Pioneer Africa | Lodges & Camps

We are delighted to present a selection of some of the finest, most intimate lodges and camps available in Southern Africa — From Malawi to Mozambique, and South Africa to the Seychelles, we have the perfect lodge or safari camp to suit your personality, dreams and discerning style.

Trying to select a lodge or camp can be a daunting task for the discerning traveler when considering the hundreds of properties available. So we have made a selection of some of our favorite destinations which have proved highly successful and memorable for ourselves and our clients. These destinations all meet our own very high standards and expectations, and deliver the service and experience you have come to expect from a property in a Pioneer Africa itinerary.

Camps below are arranged by country. Links open in a new window and include dramatic photos in addition to text overviews. (Click on most camp photos for an enlargement).

BOTSWANA
With an area of 581,730 square kilometers, Botswana is virtually the same size as France, Kenya or Texas. Situated in the centre of Southern Africa, it is a landlocked country, with Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe as its immediate neighbors.

Okavango Region — Botswana
Botswanaís Okavango rests between shallow fault lines at the end of the Great African Rift Valley. One of Africaís most incredible wildlife and wilderness sanctuaries, what makes the Okavango most remarkable is that it is a wetland paradise located within the arid Kalahari Desert.

Abu Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Abu Camp is situated in a 400,000-acre private reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Duba Plains — Okavango Region, Botswana
Perhaps the Okavango Delta's most remote camp, Duba Plains is situated on an island, surrounded by expansive seasonally flooded plains and shaded by tall ebony, fig and garcinia trees.

Chief's Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Wild dog, lion, cheetah and leopard abound at this luxury bush lodge on Chief's Island in the exclusive Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve – the “predator capital of Africa.”

Chitabe Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Chitabe Camp is a luxurious eight-roomed, tented camp built on one of the most beautiful islands in the Okavango Delta. Game viewing is good, including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, reedbuck, giraffe, impala, zebra, buffalo and hippo.

Jao Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Jao Camp is situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta on a private reserve on a large remote island to the west of the Moremi Game Reserve. Guests have excellent access to open flood plains and savannah. Access is by aircraft only.

Kwetsani Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Kwetsani Camp is raised on stilts beneath a shady canopy. Five wonderful, spacious tree-house chalets are built under thatch roofs, with wood, glass and a little canvas.

Mombo Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Situated on Mombo Island, adjoining the northern tip of Chief’s Island, Mombo is surrounded by open floodplains and built in and around the shade of some large mangosteen, ebony and fig trees.

Stanley’s Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
This luxury camp is situated in a 260,000 acre private concession affording guests absolute exclusivity. Stanley’s offers year-round access to the Okavango Delta waters and is home to a wide variety of big game.

Tubu Tree Camp — Okavango Region, Botswana
Situated in the 60,000 hectare Jao Reserve which borders the Moremi Game Reserve, the Tubu Tree Camp is a traditional style tented safari camp built on raised wooden platforms to take best advantage of the beautiful view over the floodplains.

Vumbura Plains — Okavango Region, Botswana
Pronounced Vum-ber-a, this is a luxury camp situated to the north of Mombo, in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta.

Xigera — Okavango Region, Botswana
Xigera has something for everyone: Situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta, this is the only camp in the Moremi Game Reserve. Permanent water allows one to enjoy an unparalleled variety of activities in total privacy.

Linyanti Region — Botswana
To the northeast of the Okavango Delta are the Chobe and Linyanti Game Reserves. These areas are renowned for their predators and large concentrations of game, particularly elephant. Dereck and Beverly Joubert made the region famous in their National Geographic films. Eternal Enemies is a classic which chronicles interactions between Lion and Hyena.

Kings Pool Camp — Linyanti Region, Botswana
Located in The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Kins Pool accommodations are among the most luxurious in all of Botswana – nine luxurious twin-bedded tented rooms under cool thatch, overlooking the hippo filled lagoon in front of the camp.

Kalahari Region — Botswana
The grasslands of the Kalahari together with the lunar expanse of the Makgadikgadi salt pans are in total contrast to the verdant, game-rich Okavango and Linyanti regions and are a must-see for all visitors to Botswana who are interested in the country’s diversity.

