Must-see hotels in South Africa

  • MalaMala Main Camp

    Kruger National Park

    While very comfortable, Main Camp doesn't offer plunge pools, throw pillows or chic interiors. And it doesn't care – everything here is about providing…

  • Ellerman House

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    Imagine you’ve been invited to stay with an immensely rich, art-collecting Capetonian friend – that's what the vibe is like at the Ellerman House, an…

  • Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

    Kruger National Park

    Subterranean bliss, Earth Lodge is unlike any other lodge in Africa – where else can you look up though a skylight to an elephant looking down at you?…

  • Tintswalo Atlantic

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    The only hotel in Table Mountain National Park has been rebuilt with its secluded seaside charm intact following a disastrous fire in March 2015…

  • Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

    Western Cape

    This superb luxury choice set on 25 sq km includes horse riding, hiking, local excursions and excellent food in the price. Each of the free-standing…

  • Mdumbi Backpackers

    The Wild Coast

    Marvellous Mdumbi, a 23km drive north of Coffee Bay (the 17km gravel road is normally passable in a 2WD car), is a rural retreat set in rolling hills…

  • Satyagraha House

    Johannesburg

    A wonderful urban sanctuary, Satyagraha is built around the Kraal, a 1907 traditional African-style thatched house where Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi lived…

  • Concierge

    Durban

    One of Durbs’ most cutting-edge sleeping options, this cleverly conceived spot – 12 cosy rooms in four pods – is more about the design (urban, funky,…

  • Outpost

    Kruger National Park

    Sleep inside or out, with the press of a button. Set high above the Luvuvhu River at the northern extreme of Kruger, the outward-facing walls of these 12…

  • Leshiba Wilderness

    Limpopo

    Perched in the clouds of the Soutpansberg mountains, this Fair Trade–accredited resort is based on a Venda village, created with the help of acclaimed…

  • Nottens Bush Camp

    Kruger National Park

    This comfortable, family-run, six-room camp offers a fine safari experience. The open dining area and two rooms (Nos 3 and 4) overlook the water hole,…

  • Londolozi Varty Camp

    Kruger National Park

    Built on the site of the Varty family's original 1920s Sparta Hunting Camp, Varty Camp was Londolozi's first photographic safari lodge and has…

  • Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

    Cape Town

    A world apart from the rest of the city, sitting in three hectares of gardens, the sugar-pink-painted ‘Nellie’ is a colonial charmer with its chintz decor…

  • Letaba Rest Camp

    Kruger National Park

    One of Kruger's best rest camps, this leafy Letaba River haven has shady lawns, resident bushbucks, SANParks' most attractive pools and a wide variety of…

  • Mantis & Moon Backpacker Lodge

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This place has more accommodation options than subtropical tree varieties in its compact jungle garden: a giant teepee, small rustic cabins, and tree…

  • Camp Figtree

    Sunshine Coast

    Offering colonial-chic luxury, this property takes full advantage of breathtaking panoramic views from its perch in the Zuurberg Mountains above Addo…

  • Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa

    The Wild Coast

    Overlooking a large estuary and a deserted beach, this splendid resort at the mouth of the Umngazi River features 69 bungalows that were modernised in…

  • Camps Bay Retreat

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    Based in the grand Earl’s Dyke Manor (dating from 1929), this splendid place is set in a secluded nature reserve a short walk from the Camps Bay strip…

  • Rhino Post Safari Lodge

    Kruger National Park

    The most authentic private bush lodge in southern Kruger, Rhino Post has eight suites constructed from wood, canvas, glass and gabion baskets. Each oozes…

  • Fountain Baths Guest Cottages

    Mpumalanga

    These seven quaint, good-sized cottages, in a beautiful and historical location on the northeastern edge of town, are well kitted out and full of…

  • Curiocity Johannesburg

    Johannesburg

    This is a superlative place to stay thanks to the dedication of young proprietor Bheki Dube. Occupying a converted printing house in the desirable…

  • Motel Mi Pi Chi

    Johannesburg

    Book ahead for this gem of a place. The design duo behind Motel Mipichi have transformed several semidetached 1930s abodes along the street into a genuine…

  • Gorge Cottage

    Northern Cape

    More a modern studio apartment than a cottage, this is the park's newest and most sought after accommodation. It sits beneath a lookout point over the…

  • Lion Sands Narina Lodge

    Kruger National Park

    Hovering over the bank of the Sabie River in a private concession, Narina's nine bright suites live beneath stepped thatched roofs. They are full of…

  • Leokwe Camp

    Limpopo

    These chalets are among the best we’ve seen in any South African national park. They include a large living space, fully equipped kitchen, outside braai …

  • Singita Boulders

    Kruger National Park

    Singita has a reputation for having some of the best lodges in Africa. Its Boulders lodge on the bank of the Sand River is our favourite. The dining areas…

  • Hotel Verde

    Cape Town

    It's easy to see why the self-proclaimed 'greenest hotel' in Africa has won sustainability awards. Rooms are comfy, with creative design, and local arts…

  • Singita Lebombo Lodge

    Kruger National Park

    This 15-room flagship ultraluxury lodge on Singita's private concession in Kruger's Lebombo Mountains is themed around a bird's nest, with each open-plan…

  • River House Guest Lodge

    Mpumalanga

    Perched right on the park boundary, this cracking gay-friendly lodge is a great place to relax pre or post Kruger, perhaps with views of wallowing hippos…

  • Menlyn Boutique Hotel

    Pretoria

    Friendly and relaxed service combined with chic, sandstone-colour-scheme rooms make the Menlyn a hit. Even though it's near a busy highway, calm prevails…

  • Olifants Rest Camp

    Kruger National Park

    High atop a bluff, this camp offers fantastic views down to the Olifants River, where elephants, hippos and numerous other animals roam. Bungalows 10 to…

  • Fusion Boutique Hotel

    Limpopo

    Voted Africa's best boutique hotel (and best art hotel) at the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards, Fusion Boutique Hotel is a spectacular place with themed…

  • Winchester Mansions Hotel

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    Offering a waterfront location (you’ll pay extra for sea-view rooms), this elegant Sea Point institution dates to the 1920s, but adds contemporary appeal…

  • Jathira Gastehuis

    Mpumalanga

    Enjoy platteland (farmland) hospitality at this very Afrikaans and very friendly lodge 6km northwest of the town centre. Accommodation is in spacious,…

  • Lord’s Guest Lodge

    Winelands

    If McGregor isn't quiet enough for you, head to this luxury lodge north of town. The thatched, stone cottages sit atop a hill and have wow vistas across…

  • Madi a Thavha

    Limpopo

    A cleansing Soutpansberg hideaway, this farm lodge is very involved with the local community. Accommodation is in colourful little cottages, with Venda…

  • Prana Lodge

    The Wild Coast

    Combining old-world European sumptuousness with the tranquillity of a Southeast Asian resort, this intimate property hidden in a dune forest a short walk…

  • Lennox Guest House

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Set on a picturesque farm about 8km outside of Dundee, Lennox Guest House offers guests much more than the typical B&B experience. Hosts Dirk (a former…

  • Drostdy Hotel

    Eastern Cape

    The Karoo's flagship hotel offers a fine mix of historic charm and modern luxury. Accommodation is in mid-19th-century cottages, originally built for…

  • Taj Cape Town

    Cape Town

    India’s luxury hotel group has breathed new life into the old Board of Executors building. There’s plenty of heritage here, but a new tower also houses…

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