There are few things which compares to the thrill of an African Safari. The word, Safari, usually conjure up memories of a forgotten era, when colonial explorers roamed the vast African bushveld, lions and elephants were an every day sight and the sleeping arrangements were usually a tent erected by bearers native to Africa.

Safari-goers still revel in "sundowners", or evening cocktails on the bushveld, set out with linens and ice buckets, seemingly transported from some Edwardian drawing room. And while getting "The Big 5" now more commonly refers to photographing (rather than bagging) the game hunter's checklist (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) high thread count sheets and private helicopter tours are staples of the high-end safari scene.

The finest aspects of a safari are not new ones but were developed many years ago when explorers moved across the African countryside with extensive camps and supplies. The legacy left behind is a combination of excellent cuisine and accommodation with a first-rate wilderness experience. A martini savoured by the camp fire while lions roar in the distance is, for some, the essence of luxury.

We have compiled this list of African safaris that will help you in your journey to "discover" the Dark Continent and the safari jewels scattered across its land - without having to sacrifice a shred of comfort or style.

Vumbura Plains
Botswana

This luxury camp is situated to the north of Mombo, in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta. Vumbura Plains overlooks a vast, attractive floodplain and the rooms are built under the shade of cool and shady trees, consisting of 2 x 14-bedded camps linked by raised boardwalks. All of the luxury rooms are raised off the ground on wooden platforms with walkways connecting them to the main living areas. is situated to the north of Mombo, in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta. Vumbura Plains overlooks a vast, attractive floodplain and the rooms are built under the shade of cool and shady trees, consisting of 2 x 14-bedded camps linked by raised boardwalks. All of the luxury rooms are raised off the ground on wooden platforms with walkways connecting them to the main living areas.

Duma Tau
Botswana

Duma Tau is a ten-roomed luxury tented camp, in the private 125 000-hectare Linyanti Wildlife Reserve which borders the western boundary of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. The camp is built on raised boardwalks under a shady grove of mangosteen trees, overlooking a large hippo-filled lagoon on the Linyanti waterways. The source of the Savuti Channel is close to the camp and game drives along the Savuti are one of the highlights of the camp.

Babohi
South Africa

The lodge is designed to afford visitors an exceptional experience of nature all around. Built using natural materials such as stone, wood and reed the architecture has a sophisticated and eclectic feel. Luxurious interior finishes and thoughtful touches, ensures that guests have all the modern conveniences one would expect. The interior design is based on a mixture of traditional African craftsmanship mixed with exclusive elegance.

Camp Jabulani
South Africa

Rich woods, crystal glasses and silver service somehow seamlessly blend into an experience of genuine hospitality and sensory indulgence. Nothing quite tops the first introduction to the Camp Jabulani elephants! Their sheer size and presence is humbling. An informative introduction bridges the gap between man and giant; thus the safari begins. Each participant is partnered with an elephant based on temperament. With Jabulani in the lead, moving in single file, silence reigns; a beautiful harmonious communication of the bush and its inhabitants. Share in the ultimate African experience. View tree tops, birds nests, and giraffes almost face to face. Sail high above the bushveld and feel part of the environment, instead of being just a passive observer.