Top 10 Value Lodges
These Top 10 value lodges and camps offer authentic safari experiences for keen adventurers, defined by remote locations and outstanding professional guiding.
A luxury safari doesn’t always require a record-breaking price tag. Our specialists have first-hand experience working in Africa as guides and camp managers, so they know exactly how to source the best-value accommodation without compromising the experience. These hand-picked camps, located in prime wilderness areas across Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, offer excellent value, high-quality service, and exceptional game viewing. Whether you’re seeking a walking safari, night drives, or a family-focused adventure, this selection provides an ideal starting point.
Our Top Value Lodges in Africa
Wayo Manyara Green Camp
Wayo Manyara Green Camp is a firm favorite with our team for a stay in Lake Manyara National Park. It consistently over-delivers and offers brilliant value for the price point. Charming and atmospheric, the camp is in a secluded spot within the national park, as one of only two properties we work with inside the park itself. There is an incredible array of activities available here – including canoeing, night drives, mountain biking, and a one-of-a-kind treetop walkway tour – making it ideal for an adventurous, activity-filled safari, particularly good for families too. We’re also fans of the retractable gauze roofs in each tent, which allow for stargazing directly from your bed.
Motswari Private Game Reserve
Motswari Private Game Reserve is a standout for high-calibre, family-owned hospitality in the Timbavati. Known for its Big Five sightings and high densities of wild dog and cheetah, Motswari offers a first-rate yet affordably priced safari experience in a beautiful, quieter corner of the reserve. The lodge comprises 15 bungalows nestled in the bushveld or overlooking the river. For even greater immersion in nature, spend a night at the Giraffe’s Nest hide for views of the Xanatsi Dam and starlit skies.
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara is tucked away in the private Mara North Conservancy, where day and night game drives provide privileged access to the region’s iconic big cat population. With just seven tents, including two excellent family options, this is a truly well-run, friendly camp. It’s rare to find these levels of quality and authenticity at such comfortable prices. We also highly recommend their expertly guided bush walks and the unique opportunity to run through the plains with the Maasai!
Wilderness Davidson’s
Located in an ecologically diverse corner of Hwange National Park where permanent water attracts year-round wildlife, Wilderness Davison’s delivers great value in Zimbabwe’s largest national park. Here, in this fertile landscape, large elephant herds gather around waterholes and predators stalk their prey, including lion, leopard, cheetah, and spotted hyena. Spotlit night drives allow you to set off after dark for chance encounters with the more elusive nocturnal creatures. Zimbabwe’s wildlife guides are some of the finest in Africa, so guided bush walks are also a must!
Flatdogs
An affordable camp in the South Luangwa, Flatdogs is a great option for travellers seeking a comfortable, friendly base from which to explore the area. All budgets are catered for with a wide range of accommodations, from family-friendly chalets to exclusive-use residences. There’s also a bistro-style à la carte restaurant, a buzzy open-plan bar, and two swimming pools. As the birthplace of the walking safari, the South Luangwa remains one of Africa’s most exciting parks to explore on foot, led by some exceptional professional guides.
Notten’s Bush Camp
Notten’s is a homely, family-owned lodge in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserves, delivering the best value for miles around. This is prime Big Five game-viewing territory, where leopard viewing is a particular highlight. Notten’s has mastered the authentic safari atmosphere with its small, intimate feel, rooms lit with oil lanterns, and uninterrupted views of the bush. You’ll most likely see plains game strolling past your suite and even the occasional elephant herd!
Lake Manze Camp
One of our favorite rustic bush camps in Tanzania, Lake Manze Camp is a brilliant option for those seeking wild adventures in Nyerere National Park. Straightforward yet perfectly comfortable, it offers cozy accommodation in Meru-style canvas tents, dining on hearty home-cooked food, and gatherings around the campfire for star-filled nights and storytelling. In addition to game drives, another real highlight here is boat safaris on Lake Manze and its channels. Look out for hippos, crocs, and an astonishing variety of birdlife!
Waterberry Lodge
Not only does Waterberry Lodge offer excellent value for money, but it also happens to occupy one of the loveliest locations of any property close to Victoria Falls. We love this welcoming, family-friendly lodge with its pretty gardens, friendly staff, and choice of accommodations, including secluded safari tents and a riverside private house. Staff members can arrange all sorts of activities, from sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, island picnics, and white-water rafting, to helicopter rides over thunderous Victoria Falls.
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge offers unparalleled proximity to the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei. Guests benefit from private access via an exclusive-use gate, ensuring early entry to the desert’s most iconic landscapes before other visitors. Each suite features a private rooftop deck designed for sleep-outs under the Namibian night sky, in an area renowned for near-zero light pollution and incredible stargazing! For families, there are two-bedroom suites with shared outdoor decks overlooking the stunning desert landscape.
Naibor Camp
Naibor Camp is a great option for travellers who would like a peaceful place to base themselves while in the Maasai Mara. It’s in a seriously good location in the heart of the Mara’s game-viewing action, but the camp maintains a tranquil feel away from the crowds. With a great mix of luxury touches and a general sense of safari adventure, along with excellent value safari offers in honour of its 20th anniversary this year, we reckon this is genuinely the finest in luxury safari without the luxury price tag.
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Good to Know
Why are safaris expensive?
Safaris can seem expensive, but keep in mind that your quotation typically includes all on-the-ground services, from full-board accommodation including all meals to activities, park fees, and transfers. That said, the price of your safari is driven by several factors, including the type of property, the time of year, and whether you require private vehicles and activities. Discuss your budget with our team, and we’ll provide expert guidance and support throughout the planning process.
Will I still have a good-quality experience at a value camp?
This is such an important question, and the answer is yes! With the right guidance, your safari will be a once-in-a-lifetime journey full of unforgettable moments, even if you choose great-value camps and lodges. Just let us know your budget, and we’ll tailor your itinerary accordingly.
What are the best destinations for a value safari?
All the safari destinations we cover can be tailored to offer excellent value – it really depends on the camps you choose and when you plan to travel. Rest assured that you can enjoy authentic, high-end stays at some excellent properties in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, without eye-watering prices.
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