There's nothing quite like jumping into a cool swimming pool to escape the heat of the day.

When on safari, wildlife activities are almost always during the early morning and early evening - when the animals are most active. This leaves the rest of the day to do more 'holiday' things. What better time to enjoy the pool!

We've gathered together some of our favourite places to swim throughout Africa below. Some have stunning views, some are impossibly remote, some unique, and others have the odd visits from friendly neighbours! 

Londolozi Granite

First on our list is the stunning pool at Londolozi Granite Suites (room two to be precise!). This infinity pool feels like it has been chiselled out of the rock and looks out onto a natural waterhole which is often frequented by elephants and other animals. 

As dusk falls, there's no better place to relax with a cocktail watching the wildlife come and go.

Singita Pamushana

The swimming pool at Singita Pamushana really is the stuff of dreams. 

You wont see much wildlife 'up close' here, but the views out across Zimbabwe's Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve will take your breath away. Keep your eye out for animals down in the lake below!

Jack's Camp

Not only is this 'indoor' pool at Jack's Camp an absolute delight to swim in (it's surprisingly big), but the pure implausibility of having a pool in this wild and remote spot beggars belief. 

Set in the middle of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, this pool is surrounded by this camps much-loved 1940s campaign style and Bedouin tent design. The camp has just undergone a refurbishment and is now even more jaw-dropping than before.

Wildwaters Lodge

Another pool that's been carved into Africa's bedrock, the Wildwaters Lodge pool really is about as unique as you can get. The lodge itself is sat on an island in the River Nile as it rushes northwards out of Lake Victoria in Uganda. 

The pool is positioned right on the edge of the island, and next to the gurgling river as it flows by. The effect is truly outstanding, making you feel like you are swimming in a rock-pool in the river Nile! 

Phinda Homestead

Finally, Phinda Homestead's private swimming pool is set in an oasis in the middle of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. The pool is large enough to do a few lengths in, and is often visited by thirsty elephant! 

There is genuinely no experience quite like being in a pool when you are metres from an elephant slurping down the same water you're sat in.

--

We hope you have enjoyed our Top 5 pools. There are of course so many others that didn't quite make our list. If you know any that you think should be on the list, please do send them over.

If you prefer something slightly smaller and more private, check out our 'Top 5 Baths with a view' blog linked below.