A private safari across South Africa + Botswana starts from €9,900 per person
A private safari that combines South Africa and Botswana, with lodges of the calibre of Singita, andBeyond, Great Plains Conservation or Wilderness Safaris, a private ranger, light-aircraft flights between concessions, bush dinners under the stars and sightings of the Big Five in private concessions (not in the public parks with 20 vehicles around a lion), starts from €9,900 per person on 10-12 night itineraries. The upper range reaches €25,000-35,000 per person on 14-16 night safaris with Singita Sabi Sand + Duba Plains + Selinda Camp + an extension to Cape Town or Victoria Falls.
This article breaks down what actually makes up the price of a private safari on the most complete route in southern Africa, which lodges are references and how a 12-14 night itinerary is structured.
Why combine South Africa + Botswana (and not just one)
South Africa and Botswana offer very different safaris that complement each other. South Africa has the Kruger and its adjacent private concessions (Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Manyeleti), with leopards almost guaranteed, top-category lodges with overland access from Johannesburg, and the possibility to combine with Cape Town, the Winelands or the Garden Route. Botswana has the Okavango Delta (a unique water landscape in the world), Chobe (the largest elephant concentration on the planet) and Linyanti (exclusive private concessions). They are radically different ecosystems.
A safari in South Africa alone offers spectacular hotel luxury but wildlife in a more "reserve-like" setting. A safari in Botswana alone offers wilder landscapes and fewer vehicles per sighting but requires light aircraft only and no natural urban extension. Combining them gives the full picture: urban culture + premium reserve safari + water wilderness + winelands.
What defines the "private luxury safari" category
Private concessions vs national parks
The key difference. In Kruger National Park or Chobe National Park, sightings happen on public roads with many vehicles around. In the adjacent private concessions (Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Kwara, Selinda, Duba, Vumbura) there is a maximum of 2-3 vehicles per sighting, night safaris are permitted, guided walks, sundowners in the bush, dinners under the stars and off-roading (leaving marked roads to follow a leopard).
Private light-aircraft flights between concessions
In Botswana there is no option: overland transfers between lodges are unfeasible due to distance and track conditions. Private Cessna 208 and Pilatus PC-12 are used. A typical Maun-Duba Plains + Duba-Selinda flight costs USD 900-1,400 per person total. In South Africa there is an overland option (Johannesburg-Sabi Sand is 6-7 hours) but for lodges like Singita Lebombo or Royal Malewane, light aircraft from Nelspruit KMIA airport are used just the same.
Ranger + tracker
In premium safaris in South Africa they always work in pairs: a ranger (who drives and explains) and a tracker (who sits in front of the bonnet reading tracks). It is a local tradition inherited from the classic safari. In Botswana usually only the ranger goes because the waterlogged terrain does not allow a tracker on a pole. Rangers with 15-30 years of experience are the norm at Singita, Royal Malewane, andBeyond Ngala.
The great lodges by region
Sabi Sand (South Africa) — the Ferrari of safari
Private concession adjacent to the Kruger, unfenced, considered the finest leopard land in the world. Reference lodges:
- Singita Sabi Sand — Ebony Lodge (12 suites), Boulders Lodge (12 suites), Castleton (villa for 12). A global reference.
- Londolozi — 5 camps with distinct styles (Tree Camp, Founders, Pioneer, Varty, Granite). The Varty family since 1926.
- Royal Malewane — 6 suites + 3 private villas in Thornybush. Impeccable service.
- MalaMala — classic historic camp, sightings with more vehicles than Singita but very high quality.
- Cheetah Plains — 100% solar-powered, contemporary architecture, 3 villas of 4 suites each (the whole villa is booked together).
Okavango Delta (Botswana) — the aquatic paradise
The only interior delta in the world, with flooded and dry seasons that radically change the wildlife. Private concessions inside the delta:
- Duba Plains (Great Plains) — 5 tents on a private island, lions hunting buffalo in the water.
