I have a confession: often in the safari industry, the word new is used rather generously. A fresh coat of paint, a few new cushions and suddenly a lodge is announcing its grand reopening! This is particularly true in South Africa, where the safari industry is well established.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t change happening in South Africa. Far from it! Whether it’s a brand-new safari camp in the Greater Kruger, a beautifully reimagined hotel in the Cape Winelands, or a complete transformation of an old favourite, there is plenty worth getting excited about.
We’ve been fortunate enough to visit several new and newly refurbished properties ourselves, with some memorable stays (with perhaps a slightly obsessive enthusiasm for a particularly stylish bathroom and collation of some new interior design ideas).
And while we love a beautiful suite as much as anyone, we’re equally interested in what makes a lodge particularly worth visiting. The setting, the people, the atmosphere and, of course, whether it lives up to the hype.
So, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting new luxury lodges and hotels in South Africa.
New Lodges & Hotels in South Africa
Masiya’s Camp, Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Greater Kruger
Opened June 2025 – Maddie and Kate have stayed
In true Royal Portfolio fashion, Masiya’s Camp is anything but understated. Designed by Liz Biden, the camp is a wonderful mix of bold colours, eclectic furnishings and vintage touches, all brought together under canvas. Named in honour of Wilson Masiya, the legendary master tracker at Royal Malewane and a close friend of the Biden family, the camp offers a slightly different take on the Royal Malewane experience, without losing any of its trademark luxury.
With just six tented Suites, Masiya’s Camp feels wonderfully intimate. Each suite is very generously proportioned with floor-to-ceiling windows, an expansive private deck, and indoor and outdoor showers. The heated swimming pool was very stylish and wonderful for the warm July winter days, and too big to be called a plunge pool. The interiors are full of personality, with each suite individually decorated. And although it is technically a tented camp, this is about as far as you can get from ”roughing it in the bush”.
Kate and I stayed here and we were thoroughly impressed. Beyond the beautiful interiors and exceptional service, what really stood out was the atmosphere. There is a lovely balance between the grandeur you expect from Royal Malewane and the relaxed intimate feel of a smaller camp.
Our Take: An incredible choice for couples looking for an intimate, ultra-luxurious safari with plenty of personality, particularly those who appreciate exceptional guiding and something a little different from the traditional safari lodge.
Who is it NOT for: Minimalists. If you’re more comfortable in spaces with complimentary natural tones or even a monochromatic look of black and white, this may not be the lodge for you.
If you thought you had seen all that Cape Town’s luxury hotel scene had to offer, Alexander Estate might just make you reconsider. Tucked away in Noordhoek, this new hotel and wine estate combines the tranquillity of a country estate with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. A coastal wine estate is something of a rarity in Cape Town, and we think this makes an incredible base for exploring the Cape Peninsula.
The estate offers a collection of beautifully appointed suites (which Kate and I were able to try out first-hand at the beginning of the year!), with private decks, fireplaces and in most cases, heated plunge pools. There is a particularly strong emphasis on wellness, with a spa, sauna, gym and yoga deck on the property. The food, staff and inviting characteristics at Alexander Estate created an experience I absolutely loved.
Our Take: An excellent option for couples looking for a luxurious, slightly more secluded Cape Town stay. We love the idea of combining a few nights here with time in the city centre so as to not miss out on the hustle and bustle that Cape Town offers.
Who is it NOT for: Those who want to be in the heart of the city. It rewards second time visitors or people who have time to split their stay.
The Sabi Sabi Collection has been a familiar name in South African luxury safaris for decades, so the opening of Sandringham Private Game Reserve is one worth paying attention to. In the Greater Kruger with open fences into the Timbavati and Thornybush reserves, Sandringham is a Big Five reserve covering 5,000 hectares.
There are two sides to one camp, N’weti with tented suites and Shisaka with chalets, each have six luxury suites overlooking the riverine landscape. However the standard of the suites is the same, all are extremely spacious with decadent bathrooms, expansive deck with plunge pool. The only difference is the suite construction, and the Shisaka chalets have a rooftop ”bird’s nest” above with a daybed, whilst the N’weti suites have a charming sunken seating area on the deck instead.
Our Take: One for the safari connoisseurs who value space, exclusivity and conservation as much as exceptional accommodation. It is certainly positioned at the upper end of the luxury safari market.
Though just over two years old now, we can’t help but continuing to sell GweGwe Beach Lodge, as there really are few places in South Africa quite like it. Part of the Natural Selection portfolio, this luxurious coastal retreat sits within a 5,000-hectare private concession of Mkhambati Nature Reserve on the remote Wild Coast.
