It’s extremely thrilling to see the variety of new safaris lodges opening throughout Africa over the subsequent few months. Zambia specifically is seeing some very thrilling new developments. Right here space few I caught up with on the current OurAfrica.Journey digital commerce present…
Nzovu Rundu Luxurious Camp in Zambia’s Decrease Zambezi Nationwide Park
Proudly Zambian owned Shearzone Safaris will probably be launching their second property in June 2026, specifically Nzovu Rundu Luxurious Camp within the Decrease Zambezi Nationwide Park.
This follows on from the success of Mozhi Bush Camp in Zambia’s Kafue Nationwide Park. The brand new lodge will overlook the tranquil Nkalange Channel on the mighty Zambezi River, the place company can anticipate distinctive wildlife sightings. The title pays homage to the elephants that roam this space, in addition to the hanging escarpment that kinds the lodge’s dramatic backdrop. The brand new camp will function 10 chalets, together with 8 luxurious suites and a pair of spacious household models. Every unit will boast a non-public plunge pool, air-conditioning, and outside showers, mixing consolation with the pure fantastic thing about the panorama.
A various choice of actions will probably be on supply, together with sport drives, canoeing on the Zambezi and boat cruises. There will even be a luxurious spa and a formidable wine cellar, making certain that each journey and rest are on the coronary heart of the visitor expertise. Shearzone can also be proud to function its non-public fleet of Cessna plane, offering dependable constitution companies throughout Zambia, past simply connecting its personal camps seamlessly. Wanting forwards, Shearzone will even be launching Achikunda Luxurious Camp in 2027 and Previous Njati Luxurious Camp in 2028.
Mount Ceder Underneath Canvas Hideaways within the Cederberg in South Africa
Mount Ceder is delighted to share its new stargazing Underneath Canvas Hideaways, positioned on a wonderful, household owned and run working olive farm, tucked into the Cederberg Mountains, about 3 hour’s drive from Cape City.
The three new Hideaways, which welcomed their first company on 1st March 2026, every supply a whopping 70 m2 of understated luxurious beneath canvas full with lovely ensuite loos, glass fronts, lovely decks and a non-public wooden fired scorching tub. They’ve been named after iconic constellations, (Orion, Scorpius and Crux) in celebration of this wilderness space’s very low-light air pollution at night time, the place velvet skies present the proper canvas for vivid stars, with the Milky Approach blazing its path in all its glory. An ideal noctourism escape!
Actions on web site embrace a variety of half or full day self-guided walks and guided hikes, mountain bike trails, Olive Grove Excursions and tastings and sundowner walks. There may be additionally Junior Ranger Adventures for kids the place they’ll benefit from the nice open air, studying about San and Khoi rock artwork, making bows and arrows, go pond fishing and luxuriate in enjoyable scavenger hunts. The Grootrivier, the perennial river that meanders by means of the property, is secure for swimming and perfect for canoeing. The birding can also be excellent, and the area is famend for its wildflowers in season.
Carmines River Lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa
Carmines River Lodge will probably be launching in July 2026 in Zambia’s South Luangwa, comprising three elegant two-bedroom villas, every with non-public car. The lodge will tender launch in June for the commerce and media.
The lodge’s avian title is a celebration of the property’s distinctive location which is dwelling to the world’s largest Carmine Bee Eater colony, positioned immediately reverse the lodge on the Luangwa Wafwa.
This intimate, luxurious, family-owned lodge will boast an enviable island location, between two rivers, on 54 acres of personal land. Initially catering for simply 12 company (18 with extra beds) throughout 3 beautifully appointed two-bedroomed villas, every elevated and tucked between historical 20-foot Ebony timber and strategically spaced to not solely minimise footprint and disturbance to wildlife however capitalise on the lodge’s prime location overlooking the Msandile river. The lodge will probably be lower than 10 minutes’ drive, by way of a neighbouring pontoon, into the South Luangwa Nationwide Park and 20 minutes to the Nsefu Sport Reserve.
All the things you should plan your journey in 2026
Lone Palm in Zambia’s Livingstone area
Lone Palm is a brand new family-run 10-bedroom tented lodge launching in direction of the top of this yr by The Extremely Portfolio. Set on the banks of the Zambezi River, roughly 12km upstream from the world-renowned Victoria Falls, Lone Palm will introduce a contemporary, intimate, purpose-driven lodge expertise to the Livingstone area when it opens in direction of the top of 2026.
Friends will probably be invited to decelerate and reconnect by means of yoga, guided river moments, nature walks and conscious experiences, whereas figuring out that their keep contributes to significant conservation and group initiatives within the surrounding area.
