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Grand Africa Safaris > Blogs > New African Luxury Resorts and Lodges 2023
The exquisite new African luxury resorts and lodges that are set to open their doors in 2023 will undoubtedly inspire wanderlust in any client. These new properties are located in some of the most inspiring wild spaces that Africa has to offer, and are poised to provide world-class amenities and service to the discerning traveler.
Read on for a list of our hand-picked collection of the most opulent African luxury resorts and lodges set to open in the new year.
The journey starts here.
In 2023, top luxury hotel management firm, Kempinski, plans to unveil three brand new lavish establishments in northern Tanzania. Kempinski Msasa Lodge, located near Lake Manyara, will provide exceptional game viewing as it overlooks the renowned lake. The property will feature 19 opulent tents, two junior suite tents with an outdoor pool, and two larger (200 sq m) family tents. In addition, Kempinski Longosa Lodge in the Serengeti National Park will boast 75 luxury rooms, suites and villas and will enjoy uninterrupted access to the annual Great Migration. Finally, similar to its Serengeti cousin, Kempinski Kitbong Hill is another sizable resort also comprising 75 guest rooms, suites, and villas.
According to Meliá Hotels International, a new lodge will be opening in Tanzania’s spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. While the existing property has long been a staple in the area for some time, it will reopen in 2023 following a significant refurbishment. These exciting new developments are set to meet the needs of the modern traveler, without losing the property’s character and originality, or its complete integration with the surrounding environment. From a social perspective, the hotel will work to incorporate and promote Masai heritage and culture from within the lodge, providing employment to the local Masai tribespeople and utilizing homegrown decorations in the hotel, made by local craftsmen. The Ngorongoro Lodge will include 52 rooms with crater views after the renovations are complete (24 of them suites), in addition to two restaurants, a small BBQ restaurant, a pool, and a spa.
The JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will welcome visitors in 2023 and will be situated in one of the most well known wilderness areas in Africa. The property will encompass 20 opulent private tents, including one presidential pavilion and two connected family tents, on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, overlooking the Talek River. Each unit will feature a private terrace overlooking the river with unrivaled views of the region’s abundant game. The lodge will incorporate elegant furnishings with warm neutral hues and natural materials, paying homage to the area’s pristine environment and drawing influence from the elements of wind, fire, earth and water.
Situated in the gorgeous Stellenbosch winelands, Hazendal wine estate is gearing up for the grand launch of a five-star luxury hotel and spa in 2023. The chic hotel’s 34 opulent guestrooms will all have individual patios with views of the courtyard or nearby lake. Guests will also have access to an on-site spa, heated pool, gym, gourmet restaurant, and a classy cigar lobby and bar. Additionally, a new and renovated Pro Shop will be available for guests who want to make use of the property’s top-notch 18-hole golf course as well as a private 16-seater movie theater for diehard film fans.
Tswalu Loapi is the third camp to join the prestigious Tswalu family. Described as “pioneering and nomadic in spirit,” this new African luxury resort opening in 2023 is situated deep into the expansive savannah grasslands of the southern Kalahari. Guests are guaranteed a genuinely exclusive and intimate safari experience as there will only be six separate tented homes, each functioning as a tiny camp in its own right and spaced at least 165 feet apart from one another. As with all Tswalu camps, Loapi promises individualized, top-notch service and provides each guest with a personal butler, private chef, private safari vehicle, and private nature guide. All the accommodations at Loapi are sustainably constructed, environmentally conscious, and incredibly comfortable. Every unit has a private eco-friendly pool, fire pit, fully equipped kitchen, private study with Wi-Fi, full bar, in-room spa services and lots of covered patio space for unwinding.
Situated on a private island surrounded by sparkling marshes and an abundance of game, North Island Okavango by Natural Selection is slated to be one of the most upscale luxury camps in the Delta. The camp is as peaceful as it gets, with only three tented suites that were meticulously constructed under the shade of natural ebony and leadwood trees. Each tent features a private sunken deck with a plunge pool, outdoor shower, and stunning views of the productive marsh and wandering wildlife. A modern, eco-friendly “over-the-bed” cooling system provides relief from the heat in the summer, while a toasty fireplace provides a romantic way to stay warm in the winter. The camp is entirely solar-powered, leaving zero carbon footprint, and blends in seamlessly in the surrounding wilderness.
Great Plains Conservation has proudly announced that a brand-new camp and suite are under development in the heart of Okavango Delta. Set to open in July 2023, the architecture of Sitatunga Private Island Camp (a reference to one of the most striking antelopes on the continent) pays homage to the legendary fishing cultures of the Okavango, with each unit shaped like a fishing basket. Set high up in the dense ebony forest canopy, the units will be constructed to the same Great Plains Réserve-Collection standard as seen in Selinda Camp, Zarafa Camp and Duba Plains. The intimate camp will accommodate just eight guests, with one family suite and two additional units.
Officially qualifying as a new resort opening in Q1 of 2023, the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort is set to wow all types of clients. Located in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, guests will be able to experience the surrounding area’s diverse flora and fauna as well as being a stone’s throw away from the iconic Victoria Falls. A tranquil stay awaits with 200 rooms to choose from, including suites and villas. In addition to the accommodation, the hotel’s amenities include locally-inspired restaurants, a spa and fitness center, a river cruiser, an observation deck, a kids club, a sports pavilion, and a conference facility with five rooms. This new luxury resort provides the perfect base from which to indulge in the many adventure activities that Livingstone has to offer, while occupying a truly wild locale along the mighty Zambezi River.
In 2023, Hilton will expand its illustrious portfolio by adding two more African luxury resorts to its already substantial presence in the Seychelles. The super luxurious Waldorf Astoria Platte Island Seychelles is about to open along the stunning beaches of Platte Island, bordered by lush palm groves, spotless coral reefs, and a lagoon. The establishment will boast 59 opulent coastal villas with private pools, a range of fine dining restaurants and beach bars, a kids club, tennis courts, an outdoor observatory, and more. With a green power source, solar panel roofs, and a marine conservation center on the island, there will be a strong focus on sustainability and conservation at the hotel. Canopy by Hilton Mahé, which will be situated on Anse à la Mouche beach, is also scheduled to debut in 2023. Canopy, which will be designed as a “boutique town,” will have 120 luxury rooms and a special area designated for hosting private business events. It will form part of the Hilton group’s lifestyle brands.
Get in touch with one of our travel experts at Grand Africa Safaris today to include one or more of these new African luxury resorts and lodges to your client’s next itinerary.