Where Art and Safaris Meet: 3 Luxury Safari Lodges With Art Collections

When choosing a safari as your next holiday, you might think that explorations of art-lined galleries won’t be part of the experience. After all, art tours are normally reserved for breakaways in cities.

However, a select few luxury safari lodges with art collections have risen as premier destinations in Africa. While surrounded by the gorgeous wildernesses of Botswana, South Africa, or Kenya, you also have the opportunity to be dazzled by world-class artworks.

Let’s explore three luxury safari lodges in Africa where you can embark on an unforgettable African art safari, with game drives and art tours seamlessly woven together.

Xigera Safari Lodge, Botswana

Xigera (pronounced “Kee-jera”) in the famed Okavango Delta boasts Africa’s largest private collection of contemporary art in hospitality. This safari lodge as a whole can be seen as a gallery where the wilderness beyond the suites inspires the decor touches found in every corner.

There are so many elements of Xigera that will cause you to stop and stare. From the human-sized handwoven nests on the deck for moments of quiet contemplation and the wooden benches and chairs handcrafted from fallen trees to the hand-beaten copper fireplace inspired by the form of a lily, every section of the lodge was expertly curated.

This artistic tour de force in the safari world was conceptualised by Toni Tollman, Philip Fourie, and Anton de Kock in collaboration with award-winning South African gallery Southern Guild. To create this living gallery, bespoke works were commissioned exclusively for the lodge from some of Africa’s most exciting young artists.

Art buffs will recognise the names of some of the contributors, which include icons in the art world such as Adam Birch, Ardmore, Madoda Fani, Porky Hefer, Otto du Plessis, Stanislaw, and Trzebinski. Beyond thrilling explorations of the Okavango Delta, immerse yourself in a unique African art safari right within Xigera. Take an insightful art tour to discover more about the lodge’s history and its unparalleled art scene.

Cheetah Plains, South Africa

Located in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Cheetah Plains is a collection of eco-luxury safari villas. It’s a place that will stun with its natural surroundings and five-star amenities – as well as with its curated art collection.

Cheetah Plains is home to the Goodman Gallery, where artworks by leading African artists and rising stars reside. Part of a safari experience at Cheetah Plains can include walking through this out-of-this-world gallery with an expert. And if you see something you like, you can purchase it straight from the lodge.

All three villas that make up Cheetah Plains display new and historically significant artworks across their walls. These gorgeous artworks are the cherry on top of the overall luxury experience in these villas. Every attention to detail has been considered to create accommodation in which every small comfort is seen to, from the whisper-quiet aircon to the pod coffee machine and the opulent breakfast spread on your patio every morning.

When exploring the reserve, taking in the artworks that nature devised is done via game drives in electric Land Cruiser safari vehicles. This silent safari experience is to ensure that the grumble of an engine doesn’t extract from the magic all around you.

Segera, Kenya

An oasis in the savannah of Kenya, Segera is a dream safari lodge for art lovers as well as those seeking incomparable wildlife experiences and sublime hospitality.

World-class art from the famous contemporary art collection of Jochen Zeitz, the owner of Segera, is spread around the lodge, from the private villas to the botanical gardens and stable. A stay at Segera can include an African art tour with an expert who will introduce you to the artworks that grace all the spaces.

There is also a creative studio on the grounds that brings together some of Kenya’s most talented artists and designers. Pottery, jewellery, clothing, and more are displayed and available for purchase – an ideal souvenir.

Located in Laikipia, one of East Africa’s most exclusive wildlife destinations, game drives here can bring you to sightings of the famous Big Five as well as the endangered wild dog and reticulated giraffe.

Pre- or Post-Safari Art Stays in Cape Town

To mix your safari adventure with a city escape, there is nothing like a holiday stop in the coastal city of Cape Town in South Africa. Always listed among the top cities in the world for natural beauty and its food landscape, Cape Town is also bursting with incredible art experiences, two of which include:

Ellerman House

Set in the picturesque suburb of Bantry Bay, Ellerman House – part of the Relais & Châteaux family – is a beacon of refined beauty and elegance. This centurion Edwardian mansion delights all who walk through its doors with its timeless decor and awe-inspiring art collection.

No matter where you step foot in this 1906 coastal mansion, artwork can be appreciated. The pieces span over 200 years and include works from renowned artists such as Thomas Bowler, William Kentridge, and Irma Stern. While you can pursue the artworks to your heart’s content, there are in-house art guides available for a private tour of the collection, from the paintings to the sculptures outside.

The Silo Hotel

Above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) lie six floors of luxury accommodation in the form of The Silo Hotel. The pillowed-glass suites offer mesmerising views of the city, ocean, and Table Mountain, vistas rivalled only by the spectacular range of over 300 artworks found in the hotel.

Pieces from up-and-coming artists as well as highly acclaimed creators adorn the walls, a collection curated from extensive travels throughout Africa. Each piece was specially chosen to enhance the unique interiors of the space it occupies, enhancing the personality of the room.

There is an art concierge on staff who will tailor-make an art and design tour for you that encompasses either The Silo Hotel’s private art collection, the Zeitz MOCAA, or both.

From renowned masters of form to aspiring painters and designers, the artworks found in these unique safari lodges with art collections are a testament to the flair and talent on the continent. They truly take an African adventure to a whole new level of discovery for travellers.