Across the continent of Africa, there’s a wave of new lodges, easier connectivity and conservation-driven projects that are reshaping how—and where—your clients experience one of the world’s most diverse wilderness destinations.
“I Had a Reserve in Africa…”
Sandfontein Reserve in southern Namibia sits along the Orange River within 240,000 acres of protected wilderness, far from the main safari routes. The reserve holds traces of ancient human history and visible evidence of shifting geology—river terraces, basalt cliffs, and excavated tools marking early settlements. In the early 1900s, the area played a role in the Nama-German conflict, and remnants from that time remain on the land today.
The property limits access to 18 guests, housed across five suites and the secluded Lost Poet Villa. Each structure was built using local materials to reduce environmental impact while maintaining a minimal footprint. Sandfontein’s lack of nearby development, coupled with minimal light pollution, makes it a notable location for observing night skies.
Experiential activities focus on the landscape and its ecological recovery. Guided walks follow tracks of springbok, oryx, giraffe and ostrich, while along the Orange River, guests paddle or fish in near silence. The reserve’s conservation approach has included boundary restoration and reintroduction of native species to encourage ecosystem stability. Evenings center on open-air star beds or camping as temperatures drop and the desert sounds quiet. Access is by road from Cape Town or via private charter to the reserve’s airstrip. Reservations are strictly for exclusive use, with stays including all meals, standard activities and levies.
For more information, visit sandfontein.com.
Phinda Zuka Lodge Goes Beyond
andBeyond Phinda Zuka Lodge reopened Dec. 18, 2025, following a full redesign that repositions the four-suite property within Phinda Private Game Reserve as an exclusive-use retreat suited for families or small groups.
Overlooking a private waterhole in the Zuka Hills of northern KwaZulu-Natal, the lodge maintains its sense of seclusion while bringing in contemporary design elements by Hubert Zandberg Interiors. The updated vision integrates neutral tones and locally made furnishings, using natural materials throughout to connect the interiors with the surrounding bush.
Each suite now includes a private sala for outdoor dining, and a new Family Suite expands accommodations for multi-generational stays. The central boma and firepit were restructured to create open views of the nearby waterhole, where wildlife activity remains steady year-round. In keeping with the company’s sustainability goals, the core buildings were preserved rather than rebuilt, reducing material use and supporting local artisans by sourcing handcrafted details.
The lodge continues to pair environmental management with guest comfort, with operations tied to the reserve’s community and conservation initiatives. Activities include guided game drives featuring the Big Five, as well as cheetah and black rhino sightings, and day trips to the Indian Ocean for scuba diving and marine exploration. Access to seasonal turtle nesting sites complements on-property programs such as guided walks, family conservation activities, and evening dining under clear desert skies.
Of note: The Stay Longer for Less offer provides additional nights at no extra cost when guests extend their stay. The promotion applies to new bookings for travel within specific dates and includes all standard lodge inclusions such as meals, twice-daily game drives, and guided walks. The Fly Me to Phinda offer provides travelers staying three or more nights at select Phinda lodges with flight credits or the option of complimentary private road transfers. The promotion applies to designated travel dates and participating Phinda properties.
For more information, visit andbeyond.com.
More Connectivity
Shamwari Private Game Reserve has improved traveler access to South Africa’s Eastern Cape with the debut of a dedicated air shuttle connecting Cape Town and Johannesburg to its private airstrip. The route trims travel times to about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Cape Town and just over 2 hours from OR Tambo International, bringing your clients directly into the reserve for immediate transfer to their chosen lodge.
Operated on a 16-passenger Beechcraft 1900D, the service allows arrivals to begin their safari experience en route, as the transfer from the airstrip often includes the first wildlife sightings. The launch follows a multi-year restoration of all 7 Shamwari properties—Eagles Crag, Bayethe, Long Lee Manor, Riverdene, Sarili Villa and Sindile Tented Camp—each of which has been upgraded to meet current sustainability and design standards. In 2024, the Shamwari Foundation was formalized to centralize its long-standing work across three focus areas: wildlife, community and environment.
Current initiatives include reintroducing Cape vultures into the wild, relocating leopards involved in conflict situations and rehabilitating a black rhino orphaned by poaching. With direct air access now in place, Shamwari brings the Eastern Cape’s Big Five wilderness closer in reach, pairing wildlife conservation with one of South Africa’s most established private safari experiences.
For more information, visit shamwari.com.
