Sofa Safaris in South Africa
July 2019: Want to go on a safari without having to leave the comfort and convenience of your luxury accommodation? If you don't want to don those safari hats and boots or step out into the heat, then Sofa Safaris are the thing for you.
First Car Rental brings you a list of 5 of the best safari lodges in South Africa where the animals come to you while you relax on your lovely shaded private deck and take in the amazing sights and sounds. Sofa Safaris are a lovely way to just 'be' in the African bush.
1. Royal Malewane
The award-winning Royal Malewane is a secluded luxury retreat located in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, within the Greater Kruger region.
The lodge offers six stylishly decorated luxury suites designed with pure relaxation and intimacy in mind. The suites are linked by wooden walkways to the lodge. Each suite has its own private wooden deck, thatched gazebo and plunge pool. Guests come face-to-face with juvenile elephants that are known to take a drink from the plunge pool.
Luxury meets the wild in the heart of Africa's finest bushveld where Royal Malewane's expert guides and trackers ensure intimate game experiences and close sightings of the Big 5.
2. Hlosi Game Lodge
This luxurious retreat is situated within the Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape and is located on a hill overlooking a river plain. The lodge offers opportunities to view a curious cheetah coalition that has been seen exploring the Hlosi walkways on numerous occasions.
Guests can choose from a luxury safari tent, a one-bedroom suite for a romantic safari experience or a two-bedroom family suite.
The Hlosi Game Lodge is an ideal choice for family adventures as the lodge caters for children of all ages, specialising in child-friendly safari options, without compromising a luxurious and rejuvenating experience for adults.
3. Sanctuary Makanyane
Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge is situated in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West. Located in a peaceful forest and overlooking the beautiful Groot Marico River, each of the eight exclusive suites boasts of private sundecks and have wrap-around glass walls that afford you spectacular views of the river, the surrounding bush and its many inhabitants - you almost feel you are sleeping in the middle of the wild.
The Lodge offers a host of activities including game drives with knowledgeable rangers, game walks, star-view sleep-outs next to a waterhole in the middle of the bush and many other specialised activities such as birding safaris and tree safaris.
Guests can also explore the historical landscape, learn about the significant culture of this area and unwind in the amazing atmosphere of this private lodge.
4. Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Londolozi is a wildlife paradise situated on the Sand River at the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, within the Greater Kruger National Park. Londolozi is one of the original pioneering Private Game Reserves of the eco-tourism industry in South Africa.
Guests can choose from five beautifully appointed lodges situated along the banks of the Sand River. The suites blend the boundaries between inside and outside, creating a seamless integration with nature. Guests can view elephants and other wildlife meandering along the river from the comfort of their luxurious suites.
Along with the Big 5, Londolozi Game Reserve is particularly popular for sightings of the elusive leopard. The resident female leopard is usually on the prowl and guests can often catch a glimpse of this majestic creature.
5. Camp Jabulani
Camp Jabulani is a five-star, Relais & Châteaux-accredited luxury safari lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, in Hoedspruit, Limpopo.
The opulent accommodation includes six palatial, thatched suites that open up to a private oasis set in the African bush. A crystal blue plunge pool with views over the riverbed below, is complimented by a generous wooden deck.
Visitors can enjoy viewing herds of antelope, giraffe and zebra grazing and congregating at the many waterholes. Kapama has five separate prides of lions and Camp Jabulani guests are fortunate to get amazing sightings of these wonderful animals.
Another highlight of this safari lodge is the Jabulani Elephant Experience where guests can interact closely with a semi-captive herd of elephants.
Book a car with First Car Rental and head out on your next big adventure. We have 52 branches located nationwide for convenient car hire.