Our top 5 African safari luxury trends for 2025: The Best Places to Go on Safari in Africa

African safari luxury in 2025 looks like this

Traveling in 2025 is so much more than hopping on a plane to a popular safari destination and ticking off all the must-see attractions. It’s about experiencing your destination to the fullest, exploring off-the-beaten path locations that offer exclusive experiences, and reconnecting to oneself and the nature around you whilst disconnecting from the stresses of everyday life. You can go on the most luxurious safari in Africa, but if it doesn’t offer those opportunities, it’s perhaps not worth contemplating...  

We’ve collected our top recommendations for the best African safari tours in 2025. Here are our key takeaways:

1. Experiential & authentic safaris: emphasize slow, immersive travel over rushing to see the Big Five. Seek cultural connections, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and experiences like walking safaris, mobile tented camps, and engage with indigenous communities in a respectful way.

2. Sustainable & ethical safaris: conservation-first tourism, choose eco-conscious lodges and participate in conservation efforts. Minimize environmental impact while enhancing your safari experience.

3. Bespoke luxury safaris: custom-tailored safari tours, including exclusive-use lodges, private guides, and bespoke experiences that cater to your unique interests and preferences.

4. Soft travel & wellness safaris: focus on well-being, nature immersion, and mindfulness. Engage in experiences like walking safaris and sleepouts under the stars for deep relaxation and true connection with nature.

5. Digital detox: switch off your devices on your terms, opt to travel with professional photographers or filmmakers to document your trip, and create a safari tour without digital distractions.

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1) Experiential tourism: authentic travel beyond sightseeing

If you have been on an African safari in the past, you may have experienced what it is like to race from one sighting to the next, ticking off your Big Five as quickly as possible. Luckily, most of today’s safari providers have changed their philosophy, offering a much more authentic way of experiencing Africa’s wild spaces. "Pole pole" - or “slowly slowly" in Swahili – is the way-to-go in today’s safari landscape, and we couldn’t agree more! Africa's tourism industry is intentionally working to slow things down - and in doing so, creating more meaningful experiences.

In addition to immersing more in wildlife and slowing down the game viewing, luxury travellers are seeking out authentic experiences that foster deeper engagement with local cultures and communities. Experiences include foraging for honey with the Hadzabe tribe in Tanzania, tracking with the San Bushmen in Botswana, riding camels with the Samburu herders in Kenya, experiencing the nomadic, traditional way of life of the Himba people in Namibia, or the visiting the unique Batwa pygmie tribe in Uganda.

These experiences go beyond the manufactured photo sessions and give you a glimpse into what it is really like to live like the locals, participating in their daily lives, traditions, and customs.  

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Authentic safaris also emphasize travelling to remote niche locations and avoiding over-tourism. Off-peak travel and off-the-beaten-path destinations are rising in popularity as luxury travelers become more conscious of the negative impact of over-tourism. What’s more, booking your safari with these considerations in mind, can also positively impact your travel budget.

If this sounds up your alley, consider a safari to Kenya or Tanzania, where you can follow the Great Migration in a luxury mobile tented camp. You can even choose to walk your safari journey yourself, being greeted by a fully set up camp at the end of each day. Or embark on a private Okavango Delta safari under canvas, designed to make the most of seasonal conditions and wildlife moments. Setting up camp in a stunning luxury safari tent, unbound by geographical restrictions or camp concessions, allows you to experience the heart of Africa in the greatest comfort.  

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2) Sustainable safari: are safaris ethical in 2025?

Today, 58% of travelers are more likely to choose destinations that promote sustainable practices and 44% want to support local businesses with their travel plans. As a conservation-first safari agency, we could not be happier about this! Mindful of the environment and social impact of all our safari tours, we put eco-friendly practices and purpose-driven travel first. Travel, including African safari travel, is so much more than a source of recreation, and by choosing your travel agent and destinations wisely, you can positively contribute to the environment without much effort or additional costs on your part.

If you want a quick checklist of how to make your African safari more sustainable, here’s how you can make the biggest difference:

1. Plan your safari with conservation-committed travel advisors that are dedicated to sustainability and giving back  

2. Choose eco-conscious safari camps that really deliver on local community investment & upliftment programmes

3. Learn about the conservation challenges and participate in hands-on projects: from human-wildlife conflict to habitat fragmentation, understanding complex conservation issues gives you a much more realistic insight into what is really going on in Africa. Travelling with a private guide will make this a lot easier.

4. Choose off-the-beaten-path destinations that respect their surroundings: choose to travel to lesser-known destinations or to more popular destinations in low- or shoulder seasons.  

Visiting wild spaces and viewing wild animals are central to an African safari. Having a sustainability mindset also includes consideration for the spaces and animals you are seeing. Gaining the advice from an Africa-based travel agency, who have actually visited the destinations they recommend, is the best way to ensure that you are supporting ethical safari operators.  

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3) Bespoke travel: true African safari tours luxury

Gone are the days of cookie cutter African safari tours. An African luxury safari is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for many travelers. No wonder you want to get your money’s worth out of it! Booking a tailor-made luxury safari tour customized to meet your individual interests and needs is the best way to guarantee you get exactly what you want.

