Cool swimming pools in Africa – A Luxurious Journey Weblog

After a heady day within the wild African bush, seaside or bustling metropolis, there’s something irresistibly indulgent about cooling off in a beautiful swimming pool – or chilling with a glass of bubbles in a beautiful scorching tub or jacuzzi beneath the celebs by evening. In Africa, there are lots of “Cool Swimming pools” the place you additionally get to take pleasure in a front-row seat to nature – be it watching the solar setting over the Zanzibari horizon or watching ellies quenching their thirst and having fun with a mud tub simply meters away from your individual pool. Listed below are only a few of probably the most spectacular swimming spots …

Mara Bushtops on the perimeter of the Masai Mara in Kenya

Mara Bushtops in Kenya includes a breathtaking infinity pool, which stands out for its panoramic views over the bush and its wildlife-rich salt lick which attracts wildlife from miles round. By day, company can watch elephants, zebras, and antelope collect beneath, and by evening, the bush is illuminated for stargazing, usually with telescopes obtainable for constellation recognizing.

The infinity pool on the award-winning Amani Spa is an absolute deal with after an extended day exploring the wilderness with solar loungers, a scorching tub, attentive butler service, and therapeutic massage tent for wellness remedies. However its magic is actually revealed at nightfall because the sky turns shades of pink and orange and the celebs begin twinkling via.  ​Your Maasai butler lights a roaring campfire, the cocktails and pre-dinner snacks come out – and the pool lights up with distinctive fibre optics, mirroring the constellation of Orion’s Belt. Pure magic!

Bawe Island, simply off the coast of Zanzibar

Bawe Island’s infinity pool takes your breath away as you dock on the jetty of this ultra-exclusive “one island, one resort” simply off the coast of Zanzibar’s mainland. The pool seamlessly blends into the horizon, overlooking the protected Changuu-Bawe Marine Reserve with its good blue waters. Company calm down on the deck recognizing conventional picket dhows or take pleasure in direct entry to water sports activities and diving amongst vibrant coral reefs.

Many of the island’s villas even have their very own personal swimming pools of their gardens, however the primary infinity pool is particularly notable for its panoramic Indian Ocean views and quick access to wellness, culinary and journey actions. The island’s strict conservation ensures unrivalled marine biodiversity proper beneath the floor, making this pool spectacular for each leisure and exploration.​

Fairlawns Boutique Resort in Johannesburg, South Africa

Fairlawns Boutique Resort & Spa in Johannesburg brings a slice of Bali to Africa with its heated spa pool nestled in tropical gardens.

The pool includes a rim move jacuzzi, soothing rainfall showers, and is surrounded by leisure pods for meditation or unwinding in an oasis of greenery. The Balinese-style spa is well known for its tranquil ambiance and in depth hydrotherapy circuit, which helps company calm down and rejuvenate as if in a serene Asian forest, all simply moments from the bustling metropolis. There may be additionally a second out of doors pool to chill off in within the stunning gardens of the primary resort.

Camp Kala in Onguma Nature Reserve, Namibia

Onguma Camp Kala, positioned on the perimeter of Namibia’s Etosha Nationwide Park is well known for its outstanding mix of wilderness immersion and personal luxurious. Camp Kala boasts simply 4 elevated suites overlooking a vibrant watering gap – and comes with an virtually decadent selection of each a plunge pool and scorching tub!

The suites’ plunge swimming pools are perfect for cooling off throughout scorching days after your safari, while the wood-fired scorching tubs (fuelled by undesirable invasive wooden species) are good for cold nights, providing cosy (generally very toasty!) heat beneath a blanket of stars. Suites additionally function out of doors showers, fireplace pits, and shaded, netted salas with daybeds for leisure and even sleeping out all evening, full with personalised butler service and all-day culinary choices. A cinematic safari-from-the-tub expertise!

The Cavern Drakensberg Resort in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The Cavern is a well-liked mountain retreat within the Northern Drakensberg with a variety of outside actions to maintain the entire household busy from mountain climbing and biking to bowls, tennis, pickle ball, horse driving and fishing. 

The Cavern additionally has a lovely swimming pool within the grounds, surrounded by lush gardens which are alive with birds – surrounded by panoramic views of lush, rolling mountains. There’s additionally a kiddies swimming space with water slide and cozy loungers to calm down and soak all of it up. 

Adventurous company can even hike to pure mountain swimming pools, the grotto and a beautiful waterfall, the place wild swimming is feasible in crystal-clear waters surrounded by steep ravines and forest.

Madikwe Safari Lodge in South Africa

Madikwe Safari Lodge is an actual winner for households as there isn’t any have to spend all day in a sport drive car to take pleasure in a spectacular safari, with quite a lot of household time on the pool!

Their beautiful infinity pool at Lelapa Lodge is positioned straight beside a busy waterhole with front-row seats to all of the wildlife motion. Company can benefit from the safari from throughout the cool pool, sipping cocktails on a lounger (and feasting on probably the most scrumptious do-it-yourself ice-cream!) and even take pleasure in lunch beneath the timber whereas they watch a gradual stream of elephants, rhinos, zebra and antelope queue to drink and bathe all through the day. It makes for distinctive photograph alternatives. As well as, every chalet additionally has its personal personal plunge pool when you favor somewhat extra privateness. 

