Which luxury safari operators in South Africa use small, owner-run camps?

These camp owners run every one of their camps in South Africa and publish how many suites, rooms or beds those camps have. Each card quotes the company's own figures.

Which luxury safari operators in South Africa use small, owner-run camps?

Each card quotes the company's own camp sizes, suites or rooms per lodge, so you can compare how big each one is, with its rates and child policy.

What do they charge per person per night?

10 of the 16 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.

• Garonga Safari Co.: Lowest: R12 310 per person per night, Garonga Safari Camp, 2026/27.
• Kariega Game Reserve: Rand per person per night sharing (Sept 2026 to Aug 2027 seasons): Main Lodge High R8,500 (1 Sep to 19 Dec 2026), Peak R9,300 (20 Dec 2026 to 10 Jan 2027), High R8,900 (11 Jan to 30 Apr 2027), Low R7,600 (1 May to 31 Aug 2027).
• Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: Lowest published per person sharing rate R19,400 per night (Luxury Suite at Ecca Lodge or Great Fish River Lodge, 1 May-30 Sep 2027); highest R34,050 (Ecca Private Vehicle Suite, 1 Oct 2027-30 Apr 2028).
• Londolozi: Lowest published 'From' rate: R27,950 per person per night at Varty Camp.
• MalaMala: 2026 per person sharing: lowest R26 100 (MalaMala Camp luxury room), highest R50 000 (Tengile River Lodge, peak season). 2027: lowest R29 160 (MalaMala Camp luxury room and Kirkman's Kamp cottage, high season), highest R60 000 (Tengile River Lodge, peak).
• Sabi Sabi: Lowest published per person rate: ZAR 29,600 per person sharing per night, Bush Lodge Luxury Suite (2026-27 and 2027-28).
• Samara Karoo Reserve: Per person sharing per night, ZAR with VAT: lowest R17,800 at Plains Camp (2026 and 2027); highest R21,850 at Karoo Suite, Karoo Lodge (2027).
• Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: Per adult sharing per night (ZAR, 2026-27 table): lowest R9,535 at Tilney Manor in Low Season (1 May-30 Sep 2026); highest R18,045 at Dwyka Tented Lodge in Seasonal Peak (15 Dec 2026-11 Jan 2027).
• Thornybush Collection: ZAR, per person sharing per night, including VAT. 2026 (1 Jan to 31 Dec): Saseka R28,000 (single R42,000)
• Tswalu Kalahari: Per person sharing per night (ZAR, fully inclusive): lowest 46 400 at Motse in 2026; highest 64 200 at a Loapi one-bedroom home in 2027 peak season.

What age limits do they set for children?

16 of the 16 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.

• Cheetah Plains: Children of all ages welcome.
• Elephant Plains Game Lodge: The lodge welcomes children aged 8 and older only.
• Garonga Safari Co.: Little Garonga 2026/27: children 6-16 free sharing with parents, 17-20 R7 010, 21 and over R12 310 per night.
• Jaci's Lodges: It names family-friendly options: Safari Suite Expeditions ('Family-friendly suites', 2 adults + 2 children) and villas suited to families; no child rates shown.
• Kariega Game Reserve: Main Lodge and The Homestead welcome children of all ages.
• Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: Ecca Lodge Private Vehicle Suites and all three villas accept children of all ages.
• Londolozi: Varty Camp and Founders Camp accommodate children aged 6 to 16 and children 6 and over are welcome on game drives.
• MalaMala: Kirkman's Kamp and MalaMala Camp take children of all ages.
• Sabi Sabi: Bush Lodge: 'children of all ages are welcome' with a child-minding service at extra cost; the 2026-27 children's policy says children under 6 are not permitted unless a Luxury Villa (private vehicle) is booked.
• Samara Karoo Reserve: Karoo Lodge and The Manor: children of all ages welcome.
• Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: Gondwana Family Lodge is the only lodge for children: 'children of all ages are welcome'.
• Shamwari: Riverdene and Sarili welcome all ages.
• The Royal Portfolio: Royal Malewane: Farmstead welcomes children over 10.
• Thornybush Collection: Thornybush Game Lodge: all ages; under 6s not on drives unless a private vehicle is booked (R17,500 per day in 2026, R20,500 in 2027); child rate under 12 (75% in a separate room with one adult; three children sharing 50% each).
• Tintswalo: Boulders: children of all ages welcome; under 16s must share a suite with an adult (16 and over); extra children aged 6 to 15 pay 25% of the suite rate, 5 and under free; extra guests 16 and over pay 50%.
• Tswalu Kalahari: 'Children of all ages are welcome', including on game drives; the reserve is malaria-free.

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

9 of the 16 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.

• Garonga Safari Co.: Available at all three camps: Private Safari Vehicle R7 370 nett per day for 2026/27 (R8 110 for 2027/28), based on two drives of 3.5 hours.
• Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: Private guide and vehicle with ranger and tracker are available at extra cost at the lodges (R16,600 per day, 2027), booked for the full stay and are included in all villa stays and Ecca Private Vehicle Suites.
• Londolozi: 'A limited number of private safari vehicles' can be booked in advance (subject to availability) and must be booked for the guest's entire stay.
• MalaMala: A private vehicle is sold per vehicle, per night: 2026 R23 000 at Tengile River Lodge and Kirkman's Kamp; 2027 R22 000 (high) or R25 500 (peak) at MalaMala Camp, Sable Camp, Rattray's, Tengile and Kirkman's.
• Sabi Sabi: A private safari vehicle (and guide) is included in the rate for the Ivory Presidential Suite (Selati Camp), the Bush Lodge Luxury Villas and the Earth Lodge Amber Villa.
• Samara Karoo Reserve: The Manor includes a private vehicle with dedicated field guide, tracker, chef and host on every booking.
• Shamwari: Riverdene: 'Each family unit booked offers a private safari vehicle'.
• The Royal Portfolio: Royal Suites at Malewane Lodge include a 'private safari vehicle with a Field Guide and Tracker'.
• Thornybush Collection: Private Vehicle Safaris are listed as an activity.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 2 November 2026 · updated 2 November 2026