An elephant crossing a track in front of safari vehicles, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).

What are the best alternatives to African Bush Camps for a luxury safari?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026

These are the companies with camps of their own in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, where African Bush Camps also has camps, read from their own websites and set beside African Bush Camps on the same facts. African Bush Camps has camps elsewhere too, listed in its own box.

African Bush Camps on the same facts

African Bush Camps is set out here on the same facts as the cards below, from its own website, so any alternative can be read against it.

Camps: Zimbabwe: Bumi Hills Safari Lodge (Matusadona National Park area), Kanga (Mana Pools), Nyamatusi Camp and Nyamatusi Mahogany (Mana Pools), Somalisa Camp, Somalisa Acacia and Somalisa Expeditions (Hwange), Khayelitshe House (Matopos Hills).
Children: Bumi Hills and Khwai Leadwood: 'All Ages'.
Reviews: SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 12 reviews; Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 24 reviews, read 19 and 20 October 2026.

What are the best alternatives to African Bush Camps for a luxury safari?

Each card below sets out a camp owner in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia on the same facts as African Bush Camps, its camps and private guide terms, so the alternatives can be compared line by line.

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table holds 117 companies that own and run their own camps: the camp owners named most in ChatGPT answers to the safari questions Uncompromised Travel asks every day and on award lists. Their websites were read on 19 and 20 October and 2 November 2026, with their reviews on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot. This page carries every one of them whose own website names, in one sentence about its own camps, a camp of its own in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, the area where African Bush Camps has its camps (a camp the site places only near or beside it, or a sentence about drives or partnerships, does not count): 19 companies. Cards are in alphabetical order. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted. No company paid to be on this page.

A herd of African elephants on the savannah, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).

African Horseback Safaris

Best for: Horse riding safaris in the Okavango Delta
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Guests have 450,000 acres of the Okavango Delta to explore.
Countries: Botswana (Macatoo Camp, Okavango Delta).
Rates: Lowest published rate GBP 625 pppns (Standard season, 2025); highest GBP 1035 pppns (Peak season 15 Jun-14 Oct, 2026), sharing.
Children: 50% discount for non-riding children under 12.
Reviews: SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 1 review, read 2 November 2026.
Enquire: www.africanhorsebacksafaris.com

Sources: land and traversing, price per person per day, safaribookings. Read 2 November 2026.

Amalinda Collection

Best for: Matobo Hills and Hwange in one trip
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Amalinda Lodge and The Homestead: Matobo Hills (Matopos), on the Amalinda Lodge private concession.
Countries: Zimbabwe only.
Children: Khulu Bush Camp: 'Children aged 12 and over are welcome'.
Private guide: The Homestead and Khulu's Retreat both include a private guide and dedicated safari vehicle.
Reviews: Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 107 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.amalindacollection.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, family and child policy, private guide and vehicle, google. Read 20 October 2026.

Baines' River Camp

Best for: A Zambezi river stay facing Mana Pools
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Lower Zambezi Valley, Zambia, on the banks of the Zambezi River, 'upstream of Lower Zambezi National Park, directly across the river of Mana Pools and in the heart of the Game Management Area'.
Countries: Zambia.
Rates: Lowest published: $705 per person per night, Green Season 2026.
Children: Children between 6 and 12 pay 30% of the adult rate. 2027 child rates are shown: $546 (green) and $742 (high) per night.
Private guide: Private guide and vehicle or boat: $375 per day.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 73 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.bainesrivercamp.com

Sources: camps and where they are, price per person per day, google. Read 20 October 2026.

Chiawa Safaris

Best for: Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa camps
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Chiawa Camp: Lower Zambezi National Park, on the Zambezi River bank, about 10 km into the park.
Countries: Zambia only.
Children: Minimum ages: Chichele Presidential 4 years.
Private guide: Chiawa Camp has the largest guiding team, so private requests for photography or fishing are 'easily managed'.
Enquire: www.chiawa.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, family and child policy, private guide and vehicle. Read 19 October 2026.

Desert & Delta Safaris

Best for: Lodges across Botswana's Delta and Chobe
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Sediba Sa Rona: Khwai Concession.
Countries: Botswana and Namibia.
Reviews: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 96 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.desertdelta.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Dulini

Best for: Sabi Sand lodges with Botswana and Zambia
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Dulini Anabezi is in Zambia, shown under Lower Zambezi National Park, overlooking the Zambezi River, floodplain or Kulefu Channel.
Countries: South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
Enquire: www.dulini.com

Sources: camps and where they are. Read 19 October 2026.