With just nine spacious suites, including two family suites, GweGwe combines contemporary luxury – with an emphasis on natural organic materials and textures – with its wonderfully wild setting. Each suite has a private plunge pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, while the lodge itself offers excellent dining, a spa, and an impressive range of activities. Guests can explore the reserve on foot or by mountain bike, kayak along the waterways, visit waterfalls or simply enjoy having a beautiful stretch of coastline almost to themselves.
One of GweGwe’s biggest drawcards is its location along the route of the annual Sardine Run, generally from mid-June to late July. Millions of sardines migrate along South Africa’s eastern coastline, attracting dolphins, sharks, seabirds and sometimes whales in spectacular feeding frenzies. Guests can join guided boat excursions to witness the action, with opportunities for snorkelling and freediving when conditions allow. Of course, nature doesn’t work to a timetable, so sightings are never guaranteed!
This remote and unique location is also its only real “issue”. It is not the easiest lodge to get to, with a choice of twice weekly flights from Durban. Or a road transfer to the KZN South Coast followed by either a very scenic heli flip or boat ride into the lodge. (You can technically drive in but you would need to be more adventurous and have enough time as well.)
Our take: A definite YES for adventurous couples and families who love the outdoors but aren’t quite ready to sacrifice their creature comforts. The Sardine Run makes winter particularly exciting, but GweGwe’s combination of wilderness, beach and luxury is appealing throughout the year.
Who is it NOT for: People who want to minimize travel time or on a shorter time scale (as the flight option means at least a 3-night stay.
Similar to GweGwe, Babanango Game Reserve is one that we can’t stop telling our clients about. Madwaleni River Lodge is an exciting addition to KwaZulu-Natal’s luxury safari scene, but it’s the story behind the reserve that makes it particularly interesting. Set along the banks of the White Umfolozi River, the lodge forms part of Babanango Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s most successful rewilding projects over the last few years. Over 4,000 animals have been reintroduced to this rugged beautiful landscape of mountains and valleys, transforming previously degraded land into a thriving Big Five reserve. And beyond the usual safari favourites, Babanango is also home to rarer species such as brown hyena, aardwolf and endangered black rhino.
Inspired by the shape of a traditional Zulu shield, the award-winning structures are certainly a departure from your typical safari tent! Each suite has a private plunge pool, while the main lodge offers a restaurant, bar, library and inviting spaces overlooking the surrounding wilderness. Babanango’s landscape is also quite different from the traditional Lowveld safari areas, making it an interesting alternative for travellers who have already experienced the Greater Kruger.
There are two other sister lodges: the well-priced premier-level Zulu Rock lodge and the family-friendly Valley Lodge.
Our Take: Not only do we love a malaria-free lodge, but also one with a strong foundation of conservation and rewilding. We think this is an excellent option for couples and safari veterans looking for something a little different
Who is it NOT for: If you are on a more modest budget, then its sister lodges, may suit you a little better
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Sabi Sabi has also swapped the bushveld for the leafy suburbs of Cape Town with the opening of The Claremont, its first hotel outside the safari world. Within a beautifully restored Cape Dutch manor house dating back to 1928, this boutique hotel offers a real sense of Cape Town. (The original home was designed by Magda Sauer, one of South Africa’s first female architects, adding an interesting piece of architectural history to the mix.)
With just 15 rooms, including the exclusive Sauer Villa, The Claremont is intimate in scale. The interiors balance the building’s heritage with contemporary furnishings, while the gardens, swimming pool and inviting communal spaces create a relaxed atmosphere.
There is also a strong emphasis on food and wine, with the Veld & Vine Bistro, Koffiehuis and 1928 Craft Bar giving you little reason to venture far for a good meal.
The Claremont is not the obvious choice for a first-time visitor to Cape Town, particularly someone wanting to walk to restaurants and attractions in the busy and somewhat touristy V&A Waterfront. However, it is extremely convenient for exploring Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the wine estates and gourmet restaurants of Constantia and makes the Cape Peninsula a shorter and more relaxing day out. But it’s only 20 mins from the heart of the city.
Our Take: A lovely choice for returning Cape Town visitors or those looking for an intimate hotel away from the usual tourist hub. Sabi Sabi also has a running special combining the Claremont with its Kruger Lodges.
Who is it NOT for: Again if you have your heart set on the V&A Waterfront, then this one is not for you.
Sometimes a refurbishment is a complete reinvention, and that is certainly the case at Jaci’s Private Lodge. Following the devastating floods of early 2025, the much-loved Jaci’s Safari Lodge and Tree Lodge underwent an extensive rebuild, reopening in July 2026 under one unified name. Although the circumstances were unfortunate, the result is an exciting new chapter for one of Madikwe’s most recognisable safari properties.