Jack's Camp — Kalahari Region, Botswana
Jack's Camp is located deep in the Kalahari Desert on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest saltpans in the world. Activities include walks with a Bushman tracker and a visit to Chapman's Baobab – the historic baobab used by Livingstone and other early explorers.

Jump to a country/region:
  - Botswana
      - Okavango
      - Linyanti
      - Kalahari
  - Malawi
  - Namibia
  - Seychelles
  - South Africa
  - Zimbabwe
  - Zambia

Elegant Touches

Dana Allen photo

Mud Bath – Abu Camp

Jao Camp Dining

Outdoor Dining

Michael Poliza photo: Leopard at Mombo Camp

Leopard – Mombo Camp

Jao Camp Outdoor Sleeping

Overnight Opportunities

Tabu Tree Camp Outdoor Bar

Unique Environments

Giraffe at Jao Camp

Jao Camp Game Drive

Kwetsani Tent

Sunset, Makgadikgadi Pans

MALAWI
There is no other country in all of Africa that has its geography so sculptured and determined by Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the 3000 kilometer long geological formation that bisects much of Africa from Egypt to Botswana. Towering mountains, lush, fertile valley floors and enormous crystal-clear lakes are the hallmark of much of the Rift Valley. This is what Malawi is all about. It is a little known gem of a country in the heart of Central-Southern Africa that offers a true African experience at a relatively minimal cost.

Kaya Mawa Lodge — Likima Island, Malawi
Likoma is the larger of two small islands in the far north of Lake Malawi. Kaya Mawa Lodge is on the south-western tip of the Island, surrounded by mango trees and ancient baobabs. The stunning setting means that many guests make relaxation their main activity, but scuba, snorkeling, sailing and visits to the local villages are part of the experience.

Mvuu Wilderness Lodge — Liwonde National Park, Malawi
Mvuu offers exclusive accommodation in spacious, luxurious tents. There are five tents, each with an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda raised over the lagoon, ensuring prime and discreet wildlife viewing.

Likima Isl. & Kaya Mawa

Mvuu Wilderness Lodge

NAMIBIA
Namibia is a country of startling contrasts that straddles two great deserts: the Namib (after which it is named) is the oldest desert on the planet, and its sea of red sand lies along the Atlantic coastline; in the eastern interior lies the Kalahari, a vast and sparsely vegetated savannah that sprawls across the border into neighbouring countries. Namibia is celebrated for its vast open landscapes – an abundance of space in which to inhale deeply and bask in an infinite supply of blue skies, sun-drenched weather and tranquil starry nights.

Little Kulala — Namib Desert Region, Namibia
Little Kulala is situated on a large private reserve, bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, in the heart of the Namib. The camp offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei, mountainous scenery and vast open plains.

Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp — Namib Desert, Namibia
Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is located in one of the most remarkable sites in the Namib Desert. The camp is situated on a 21,000 hectare private reserve, 20 kilometers from Sesriem, the Park's entrance to the Sossusvlei dunes.

Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge — Namib Desert, Namibia
This extraordinary safari lodge is renowned for its luxurious and private accommodation set at the foot of a mountain overlooking the stark, yet beautiful Namib Desert. Stone and glass desert villas capture the splendor and solitude of the desert.

Palmwag Rhino Camp — Damaraland, Namibia
Palmwag Rhino Camp is situated in the 1-million-acre private Palmwag Reserve in Damaraland in north-west Namibia, between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast. The camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the "Save the Rhino Trust" – a non-profit conservation organization that has been working in this area for 20 years.

Serra Cafema Camp — Kunene Region, Namibia
Serra Cafema Camp is one of the most remote camps in all of Southern Africa and offers one of the most memorable experiences in Namibia. The small camp, accessed only by aircraft, is in the extreme north-west of Namibia and further away from the capital, Windhoek, than from Botswana's Okavango Delta.

Skeleton Coast Camp — Skeleton Caost Park, Namibia
Skeleton Coast Camp is a six-roomed luxury tented camp in the heart of Skeleton Coast Park within the private concession area. It is built on an island in the dry Khumib riverbed, about 20km inland from the coastline.