Great Plains Conservation

Best for: Private concessions in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Tembo Plains is in the Sapi Reserve, established in 2016 by Great Plains, with 'unrestricted access' and optional access to Mana Pools National Park.
Countries: Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Enquire: greatplainsconservation.com

Sources: land and traversing, countries with camps. Read 19 October 2026.

Green Safaris

Best for: Zambia's Kafue, Luangwa and Victoria Falls
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Tongabezi Lodge: Victoria Falls, upstream on the Zambezi.
Countries: Two countries: Zambia and Malawi.
Enquire: greensafaris.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps. Read 19 October 2026.

Imvelo Safari Lodges

Best for: Small camps in and around Hwange
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Nehimba: exclusive 43,500-acre portion of northern Hwange National Park.
Countries: Zimbabwe only, all in and around Hwange National Park.
Enquire: imvelosafarilodges.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps. Read 19 October 2026.

Ker & Downey Botswana

Best for: Private Okavango concessions since 1968
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Shinde and Shinde Footsteps: Shinde Private Concession, northern Okavango Delta.
Countries: Botswana and Zambia.
Reviews: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 58 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.2 out of 5 from 1 review, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.kerdowneybotswana.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, google, trustpilot. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Letaka Safaris

Best for: Mobile and set-departure Botswana safaris
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Moremi Game Reserve (Xakanaxa), Mababe River Private Reserve (exclusive campsite on the Khwai River), Khwai, Savuti and Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Blooming Desert departures), Chobe River at Kasane.
Countries: Botswana.
Children: Minimum age 12 on scheduled departures; minimum 5 years on tailor-made private safaris, with a family tent sleeping 4.
Private guide: Privately guided safaris are offered: tailor-made private departure or a scheduled departure blocked off for you.
Reviews: SafariBookings: 4.9 out of 5 from 23 reviews; Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 58 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.7 out of 5 from 1 review, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.letakasafaris.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, family and child policy, private guide and vehicle, safaribookings, google, trustpilot. Read 20 October 2026.

Machaba Safaris

Best for: Small camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Botswana: Machaba Camp and Little Machaba (Khwai Concession, Okavango Delta)
Countries: Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Reviews: Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 84 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: machabasafaris.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Natural Selection

Best for: Wild camps in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Okavango: Mokolwane Plains in the NG29 private concession (200,000 ha, only two camps)
Countries: Camps in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Reviews: Google: 5 out of 5 from 4 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: naturalselection.travel

Sources: land and traversing, countries with camps, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Robin Pope Safaris

Best for: Walking safaris in Zambia and Malawi
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Kujana (Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia)
Countries: Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Reviews: SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 5 reviews; Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 8 reviews, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.robinpopesafaris.net

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, safaribookings, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Sanctuary Retreats

Best for: Lodges, camps and riverboats in six countries
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Baines' Lodge, Chief's Camp and Stanley's Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
Countries: Safari lodges and camps in six countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Enquire: www.sanctuaryretreats.com

Sources: camps and where they are. Read 19 October 2026.

Singita

Best for: Lodges and villas across five countries
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Botswana: Okavango Delta (Elela, Elela Four-Bedroom Camp).
Enquire: singita.com

Sources: camps and where they are. Read 19 October 2026.

Time + Tide

Best for: Family-owned camps in Zambia and Madagascar
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia: Chongwe Camp, Chongwe Suites (Cassia and Albida), Chongwe House.
Countries: Zambia and Madagascar.
Reviews: Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 42 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.timeandtideafrica.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Wilderness

Best for: Camps across eight African countries
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Botswana: Mombo, Little Mombo, Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura, Chitabe, Chitabe Lediba, Qorokwe (Okavango Delta)
Reviews: Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 71 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.8 out of 5 from 146 reviews, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.wildernessdestinations.com

Sources: camps and where they are, google, trustpilot. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Zambezi Crescent Collection

Best for: A Zambezi river lodge at Victoria Falls
Camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia: Victoria Falls River Lodge is inside the Zambezi National Park; the camp is unfenced and guests can walk in the park with additional charges.
Countries: Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls River Lodge, Victoria Falls) and South Africa (Nalu Villa, Camps Bay).
Enquire: www.zambezicrescent.com

Sources: land and traversing, countries with camps. Read 20 October 2026.

What do they charge per person per night?