The new lodge offers six Safari Suites, four family-friendly Safari Suite Expeditions and a collection of private villas, including the newly built Kubu Villa. The redesigned accommodation feels fresh, spacious and contemporary, while retaining the colour and personality that have always made Jaci’s stand out from other Madikwe lodges. The Safari Suites are particularly appealing for couples, with private decks, generous bathrooms and lovely sunken lounges. Luxury certainly doesn’t equal greige at Jaci’s!
I spent two nights at Jaci’s after the reopening, and the new Safari Suites were a definite highlight. They are a substantial upgrade from the previous Safari Lodge rooms but haven’t lost that lovely sense of warmth and character. The property still has that welcoming, informal atmosphere that Jaci’s has always been known for, but now with an impressive new look. Something that hasn’t changed with Jaci’s though is the incredible staff! Excellent game drives, delicious meals (served always with Jaci’s famous chilli mixture!) and a warm, welcoming atmosphere made my trip a memorable one.
Our Take: We love Jaci’s for families and even for couples who may previously have overlooked Jaci’s in favour of more contemporary lodges. The family accommodation and private villas also make it an excellent option for multi-generational safaris.
Reopened March 2025, Visited by several of our team
Spier has long been a favourite in the Cape Winelands, particularly for families and those who appreciate a wine estate with plenty to do. Following a year-long closure, the Spier Hotel reopened in March 2025 with a considerably refreshed look.
You can spend the day enjoying wine tastings, exploring the farm’s contemporary South African art collection or heading out on foot, by bicycle or on a guided Segway vineyard tour. Food is another drawcard, from seasonal dishes at Veld and the Garden Room to Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery and relaxed riverside picnics.
Younger guests have their own distractions: the complimentary Buzz Club offers nature-inspired activities for children aged 3–12, while the Elemental Play Garden provides more space to explore.
I visited Spier and what interests me most is how it bridges the gap between a family-friendly wine estate and a more sophisticated country hotel. It is still very much Spier, but its refreshed identity gives it much broader appeal. I love the pops of muted greens, reds and blues throughout the decor in the suites, providing a lovely fresh look to the property.
Our Take: An excellent all-rounder for families, couples and multigenerational groups who want more than simply a beautiful room and a vineyard view. With so much to do on the estate, you can happily spend a couple of days here without reaching for the car keys.
Who is it NOT for: Though with far fewer rooms than before, Spier is still a mid-sized hotel, so it’s not for those looking for a boutique experience
Another Newish Option – Vergenoegd Löw
If you are in the market for a stylish new wine estate and hotel, check out Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate which opened in 2023. Visited by Kate and Maddie.
Phased Reopening from January 2027 · Full Reopening April 2027
One of Sabi Sands’ best-known safari properties is undergoing a substantial transformation. Ulusaba, part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection, closed in early 2026 for a redesign of both Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge. Rather than a simple refurbishment, this is a reconstruction of the property with the aim of introducing a more contemporary style of luxury whilst still retaining the character that made Ulusaba such a popular choice.
Ulusaba has always occupied an interesting position in the luxury safari market, combining exceptional game viewing with a slightly more playful and informal atmosphere than some of its competitors. We are particularly interested to see how this translates into the new design. With so many luxury lodges competing for attention in the Sabi Sands, the challenge will be to modernise the accommodation without losing the personality that sets Ulusaba apart.
Our Take: Certainly, one to keep an eye on for 2027, particularly for travellers looking for a contemporary, ultra-luxury safari in one of South Africa’s best wildlife regions. We look forward to seeing how the finished product compares with the original.
Which of these would make your shortlist?
A beautiful new lodge is tempting, but the real question is whether it’s right for your trip. We can help you weigh up the setting, safari experience, atmosphere and practicalities and then combine your favourites into a safari holiday that flows naturally.
Tell us what has caught your eye, who’s travelling and roughly when you’d like to go. We’ll help you decide which of these new arrivals deserves a place in your plans. Or suggest an established favourite that might suit you even better.
Get in touch to start planning your South Africa safari holiday.
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“Our Favourite New Lodges in South Africa” was written by Maddie of Cedarberg Africa
Madeleine (Maddie) Baldwin is Cedarberg Africa’s Product Manager, keeping a close eye on new openings, lodge transformations and the details that make each property distinctive. Based in her native Cape Town, she regularly explores South Africa and has personally visited many of the properties featured here. Her approach combines an eye for design with a practical question: who would really enjoy staying here?
