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From its perch on the rim of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara fully earns its name: Angama is Swahili for “suspended in mid-air.” Set nearly 1,000 feet above the Maasai Mara, this safari resort overlooks grazing wildlife and breathtaking sunsets—and you can catch the views whether you’re at dinner, in the swimming pool, relaxing on your private verandah, in the shower, or in bed.

Angama’s tented suites blend contemporary design with brilliant pops of traditional Maasai red in their linens and privacy screens. Each suite incorporates a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, so you’re never far from that jaw-dropping vista. Head to Angama’s lodge to shop for locally crafted souvenirs, edit and print the day’s photographs, and see mementos from the 1985 Oscar-winning Out of Africa, which was filmed on the property.

Meals at Angama revolve around Kenyan ingredients (many of them from the property’s vegetable garden) and may be eaten in the lodge, in your suite, or picnic-style, out in the bush. The Angama Foundation, supported by guest contributions, funds local education, healthcare, and wildlife conservation. Rates include guided wildlife and walking safaris, as well as all meals and drinks, laundry, and childcare services.

Perched on a hillside, this Kenyan eco-lodge has eight rustic cottages made with rock and cedar wood and thatched with makuti (palm), organically blending into the surroundings. Each Borana Lodge cottage offers modern comforts and is fitted with an open fireplace for those chilly Laikipia evenings, as well as private decks for uninterrupted wildlife observation or dining under the stars. The farm-to-table meals merge local and international flavors and are made from fresh ingredients grown at the on-site Waitbit Farm—the largest permaculture project in East Africa— served in the stylish dining area, terrace or bush. While away an afternoon at the infinity pool where you can gaze out over Hyena Valley Dam and watch large herds of elephants in the distance going about elephant business.

At the vast 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy on which the lodge sits, you will find Pride Rock, which inspired the Lion King films. The staff will tell you that while researching for the original 1994 film, the Disney animation team visited this conservancy for a safari, and for the 2019 remake, they stayed at Borana Lodge for ten days. Today, though, it’s a popular spot for sundowners with guests; nothing beats an open minibar in the bush, and a few proposals have taken place here. There are also stables, and on horseback, you can ride up and down the hills, getting so close to reticulated giraffes that you’ll be almost eye to eye, as though able to trace the unique patterns on their skin. Other activities include mountain biking, bush walks, rock climbing, and scenic flights.

Tucked away in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve near Kruger National Park, Cheetah Plains, centered around private-use villas, is known for its gracious and attentive staff, including a sommelier and a full culinary team.

With all African art curated by Goodman Gallery, Cheetah Plains’ three private villa-style accommodations were designed by Cape Town’s ARRCC and hold a maximum of eight guests. The rooms unfold from a central lounge that includes a wine cellar, media room, and outdoor entertaining space (called a boma in South Africa). With its embrace of raw, natural materials and clean lines, the villas (Mapogo, Karula, and Mvula) each have a distinct feel but follow the same general design-forward ethos: modernist and luxe. The residences are outfitted with an expansive deck and private pool overlooking the wilds of the Sabi Sand. Mapogo is an especially compelling spot, set on an active watering hole flush with hippos.

Sustainability also reigns supreme at this bushveld beauty, a pioneer in eco-friendly safaris. Cheetah Plains boasts a fleet of (virtually silent) custom electric vehicles, ideal for game drives. Though Cheetah Plains has been open since 2018, 2024 saw the debut of an art gallery, an extra draw for culture connoisseurs.

This boutique camp was named after British aristocrat and safari pioneer Denys Finch Hatton, who was portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1985 Out of Africa film. More recently, its old-school safari charm—a glimpse into what safaris might have looked like several decades ago—attracted Sir Richard Branson, who has now included it in his Virgin Collection. Finch Hattons features 17 elevated tents framed by The Chyulu Hills and Mt Kilimanjaro in the backdrop, with multi-level decks overlooking water holes where thirsty wildlife regularly come to drink up, unintentionally putting on a show for guests. The Chyulu Spa features two luxurious treatment rooms, a relaxing hammam, a lap pool, and a serene yoga pavilion with stunning views of the hills that inspired its name.

