle of unadulterated nature will love this place because it offers gourmet restaurants, a wellness spa, and immersive safari experiences.
LOCATION: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Known as the "Versailles of the wild," Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offers luxury in one of Africa's most striking environments while perched atop the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. The lodge's apartments have stunning views of the crater and baroque décor with chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and antique antiques. The largest inactive volcanic caldera in the world, which is home to many species, is accessible to visitors. It's a unique fusion of luxury and the most magnificent aspects of nature.
LOCATION: Between Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Located between Tarangire and Lake Manyara on a private wildlife corridor, Chem Chem Lodge provides an opulent "slow safari" experience. The resort, which has only eight tent-style accommodations, places a strong emphasis on privacy, tranquility, and a sense of being in nature. Birdwatching, guided forest hikes, and cultural interactions with neighboring Maasai communities are among the activities. Travelers looking for seclusion, contemplation, and genuine East African charm will love Chem Chem, which is well-known for its wellness-focused offers, romantic settings, and conservation-minded hospitality.
LOCATION: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Bwindi Lodge by Volcanoes Safaris is tucked away on the outskirts of the UNESCO-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, providing a prime location to witness one of Africa's most magnificent rainforest scenes. The lodge offers eight opulent bandas with a view of the forest that combine contemporary conveniences with traditional design elements, making them the perfect starting point for gorilla trekking excursions. Known for its friendly service and sense of community, visitors take part in forest treks, locally produced meals, and immersive cultural experiences—all while promoting local business and conservation.
LOCATION: Uganda's Bwindi National Park
The highest and most prestigious lodge in Uganda is Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, which is situated 2,000 meters above sea level. The lodge has just eight stone cabins with views of the Virunga Volcanoes, each having a large living room, a private fireplace, and a personal butler. In the southern part of Bwindi, it acts as an opulent entryway to gorilla trekking. Because the lodge is jointly owned by the locals, tourism directly supports conservation efforts and the towns that surround it.
LOCATION: Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park
Located on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura valley Lodge is a chic and eco-friendly lodging option that provides breathtaking views of the Rift Valley and the valley below. The site, which was formerly an abandoned coffee processing facility, has been converted into an eco-lodge featuring a modern design and locally sourced materials. It is a comprehensive safari location that offers visitors chimpanzee tracking in the gorge, wildlife drives throughout the savannah, and visits to conservation and community projects.
LOCATION: Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda
Apoka Safari Lodge is a sanctuary of pristine wilderness in Kidepo Valley National Park, sometimes referred to as one of Africa's last big frontiers, located in the isolated and untamed northeastern region of Uganda. Ten large, naturally constructed rooms with views of the Narus Valley and outdoor stone bathtubs are available at the lodge. Near the lodge, wildlife roams freely, providing close-up views. Because of its seclusion, it is the perfect destination for tourists looking for seclusion, peace, and a closer relationship with nature.
LOCATION: Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park
Baker's Lodge, which is situated on the Nile River's southern bank, provides a calm and tasteful starting point for touring Uganda's biggest national park. The resort, which bears the name of 19th-century explorer Samuel Baker, has eight thatched bungalows on elevated terraces with breathtaking views of the river. Game drives, birdwatching in the wetlands, and boat trips to the base of Murchison Falls are also enjoyed by visitors. With hippos, elephants, and rare bird species all around, its serene ambiance and riverbank location offer a relaxing haven.
LOCATION: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Celebrities and high-end tourists love One&Only Gorilla's Nest, an ultra-luxury resort nestled in a eucalyptus grove in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park. Private decks, in-room fireplaces, and spa-style baths are features of the resort's upgraded jungle-chic suites and villas. The resort is well-known for its customized service, garden-to-table meals, and immersive wellness experiences. It also offers easy access to gorilla trekking routes. Every feature is designed for comfort, seclusion, and breathtaking views of Rwanda's natural splendor.
LOCATION: Rwanda's Akagera National Park
Wilderness Safaris' Magashi Camp is a secluded, upscale tented camp with a view of Lake Rwanyakazinga in Akagera National Park that is ideal for close-up wildlife encounters. The lake and the surrounding savannah, where the Big Five graze freely, are beautifully visible from the camp's six roomy tents. Magashi, which is run with conservation in mind, is essential to the rehabilitation of Akagera's fauna. Immersed in Rwandan culture and unspoiled natural settings, guests take part in boat safaris, nighttime explorations, and professionally led game drives.
LOCATION: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, run by Governors' Camp Collection and owned by a community trust, combines luxurious safari comfort with traditional Rwandan charm. Situated near the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, the lodge offers stone cottages with individual verandas, fireplaces, and views of the Virunga Mountains. The lodge's earnings go toward conservation and development initiatives in the area. Sabyinyo provides a magnificent and profoundly meaningful experience with its warm hospitality, extensive community integration, and convenient access to gorilla trekking.
LOCATION: Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park
Bisate Lodge, nestled in an eroded volcanic cone close to Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, provides a remarkable fusion of architectural genius with ecological responsibility. It offers expansive views of Mount Bisoke from its six thatched forest cottages, which were modeled by Rwandan aristocracy. Bisate, run by Wilderness Safaris, is a top base for opulent gorilla trekking. With reforestation initiatives and community connections woven into each visitor experience, the lodge has a strong commitment to sustainability and offers an engaging, immersive conservation trip.
LOCATION: Volcanoes National Park,
Rwanda with its stunning location on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park, Singita Kwitonda Lodge provides unparalleled access to Rwanda's renowned mountain gorillas. The lodge, which takes its name from a famous silverback, has eight modern apartments and a four-bedroom villa that are all decorated with earth tones, local wood, and volcanic rock. From its farm-to-table food to its off-grid water systems, Singita's subtle eco-luxury places a high value on sustainability. This refuge offers unique access to gorilla trekking and breathtaking mountain scenery, making it a prime example of conservation tourism.
Final thoughts;
From providing funding for forestry and anti-poaching initiatives to strengthening local people via employment and education, these lodges serve as examples of how tourism can promote positive change. Think of combining gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with Kenya's wildlife-rich savannahs for a smooth eco-tour. These small lodges frequently have limited space to maintain their low-impact philosophy, so make reservations through eco-friendly companies like Beyond Travel and check availability in advance.