Jaci’s Non-public Lodge in South Africa’s Madikwe Sport Reserve
After the floods final yr, Jaci’s Lodges in South Africa’s Madikwe Sport Reserve will probably be relaunching as Jaci’s Non-public Lodge on 1 July 2026, with 10 newly designed Safari Suites with non-public decks overlooking the river, tranquil sunken lounges, and calming interiors impressed by the wealthy colors and textures of Madikwe.
The lodge’s exclusive-use villas, specifically Kubu Villa, Nare Villa and Jaci’s Madikwe Home, have additionally been elevated. Every villa gives three to 5 bedrooms, a non-public pool, expansive dwelling areas and a devoted crew full with a non-public chef, front-of-house host and ranger.
Lolelunga Non-public Reserve in Zambia
Owned by Zambia Luxurious Lodge Assortment – Lolelunga Non-public Reserve is a non-public 30,000-hectare wilderness sanctuary within the Kasempa space, roughly 30 kilometres north of Kafue Nationwide Park.
The lodge had a tender launch in August 2025, however formally opens to company on tenth Might 2026. It’s a spot the place conservation, exclusivity and up to date safari design come collectively in a deeply compelling approach.
Warangi Ridge, Central Serengeti in Tanzania
Warangi Ridge, launched by The Wilderness Assortment in September 2025 (so simply missed our 2026 launch record) within the central Serengeti, has nonetheless unveiled its absolutely outfitted health club in January 2026 —designed to assist company keep lively whereas on safari.
Set slightly below the primary lodge beside the hanging rock infinity pool, the health club gives a variety of kit appropriate for each common health and power coaching. Friends take pleasure in complimentary entry and might soak up sweeping bush views whereas they work out, creating a very distinctive health expertise within the wild. For these searching for rest and mindfulness, an open-air sala nestled among the many acacia timber offers a serene setting for spa remedies, whereas a devoted deck gives the proper house for yoga and meditation. The brand new spa will probably be opening later this yr, so we thought that will qualify it for this record!
New Beests be a part of the Bushtops herd in East Africa
This yr, Bushtops will probably be celebrating 20 years of redefining “wild luxurious” and is marking the milestone with a transformative enhancement that units a brand new normal in visitor expertise. They just lately introduced that for 2026, each suite booked can have its personal non-public 4×4 safari car, information and spotter at no extra value.
{Couples}, households, and small teams can now benefit from the freedom to discover at their very own tempo—without having to guide or pay additional for an unique use car. To fulfill the rising demand for exclusivity, Bushtops is increasing its fleet and welcoming new skilled guides and spotters to its crew.
Along with this, an extra three 6×6 “Bushtops Beests” will probably be becoming a member of the “herd” / safari fleet of luxurious Sport Viewers in June 2026, prepared for the height migration season. These luxurious safari automobiles will probably be replicas of the unique Beest prototype (launched June 2025 at Serengeti and Roving Bushtops), full with heated seats, private drinks fridge-freezers, wi-fi chargers, a fold out sundowners bar and absolutely functioning kitchen with working water. Two of the brand new Beests will probably be based mostly at Mara Bushtops and the third will be a part of the unique Beest within the Serengeti.
Different new openings in 2026 embrace:
Laba Ngorongoro Lodge – Ngorongoro Conservation Space, Tanzania (Feb 2026 relaunch)
Sediba Sa Rona by Desert and Delta – Khwai Concession, Okavango Delta (March 2026)
Bupenyu Luxurious Boutique Lodge – Batoka Gorge, Zimbabwe (March 2026)
Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp – Kafue Nationwide Park, Zambia (April 2026)
Thitaka Lodge by Newmark Motels – Bwabwata Nationwide Park, Namibia (Might 2026)
Wilderness Mara – Mara Triangle, Kenya (June 2026 relaunch)
Shisaka & N’weti Camps, Sandringham Non-public Sport Reserve – Timbavati, South Africa (June 2026 relaunch)
Lwenge River Camp – Kafue Nationwide Park, Zambia (August 2026)
Erebero Hills – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda (August 2026)
Singita Elela – Okavango Delta, Botswana (December 2026)
**All launch dates are topic to vary, particularly with the current heavy rains throughout Africa
As soon as the Africa bug bites…
“All the things in Africa bites, however the safari bug is worst of all” – Brian Jackman
After getting set foot in Africa’s wilderness, and felt your senses really come alive – there’s a superb likelihood your coronary heart will at all times lengthy to return. Her majestic wildlife and untamed landscapes depart an indelible mark in your soul, calling you again time and time once more. The excellent news is, there’s at all times new locations to go to, uncharted places to discover and a plethora of chic new lodges to find.
Have you learnt of another new properties opening in Africa this yr? Please share within the feedback!
Claire Roadley
Claire Roadley is Founding father of Umlingo. Umlingo promotes genuine, sustainable resorts and safari eco lodges throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog as a way to elevate your profile, please contact us.
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