What's hot for 2023

The start of a new year brings with it renewal and fresh ideas… and the safari world is no different! There are some hugely exciting projects in the works for 2023, and a few old friends getting a refurb. There’s a great new adventurous outfit in the Serengeti, a couple of our favorite Zambian products have merged together, and rumors are circulating that the best beach lodge in East Africa is going supersonic!

Throughout the course of the year all our specialists head out to ‘Safari Africa’ to update our knowledge and keep a finger on the pulse of all new developments. Maintaining knowledge is a vital part of what we do. We’ve always believed in giving our clients the best, most up-to-date information possible. It’s about knowing the guides, knowing the best areas for game… and keeping on top of news and rumors.

We’ll keep you updated on new developments throughout 2023, but here’s what’s getting us excited right now… welcome to Yellow Zebra’s 2023 Hotlist!

If you are interested in visiting any of these lodges or locations, don't hesitate to contact us here, or call us on ?+1 855 225 1155 to start planning a safari tailored to you.

Artistic render of Wayo's Serengeti Green Camp

This great, authentic company is investing heavily in its Serengeti properties. Wayo specializes in walking safaris and getting clients off the beaten track in North Tanzania. Founded by Jean du Plessis (a legendary guide and guide trainer himself), Wayo is opening its newly refurbished camps in the north of the Serengeti from mid-June 2023 – in time for the Great Migration’s river crossings. The company will then move south with the herds to be one of the few genuinely migrational mobile outfits.

Operating three styles of camp, from the adventurous walking Serengeti Fly Camp and Serengeti Walking Camp to the more game drive-focused Serengeti Green Camp, Wayo offers something genuinely different. Very few companies have the permission and ability to be so mobile, to really follow the herds, and to walk so extensively across untouched areas of the park. Incredible… our hot topic for 2023.

Mnemba and Fanjove: private islands and jewels of the Tanzanian coast, are both getting a refurb this year! Fanjove’s makeover is nearly complete – and knowing Selous Safari Company, it will be gorgeous. This idyllic, remote, wild island is the perfect pre- or post-safari destination for those looking for a fantastic private island away from the crowds.

Mnemba has long been regarded as the finest beach destination in Africa, the pinnacle of barefoot luxury. Well, there are going to be a few changes, including private plunge pools, we hear! No doubt it will retain its understated luxury, class, and place at the top of the (palm) tree…

We will keep you posted on opening times and news – watch this space!

The re-branding of Wilderness Safaris to simply – Wilderness. As many reading this will know, YZ sold to Wilderness at the beginning of 2021. With its 58 properties across Africa in iconic destinations, including such legendary camps as Mombo, Bisate, and Jao, we feel exceptionally lucky and privileged to be in partnership with the company. The rebrand, from logo, to website, to all staff uniforms, their airline and every 4x4, sees Wilderness enter 2023 looking better than ever. The rebrand doesn’t stop there – this is a company focusing on leading the industry in terms of guiding, service, camp design, and increasingly on activities outside of their fantastic lodges and camps. Out-of-camp experiences are ultimately what safari is all about! The company’s scope is global and conservation based, and the mission statement to increase untamed wilderness with a view to doubling by 2030 the 2.3 million hectares already under Wilderness’ protection. No other safari company comes close to this level of responsibility to Africa’s big game habitats and delicate ecosystems. It’s not a change in direction – it’s a broader umbrella name for what they already do! As the website has it, ‘We are Wilderness’… and they’re really very good at it.

Check out the new website, wildernessdestinations.com, to see the (new) direction of the most influential brand in the industry.

Another safari brand is created with the joining forces of two of Zambia’s finest companies. With their first season under their belt already, the Kafue’s Jeffery and McKeith and Lower Zambezi’s Tusk & Mane are two owner-run, guiding-focused safari companies that offer authentic safaris to compete with the very best in the business. With a fantastic diversity of activities on offer, as well as excellent locations and exceptional guiding (we’d argue this is one of the very best teams in the business), this is a group of camps that have gained genuine respect from within the safari industry itself. You only need to chat to our team here to realize what an impression this company has made on us!

Classic Zambia is a company showcasing the very essence of safari. The creation of the new brand means special offers on long stays, and the use of their own plane links up a historically challenging itinerary.

View of Future Found Sanctuary, Cape Town

Ultimate acclimatization has arrived in Cape Town!

Future Found Sanctuary is not the next Back to the Future film… it’s an amazing, brand new property on the slopes of Table Mountain. Run and owned by the superb safari company Time + Tide Safaris, and with as much pampering as you decide (you can design wellness packages to really get back to nature), this is a classy retreat and place to make home while enjoying all the activities Cape Town has to offer. The jury is out on whether it will provide genuine competition to the exceptional Ellerman House or the extra-funky design of The Silo, but Future Found offers something different away from these properties, away from the tourist sites. It’s multi-functional – stay here for a day or two to decompress after a long flight, rest after a safari, or even settle into a longer stay with personal goals in mind! 

The long story short? Time + Tide have not let us down yet… this place should be very good indeed.

Angama Amboseli, sister property to the phenomenal Angama Mara, is opening this November – and we’ve been excited about this one for a while! What’s so special? The region is known as an elephant paradise, with exceptional views of Kilimanjaro, but Angama’s new property plans to be located away from the main hubbub that Amboseli can sometimes bring. Thousands of elephants and some of Africa’s largest tuskers travel through this stunning landscape… a genuine land of giants. There are few finer sights than seeing the region’s mega-herds strolling in front of Kili!

Artistic render of guest tents, Angama Amboseli

This is one of Africa’s truly iconic regions, and we’re expecting to see it become one of Kenya’s best camps. Without any doubt, one of the best trips in Kenya will be to join up Angama’s Mara property with this new Amboseli gem, making Angama one of Africa’s hottest topics for 2023.

Artistic renders of Tswalu Loapi's main area

This ultra-exclusive lodge from the incredible Tswalu opens in March and has been designed to offer total privacy while on safari. Two -bedroom and one -bedroom “‘safari homes”’..., complete with private chef, butler, vehicle, guide, and spotter. We’re expecting this to be one of the most finely tuned offerings anywhere on the continent! Its location, nestled in a valley between the Korannaberg mountains in an absolutely vast private reserve, offers endless plains and stunning views. Owned by the Oppenheimers - of the diamond world - Tswalu Loapi will be ridiculously good, with very little expense spared in keeping you satisfied as a guest. For those of us who have done a few safaris, Loapi will offer the opportunity to view pangolin and aardvark…reasons to travel here in themselves. There might be a drawing of lots in the office to see who goes to check this one out!

If you’d like to hear more about any of these exciting new locations, please don't hesitate to contact us here, or give us a call on +1 855 225 1155 to start planning a safari tailored specially to you.