- Vumbura Plains (Wilderness) — 14 raised suites, each with its own private pool.
- Mombo Camp (Wilderness) — 9 suites on Chief's Island, one of the finest game-viewing destinations on the planet.
- Jao Camp (Wilderness) — 5 dazzling suites on a private island, contemporary architecture.
- Sandibe (andBeyond) — 12 organic timber suites designed by Nick Plewman.
Linyanti and Selinda (Botswana) — wilderness without tourists
- Selinda Camp (Great Plains) — 3 large tents on a 130,000-hectare private concession.
- Zarafa Camp (Great Plains) — 4 eco-luxury tents, the most romantic in Africa.
- King's Pool (Wilderness) — 9 suites in the Linyanti concession, constant elephants.
Chobe (Botswana) — more elephants than anywhere else
- Chobe Under Canvas (andBeyond) — mobile camp that changes location every 3 days.
- Chobe Chilwero (Sanctuary Retreats) — chalets with views over the Chobe river.
Cape Town (South Africa) — the natural urban extension
- The Silo Hotel — grain silo repurposed by Thomas Heatherwick, 28 spectacular rooms with views over Table Mountain.
- Ellerman House — mansion-museum with a South African art collection, 11 rooms + 2 villas.
- One&Only Cape Town — 91 rooms on the waterfront, family-friendly.
- Cape Grace — a classic on the waterfront, recently renovated.
Price per night by lodge
Prices per person per night in a double room, on full board, with bar drinks (including premium South African wines), 2 daily game drives, ranger + tracker in South Africa, spa use and included experiences. International flights and transfers not included.
- Premium boutique: USD 850 – 1,200 per person/night (MalaMala, Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief's Camp)
- Premium: USD 1,200 – 1,700 per person/night (Cheetah Plains, Sandibe, Vumbura, King's Pool)
- Ultra-luxury: USD 1,700 – 2,400 per person/night (Singita, Londolozi Tree Camp, Duba Plains, Jao)
- Exceptional (private villa): USD 30,000 – 80,000/night for groups of 8-14 (Singita Castleton, whole Cheetah Plains villa, private Xigera)
Line-item price for a 12-night safari
Ranges per person in a double room, for an itinerary of Cape Town (3n) + Sabi Sand (3n) + Okavango Delta (3n) + Linyanti (3n).
- International business flights Madrid-Johannesburg-Cape Town: €3,800-5,500 per person
- Premium Cape Town accommodation (One&Only, Cape Grace): €1,200-1,800 per person
- Premium 9-night safari accommodation (Sandibe + Vumbura + Selinda): €12,500-16,500 per person
- Ultra-luxury 9-night safari accommodation (Singita + Duba + Zarafa): €18,500-24,500 per person
- Light-aircraft flights between lodges (5 flights): €2,200-2,800 per person
- Private transfers and guides in Cape Town: €500-900 per person
- Private Winelands day tour with sommelier: €250-450 per person
- Exclusive experiences (hot-air balloon over Selinda, Cape Point helicopter expedition, private chef dinner at the villa): €800-1,800 per person
Indicative total by profile
- Premium 12-night safari: €9,900 - 14,500 per person
- Ultra-luxury 12-night safari: €14,500 - 22,500 per person
- Exceptional 14-16 night safari with private Singita Castleton: €25,000 - 35,000 per person
Sample itineraries with total prices
Classic 10-night safari: €9,900 – 13,500 per person
Cape Town (2n) + Sabi Sand (3n) + Okavango Delta (3n) + Chobe (2n). Premium lodges: Cape Grace + Cheetah Plains + Sandibe + Chobe Chilwero.
Premium 12-night safari: €12,500 – 17,500 per person
Cape Town + Winelands (3n) + Sabi Sand (3n) + Okavango Delta (3n) + Linyanti (3n). Lodges: Ellerman House + Londolozi Tree Camp + Vumbura + Selinda Camp.
