The Guidebook to Unlocking The Magic of Africa: Explore the New Lodges Opening in 2025
Home » The Guidebook to Unlocking The Magic of Africa: Explore the New Lodges Opening in 2025
Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife of this mesmerizing continent. Safari365 takes you on a sneak peek into the upcoming new lodges that will offer you an immersive safari experience from 2025 onwards.
Step into a world where every element is carefully curated to ignite your senses and create unforgettable memories. The new lodges are designed to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, offering unparalleled views of the majestic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Each lodge boasts exquisite accommodations, blending modern comfort with authentic African charm. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or setting foot in Africa for the first time, these new lodges promise an unforgettable escape. Get ready to unlock the magic of Africa with these new lodges and experience the safari adventure of a lifetime in 2025.
Botswana
Mbamba | Okavango Delta | opening 2 April 2025
Nestled in a stunning setting that immediately immerses you in the magic of the Okavango Delta, the 12 room classic style tented camp offers some of the finest safari guides and a range of both land and water-based activities. Whether you’re exploring the rich wildlife of this private concession or relaxing at the camp pool, you’re guaranteed a rewarding experience. In between thrilling game drives, unwind in the comfort of your air-conditioned tent or enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the camp. It’s the perfect spot for those seeking a deeper connection with nature, all while savoring a laid-back and comfortable environment.
Location: In the private NG12 concession of the northern Okavango Delta. Set in a prime location with exceptional year-round game viewing, the action never stops here.
Monachira Camp | Okavango Delta | May 2025
This luxury camp offers motor boating excursions, peaceful mokoro rides, island nature walks, and short game drives for a fully immersive bush experience. Enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing across reed-lined floodplains, seasonal wetlands, and riverine islands, while being close to the famous Gudigwa Heronries, a nesting ground for herons, egrets, and storks. Explore the permanent channels of the Monachira River and keep an eye out for elephants, lions, leopards, and the rare sitatunga, as well as the elusive Pel’s Fishing owl.
Location: Nestled on the edge of the Monachira channel in the northeast Moremi Game Reserve. Accessible only by helicopter, Monachira Camp promises an exclusive retreat in the remote and pristine Okavango Delta.
Maxa Camp | Okavango Delta | March 2025
Maxa is an intimate tented camp featuring just 5 rooms (accommodating up to 12 guests), ensuring a personalized and classic safari experience. There is also a family tent with 2-bedrooms. With its simple yet elegant design, Maxa offers guests the perfect blend of comfort and immersion in nature. Safari enthusiasts can explore the Delta’s rich wildlife through game drives, walking safaris, and seasonal mokoro rides, providing a truly authentic Okavango adventure.
Location: Nestled in a picturesque location in the northern Okavango, overlooking a permanent lagoon.
Kenya
andBeyond Suyian Lodge | Laikipia | opening July 2025
andBeyond has expanded its lodge offerings with Suyian Lodge. It will have 44,000 acres of pristine wilderness in northwestern Laikipia, making them the sole luxury lodge and tented camp operator in the conservancy. The lodge will feature just 14 suites, including a family suite. Activities will include walking safaris, botany walks, camel safaris, and horseback safaris at a nearby conservancy. Guests will also have the chance to interact with local pastoral communities, such as the Samburu and Pokot, and participate in conservation and research initiatives.
Location: The diverse landscapes of Suyian Conservancy that includes grasslands, savannas, rocky kopjes, vechellia woodlands, and over 10 miles of river frontage along the Ewaso Narok River.
Tanzania
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge | Ngorongoro Crater | opening 15 July 2025
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge will be the latest addition to the Lemala collection, completing a stunning circuit of lodges that begins at Hamerkop House in Arusha, continues through Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire, Osonjoi Lodge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and culminates at Nanyukie and Kuria Hills in the Serengeti.
Location: It will be situated near the Lemala Gate and will offer a scenic route into the Ngorongoro Crater, with opportunities for game viewing along the way. The eastern side of the crater, where the lodge is located, tends to have fewer visitors than the west, especially during early morning and late afternoon—ideal times for the best wildlife sightings. Osonjoi offers guests a scenic and pleasant drive, whether arriving by road after an overnight stay in Arusha or traveling from safari camps in Tarangire or Manyara National Parks. For those arriving by air, a thrilling landing at the Manyara Airstrip—perched above a dramatic escarpment—sets the tone for the adventure ahead. Nestled on a hill just back from the Crater rim, the lodge provides an ideal location with sweeping views and easy access to the stunning Ngorongoro Crater.
