The exclusive safari holidays every gentleman needs to take

Picture this. Awaking to the docile burble of a mourning dove, you draw the curtains and step out onto the wooden deck. A tepid breeze is already rousing the air, and sweeping before you herds of zebra and antelope nonchalantly graze the xanthic plains.

The serenity is a contrast to the tune of the evening, when under glittery skies the whooping of hyenas and guttural roars of a lion pride could be caught resonating through the inky darkness. This is Africa. More specifically, African safari – and like an unreachable itch, this gets truly under the skin.

Safari lodges are synonymous with luxury and appeal, and the culinary collations another league. On top of this, sedulous hosting fits comfortably into the gregarious nature of the African philosophy. Nothing is rushed; time is valued and appreciated.

Whether on a game drive tracking leopard, or relaxing in the pool while giraffe stride through the nearby bush, safaris are full of eidetic moments that will be tattooed on your nostalgia. With this in mind, here are 10 of the most exclusive out there…

Nestled in a remote part of Madikwe, this reserve is a haven for wildlife – it is well known for being one of the best places in Africa to spot wild dog – while the suites boast ultimate luxury and heavenly panoramic views.

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Following a recent renovation, Tarkuni is as good as they come. A highlight being that every room has its own star gazing sleep-out-deck nestled into a private part of the surrounding bush.

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Zarafa is blessed with an extraordinary location, and designed with exclusivity and privacy at its core. I mean, just look at it! The camp, positioned under the shady canopy of jackalberry and red ivory trees, overlooks the patchwork of savannahs and floodplains of Zibadianja Lagoon’s southern shores, home to an abundance of wildlife.

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This collection of persuasive safari tents, with bucket showers and no electricity, is the perfect camp from which to explore the seemingly endless Makgadikgadi Pans. Dining under star-studded skies and candlelight is a truly special experience – this is an oasis of civilisation in a stark environment.

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Perhaps the epitome of bliss, Enasoit is a small private ranch set in the Loldaiga Hills, absolutely teeming with game. This exclusive setup will instantly win you over, with your very own private chef and luxury tent.

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Mara Plains is a small, high quality camp that is located within the private Olare Orok Conservancy, an area rich in wildlife and the Mara’s lowest density of vehicles. Here you can expect to see lions chasing wildebeest over breakfast and rhino sauntering past over lunch.

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Fancy watching elephant, leopard and gerenuk from the comfort of a swimming pool with a G&T in hand? Thought so. Well, Saruni is the place. Surrounded by 95,000 hectares of private reserve and wild bush, all of which can be surveyed from the elevated lodge, this is an unrivalled safari experience in a truly untouched and wild part of Kenya.

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Camping and chic don’t often appear in the same sentence, but the deluxe Singita Mara River Camp disposes of the juxtaposition. Although deep in the bush, the suites are lavish, the food is gourmet, the guides are the best in Tanzania and the remote location offers epic game viewing.

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Long reputed as the most luxurious lodge in Southern Tanzania, the cottages and suites have amazing rooms overlooking the Rufiji River. The lodge also has impeccable guides and excellent fishing. Here you can spend the day on foot in the bush, before decadent dinner and drinks around your campfire.

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With 51,000 acres of the Maswa Game Reserve for just eight suites, safari doesn’t get much more exclusive. Bordered by the Serengeti on one side and the revered Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the other, the game viewing is as magical as the lodge itself.

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Recommended by The Luxury Safari Company

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