The year ahead is as busy as ever with new camps and lodges opening across safari Africa, as well as new, up-and-coming conservation areas. Here are the developments that we think are the ones to watch:
Kutandala Camp, Zambia
Mid 2025 will see the excellent Classic Zambia team launch their first camp in the pristine wilderness that is North Luangwa National Park. Classic Zambia, a young owner-run conservation-led operation, are loved for their authentic bush camps and excellent guiding ethos. North Luangwa for many years remained closed to tourism and is still only accessible to a very small number of camp operators. Classic Zambia’s ethos will suit this untouched wilderness perfectly, offering adventurous travellers the chance to explore a remote area with quality guiding and a focus on great walking safaris. The camp itself, much like other camps in the collection, will be small (just four canvas and reed chalets) and simple, allowing the focus to be on the wilderness setting, intimate authenticity and an exclusive guiding experience.
King Lewanika Lodge, Zambia
2025 will see highly respected Botswana operator Ker & Downey venture into Zambia when they take over the management of King Lewanika Lodge in Liuwa Plain National Park. Liuwa is home to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa, a growing predator population as well as being host to an extraordinarily diverse range of birdlife of significant global importance. Their collection of Botswana camps (Shinde, Shinde Footsteps, Okuti and Dinaka) are all expertly operated, so we have high expectations for King Lewanika. The lodge will offer six very comfortable tented rooms and activities will include game drives, night drives, guided walks and seasonal canoe safaris. King Lewanika Lodge will offer a great base from which to explore an off the beaten track National Park, in the reassuringly expert hands of the Ker & Downey team of guides and staff. Our own Rob Slater visited western Zambia a few years back and made a short film on the wonderful Liuwa Plains.
Maxa Camp, Botswana
And while Ker & Downey may be venturing into pastures new (above), they also have an exciting new opening on familiar turf. Maxa Camp will open in early 2025 in the north-eastern reaches of Botwana’s Okavango Delta. This is an up-and-coming area, comprising a network of unexplored seasonal floodplains, channels and lagoons, offering an exclusive and authentic safari experience. The relaxed tented camp will accommodate up to 12 guests in five comfortable tents and the focus will be on exploring the land and water by day and night game drives, guided safari walks and mekoro excursions, as well as opportunities for cultural engagement. A stay here would offer a different element to a Delta experience and would combine well with a camp in a more established area of the Okavango.
Franschhoek House, South Africa
Any families or small groups of friends looking to plan an exclusive getaway in the Cape’s beautiful wine region may wish to consider the newly opened (December 2024) Franschhoek House which sits on the 30-acre La Residence estate in the Franschhoek Valley. La Residence is part of the family-owned Royal Portfolio group of five star properties (including the iconic Silo Hotel in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront) and the latest addition to this Franschhoek property offers expansive exclusive-use accommodation for up to 12 guests. The house and grounds offer plenty of space for relaxing and playing, with six luxurious suites (designed with owner Liz Biden’s signature bold and stylish interiors), lounges, a games room, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, interactive kitchen, and a swimming pool. Guests also have access to the spa, fitness centre and boutique at La Residence. A stylish, exclusive and luxurious space to enjoy the beautiful Cape winelands (if you’re looking for recommendations for the finest restaurants, hidden gems and best wineries, see our blog pages).
Namoroka Tsingy, Madagascar
This year saw the opening of a new camp in the unexplored area of Namoroka National Park in north-western Madagascar. Namoroka Tsingy Camp offers the only accommodation in or around this incredibly biodiverse National Park. Encompassing six distinct ecosystems, the park is home to 10 species of lemur, the mysterious fossa, an array of reptiles, and over 100 species of birds – many found only in this extraordinary corner of the world. The camp itself currently comprises five en suite tents, with a further four being added during 2025 and is named after the giant striking limestone rock formations (called ‘Tsingy’) that the main areas of the camp are built around. Activities are mainly conducted on foot and offer the chance to explore the range of different landscapes, rock formations, caves, vista points, vegetation and, of course, wildlife.
Wilderness Bisate Reserve, Rwanda
September this year saw the launch of a new and exclusive sister to Wilderness Bisate Lodge, on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. Wilderness Bisate Reserve (‘Reserve’ in this context refers to a ‘fine edition’ rather than a conservation area) promises a similar level of five star hospitality to its sister, but with just four expansive villas, the accommodation level is slightly elevated (complete with private wood-fired hot tubs) and the experience is more intimate and exclusive. From either of the Bisate bases, you’re assured a fantastic primate experience, along with the rewarding opportunity to get involved with their reforestation project.
