Who are the best luxury safari operators for South Africa?

These are the safari companies that own and run lodges in South Africa, read from their own websites: the Greater Kruger reserves, Madikwe, the Eastern Cape and the Kalahari, with rates and child ages.

Who are the best luxury safari operators for South Africa?

The first choice in South Africa is the reserve: the Greater Kruger for the classic Big Five, or a malaria-free reserve such as Madikwe or the Eastern Cape; each card names the company's lodges and what it charges.

What do they charge per person per night?

17 of the 32 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.

• Etali Safari Lodge: Single published rate for the lodge: R18 500 per adult per person per night sharing, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2026 (lowest and highest are the same for adults); the child rates are R12 950 (6 to 15) and R5 550 (0 to 5).
• Garonga Safari Co.: Lowest: R12 310 per person per night, Garonga Safari Camp, 2026/27.
• Jamala Madikwe: Lowest published rate R22,090 per person per night sharing (low season, 1 May-31 July 2027); highest R29,030 (peak season, 15 December-5 January).
• Kapama Private Game Reserve: Lowest published per person: Southern Camp Suites from R14,000 per person sharing (mid-year, 1 Jul to 19 Dec 2026).
• 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).
• Nottens Bush Camp: One flat rate per year across all periods: lowest R12750 per person per night sharing (all of 2026), highest R14250 (all of 2027), before the conservation fee.
• 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).
• Savanna Private Game Reserve: Per person sharing per night in ZAR: lowest R21,000 (Luxury Suite, 2026); highest R27,300 (Executive Suite, 2027).
• Tanda Tula: Lowest: child (6-16) sharing, 15,750 per night in 2026; lowest adult: Safari Suite sharing, 31,500 per person per night in 2026.
• 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.
• Ximuwu Lodge: Suites, per person sharing per night: ZAR 26,500 (2026), ZAR 28,000 (2027).

What age limits do they set for children?

26 of the 32 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.
• Etali Safari Lodge: Children of all ages welcome.
• Garonga Safari Co.: Minimum ages by camp: Safari Camp 12 and over (rate sheet; the FAQ also says 'Children aged 8 and above are welcome'), Little Garonga 6 and over, MCH 8 and over.
• 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.
• Jamala Madikwe: Children under 16 may stay by arrangement; under 16 require a private vehicle (subject to availability, extra charges).
• Kapama Private Game Reserve: Children of all ages welcome at River Lodge, Southern Camp and Karula.
• 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.
• Lalibela Game Reserve: Mark's Camp is described as family-friendly and discreetly fenced for children's safety, with four family units, family suites with partitioned sleeping areas and a larger family suite with two bedrooms.
• 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.
• MORE Family Collection: Lion Sands: Tinga ages 6+, River and Ivory 10+, Narina 16+, villas all ages; children 10 to 15 pay 50% at River and Ivory, 6 to 15 at Tinga.
• Morukuru Family: Children of all ages are welcome at all properties; infants aged 0 to 2 stay complimentary.
• Nottens Bush Camp: 'Children 6 and over are welcome.' Children 12 and under enjoy a 50% discount.
• 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'.
• Savanna Private Game Reserve: Children of all ages are welcome in the Savanna Suite.
• Shamwari: Riverdene and Sarili welcome all ages.
• Tanda Tula: Children aged 6 to 16 welcome; 17+ pay the full adult rate; under 6 'by special arrangement only' (younger children may be accommodated for exclusive use).
• 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.
• Ximuwu Lodge: Children 8-12 sharing a suite with two adults pay ZAR 10,000 (2026) / ZAR 10,500 (2027), limited to one child; a single child in their own suite pays the full adult rate; guests aged 12+ pay the conservation levy.

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

15 of the 32 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.

• Etali Safari Lodge: Private game drive vehicle with private guide and private tracker available at an additional R8 000 per day, guaranteed if confirmed in advance.
• 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.
• Jamala Madikwe: Private vehicle required for children under 16 (subject to availability, additional charges).
• Kapama Private Game Reserve: A private game vehicle is available 'on request at an additional charge and subject to availability'.
• 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.
• Lalibela Game Reserve: Mills Manor includes a private safari guide and vehicle.
• 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.
• MORE Family Collection: Monwana Family Suites and the villas include a private safari vehicle (Fish Eagle, Hinkwenu, Marataba Villa).
• 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.
• Savanna Private Game Reserve: The Savanna Suite rate includes a private vehicle and the suite comes with a private guide, tracker and vehicle.
• 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