Dinogo Readers' Top 20 Safari Lodges and Outfitters in Africa for 2024

This year's votes from Dinogo readers highlighted the importance of people in creating an unforgettable safari experience, from the friendly, attentive staff at lodges to the skilled travel specialists who organize every detail of the trip. Readers emphasized how an exceptional team can enhance the adventure, alongside spectacular wildlife encounters and immersive accommodations.

Voting Process Explained

In our annual World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their thoughts on travel experiences worldwide, including the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers participated, casting more than 700,000 votes across 8,700 properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as either resort hotels in North Africa and the Middle East, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges, based on their location and amenities. They were specifically evaluated on the following criteria:

• Room amenities
• Location
• Service quality
• Cuisine
• Overall value

Tour operators and safari outfitters were evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Guides/staff
• Itineraries and destinations
• Activities offered
• Lodging
• Dining
• Overall value

For each aspect, participants could select a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent the average of these ratings.

Highlights from Readers About African Safari Lodges

This year, South Africa emerged as the top country, featuring three lodges in the top ten. Leading the pack at No. 1, Monwana Game Lodge offers a well-rounded experience, overlooking a waterhole within a wildlife-abundant safari reserve, supported by a dedicated team.

Asilia Namiri Plains (No. 2) in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park also received high praise for its exceptional team. One reader shared, “The staff were incredibly kind and made this a trip of a lifetime.” The tents stood out as well: “The rooms were spacious, luxurious, and the outdoor tub with a view of the Serengeti was unmatched.”

However, it wasn't just lodges in renowned Big Five locations that captured the hearts of T+L readers. Uganda’s Mount Gahinga Lodge from Volcanoes Safaris (No. 4), which offers direct access to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes Safaris (No. 6) — famous for chimpanzee trekking — highlight the appeal of primate safaris.

Winner of the Safari Lodges

Monwana Game Lodge: Thornybush Nature Reserve, South Africa

Nestled in Thornybush Nature Reserve — part of South Africa’s Greater Kruger region, renowned for Big Five sightings — Monwana Game Lodge overlooks a waterhole often visited by elephants, lions, and other prominent wildlife. This lodge was the top pick among T+L readers this year, with one guest sharing, “an incredible experience from the staff to the game viewing.” Featuring only six suites and a private residence accommodating up to five guests, Monwana is perfect for couples on their honeymoon or families with children over the age of 10. In addition to two daily game drives, guests can enjoy bush walks, indulge in spa massages, or embark on stargazing excursions after dark.

Complete List of Safari Lodges

1. Monwana Game Lodge: Thornybush Nature Reserve, South Africa

Audience Score: 98.90

2. Asilia Namiri Plains: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Audience Score: 98.73

3. Finch Hattons: Tsavo West National Park, Kenya

Audience Score: 98.67

4. Mount Gahinga Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

Audience Score: 98.37

5. Mfuwe Lodge, The Bushcamp Company: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Audience Score: 98.26

6. Kyambura Gorge, Volcanoes Safaris: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Audience Score: 98.00

7. Lion Sands Game Reserve: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Audience Score: 97.89

8. Singita Grumeti: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Audience Score: 97.87

9. Thornybush Game Lodge: Thornybush Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Audience Score: 97.83

10. Angama Mara: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Audience Score: 97.47

What Readers Appreciated About African Safari Outfitters

T+L readers prioritized enthusiastic and dependable expert teams when selecting their favorite safari outfitters this year.

This year’s top winner — Alluring Africa — achieved perfect scores, earning readers’ top spot for the second consecutive year. Vegas-based Dazzle Africa (No. 2) is also well-known for high ratings among T+L readers, with one noting they found the Zambia specialist through our 2021 World’s Best Awards — after a call with a “dedicated and helpful” trip planner, they “didn't need to search any further.”

Go2Africa (No. 9), based in South Africa, received accolades for exceptional service — one reader mentioned their coordinator “secured us a spot at Kenya’s Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage despite it being fully booked.” The term “dream” was frequently used by guests describing their experience with Go2Africa — “We can’t wait to organize another dream trip to Africa!” one reader remarked.

Safari Outfitters Winner

Alluring Africa

Last year's champion held on to the top position for 2024, achieving a flawless score of 100 — an increase from 99.21 in 2023. Alluring Africa is a Florida-based agency that focuses on travel to Africa and the Middle East. They offer experiences such as tracking desert rhinos in Namibia, witnessing the dramatic Great Migration of wildebeests in Tanzania and Kenya, and encountering mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. Their strong base of returning clients indicates that the team excels in creating unforgettable trips.

Complete List of Safari Outfitters

1. Alluring Africa

Reader Rating: 100.00

2. Dazzle Africa

Reader Rating: 98.82

3. Asilia Africa

Reader Rating: 98.66

4. Micato Safaris

Reader Rating: 98.56

5. Piper & Heath Travel

Reader Rating: 98.31

6. Extraordinary Journeys

Reader Rating: 97.91

7. Rothschild Safaris

Reader Rating: 97.60

8. Thomson Safaris

Reader Rating: 97.38

9. Go2Africa

Reader Rating: 96.22

10. Deeper Africa

Reader Rating: 94.91