NEW ON THE SAVANNAH: THE BEST SAFARI CAMPS THAT OPENED THIS YEAR — AND THE BIG LODGES TO WATCH FOR IN 2026.
Safari travel keeps reinventing itself, and 2025 has been a banner year for fresh and new luxury safari camps, including some reimagined lodges across Africa — from crater-rim escapes in Tanzania, to riverbank hideaways in Zambia.
Below we round up some of the most exciting new openings that have landed this year, and then look ahead at five headline properties set to open in 2026 that every safari-lover should pencil into their bucket list.
THE STANDOUT NEW LUXURY SAFARI CAMPS THAT OPENED THIS YEAR
WILDERNESS BISATE RESERVE — VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA
Rwanda’s gorilla country continues to raise the bar. The new Bisate Reserve (a fresh Wilderness property, and sister camp to Wilderness Bisate) emphasises low-impact luxury with suites tucked into the slopes overlooking the Virunga Massif.
It’s built to appeal to travelers focused on gorilla trekking, conservation impact, and an intimate relationship with the forest — a quieter, more restorative complement to busier parks.
Traveler Review, onsite, from Bisate Reserve, “It’s magical, and I am a happy woman!”
Learn More About: Wilderness Bisate Reserve …
LEMALA OSONJOI LODGE — NGORONGORO CRATER RIM, TANZANIA
Perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Lemala’s Osonjoi Lodge is a design-forward, solar-powered property that opened to guests in 2025. It’s aimed at travellers who want dramatic crater views without compromising on refined touches — think elevated decks, fast crater access for morning drives, and experiences that emphasise Maasai culture alongside classic wildlife viewing.
For photographers and families wanting quick access to the crater floor, this one’s a game-changer.
Learn More About: Lemala Osonjoi Lodge …
KER & DOWNEY MAXA CAMP — OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
This small and intimate ‘delta-side’ safari camp opened in March 2025 and is sited right on a fascinating ecosystem of rich vegetation and seasonal Okavango Delta floodplains. In an area half the size of California, visitors can explore the wildlife-rich network of permanent and seasonal channels and lagoons, with only five tents available, including one family tent. The camp centers on exploration, learning, and the freedom to immerse oneself in nature.
Every day at Maxa is curated as a day of exploration. Camp excursions include mokoro (dugout canoe), guided walking safaris, and nature drives (both by day and night). Activities also incorporate local cultural insights with the exploration of the natural heritage of this immensely diverse region.
Learn More About: Ker & Downey Maxa Camp …
ANDBEYOND SUYIAN LODGE — LAIKIPIA REGION, KENYA
The perfect add-on to any Maasai Mara wildlife safari is Kenya’s northern region of Laikipia, where the newly built Suyian Lodge has opened its doors. This 17,800-hectare conservancy allows guests at Suyian to explore the diversity of the area, home to endemic species of Grevy’s zebra and Reticulated Giraffe.
Each of the 14 luxury suites has a private plunge pool, alfresco showers, and a personal bar, as you would expect from any new luxury lodge offering in 2025. Speciality experiences include community visits, yoga, and horseback safaris.
Learn More About: AndBeyond Suyian Lodge
ELEWANA, SERENGETI EXPLORER — SERENGETI, TANZANIA
Perched above the legendary Serengeti plains, the newly opened Serengeti Explorer by Elewana presents guests with an extraordinary perspective of one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. As the inaugural property in Elewana’s new Explorer collection, the lodge sets a fresh benchmark for safari luxury.
Serengeti Explorer introduces the region’s first permanent wildlife hide, offering a unique vantage from which to observe the famed Great Migration and the plains’ resident wildlife. Guest experiences range from exhilarating game drives and guided walking safaris to tailored dining encounters and evenings spent beneath the stars on a dedicated stargazing deck, led by an expert in African skies. A sense of African heritage infuses the property, showcased most vividly through its on-site gallery celebrating the work of local artists.
Learn More About: Elewana Serengeti Explorer
These remarkable properties distinguish themselves by championing highly curated, small‑group experiences rather than mass‑market expansion. It is an approach that mirrors Safari Guru’s ethos—crafting journeys that are personal, considered, and respectful of place.
At a time when over‑tourism threatens to erode Africa’s most fragile and remote landscapes, Safari Guru stands firmly for low‑impact safaris that protect the wilderness for generations to come.
THE FIVE SAFARI LODGES TO WATCH IN 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the industry has several headline openings that promise to reshape where people go and how they experience Africa. Here are six high-profile launches you should keep an eye on — a mix of global brands, conservation operators, and small-scale luxury.
GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION, SHOMPOLE — LAKE NATRON, KENYA
Great Plains Conservation has reworked the legend that is Shompole, between their existing flagship ol Donyo and the Mara, promising a refreshed lodge and guest experience when it reopens in mid-2026. Expect a design that’s respectful of ecology and strong conservation programming — Shompole’s a property with big storytelling and wildlife-centric activities.
And some specials here too, like 97% of the world’s lesser flamingoes breeding in the area.
Learn More About: Coming Soon…
SINGITA ELELA — OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Singita’s much-anticipated Elela (meaning “to flow”) is positioned in the Okavango Delta and will embody the Delta’s fluid landscape in design and experience. Singita has confirmed a late 2026 opening, and the brand’s pedigree in conservation-led luxury makes this one of the season’s biggest announcements.
Tucked away in a corner of the Okavango Delta, this is an area that the team at Safari Guru is well-versed in. With five 1-bedroom suites and two 2-bedroom suites that all feature private pools, outdoor decks and dining spaces, this is one to watch out for.
Learn More About: Coming Soon…
WILDERNESS MARA — MARA TRIANGLE, KENYA
Kenya’s Masai Mara requires little introduction. Immortalised in countless documentaries and celebrated as the stage for the Great Migration, it is often described as the birthplace of the safari. Yet within this storied landscape lies the Mara Triangle—a quieter, wilder realm where every encounter feels more profound.
Here, where the Mara River carves its iconic path, guests at Wilderness Mara, opening in June 2026, will be granted a rare privilege: to experience safaris amid thunderous river crossings, predator‑patrolled plains, and near‑unheard‑of solitude.
With fewer vehicles than anywhere else in the reserve, Wilderness Mara preserves the essence of safari—intimate, untamed, and deeply personal.
Learn More About: Coming Soon…
ASILIA EREBERO HILLS — BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST, UGANDA
Home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is set to be home to the new Erebero Hills by Asilia in 2026. The new lodge will be open year-round, providing access to one of the most biodiverse places on our planet.
Shaped by its setting, Erebero Hills—meaning “a place where you can see far”—draws design inspiration from the undulating landscape that surrounds it. Each guest suite, along with the hillside pool, frames sweeping views of the forest below.
Blending sustainable luxury with the rare privilege of encountering one of the world’s most endangered species in their natural habitat, Erebero Hills promises an experience that is both distinctive and deeply rewarding.
Learn More About: Asilia Erebero Hills …
SANDRINGHAM PRIVATE GAME RESERVE — TIMBAVATI, SOUTH AFRICA
This new addition to the Sabi Sabi Collection, scheduled for June 2026, is a rehabilitated wilderness located along the Timbavati River, bordering the Timbavati and Thornybush Game Reserves. It will feature two elegant camps, Shisaka Camp and N’weti Camp, each with six luxury suites designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape, plus two two-bedroom villas.
The name ‘Shisaka’ means ‘nest’ in the Tsonga language, inspired by the camp’s nest-like structures atop the roofs. Shisaka overlooks a marshy grassland area that is regularly visited by elephants and buffalo.
N’weti Camp will focus on adult travellers, while Shisaka Camp will be open to adult travellers and families. The reserve focuses on conservation and offering a luxurious safari experience with direct access via a private airstrip.
Learn More About: Coming Soon…
Note: industry lists and press releases change as projects progress — planning dates can shift, and a few openings attract regulatory or conservation scrutiny. For example, new high-profile openings in the Mara and Serengeti regions have occasionally been the subject of legal or community debate, underscoring the need to balance tourism growth and wildlife corridors.
PLANNING TIPS & HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT NEW CAMP
First and foremost, if a brand new camp attempts you, but you’re unsure of its location, the operation history of the brand, or even the authenticity of a newcomer, which we see from time to time. Don’t leave your booking to chance, and consider partnering with an African Travel Specialist, such as Safari Guru. Allow us to do the research and share our valuable feedback, as we have already engaged with the safari operator, and we have a background working history with the organisation or brand.
Secondly, if a brand-new camp tempts you, remember: booking early usually secures launch-season rates and the best dates, but also check (1) conservation credentials and community partnerships, (2) access logistics (remote camps often require local flights, and ground logistics), and (3) cancellation flexibility if construction or permits change.
For photographers, ask about vehicle limits per sighting; for families, check age policies (some ultra-small camps are adults-only). Use reputable specialist operators to stitch together travel logistics for multi-camp itineraries.
Whether you’re chasing crater-rim vistas, delta waterways, or intimate riverfront game-watching, the new generation of safari camps in 2025–26 proves that the continent’s wildlife experiences continue to evolve — and often, for the better.
Want a tailored shortlist (for example: gorilla-focused stays, family-friendly Kruger launches, or Okavango luxury) for the dates you have in mind? We can pull that together next — with suggested sample itineraries and likely pricing bands.