Erebero Hills, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Bookings have just opened for Asilia Africa’s first operation in Uganda – Erebero Hills. This well-established company has a great portfolio of smart camps and lodges in Tanzania and Kenya, so we’re excited to experience their latest venture. Erebero Hills will open its doors in 2026, offering a base for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The lodge will offer eight suites, each with its own spacious balcony and well-appointed en suite bathrooms, together with a central hillside swimming pool. Asilia are working in partnership with Change a Life Bwindi, to supporting the creation of a new forest buffer zone adjacent to the national park. This will create an area for wildlife to expand into, a forest the Batwa people can access to retain their cultural heritage, and new sources of income for the surrounding Bakiga community. As well as gorilla trekking, activities will include guided nature walks, garden tours and tea tastings, as well as community visits and the opportunity to get involved with local crafts such as bead working and weaving.
Sarara Wilderness, Kenya
We have been long supporters of the wonderful Samburu community-owned Sarara eco-lodges in northern Kenya’s Mathews Range, so we’re very interested to learn about the latest addition to their collection – Sarara Wilderness. This exclusive-use tented camp is launching as we publish and will offer something a little more adventurous for small groups and families looking for a private safari experience which is immersive in both nature as well as the colourful Samburu culture. The camp will accommodate gatherings of up to 12 friends or family members in six en suite tents (with hot bucket showers). With your private Samburu guide you’ll be able to explore both the unique wildlife in this region with game drives, as well as gaining authentic insight into the local culture. The camp’s core location will be on the edge of the Samburu National Reserve, but even more intrepid adventures can be planned, taking in remote locations such as Lake Turkana and the Chalbi Desert, including specialised cultural activities. We’ve come to know and love the Sarara hospitality with knowledgeable and passionate Samburu teams in each camp – Sarara Wilderness will be no exception and would combine well with their permanent eco-lodges, particularly Reteti House which is also exclusive-use, for the ultimate, in depth northern Kenya private safari.
&Beyond Suyian Lodge, Kenya
Kenya’s Laikipia area is known for its rare wildlife, stunning scenery and pioneering conservation efforts, but until now accommodation options have largely included tented camps and homestead style lodges. &Beyond Suyian Lodge will bring an elevated level of luxury to the area when it opens in July 2025. The 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy is managed by Space for Giants who specialise in protecting, restoring and expanding landscapes to protect large mammals and support human-wildlife coexistence. The lodge will offer sumptuous accommodation in 14 suites, all with private plunge pools, and facilities will include a comprehensive wellness centre, central rim-flow pool, and flexible dining spaces. Laikipia is a stronghold for a number of endangered species, such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, lion, cheetah, African wild dog and a significant elephant population, and conservancies here are known for offering a diverse safari experience. Suyian is no exception and guests here can enjoy day and night game drives, bush walks, camel and horseback safaris, picnics and river swimming, fishing, joining local herders on the ranch, local community visits and scenic helicopter flights. Expect a high quality experience with a strong conservation ethos.
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge, Tanzania
January 2025 will see the closure of the iconic Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for a major rebuild (expected to take around two years), and while we wait for updates on that, Lemala Camps & Lodges will bring a new permanent lodge to Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, scheduled to open in March. Lemala Osonjoi Lodge will be set back from the Crater Rim itself, with forest views, but has the advantage of being very close to the quieter eastern descent road, so you can be one of the first visitors to arrive on the Crater floor in the morning with relative ease. There will be 20 suites, built with steel, timber and glass, together with an indoor heated swimming pool.
Singita Kilima, Tanzania
The exclusive Singita Grumeti Reserves, bordering the Serengeti National Park, unveiled a third private house this year. Singita Kilima sits high above the plains with panoramic views and offers exclusive-use villa accommodation for up to 10 guests. In addition to five individually designed bedroom suites and extensive indoor and outdoor living and dining areas, there is an infinity edge pool, media room and fitness centre. A team of staff including butler, chef and private guide will create a tailored safari experience. Like its sisters Serengeti House and Milele, Kilima has everything required to create the ultimate private safari for extended families and groups of friends – a supremely comfortable base, first class service and exclusive Serengeti wildlife encounters.
Azura Marlin Beach, Mozambique
We’re delighted to see that an old favourite beach escape, Marlin Beach Lodge, will be reopening in May 2025. The lodge will launch as part of the Azura Retreats collection, with an upgraded five-star rebuild in the same stunning Benguerra Island setting within the pristine Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park. A devastating fire in 2012 forced the closure of the lodge, and while Azura purchased Marlin in 2019, plans were inevitably delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. So we’re very excited to finally see this reincarnation bringing an additional barefoot luxury beach option to southern Mozambique. The lodge will have 10 villas, including a two-bedroomed villa with its own pool and dining area making an exclusive retreat for small groups of families or friends. We expect levels of service to be consistent with Azura’s other properties with a personal, warm and efficient team, including a private butler with each villa to ensure stays are tailored perfectly. There will be an on-site PADI 5-star dive centre and a fishing centre with its own fleet for catch-and-release fishing (the Bazaruto Archipelago waters are renown for Black Marlin), as well as a host of other water activities all designed for exploring the turquoise ocean. Whether you’re looking for focused beach and ocean time, or for some spectacular downtime after a safari in southern Africa, Azura Marlin Beach is definitely one to watch for 2025.