Tsavo Park, which is split into East and West sides by a road that runs through the middle, is famed for its red elephants, pigmented by the red earth that clings to their skin. After a day spent marveling at the wildlife, the name of the game each evening is to raid the mini-bar and mix up your own gin, rum, and whisky-based drinks. Take your beverage to Karen Blixen Bar, named after Finch Hatton’s real-life love interest- where old safari photos documenting Kenya’s history hang. Round up with a Kenyan feast with seafood flown in from the coast and five-course Swahili-menus right on the stargazing deck.

Healthy populations of The Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo— as well as the annual wildebeest migration, make Maasai Mara one of Africa’s prime safari destinations. Here, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, Marriott, made its foray into the safari scene in mid-2023. Unlike the brand’s usual offerings, this time, things are intimate, with just 18 spacious tents, each with a private outdoor jacuzzi tub, outdoor indoor shower, and spacious deck lined along the banks of the Talek River. Spotting wildlife right from your bed is an unrivaled experience.

A wooden suspension bridge leads to the earthy-toned communal area where the interiors echo the landscape and rich culture of the Maasai people, with zebra-patterned throw pillows, wildlife wood carvings, and portraits of Maasai tribesmen as decor. Marriott’s signature Spa by JW provides a perfect retreat for post-safari massages while looking out at the wildlife milling about several feet away. There’s a gym on the property and a photography studio where guests can get high-quality cameras and equipment to capture their safari. Over aperitifs, trade shots and stories with other guests around the firepit in the evening.

In the pulsating heart of Marrakesh, silhouetted against the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, stands La Mamounia—a bastion of luxury, history, and enduring legacy since 1923. Enveloped in verdant gardens and echoing fountains, this five-star emblem of Moroccan grandeur offers 209 sumptuously adorned rooms and suites, including 135 Guest Rooms, 65 Suites, 6 Exceptional Suites, and three garden-sequestered riads, each a sprawling 700-square-meter sanctuary with private pools and terraces. Ornate Moroccan motifs, scenic balconies, and multiple therapeutic hammams promise guests an immersion in authentic luxury. Each corner of La Mamounia whispers tales from yesteryears: the hushed conversations of Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Nelson Mandela, and cinematic memories from Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much to the recent Netflix phenomenon Inventing Anna.

Dining transcends mere gastronomy here; it’s an art. With four restaurants offering Moroccan, Italian, Asian, and French cuisine, including a poolside venue serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and world-renowned French Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé’s iconic desserts, culinary journeys become their own story. La Mamounia celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. In honor of this milestone, the palace worked with design duo Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku to unveil new refurbishments: a jewel-like chandelier inspired by a Berber necklace, a chic museum celebrating the hotel’s history, and new lounges in Art Deco and Moorish styles. Yet what truly sets La Mamounia apart is its legacy as a confluence of luxury, history, and Moroccan allure. Beyond a mere hotel, La Mamounia traverses eras of timeless elegance and contemporary grandeur.

Staying at Cape Town’s historic Mount Nelson Hotel, fondly called “The Nellie,” is like a luxurious trip back in time to the bottom of Africa. Originally built for first-class passengers arriving from London at the turn of the century, this iconic pink stucco resort celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. It continues to charm guests today with its mix of old-world glamour and modern perks, like helicopter wine tours and surf lessons on a pink VW bus.

Nestled in the city bowl below Table Mountain, this palm-studded oasis flaunts mountain views and lush grounds. Think turquoise pools, pink cushioned loungers, and attentive staff who make you feel at home. The staff also cares for the sensitive Cape Floral Region with an on-site “worm farm” for kitchen waste, plus beehives producing hotel honey and supporting the threatened Cape Honeybee.