ENVI Sisini Mara | northern Serengeti | February 2025
ENVI Sisini Mara offers a luxurious bush experience with 10 beautifully crafted tents that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. The camp features a spacious two-bedroom luxury tented suite with a private plunge pool (134 sqm) and nine standard tented suites (55 sqm), each equipped with a luxurious bathroom, outdoor bathtub, and large wooden deck perfect for wildlife viewing. Thoughtfully designed using natural materials and colors, the tents provide both comfort and privacy. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including a gourmet restaurant, stylish lounge and bar, a library tent, spa with treatment room, gym, and a yoga deck.
Location: Within driving distance of Kogatene airstrip. ENVI Sisini Mara’s location is perfect for witnessing the iconic Great Migration! Being so close to a major river crossing must make it an incredible spot for guests seeking those unforgettable wildlife moments.
ENVI Kili | Arusha | October 2025
ENVI Kili, set to open in Q4 2025, promises a unique blend of luxury and nature, with its intimate tented camp design and focus on local, fresh ingredients. The inclusion of wellness treatments, a yoga deck, and ENVI’s signature barefoot luxury adds to its charm, while the personal adventure concierge ensures a tailored experience. The clubhouse will be a great addition for those staying in Arusha, making it an ideal stop before or after exploring Tanzania’s iconic safari destinations. ENVI Kili serves as a perfect base for safari lovers, offering the ideal gateway to Tanzania’s stunning biodiversity and landscapes.
Location: Will be on the outskirts of Arusha with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Simbavati Musabi Plains | central Serengeti | opening May 2025
Enjoy breathtaking views of the endless savannah from all of the 6 tents at Simbavati Musabi Plains Lodge. With accommodation designed for both couples and families, the lodge provides unique experiences tailored to guests of all ages. Immerse yourself in a variety of adventures, including daily game drives, guided bush walks, alfresco breakfasts, relaxing spa treatments, and exciting night safaris.
Location: Located in a prime spot for exceptional wildlife viewing, Simbavati Musabi Plains Lodge offers an exclusive and immersive safari experience. Each of the elegant suites is crafted to provide both comfort and tranquility, with panoramic views of the vast Serengeti plains. Situated near the Grumeti River, the lodge guarantees spectacular wildlife sightings year-round. Guests have the chance to witness the remarkable diversity of the Serengeti, from the majestic Big Five to the awe-inspiring Great Migration.
Zimbabwe
Waterfalls Lodge | Victoria Falls | opening June 2025
Waterfalls Lodge will be a 3* hotel close to Victoria Falls town and will feature 60-rooms. Guests can enjoy delectable meals at our on-site restaurant or alternatively enjoy the breathtaking views while dining at the Wild Horizons Lookout Café, perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge Guests will have the option to swap their breakfast at the hotel for breakfast at the Lookout Cafe. There will be an inviting swimming pool and relaxing gardens that will give guests the opportunity to unwind after a day of exploration in Victoria Falls. With its prime location in this captivating city, a luxurious spa, and access to thrilling adventures, Waterfalls Lodge sets the stage for unforgettable adventures and lifelong memories.
Location: Victoria Falls array of restaurants and shops are just a leisurely fifteen-minute stroll away from the location and within a ten-minute drive, guests can visit the Victoria Falls Rainforest, home to one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders.
Six Senses Victoria Falls | Victoria Falls National Park | opening 2025
The property’s innovative design, featuring stilted wooden structures connected by raised walkways and bridges, ensures a minimal environmental footprint while offering a luxurious and immersive experience. With 22 lodges, including 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools and 17 individual pool villas—nine of which have multi-bedroom accommodations—guests can enjoy both privacy and stunning views. The tree-level lodges are designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, offering a “bird’s-eye” perspective on the surrounding wildlife.
Guests will be welcomed at the pavilion and then transferred to the lounge lobby, where they’ll have access to a raised restaurant, specialty dining options, a braai bar, and a sunset lookout bar. The Six Senses spa and wellness center will feature four treatment rooms, a gym, yoga deck, outdoor hot pools, a panoramic sauna, and a concept store. A unique ‘jungle’ gym experience, guided by a ranger, further enhances this one-of-a-kind stay.
Location: On the banks of the Zambezi River within Victoria Falls National Park.
Zambia
Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp | Kafue National Park | early 2025
Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp promises to be an exciting new addition to Zambia’s tourism landscape, nestled in the heart of Kafue National Park, the oldest and largest national park in the country. With its rich biodiversity and breathtaking scenery. It will blend luxury and wilderness, especially with its elevated design and exclusive features like the Presidential Villa. The addition of a spa, wellness area, and traditional African boma enhances its appeal for guests seeking both relaxation and adventure. The way each tent at Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp is designed for privacy and immersion, along with its personalized experiences like a private plunge pool and boat, really sets it apart
Location: Kafue National Park’s vast, untouched wilderness adds to its allure, and the proximity of the new camp to both Victoria Falls and Lusaka makes it accessible yet remote enough for a truly immersive experience.
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