African safaris offer a chance to remove yourself from everyday life and to reconnect with your body and mind, and harness the restorative power of nature. Conscious travel in its purest form: a wildlife safari that reawakens your senses and instils a deep feeling of wellbeing. After all, what could be more life affirming than sitting in the wild heart of the African bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds in nature?
At our recommended African lodges, wellness is about more than just pampering – although they do that exceptionally well, too. Instead, you’ll enjoy an all-encompassing holistic experience that will leave you feeling nourished and replenished, with a renewed sense of purpose.
Run with a Kenyan at Angama Mara
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Test your fitness with the Run with a Kenyan experience, which sees local Maasai – from the Angama Running Club – put you through your paces. The route usually takes guests along the Oloololo Escarpment – while you try to keep up, take in the spectacular views of the Mara Triangle wildebeest thoroughfare. As you pound the trail, you might even spot giraffes and zebras.
Green tip: Through your stay at Angama Mara, you’ll help uplift Kenya’s Maasai communities by supporting the three pillars of the Angama Foundation: conservation, education, and healthcare.
Find deep rest at Singita Sabora Tented Camp
Serengeti, Tanzania
Singita weaves a holistic wellness ethos throughout its lodges to help urban- weary guests reconnect to nature. At Sabora Tented Camp, this translates into
thoughtful touches that turn each suite into a personal wellbeing sanctuary – from meditation decks and yoga cards to chamomile tea, essential oil burners, and sleep ritual tips at turndown.
Green tip: Nurturing young local talent, the Singita Community Culinary School produces chefs of the highest calibre, who help create the wholesome farm-to-table food on your plate.
Looking out over expansive floodplains, Xigera’s spa pods are a cocooning haven to retreat to inbetween game drives. At the first African outpost of cult skincare brand Tata Harper, you’ll reap the benefits of powerful botanicals such as African Wild Grape and Inca Inchi. Pair your wellness journey with sunrise yoga and serene water safaris aboard a mokoro canoe.
Green tip: In sync with Xigera’s three wellness pillars, restore, calm, and purify, Tata Harper products are hyper-potent, 100% natural, and nontoxic.
Wildlife encounters here in the Rwandan rainforest are all about being present in the moment. Practice stillness during daily mindfulness meditations, surrounded by the jungle – by the time you set off on your next gorilla trek, you’ll feel a sense of calm and balance. Afterwards, reward yourself with a coffee and coconut massage in the Forest Spa, which uses holistic Terres d’Afrique skincare products.
Green tip: With only around 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world, trekking to see these endangered primates in their natural habitat is a profound experience to add to your bucket list.
If you’ve always admired the Himba people’s red-ochre body paint, this is your place. Restorative treatments at this Kalahari lodge are inspired by Namibia’s ancient cultures and focus on indigenous local ingredients. Mind-expanding wellness experiences take place in the semidesert sands beyond the canvas-tent spa too, from walks with San Bushmen to art workshops in the bush.
Green tip: For its first safari lodge, the luxe wellness- and sustainabilityfocused hotel group is rehabilitating 116,139 acres of private Kalahari land into a wildlife reserve.
Recline on a spa bed by the Zambezi River for a blissful 75-minute Africology Intonga Amasatchi massage – a deep tissue treatment using wooden sticks to stretch tight muscles and ease toxic overload from daily stress. You’ll practically float out afterwards – ready for a relaxing post-massage sunset boat safari.
Green tip: Inspired by the wisdom of Africa’s traditional healers, Africology’s all-natural products smell aromatic, too – stock up on products to take home from the spa.
South African safari wellness
This forward-thinking wellbeing temple takes the wellness safari concept to a whole new level. From bodywork specialists and reiki masters to enneagram practitioners and Martha Beck life coaches, the offering is so comprehensive that you might struggle to find time for game drives.
Green tip: For full body and mind restoration, book a five-day wilderness retreat – various options are available throughout the year.
Red Carnation’s wilderness reserve in the rugged Cederberg range combines nature tours with a holistic wellbeing approach. While the spa itself is a nurturing retreat, make sure to book a couple’s treatment in the secluded gazebo overlooking the tranquil Boontjies River.
Green tip: Rock art tours of this South African National Heritage Site are a highlight, with more than 130 rock art sites in the reserve – some as old as 10,000 years.
Hidden deep within Africa’s last remaining dry sand forest, this Zulu-Zen lodge was designed in sustainable harmony with its surroundings – perfect for forest bathing. Post-game drive, the therapeutic Quiet Mind Journey at the earthy spa will leave you feeling utterly relaxed.
Green tip: To learn about Phinda’s environmental initiatives, join the conservation team on scheduled rhino, elephant, or pangolin research projects.
South Africa’s largest private reserve was created to restore and protect the biodiversity and wildlife of one of Africa’s last remaining semi-arid wildernesses. A stay in one of Tswalu’s three lodges opens a world of game drives, meditative walks, and outdoor spa treatments.
Green tip: Saddle up for a horseback ride to the Malori under-canvas star bed for a magical night – the perfect opportunity to leave behind everyday life and reconnect with nature.
Words by: Verena Neumayr-Howes
Discover the world’s most exceptional stays in our recent post on The Top 10 Best Hotels in the World for 2025
