New Safari Lodges in Southern Africa - Coming in 2026

Each year, we curate a shortlist of new safari camps and lodges that truly excite us. Earlier this month we wrote about lodges opening in East Africa that we are collectively drooling about. Now we bring you our top picks for new properties in southern Africa that will open in 2026.

While we rarely recommend places we haven’t personally experienced, every lodge featured here is operated by partners we know and trust—brands with a proven commitment to conservation, meaningful community engagement, and exceptional guiding. We’re confident that each of these new additions will deliver experiences that feel both authentic and unforgettable. Let us help you plan your next safari to include one or more of these wonderful new luxury lodges!

Sediba Sa Rona — Khwai (Okavango edge), Botswana

A notable new-build on a classic safari footprint: Sediba Sa Rona is set on the Khwai River at the edge of the Moremi ecosystem, with an opening positioned for 2026. Expect tented-luxury design, strong guiding, and that signature Khwai magic—predators, elephants, and water-side drama that can unfold right from your deck.

Rockfig Safari Lodge – Timbavati, Greater Kruger area – Not new but totally rebuilt!

One of our favorite lodges in the Greater Kruger just got a complete re-build and it’s looking absolutely fabulous. We love the 4 passenger per vehicle limit and with just 6 suites, RockFig ensures a personalised and intimate stay, with world-class hospitality. Guests can enjoy thrilling game drives, where encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife is a daily occurrence, or relax in the lodge’s elegant spaces that seamlessly blend indoor comfort with outdoor splendor.

Singita Elela — Okavango Delta, Botswana

Singita in the Okavango is a big deal—and Elela (meaning “to flow”) is designed as an homage to the Delta’s constant motion. Opening in 2026, it promises Singita’s hallmark of refined style and conservation-forward purpose, translated into one of Africa’s most extraordinary wetland wildernesses.

Azura Marlin Beach — Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Safari doesn’t have to end with the last game drive. Azura Marlin Beach (reborn on Benguerra Island) is all barefoot-luxury ease—white sand, turquoise water, and a marine playground inside the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park. It’s an elegant add-on after safari: snorkel, dive, dhow cruise, repeat.

&Beyond Sandibe Under Canvas and &Beyond Nxabega Under Canvas — Okavango Delta, Botswana

For travelers who love the romance of classic safari “under canvas,” with &Beyond’s operational excellence behind it: these two ultra-intimate camps are designed around simplicity, intimacy, and immersion. Each camp is made up of just three tents—ideal for those who want a lighter footprint and a front-row seat to the Delta’s rhythm.

Waterfalls Lodge — Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A smart, stylish base close to the Falls: Waterfalls Lodge is positioned as an easy, comfortable stay in Victoria Falls town—perfect for pairing with safari time in Hwange, the Zambezi, or Botswana. When you want great logistics without compromising on atmosphere, this is one to watch.

Bupenyu Lodge — Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Set above the Batoka Gorge with dramatic Zambezi views, Bupenyu is the boutique counterpoint to a classic “Falls hotel.” It’s designed for travelers who want Victoria Falls to feel like a destination in its own right—intimate, design-conscious, and close to the action.

Sandringham (Kruger region) — South Africa

Sandringham Private Game Reserve is part of the Sabi Sabi Collection and is positioned in the broader Kruger-region wilderness with two luxury camps planned (including N’Weti, noted for a June 2026 opening). A compelling option for travelers who want that Greater Kruger style of safari—excellent guiding, strong wildlife, and a new-generation lodge aesthetic.

The Claremont — Cape Town, South Africa

Not every luxury safari itinerary should end with a rush home. The Claremont is a 15-room boutique hotel in a restored Cape Dutch manor house—an ideal “exhale” before or after safari, with Cape Town’s best dining, galleries, and gardens close by. Just like Sandringham, Claremont is operated by our friends at Sabi Sabi.