From the dusty tents of explorers to exquisite eco-conscious lodges, African safari has come a long way in the past hundred years without losing any of its romance and adventure. When the world's wildest places are yours to explore, meaningful bonds and memorable moments come naturally. African resorts offer unique experiences, allowing guests to connect with nature and observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
Here are some of the best African resorts with wildlife:
Giraffe Manor - Nairobi, Kenya
Giraffe Manor boutique hotel in Nairobi is an exclusive hotel with a resident herd of wild giraffes. Owned by The Safari Collection, Giraffe Manor Hotel blends extraordinary wildlife encounters with exquisite hospitality and a long-term commitment to giraffe conservation.
Dine With Giraffes at Giraffe Manor | Travel Channel
One of the most fascinating things about Giraffe Manor Hotel is its resident herd of Nubian/Rothschild’s giraffes who may visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. The Nubian/Rothschild’s species of giraffe was once highly endangered, but Giraffe Manor has long been part of a breeding programme which has successfully grown their numbers in the wild.
You can also explore the surrounding area, discover local culture, or entertain yourself with day trips and activities within the manor’s grounds and the local area. You can visit the Karen Blixen Museum and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage for fascinating insights into Nairobi’s history and wildlife conservation efforts. The area also boasts lovely shops-including our own gift shop at the manor-as well as cultural attractions and artisan workshops.
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The Manor's Journey
From 1930s hunting lodge to pioneering the conservation of endangered giraffes in the 1970s to one of the world’s most iconic boutique hotels today. The story began in the 1970s, when the population of the Nubian subspecies of giraffe (formerly classified as Rothschild’s) had fallen to fewer than 100 in Kenya. Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, then owners of the manor, founded the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) and started a breeding programme on the grounds. Thanks to their efforts, and continued work by AFEW and The Safari Collection, the population has grown to over 1,000 today.
Today, every stay at Giraffe Manor contributes directly to giraffe conservation. A portion of each guest’s fee supports AFEW, whose Giraffe Centre next door now educates over 50,000 Kenyan school children a year. We work hard to minimise waste and reduce the mileage products travel to reach us by sourcing all food locally.
Rooms and Amenities
There are nine superior double rooms, one triple superior room and two family suites. A few of the double rooms have sofa beds suitable for younger children or space for a baby cot. As a residential-style property, each room is unique in size, features and décor. Meals are served in the dining room and courtyard space, both of which were designed to accommodate the maximum number of overnight guests.
Here, you’ll find our wellness centre with two spa treatment rooms, a hot tub, steam room, sauna, swimming pool, and fully equipped gym-all included in your stay and available for you to enjoy anytime. The Retreat is an ideal place to enjoy the serenity of our wellness centre and Daisy’s Café.
Activities
Giraffe Manor has painting activities, several garden games like boules, giant Jenga and a large swing from which the giraffes can be fed. Children might like to enjoy a swim in our 21 metre infinity pool at The Retreat - our wellness centre right next door to Giraffe Manor. Guests of Giraffe Manor also have complimentary access to the neighbouring Giraffe Centre where children can learn more about different giraffe species and feed them from a raised platform.
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Singita - Place of Miracles
Singita means "Place of Miracles" in Shangaan. From slow safaris to soulful treks with endangered mountain gorillas, a golden thread throughout every Singita experience is a deep reverence for the wild and its power to heal. Dedicated to environmentally conscious hospitality, sustainable conservation, and collaborating with local communities since 1993. The Singita experience is an invitation to share in our love and care for the natural world, to be part of something meaningful, far-reaching, and much bigger than ourselves. Our lodges, camps and private villas across Africa have been intentionally designed to offer guests the freedom to reflect and feel their senses awaken, inviting in wonder and a wholeness that comes from truly leaning into nature.
Singita's story began in 1925 on a piece of land in the Sabi Sand, owned by the Bailes family. This was the start of a legacy that has unfolded over decades - and the origin of a brand inspired by these same family values and an abiding sense of purpose that offers guests profound wildlife encounters in Africa.
Singita's Unique Collection
Singita's 10 lodges and 9 villas are located in Africa’s most sought-after wilderness areas and serve as the backdrop to transformative encounters with nature that travellers won’t find anywhere else. Telling Africa’s stories. The entire experience is enriched by cultural, historical and environmental orientation as well as knowing that as a guest you are integral to a sustainable and holistic conservation model.
Here are some of Singita's properties:
- Singita Sasakwa Lodge: A turn-of-the-century-style manor house that is stepped in the grandeur of a bygone golden era of safari travel. It sits on top of a hill, offering spectacular views over the celebrated Serengeti plains.
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge: Set right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where more than a third of the world's remaining mountain gorillas find refuge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge's unrivalled position puts lifechanging gorilla trekking experiences within easy reach.
- Singita Sabora Tented Camp: Situated in an untouched wilderness area of the Grumeti Game Reserve, this unfenced camp gives you the thrill of knowing there isn’t much separating the comforts inside from the elements and wildlife outside.
Other Notable Resorts
Here are some additional resorts that offer remarkable wildlife experiences:
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- Londolozi Private Granite Suites: Deliver complete luxury and exclusivity in the Sabi Sands, one of Kruger's finest private concessions.
- Lion Sands Ivory Lodge: A luxurious safari lodge situated in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, famed for its leopard sightings.
- Angama Mara: Perched on what seems like the very edge of the Great Rift Valley, views from Angama Mara are simply spell-binding.
- Sasaab: A spectacular luxury tented camp offering the ultimate safari in Samburu, situated just outside Samburu National Reserve in Kenya's Northern Frontier District.
- Thorntree River Lodge: Considered one of Zambia's most indulgent and contemporary safari lodges, enjoying a tranquil setting on the banks of the Zambezi River, just upstream from the legendary Victoria Falls.
- Jao Camp: Situated on a private island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Jao Camp is only accessible by air and delivers an unbeatable luxury African safari experience within one of Mother Nature's true masterpieces.
- Pamushana Lodge: Situated in Zimbabwe's far-flung southeast, the exclusive Pamushana Lodge is perched on a cliff in the 130 000-acre private Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve that borders the spectacular Gonarezhou National Park.
Staying at camps and lodges with animals moving freely means nothing stops the wildlife from roaming around the property you're visiting. Expect to see anything, from lions walking around the paved pathways and elephants strolling through the main lobby to zebra grazing five steps from your tented suite or gorillas knocking on your front door.
Important note: Unfenced lodges have very strict child policies and guests need to be accompanied by an ‘askari’ (guard) or member of staff when walking from one part of the property to another, especially at night.
Table of African Resorts with Wildlife
| Resort Name | Location | Wildlife Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Giraffe Manor | Nairobi, Kenya | Resident herd of giraffes |
| Singita Sasakwa Lodge | Serengeti, Tanzania | Spectacular views over the Serengeti plains |
| Singita Kwitonda Lodge | Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | Mountain gorilla trekking |
| Lion Sands Ivory Lodge | Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa | Leopard sightings |
| Royal Malewane | Thornybush Private Game Reserve, South Africa | Big 5 sightings |
From exclusive encounters with giraffes to immersive safari experiences in the heart of the African wilderness, these resorts offer an unforgettable journey into the natural world. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with nature, Africa's wildlife resorts promise an experience like no other.