2 of the 19 camp owners on this page publish a rate per person per night; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Each line is the company's own figure as its website gives it. Companies with camps in several countries are left out of this list and their cards, because their published figure can be for a camp elsewhere.

African Horseback Safaris: Lowest published rate GBP 625 pppns (Standard season, 2025); highest GBP 1035 pppns (Peak season 15 Jun-14 Oct, 2026), sharing.
Baines' River Camp: Lowest published: $705 per person per night, Green Season 2026.

Guests photographing elephants from an open safari vehicle. Photo: Pexels (free licence).

What age limits do they set for children?

5 of the 19 camp owners on this page publish a child policy; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their policy can differ from camp to camp.

African Horseback Safaris: 50% discount for non-riding children under 12.
Amalinda Collection: Khulu Bush Camp: 'Children aged 12 and over are welcome'.
Baines' River Camp: Children between 6 and 12 pay 30% of the adult rate. 2027 child rates are shown: $546 (green) and $742 (high) per night.
Chiawa Safaris: Minimum ages: Chichele Presidential 4 years.
Letaka Safaris: Minimum age 12 on scheduled departures; minimum 5 years on tailor-made private safaris, with a family tent sleeping 4.

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

4 of the 19 camp owners on this page offer a private guide or vehicle; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their terms can differ from camp to camp.

Amalinda Collection: The Homestead and Khulu's Retreat both include a private guide and dedicated safari vehicle.
Baines' River Camp: Private guide and vehicle or boat: $375 per day.
Chiawa Safaris: Chiawa Camp has the largest guiding team, so private requests for photography or fishing are 'easily managed'.
Letaka Safaris: Privately guided safaris are offered: tailor-made private departure or a scheduled departure blocked off for you.

Alternatives to African Bush Camps: the questions people ask

Which have their own aircraft or air service?

1 of the 19 does: Wilderness. Each one's own website says so.

Which publish a conservation model?

17 of the 19 do: African Horseback Safaris, Amalinda Collection, Baines' River Camp, Chiawa Safaris, Desert & Delta Safaris, Dulini, Great Plains Conservation, Green Safaris, Imvelo Safari Lodges, Ker & Downey Botswana, Letaka Safaris, Natural Selection, Robin Pope Safaris, Sanctuary Retreats, Singita, Time + Tide and Wilderness. Each one's own website says so.

Which publish a deposit?

8 of the 19 do: African Horseback Safaris, Baines' River Camp, Desert & Delta Safaris, Ker & Downey Botswana, Letaka Safaris, Machaba Safaris, Natural Selection and Time + Tide. Each one's own website says so.

Which have guest reviews on Google, SafariBookings or Trustpilot?

11 of the 19 do: African Horseback Safaris, Amalinda Collection, Baines' River Camp, Desert & Delta Safaris, Ker & Downey Botswana, Letaka Safaris, Machaba Safaris, Natural Selection, Robin Pope Safaris, Time + Tide and Wilderness. Each platform's rating and count are on the card, never added together.

Which of these companies have all their camps in one country?

5 of the 19: African Horseback Safaris, Amalinda Collection, Baines' River Camp, Chiawa Safaris and Letaka Safaris. The others run camps in more than one country, so their cards leave out rates and child policies on pages about one place.

Can I book these camps through Uncompromised Travel?

No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Each card has the company's own enquiry link; you can also book through a safari planner.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the company's own website its lines were read from, under Sources, with the date they were read.

How were these camp owners chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table and its own website names, in one sentence about its own camps, a camp of its own in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, the area where African Bush Camps has its camps (a camp the site places only near or beside it, or a sentence about drives or partnerships, does not count). A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

How current are these facts?

Each company's website was read on 19 and 20 October and 2 November 2026. Rates, child policies and reviews change, so confirm them with the camp before you book.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be listed.

What are the best alternatives to African Bush Camps for a luxury safari?

African Bush Camps on the same facts

What are the best alternatives to African Bush Camps for a luxury safari?

What do they charge per person per night?

What age limits do they set for children?

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

Alternatives to African Bush Camps: the questions people ask

Which have their own aircraft or air service?

Which publish a conservation model?

Which publish a deposit?

Which have guest reviews on Google, SafariBookings or Trustpilot?

Which of these companies have all their camps in one country?

Can I book these camps through Uncompromised Travel?

Where can I check these facts myself?

How were these camp owners chosen?

How current are these facts?

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

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