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…
Must-see hotels in Africa
Gonder
Doing things its own way, this owner-managed spot next to the Royal Enclosure has the friendliest service in town, attention to detail and a real…
Okavango Delta
Xaranna is a worthy member of the elite group of camps run by &Beyond, which mixes daringly designed luxury accommodation with serious conservation work…
Southwestern Uganda
Set within a rocky garden that blends in beautifully with the natural surrounds, this luxury lodge oozes charm. The homestead-style cottages have volcano…
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…
Casamance
Created by the Senegalese musician Youssouph Cissoko, this sprawling, high-end property is the go-to destination for music lovers, with weekend concerts…
Mauritius
We're yet to hear a bad word about La Maison d'Été, one of Mauritius' top B&Bs, and we can understand why. The Franco-Mauritian owners have hit the nail…
Arusha
Truly something different, off Onsea–Moivaro Rd on a forested hillside in the Suye Hill area just southeast of town, Karama offers 22 rustic and rather…
Northeastern Tanzania
The beautiful Tides has a prime beachside location, plus spacious upmarket cottages on the sand and excellent cuisine. The cottages have huge beds…
Cabo Verde
Guests feel right at home in this friendly Swiss-run spot with bright, comfortably furnished rooms. The roof terrace, with its grand views, is a great…
Zanzibar Island
This is a great little place, with friendly owners and just seven impeccably maintained rooms. There's a small swimming pool and convivial bar-restaurant,…
Abidjan
French-Ivoirian couple Alain and Pascale run this fusion of hotel and restaurant, which offers impeccable style, local art and artists, the most exquisite…
Southwestern Uganda
A wonderful set-up with views looking out to the misty Virungas, the Nkuringo Gorilla Camp is an excellent pick for Nkuringo. Comfortable rooms and…
Harare
Set among a tropical, flower-filled garden, Amanzi is easily one of Harare's best and most unique choices, offering intimate and classy five-star service…
Harare
Harare does charming guesthouses as well as anywhere in the world, and Jacana is one of its best. The tasteful interior designed by the friendly Dutch…
Madagascar
Peaceful, and set in a beautiful rural location 8km south of Ambalavao on the RN7, the Betsileo Country Lodge basks among glorious landscapes and enormous…
La Digue
Maison Charme de L'île offers home-style comfort, friendly staff and a super-quiet location for an affordable price. A two-minute bike ride from the…
Rissani to Zagora
Rebuilt to pisé (rammed-earth) perfection, the 120 year-old kasbah's crenellated rooftop and descending terraces offer unparalleled village views…
Bulawayo
Founded in 1895, the BC is still the most exclusive address in town. The opportunity to stay in such an elegant historical place at such a reasonable…
Cape Coast
All profits from this charming guesthouse go to the Baobab Children Foundation, which runs a school for disadvantaged children. The simple rooms are…
Arba Minch
This upmarket lodge staring straight at the national park’s ‘Bridge of God’ features comfortable Konso-inspired huts (many of which have lake views) built…
Mahé
No, you're not hallucinating, the view is real. Poised on a greenery-shrouded hillside, the five villas overlook Anse Royale – full frame. They're…
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…
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…
Ghana
Bright and cosy bungalows, some handcrafted using traditional techniques, sit on a beautiful lawn with views down to the lake. A wonderful place to relax…
Rwanda
Now here’s something really special – one of the most atmospheric places to stay in Rwanda. The location is among the best in the country, with incredible…
Santo Antão
In the last roadside village (Chã de Manuel dos Santos) up the valley road from Vila das Pombas is this adorable Spanish-run option housed in an orange…
Maun
Run by respected film-makers June and Tim Liversedge, the Kraal is a terrific place to stay. The attractive thatched rondavels are beautifully appointed…
Zimbabwe
One of Bvumba's best budget traveller picks is this attractive country house (known as Hycroft Cottage) with homely rooms, a calm pastoral setting,…
Arusha
The deservedly popular African Tulip inhabits a quiet green side street and successfully combines a safari theme with a genteel ambience. The large rooms…
Lusaka
Lusaka's best accommodation is this fashionable hotel with an architecturally designed building that resembles a chic contemporary gallery. Its rooms are…
Matobo National Park
Tucked away in Matobo's granite, the 10 thatched chalets here are carved and seamlessly blended into the boulders and have bulging rocks as in-room…
Tunisia
Situated between the kasbah and the medina, its position alone would make Dar Boumakhlouf a good choice, but it's also one of the most beautiful…
Acra Retreat Mountain View Lodge
Drakensberg Escarpment
A relaxing mountaintop retreat, welcoming Acra has great decks to enjoy the vertiginous valley views, a cosy bar and spacious rooms decked out in African…
Tafraoute
Located above a mountain valley, expat French owners Bernardette and Jean have crafted a beautiful Moroccan guesthouse with six stylish rooms. Shared…
Sal
In a very local neighbourhood 500m from the beach, Sal's most atmospheric B&B has stylish rooms that come in different sizes and pretty colours, and with…
Zambia
Bayama's Lodge is a real gem for a backwater like Mpika. Under German-Zambian ownership, it is just off the Great North Rd and offers budget rooms or…
Northern Madagascar
Built in 1902 and once home to Marshall Joffre, this exquisite house was painstakingly restored by French owner Hervé Dumel. Its elevated position…
Dar es Salaam
With its Afro-Islamic decor, popular restaurant and professional service, the Southern Sun punches way above its weight. Rooms are furnished with plush,…
Windhoek
Refined elegance is the order of the day at this boutique hotel in Klein Windhoek, which features 10 individually decorated rooms and two suites awash in…
