Top 10 Exclusive-Use Properties for Groups & Families

We love the peaceful location of Time + Tide Chongwe House on a glorious stretch of the Chongwe River in Lower Zambezi National Park. Built with organic materials that blend effortlessly into the landscape, this two-story residence has four spacious bedrooms, each with an open-air bathtub and a shower. The house is both laidback and sophisticated, boasting a fabulous outdoor pool, a traditional boma with a fire-pit, and a pizza oven. With indoor and outdoor lounges and ample space in which to gather, it is perfectly designed for family get-togethers after a day in the bush. The variety of activities is a major highlight, and guests have access to an exclusive team for expertly guided walking safaris, private game drives, boat cruises, and fishing.

Within 23,000 hectares of malaria-free wilderness framed by the Waterberg Mountains, the exclusive-use Marataba Residence is a year-round destination. Four tents accommodate eight adults and two children, each featuring a deep freestanding bath, indoor and outdoor showers, and spacious viewing decks. You’ll have your own expert team, including a private chef, a butler, a housekeeper, and a 24-hour concierge. The house also comes with its own safari vehicle and a personal field guide for full flexibility in pacing your days. Spend your time out on game drives and boat safaris, dine outside in the wild, and definitely don’t miss their amazing treehouse experience! Younger guests are also well catered for with the kids’ explorer program. And for relaxation and social time back at the house, the swimming pool, boma, and fire-pit are perfect for family gatherings.

Jabali Private House is the most luxurious exclusive-use home in Ruaha National Park. This is lion country – a wild, remote setting also known for its towering baobab trees. Two master suites have private verandas, and a smaller twin room works perfectly for children. The house comes with a private chef, a dedicated safari guide, and a vehicle for exploring Ruaha at leisure. Meals can be enjoyed outside on the deck, and a large plunge pool provides a welcome break from the heat. You can also access the library and spa at nearby sister property, Jabali Ridge. Day and night game drives offer a good chance of spotting lion, elephant, and African wild dog, while guided walking safaris provide a unique perspective on this incredibly diverse ecosystem.

There’s a reason Londolozi Granite Suites has some of the most photographed outdoor bathtubs in Africa. The property has a stunning setting overlooking the Sand River, surrounded by ebony trees, in one of the Kruger’s most game-dense private reserves. From the comfort of your deck or plunge pool overlooking the water, you’ll enjoy intimate wildlife sightings, with elephant and buffalo frequently approaching to drink. There are just three suites, so maximum privacy is guaranteed, making it a top choice for exclusivity in Sabi Sands. Whether sipping cocktails at the sunset bar or enjoying massage treatments and yoga classes at Londolozi’s main Varty Camp, this is a standout way to enjoy the greater Kruger area.

Connected by a walkway to its legendary sister property, Wilderness Mombo, Little Mombo remains one of the most high-end luxury safari camps in Africa. A brand-new state-of-the-art wellness center raises the bar further, with special features like meditation cocoons and an ice bath complementing the full gym, lap pool, and a range of holistic treatments. For consistent, year-round wildlife viewing, Mombo’s location within the Moremi Game Reserve is exceptional. You’ll fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippos and spend your days observing predator activity at its most gripping. With just four guest suites, Little Mombo ensures absolute exclusivity, featuring private verandas with plunge pools, outdoor showers, and beautiful copper bathtubs.

Wilderness Magashi Peninsula is an ultra-luxe Big Five safari camp facing Lake Rwanyakazinga in Akagera National Park. Staying inside the park’s only private-access concession guarantees exclusive wildlife encounters, with frequent sightings of elephant, buffalo, Maasai giraffe, and reintroduced lion and rhino. Accommodation includes two luxury twin suites and a spacious two-bedroom private villa, all with panoramic lake views, plunge pools, and star-beds for nights spent gazing up at the Milky Way. As you’ll have your own 4×4 vehicle and private safari guide, day and night game drives allow for in-depth exploration of the park’s wildlife, with year-round boating for a different perspective on the wetlands. There’s also a high-tech gym, and you can enjoy a range of in-suite massages, ideal after a day of game-viewing activities!

Enasoit is a family-friendly camp in the foothills of Mount Kenya with warm hosting and lots of personal touches. It’s the type of place where you gather around the dining table for home-cooked meals, sink into an armchair by the log fire, and spend hours watching wildlife around the busy waterhole. There are six tented cottages, a large two-bedroom family tent, and a stunning outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens. You can enjoy poolside or in-tent massages, fully included in your stay! Its private conservancy location makes Enasoit a dream for activities such as day and night game drives, guided walks, horse riding, bush picnics, and mountain biking. Kids are also kept busy with a Junior Warrior Programme, featuring tree planting, nature walks, beading, and bows-and-arrows making.

Lamai Private is the four-bedroom sister property to Lamai Serengeti, exclusively for private groups. This understated luxury camp is located in prime Great Migration river-crossing territory, with spectacular views across the Serengeti. There’s plenty of space to spread out, while communal dining and a spacious pool deck bring the group together. When not at camp, you’ll be out on game drives exploring the Serengeti with one of the brilliant Nomad guides. For those here in June/July, proximity to the Mara River makes Lamai an epic choice to catch sight of the huge wildebeest herds as they make their way northwards. However, you’ll be rewarded with excellent game viewing at any time of year, with lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, and plenty of herbivores around camp.

While not exclusively built for private takeovers, intimate Little Ruckomechi is perfect for exclusive use. Located within a private concession in the World Heritage-listed Mana Pools National Park, this small, remote camp features just four classic tented suites, a lounge, and a plunge pool overlooking a prime elephant river-crossing section. Led by some of Africa’s top wildlife guides, activities offer diverse perspectives of this spectacular landscape and its inhabitants through game drives, walking safaris, and canoeing excursions. The area is known for its large elephant herds alongside lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog. When the camp is booked exclusively, children are welcome, making it an excellent choice for families or small groups seeking a truly authentic safari destination in Mana Pools.

For an exclusive, top-quality experience in Botswana, consider combining Little DumaTau and Little Mombo for the elephant mega-herds of the Linyanti and the predator action of Moremi Game Reserve. In Rwanda, Big Five game viewing at Magashi Peninsula works perfectly with gorilla trekking in the north at Bisate Reserve, where you’ll also have access to their spectacular new state-of-the-art wellness retreat.