Do you yearn for wilder places, exclusivity and personal, in-depth experiences? Our flagship product offers you a fully tailormade service with exclusive use accommodations, private guides, chefs and more.
This type of travel is ideal for small groups of friends or families who prefer to dictate their own pace than be tied to the timetables of a lodge, camp or small group tour.
At exclusive-use safari accommodations, you and yours are the absolute centre of attention. You establish the schedule, you pick the activity, there’s no sharing of facilities with other guests.
Each private safari house is fully staffed with house manager, chef and wildlife guides. Many offer the option of a nanny if you are planning to holiday with little ones.
You have your own private 4×4 game vehicles and the freedom to venture out into the wilderness when it suits you. Track leopard at dawn, drink cocktails at sunset or simply laze beside your private pool.
Accommodation ranges from back to basics bush and fly camping with the creature comforts of lovely linens and bedding, ensuite bathrooms, gourmet food and friendly service to private safari camps, houses and uber luxury exclusive use lodges.
Each one ensures the very best facilities for you and your travelling party, be it a couple seeking the ultimate romance or a small group of family or friends on safari.
For a stylish African safari that specialists manage from concept, creation to completion, look no further.
To have Chongwe House all to ourselves was definitely saving the best to last. We always knew it would be great, but it was fabulous. It was amazing to be able to explore the Lower Zambezi with a exclusive guide and vehicle, we explored most of the park with our guide and saw plenty of wildlife but we’ll never forget when we saw leopard in tree. The people, the environment, food, the animals, the Zambezi – we just loved the Chongwe House. Only one issue – we had to leave!!
When to Go
There is always something available in Africa on an exclusive use basis, so don’t worry about timings. School holidays are most popular and therefore we recommend planning well in advance. If your travelling party wants to incorporate beach or island, we recommend the summer months in Africa.
Good to Know
Many safari camps are small with just 4 tents, so we can book them out on an exclusive basis if planning is done well in advance. Exclusive use does not have to be expensive, some of the safari houses and villas are affordable and great for families or groups of friends. We cover everything from private road transfers, charter planes or scheduled local aircraft services to ensure you an effortless, exclusive safari holiday. There are exclusive use and private safari houses and properties all over Africa, see some of the great places outlined here in the Explore tab.
Together time
Life is either a great shared adventure or nothing – Helen Keller
Browse our Itinerary Collection for Exclusive Use Safari inspiration
Exclusive East Africa
Kenya has a handful of private houses, namely Cottars, Galdessa and Olerai Beach House. There are exclusive use mobile walking safaris that we love in Kenya too. Tanzania offers some great private safari accommodations like Beho Beho Bailey’s Banda, Kiba Point, Selous Private Camp and multiple mobile walking safaris. Our favourite is located up in the eastern Laikipia region where you set out with a support crew of camels and professional guides and trackers experiencing outstanding landscapes with a diversity of wildlife, great activities along the way and a really personal and intimate safari experience.
Southern Africa Exclusive
In Zimbabwe there’s Tom’s Safari House at The Hide, whilst Zambia is more abundant with Chongwe River House, Kasaka River Lodge, Luangwa Safari House, Robin’s House, and close to Victoria Falls, Tangala House, Tongabezi plus River Homestead. South Africa is our favourite with a huge variety of safari houses, beach villas and more. From Bushman’s Kloof Koro Lodge in the Cederberg, Hog Hollow Villa close to Knysna. Kariega Homestead, Kwandwe, River Bend Lodge in the Eastern Cape to multiple beach villas in Plettenberg and Cape Town. Malawi has an awesome private villa on Likoma Island whilst Mozambique boasts island paradise in presidential villas at Azura Benguerra and Vamizi. Namibia is abound with exclusive use properties from Wolwedans Private Camp and Boulders Camp, Villa Mushara and Little Ongava close to Etosha, Okonjima Bush Suite and Villa, Ntwala Island Lodge and Ichobezi Houseboats on the Chobe.