‍“You get what you pay for, rather than paying for what you get. The difference may be subtle, but it can make or break a trip in my experience!” - Wild Wonderful World traveler Chris

We’ve experienced a shift from one-size-fits-all packages to bespoke safari itineraries, with one-of-a-kind, bespoke, and immersive experiences in high demand. This is arguably the best way of experiencing Africa on safari, as it allows you to create unique memories and truly meaningful journeys. However, creating such a bespoke African safari tour is far from easy! Luckily, we are here to help.  

If you are wanting an even more bespoke luxury safari experience, booking an exclusive-use safari is the solution. This includes the entire safari lodge or villa for personal use with full-time staff and all-inclusive meals, drinks and activities. A private guide and vehicle give you the freedom to explore the wilderness at your own pace – a blessing for families with children and those who simply do not want to compromise on anything during their holiday. Exclusive-use destinations are the perfect option for groups or families looking for a private & personalised luxury safari tour that is tailored to your specific interests and requirements. Our favourite destinations for 2025 include: Kwandwe Fort House, Singita Castleton, Tswalu Tarkuni, Barclay Stenner Luxury Mobile Camp Botswana, Serengeti House Tanzania

Whether you are celebrating Christmas with family in the bush, embarking on an anniversary or birthday celebration, or simply wanting to explore new horizons with friends or multi-generational family, designing a custom travel itinerary is the way-to-go when booking your safari holiday. And why not consider an African safari as your teambuilding experience-of-dreams? We can’t think of a better environment to forge trusting relationships that the African wilderness!  

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4) Soft Travel: African luxury safaris that go beyond slow travel

An African safari is the nature destination par-excellence, offering the perfect escape from the daily hustle and bustle, disconnect from daily stress and reconnect to yourself instead. Going beyond just slow travel, an African safari is the perfect example of soft travel: offering restorative experiences through a closer connection with the natural world, with a small ecological footprint and ethical treatment of the environment, wildlife and local cultures.

Look at it as R&R (rest & relaxation) on steroids: the African culture is inherently tied to slowing down, spending time outdoors, adapting to the rhythm of nature, and going with the flow. The safari industry offers plenty of opportunities for experiences promoting physical and mental health, such as personalised yoga retreats, nature meditations, and spa treatments inspired by local traditions. The result? A deep and intensive body-mind transformation that stays with you even as you return to daily life at home.

Look into destinations like Londolozi Varty Camp and Tswalu The Motse in South Africa, Wilderness Mombo Camp in Botswana, Miavana Island Lodge in Madagascar, or Wild Hill in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Go beyond the classic safari game drive and get out of the vehicle to walk along the riverbanks, follow the game paths left behind by wild animals and hone your senses to the sounds and sights of the African wilderness without distraction. Integrate visual elements, sounds, touch as well as smell and taste, on a multi-sensory safari that not only slows you down but also invites you to experience your destination on a deeper level. Take your time as you stay in one place for longer, to fully immerse yourself in the region you are exploring.

And wellness doesn’t stop at nightfall either. A classic safari includes twice daily game drives, and the afternoon game drive offers the perfect opportunity to switch off the lights and marvel at the incredible African night sky dotted with stars as far as the eye can see. Nowadays, places where you can stargaze without light or noise pollution are few and far between, but Africa sure is the place-to-be for this transformative experience. Those who want to take it even further can include a sleep-out under the stars. Be it in a luxury safari tent or a mosquito-netted, four poster bed in the middle of a sandy riverbed, few experiences rival sleeping under the stars with a herd of elephants ambling past.

With solo travel on the rise, it is important to find those destinations that are geared towards women and men travelling alone. 71% of solo travelers are women, and an estimated 30% of men planning solo trips by 2025. Working with a safari travel planner that knows the best locations and lodge offers without single supplements can help you plan your solo safari tour with thoughtfulness and safety!

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5) Technology on your terms only: digital detox on safari

If you are looking for a digital detox, what better way than to travel to a destination where the nearest cell phone tower is miles away? Switch off your devices or better yet, leave your phone and even camera behind! You can hire a film crew, photographer or travel with a private guide on safari who captures your holiday memories for you. Get in touch with us to schedule a photographer for your safari or consider travelling with a professional film maker, who will document your adventures exploring the stunning nature and wildlife of your destinations. The result? A professionally edited, personalised video capturing your life-long safari memories, in motion.

Whilst we are using technology more and more, we also want to have free choice about when and where to switch our devices off or on. This technology on demand mindset is exactly what we facilitate. We use online tools for our itinerary planning, containing detailed information about things like insurance, health precautions and regulations, and transport logistics. We organise everything from when you set foot on South African soil to when you leave for home, so that you don’t have to worry about the technical details in between. This enables you to virtually explore your destination before arrival, so that you can truly switch off and relax during your holiday.

When talking about technology in 2025, we cannot ignore the surge of AI created safari itineraries! With so many options available, it's unsurprising that many savvy travelers are turning to AI and social media for help. We tried it out for ourselves, and here’s how that went... It’s safe to say, working with an actual human to plan your luxury African safari is still the best way to ensure a seamless experience!  

Are you ready to go on safari in 2025 or 2026? Embarking on an African luxury safari is an investment in unforgettable memories and unparalleled experiences. Make sure your 2025 African safari is exactly how you picture it to be, coloured by authentic, immersive cultural experiences, contributing to a better planet, filled with restorative and deeply sensory adventures without being disturbed by constant beeps and pings from your devices. The magic of Africa awaits, ready to be explored the way you want!

‍Contact our travel team to make it happen.

Written by Evelyn Poole