The elegant afternoon tea lounge, with its wide shady patio, overlooks architecture that blends Cape Dutch and classic European villa styles. The property features 198 rooms spread across several buildings, including eight charming Victorian garden cottages. Each room combines understated modern comfort with South African flair. The Nellie’s guest book boasts names like Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Queen Elizabeth on her 21st birthday, and John Lennon, who once meditated in the gardens.

Royal Mansour Marrakesh, an opulent oasis conceived under King Mohammed VI’s guidance, offers dual privacy and proximity to Marrakech’s cultural icons. The resort boasts 53 private multi-story riads, each accessed via petal-pink pathways. As the city’s sole all-riad hotel, every residence includes a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool, offering stunning views of the Red City. Navigating through alleys lined with ancient olive groves and palm trees, guests discover riads ranging from one to four bedrooms, each with open-air courtyards, Moroccan lounges, and living rooms.

Between the Atlas Mountains and the Agafay Mineral Desert, Royal Mansour is within walking distance of Marrakech’s top attractions, such as the Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa el-Fna. The resort welcomes guests with an abundant display of crystal, marble, and lace-embedded plaster, complemented by intricately carved patterns. Crafted by over 1,200 artisans, the design melds North African, Spanish, and Moorish influences, featuring traditional Zellige tiles and luxurious materials like velvet, silk, brocade, cedar, and copper.

Culinary delights abound with four restaurants, including the acclaimed La Grande Table Marocaine and the contemporary French brasserie by Michelin-starred chef Helene Darroze. A recent addition is the Royal Mansour Cooking School, which opened in 2023. Equipped with professional equipment, the school offers Moroccan, Italian, and pastry classes, concluding with alfresco tastings in the hotel’s verdant gardens.

Sirai House takes its name from the Maasai word for the euphorbia trees that dot the ridge on which it perches. This luxury residence in the conservancy’s southern quarters is both contemporary and modern and was built by skilled Kenyan artisans; the attention to detail is distinct in everything from the art collection to bespoke furniture. It boasts opulent marble bathtubs overlooking the verdant hillsides, cozy fireplaces, and a private infinity pool. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of any of its six lavishly appointed suites, gaze out onto the sacred Mt. Ololokwe or Mt. Kenya. The main house, which is only available for exclusive use, has a drawing room, bar, recreation room, library, dining area, gallery, and cinema.

Homegrown meals are served at the open-air restaurant: Eggs and poultry are from the property’s chickens, fruits and vegetables are harvested farm to table, the beef is Borana cattle, and even the honey is from Sirai House’s own bees. There’s a telescope on the veranda through which you can use to spot wildlife in the distance during the day or gaze up at the night sky before retreating to your room, where a log fire and hot water bottle tucked between fresh sheets will keep you toasty through the night.

If you’re visiting Simon’s Town, South Africa, chances are you’re there to see penguins. Renowned for its endangered African penguin colony, Boulder Beach has become one of those bucket list places topping most traveler’s lists. But the trick to seeing the penguins sans crowds is to spend the night nearby, which is what makes Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa such a perfect stay.

At this 4-star luxury villa, you’re not only neighbors with the penguins, but you also have private access to the boardwalk that stretches between Boulder Beach and Foxy Beach, where the penguins reside.  You’ll be given a literal key to a door that lets you out right to where the penguins hang and honk good morning to you.

Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa only offers nine rooms, all of which are decorated by owners Lisa and Gaye Corbett. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with open balconies, unobstructed ocean views (and, yes, penguin views), and a maritime theme that runs throughout the villa. While each of the rooms differs in design, a color palette of blue and cream gives a nod to the maritime theme, with each of the rooms named after famous ships that once sailed the very waters the rooms face. In addition to its on-site spa, there are plenty of activities that the team at Tintswalo Boulders can help arrange, whether you’re in the mood for whale watching, a ghost tour, or a day cruise in Simon’s Bay.