Mashatu Euphorbia in Mashatu Sport Reserve in Botswana

Mashatu Euphorbia Villas have set a brand new normal for inexperienced luxurious in Botswana, with every villa that includes a solar-heated personal plunge pool overlooking the Limpopo riverbed. Elephants are frequently seen wandering this wild hall; you could spot them out of your personal plunge pool or solar deck.

The camp’s environmentally acutely aware design merges photo voltaic vitality and water conservation, letting company calm down in fashion whereas surrounded by Mashatu’s famed wildlife, which incorporates large cats, hyenas, distinctive desert creatures, and colossal baobab timber. Really the long-lasting “Land of Giants”.

Sirikoi in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Sirikoi is an unique safari lodge with simply 4 tented suites, Sirikoi cottage (sleeps 4) and Sirikoi Home (sleeps 6). The lodge, with its attractive infinity pool, enjoys unbelievable views over the sport wealthy Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

The home is surrounded by lush lawns, an expansive deck, and fantastically manicured gardens set towards the dramatic backdrop of Lewa’s wilderness. Its giant, heated pool is ideal for a refreshing dip after a sport drive or enjoyable whereas animals graze close by. Sirikoi Home additionally comes with a non-public information, chef, and safari car.

Warangi Ridge within the Serengeti, Tanzania

Warangi Ridge within the Serengeti provides one of many largest, most dramatic rock swimming pools possible. It actually took my breath away the primary time I noticed it. Positioned on a granite cliff overlooking infinite savanna of the central Serengeti, this principal pool offers sweeping views of the plains and wildlife, together with lion, elephant and cheetah.

The infinity pool is good for cooling off after your safari and is fantastically lit up by evening giving the center of this lodge an actual magical really feel. The rock pool’s sheer scale makes it supreme for each train and enjoyable in these cinematic environment. Every pangolin-shaped luxurious tent at this lodge additionally boats its personal personal plunge pool on its deck, a few of which could be heated on request.

Lemala Wildwaters in Uganda

Lemala Wildwaters should certainly boast one of many world’s most Instagrammable swimming pools! 

Situated on a non-public island encircled by the thunderous rapids of the mighty Nile River, this lodge is accessible solely by boat. It has a beautiful rock pool carved into granite which overlooks the dramatic white water, making it one among Africa’s most photogenic swimming spots. Company take within the hypnotic sounds and sights of the Nile whereas having fun with guided walks, wildlife recognizing (together with big otters and lots of uncommon chicken species), spa remedies. It should certainly be Uganda’s final riverfront leisure spot!

Sala Seaside Home in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sala Seaside Home on South Africa’s Dolphin Coast boasts a superb infinity pool perched on the sting of the cliff, with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean—and is a perfect spot for watching dolphins and whales enjoying within the surf in addition to having fun with the dawn.

Only a few stairs down from the backyard you end up on the smooth white sand of Thompson’s Bay which is a Blue Flag rated seaside with a well-liked tidal “Charlie’s Pool” and lovely rock swimming pools, crammed with marine life. You may snorkel amongst greater than 50 species of fish, unwind on the sand, or hike scenic trails alongside the shoreline. This family-owned boutique resort is thought for its personalised touches and relaxed, fashionable vibe, just lately gaining its official 5-star premium grading —making each the primary pool and tidal pool particular locations for wildlife, water sports activities, and pure tranquillity.

Ol Lentille in Laikipia, Kenya

Ol Lentille is an unique, conservation-focused safari lodge set inside an unlimited personal conservancy in northern Laikipia. It’s recognized for its secluded luxurious, panoramic views, and shut partnership with native Maasai and Samburu communities. Additionally they have one of the crucial iconic infinity pool with 270-degree views over rolling hills, valleys, and two busy watering holes.

From this dramatic vantage level, company ceaselessly watch elephants and different wildlife beneath whereas basking in luxurious privateness. The pool is lined with shaded loungers and daybeds, making it a surprising setting for sport viewing, swimming, and sundowners. The lodge’s elevated place ensures breathtaking panoramas, and every of its villas offers five-star facilities for a really unique safari retreat.

Reserving your individual journey, with loads of cool swimming pools…

My most up-to-date journey to Kenya and Tanzania, the place I used to be very fortunate to take pleasure in various these cool swimming pools first hand, was organized by Timbuktu Journey, who specialize in curating tailor made safaris throughout Africa. They provide a 13-night journey together with all home flights and highway transfers. For instance, your itinerary might additionally begin in Kenya with 1 evening at Nairobi Tented Camp and three nights on safari at Mara Bushtops, a non-public conservancy on the perimeter of the Masai Mara Nationwide Park, earlier than flying straight into Tanzania to remain 3 nights on the new Warangi Ridge Lodge in central Serengeti after which 2 nights at Lemala Osonjoi in Ngorongoro Crater. Your journey might finish with 3 nights of seaside bliss on the unique Bawe Island simply off the coast of Zanzibar, a historic tour of Stone City and a last evening on the Zanzibar Serena Resort earlier than heading house. Timbuktu Journey was voted Journey + Leisure’s ‘World’s No.1 Tour Operator’ for 2024 and runner up in 2025 so you realize you might be in skilled palms.