Ultra-luxury 14-night safari: €17,500 – 28,500 per person
Cape Town + Winelands (3n) + Sabi Sand (4n) + Delta Mombo (3n) + Selinda or Duba (4n). Lodges: The Silo + Singita Ebony + Mombo + Zarafa. Business flights + private light aircraft for the whole route.
Exceptional 16-night safari with Victoria Falls extension: €25,000 – 38,000 per person
Cape Town (3n) + Franschhoek Winelands (2n) + Sabi Sand Singita (4n) + Delta Duba Plains (3n) + Selinda or Chobe (2n) + Victoria Falls in Zambia with Islands of Siankaba (2n). With private guides at each destination.
When to travel and how it affects the price
South Africa (Sabi Sand, Kruger)
Dry season: May-October. Wildlife concentrated around waterholes, low vegetation (better visibility), cool nights (5-10 °C), pleasant days (22-28 °C). July and August are the absolute peak, September-October our favourites. Green season: November-April. Dense vegetation, high rivers, 30-35 °C heat, afternoon storms. Prices 25-35% lower and wildlife is still present (young are born).
Botswana (Delta, Linyanti, Chobe)
Flooded Delta: May-September (water arrives late from Angola). It is the best season because the wildlife concentrates on the dry islands. July-September are the top months and also the most expensive (30-40% over low season). Dry Delta: October-December. High temperatures (35-40 °C) but spectacular wildlife around the water holes. Book 12-14 months in advance for the dry months (Duba Plains and Mombo sell out a year ahead).
What is included and what is not
Included in our luxury proposal: international business class flights, all private internal transfers, light aircraft between safari lodges, lodges on full board (premium drinks included at most), 2 daily game drives with ranger + tracker in South Africa, optional activities (walking safari, mokoro in the delta, night safari), premium insurance with medical evacuation from the bush, 24/7 English-speaking assistance.
Usually not included: tips for rangers and staff (around USD 25-50 per person/day as a reference), additional premium experiences (helicopter flight over the delta USD 700 per person, hot-air balloon USD 750 per person, Cape Point photographic helicopter expedition USD 1,400), conservation fees at some concessions (almost always included now), personal expenses.
Family with children
Much more viable than people believe. Lodges like andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge, Kirkman's Kamp (Sabi Sand), Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Vumbura Plains and Xigera accept children from 6-8 years with specific programmes: "Little Ranger" with tailored activities (tracking, bush cooking, workshops with Shangaan guides). Children fly free or at 50% on many light aircraft when travelling with adults. The minimum age varies: 6 years is the usual floor, 8 years opens up almost every option. Only some very premium lodges (Duba Plains, Selinda) keep a minimum of 10-12 years due to the wilderness type.
How we do it
At Luxury Atelier by Presstour we have been designing private safaris in southern Africa for more than 25 years. We are preferred partners of Travel Africa (our specialist DMC with an office in Cape Town), and we have direct agreements with Singita, andBeyond, Wilderness Safaris and Great Plains. When we plan a safari we begin with a 45-minute call to understand the pace (intense wildlife or blended with relaxation?), the sensibility (photography, family, first-timer or experienced) and the priorities (leopards = Sabi Sand; elephants = Chobe; hunting lions = Duba; pure wilderness = Selinda). Within 48-72 business hours we send a detailed proposal with specific lodges, confirmed light aircraft and a closed price. Once in Africa, you have a direct 24/7 phone line to our local DMC.
If you are thinking about your first safari or want an alternative to Kenya (which we have already covered in this full post), write to us with indicative dates. You may also want to consult the South Africa-Botswana-Zimbabwe destination page or the Tanzania alternative for the wildebeest migration.
About the author
Inma Alonso
Travel designer specialising in premium family travel, private safaris in Africa and experiences in South-East Asia.
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