&Beyond Bateleur Camp, Kenya
If nights under canvas get you going, then this camp from the upscale safari tour operator is most definitely the destination du jour. From £1,200 a night, you’ll be snuggled in a ridiculously luxurious wooden bed with oh-so-amazing views of the Masai Mara from your posh ‘tent’ where it’s all about old colonial glamour. Think hardwood floors, polished silver and gorgeous antiques – it’s pure class. And with hot air balloon rides, safari drives and breakfasts on the plains, this hideaway is smouldering with romantic potential.
Ulusaba, South Africa
Sunrise safaris, private plunge pools, massages beside roaming elephants – Richard Branson’s African retreat is the quintessential safari getaway. Spend your days mooching across the private reserve with your ranger in search of the Big Five, explore the deep gorges and valleys by helicopter, and head out to the Drakensberg Mountains, before snuggling down in your spectacular lodge.
Sindabezi Island, Zambia
No safari round-up should exist without this seriously upmarket lodge on the Zambezi River. Sitting on a private isle with iconic views across the flood plains of the world famous river, Sindabezi’s honeymoon suite is pretty special – think claw-footed bath for two, candles and private deck. And if you can tear yourself away from your beguiling bolthole, there’s candlelit dinners on the river, white water rafting, and bungey jumping and microlighting above the Victoria Falls.
Wilderness Safaris Doro Nawas Camp, Namibia
This otherworldly camp boasts all the crucial ingredients for an unforgettable African escape, lying in the shadow of the Etendeka Mountains and the red sandstone cliffs of Twyfelfontein. Pop your Champagne corks on the huge beds beneath the stars and try spotting wildlife while lathering up in the outdoor shower. Nature drives, cultural visits and scorpion night walks are all on the agenda, too.
Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Tanzania
With game drives before breakfast (including the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest), fantastical stargazing, and a spa that pulls out all the stops, this ultra-luxe retreat in the Serengeti is pretty perfectly placed for a safari escape. From sundowners beside your private pool, to G&Ts on the veranda with cracking panoramic views, each day is as lavish as the next.