Zanzibar Exclusive
Zanzibar is starting to offer more and more exclusive beach holidays. Essque Zalu, Milele Villas and Kilindi Zanzibar offer some sensational private villas on Zanzibar’s second best beach (in our opinion). At our favourite stretch of island, there are a few exclusive properties on offer like Matemwe Retreat, Matemwe Bandas, Che Che Vule, Zi Villa and Matemwe Beach House. On the lesser visited yet lovely East coast there are ample to choose from, our favourite White Sand Luxury Villas. On the South West Coast, member of Leading Hotels of the World, The Residence offers outstanding private villas.
Seychelles Exclusive
In the Seychelles, for uber island luxury and exclusivity, don’t miss North Island’s private villas with butler service, buggy transport and true barefoot luxury. Four Seasons Seychelles also offers a number of large private villas with up to five ensuite bedrooms. Mauritius also offers a wealth of private villas in various beach locations on the main island that range in level of luxury and number of rooms.
Leobo Observatory, Waterberg South Africa
This hidden paradise in South Africa’s malaria free Waterberg region sits on a 20,000 acre estate just 3 hours from Johannesburg. Architectural style and design elegance have made this private property a wilderness paradise for those seeking a five star experience. Here, it’s all about holiday spontaneity where you can mountain bike, quad bike, head out in 4×4, buggies, on foot or helicopter. No timetables, no rules, no limited for use of holiday toys – clay shooting, horse riding, fishing and anything else! The team of staff include butlers, private chef and guides and the amount of attention depends on your preference – attentive and discreet our preference. Unlimited daily rate includes exclusive use of entire reserve, the Observatory Villa and Lodge plus 2 hours use of the AS320 B2 Squirrel Helicopter and pilot plus return helicopter transfers from Johannesburg for 5 people.
Zarafa Dhow Suite, Botswana
The ultimate accommodation that guarantees perhaps Africa’s most exclusive, luxury safari holiday. From the moment you arrive at the enormous Zanzibari doors, you are greeted by the Manager of the Dhow Suite who is there to ensure you an outstanding safari stay. With two bedrooms, lounge, bar, indoor and outdoor dining, multi level decks with fire pit and swimming pool you’ll want for nothing! Your own private professional guide will take you out into the stunning landscapes in search of wildlife and your chef will prepare fresh meals to your palette.
Chongwe Private House, Lower Zambezi Zambia
Standing on the banks of Chongwe River in game rich Lower Zambezi, this spectacular private home offers sensational views, outstanding service and great safari holiday experiences. There are four spacious ensuite rooms, great open plan living and dining plus outside pool and deck under enormous trees. A totally private, exclusive safari house is serviced by its own team including guide and vehicle, chef and maid. Timings are flexible to suit your needs and you can experience game drives, walks, bird watching and fishing.
Kwandwe Melton Manor, Eastern Cape South Africa
This luxury homestead on a 22,000 hectare private reserve in malaria free Eastern Cape is a beautiful property for exclusive use. Services of a dedicated butler, ranger, tracker and chef mean attentive and discreet service. The Manor is adorned with inviting spaces like spacious lounge, dining, indoor and outdoor nooks and our favourite, the open plan kitchen where you are welcome to interact with your chef. There are four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms plus private patios. Extensive children’s program available and together enjoy game drives, guided walks, fishing and siestas by the large pool and courtyard.
Browse our Itinerary Collection for Exclusive Use Safari inspiration
To have Chongwe House all to ourselves was definitely saving the best to last. We always knew it would be great, but it was fabulous. It was amazing to be able to explore the Lower Zambezi with a exclusive guide and vehicle, we explored most of the park with our guide and saw plenty of wildlife but we’ll never forget when we saw leopard in tree. The people, the environment, food, the animals, the Zambezi – we just loved the Chongwe House. Only one issue – we had to leave!!
Our private guide who lead us on our exclusive mobile safari through the Okavango Delta was magnificent. He was so nice, knowledgeable about plants, animals and stars. We made good friends with our entire camp team our chef, our waiter and the assistant helper. We loved our greeting party every morning and on returning to camp after a game drive.
Want to know what others said? Read all our customer ovations.
Get in touch today so we can customise an Exclusive Safari holiday for you.