Ongava Game Lodge — Etosha Park, Namibia
Listed on the Condé Naste Traveler Gold Reserve List for 2005, Ongava Game Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Accommodation comprises twelve air-conditioned brick, rock and thatch chalets.

Ongava Tented Camp — Etosha Park, Namibia
Ongava Tented Camp is also situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the 30,000 hectare, privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. The small tented camp is built in a different sector of the reserve from Ongava Lodge (listing above).

SEYCHELLES
The 43 Inner Islands that cluster around the principal islands of MahÈ, Praslin and La Digue are the world's only oceanic islands of granitic composition. They represent the mountain peaks of the ancient super-continent of Pangaea that once encompassed the total landmass of a young, evolving planet and are thought to have erupted from the earth's core some 750 million years ago.

North Island — Seychelles
North Island is one of the inner granitic islands of the Seychelles that are often considered to be among the most beautiful on Earth. As such, North Island Lodge is a rare sanctuary for guests seeking a gorgeous, unspoiled tropical haven.

Desert Sunset

Dana Allen photo

Ballooning Over Sossusvlei

Dana Allen photo

Black Rhino – Palmwag

Dana Allen photo

Warthog at Ongava Pool

DRoss photo

North Island

DRoss photo

Divers Off North Island

SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is an enigma in that it is neither First World nor Third World. It is neither exclusively remote "old" Africa, nor exclusively modern African — nor European. What you find in South Africa are blends and elements of the "Africa of old," today's Africa and the New World. In parts of the country, visitors can escape to wild and remote parks and experience exceptional game viewing and true wilderness. Then, just an hour's flight away, you'll findmodern cities and hotels that compete with the best in the world.

Londolozi Founders Camp — South Africa
Charming and intimate, Founderís Camp comprises five chalets and one suite, all with private verandas affording magical views of the Sand River and lush riverine bush.

Londolozi Safari Lodge — South Africa
Set on the banks of the Msuthu River, this lovely lodge comprises just six charming chalets with thatched verandas overlooking the riverbed – perfect for game viewing and bird watching in the surrounding African wilderness.

Ngala Main Lodge — South Africa
This gracious, colonial-style safari lodge, set in Gala's extraordinary African wilderness, is renowned for its superb accommodation. It provides an unbeatable family safari experience in the heart of the Kruger National Park.

Ngala Tented Safari Camp — South Africa
Set on the banks of the great seasonal Timbavati River, Ngala Tented Safari Camp was built with a light footprint to minimize impact on the environment: six luxurious tented suites feature en suite bathrooms with spacious baths and outdoor showers.

Phinda Forest Lodge — South Africa
Exquisite architectural design meets conservation in these luxurious hand-crafted suites. Set deep in the heart of a rare Dry Sand Forest, the Lodge comprises 16 private stilted suites.

Phinda Rock Lodge — South Africa
Set into a cliff-face overlooking the beautiful Leopard Rock, this safari lodge is an absolute delight. Its intimate suites are seemingly suspended over the deep valley below, providing breathtaking views.

Rocktail Bay Lodge — South Africa
Rocktail Bay Lodge is situated in the northern reaches of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park in an area of northern KwaZulu-Natal that is locally known as Maputaland. Accommodation is in 11 "tree-house" chalets. The main area of the lodge has an inviting lounge, pub and pool.

ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe is a land-locked country that straddles the Tropic of Capricorn, in central-southern Africa. It is over 390,000 square kilometers, about the same size as California. The country is blessed with fertile soils, mineral wealth and wonderful scenery.

Matetsi — Zimbabwe
Matetsi is situated on the edge of an open grassland system and waterhole where wildlife gathers. Each sumptuous tented suite has a solid teak structure and private game viewing deck.

ZAMBIA
Mankind's ancestors (the beginnings of the human race) lived on this ancient land millions of years ago. The legendary David Livingstone first saw the awesome glory of the Victoria Falls from Zambia – his memory is enshrined in the nearby town of Livingstone and his heart is buried in this beautiful land.

The River Club — Zambia
The River Club is situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, 18 kilometers upstream from Victoria Falls. The camp has a distinct Edwardian flavor, and guests here enjoy the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River in a peaceful and tranquil setting away from the crowds.