Southeastern Tanzania
This lovely 15-room place is spread out in palm-tree-studded grounds on a fine stretch of beach near Kilindoni, about 2km south of the small harbour…
Must-see hotels in Africa
Addis Ababa
Appear in the dream of an empress! Built at the whim of Empress Taitu in 1907, and nearly burned down in 2015 (most of the rooms survived), this is the…
Zanzibar Town
With its stained-glass windows, wooden latticework balustrades, tinkling fountains and soft-hued colour scheme, Emerson Spice is one of the most stylish…
Nairobi
A Nairobi classic. The original Stanley Hotel was established in 1902 – past guests include Ernest Hemingway, Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Gregory Peck…
Zambia
Occupying a stretch of riverfront with plenty of lawn, Marula offers one of the best choices in the park for budget travellers. Options include waterfront…
Northern Kenya
So perfectly designed is Saruni Samburu Lodge, the only accommodation other than camping within the conservancy, that its ‘tents’ virtually melt into the…
Watamu
A wonder of recycled stained-glass windows, curvy walls of brushed concrete, nooks with sofas for sunset-watching and gnarled railings made of coconut…
Lake Victoria
Run by the very upmarket Asilia group, this is a wonderful lakeside perch with stunning safari tents. Well, we say tents, but these 'tents' have three…
Lesotho
At 2874m, this lodge atop the Sani Pass stakes a claim to 'Africa's highest pub'. Bar trivia aside, cosy rondavels (round huts with a conical roof) and…
Montebelo Gorongosa Lodge & Safari
Mozambique
Located at Chitengo park headquarters, Montebelo has lovely comfortable rooms in rondavels or standard blocks. Count on hot water, soap, mosquito nets and…
Namibia
This stunning place frequently appears in Condé Nast as one of the top lodges in the world, and we're inclined to agree. The property contains 10 chalets,…
Madagascar
Beautifully located on the shores of Lake Sahambavy, this exquisite boutique hotel offers a variety of accommodation, including show-stopping bungalows on…
Madagascar
You could spend days in this lovely guesthouse, a beautiful three-storey traditional Malagasy house set in a rambling garden, with panoramic views in…
Maun
One of the great boltholes on Southern African overland trails, ‘the Bridge’ has a great bar-at-the-end-of-the-world kind of vibe. Accommodation ranges…
Northern Mozambique
This nine-room luxury boutique hotel – the most upmarket accommodation on Ibo – is housed in three restored 19th-century mansions in a prime setting…
Southern Ethiopia
By far the best place to stay in the Lower Omo Valley, Buska has well-built, stone-and-thatch green tukuls and rooms amid plenty of trees and flowers. It…
Mouassine & Central Souqs
From Moroccan sweets and fresh flowers in your room to top-notch personal service, Riad L'Orangeraie gets all the finer details right. The layout is…
Fort Portal
This wonderful project is the work of Carol Adans, a Hawaiian who moved to Uganda to make a difference over two decades ago, and boy, has she! YES…
Namibia
Part of Wilderness Safaris' Classic portfolio, Little Kulala is simply stunning. Expansive rooms, each with their own plunge pools, watch over rippling…
Zanzibar Island
A new addition to Jambiani's hotel scene, Zanzistar is simply delightful. Its small size and attentive management makes it feel homey and exclusive at the…
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…
Nanyuki
This is the kind of place that makes you want to grow a moustache, kick back and smoke a pipe. The rooms have a luxurious, classic look to them and are…
Northern Mozambique
Ibo is an idyll wherever you stay, but Cinco Portas could well offer the best deal when you factor in price, friendly ambience and flawless, nothing-is…
Free State
With an ornate style she calls 'maximalism', interior designer extraordinaire Karen Hickman has gone to town on two guest suites, 'Yours' and 'Whose',…
Southwestern Uganda
A hotel with a history, it was once run by the so-called father of gorilla tourism, Walter Baumgärtel, and Dian Fossey regularly stayed here. Through…
Laikipia Plateau
This impressive property lies in the northwest corner of the conservancy, about an hour's drive from the main Matunda Gate. Its safari tents are large and…
Botswana
This fabulous camp on an island in a branch of the Limpopo River is run by respected conservationists Judi Gounaris and Dr Helena Fitchat, and they bring…
Praslin
This little island of subdued glamour, a coco fesse's throw from the beach, is one of the most appealing options on Praslin. The generously sized,…
Southern Rift Valley
A legend in its own right, this atmospheric camp sits right on the lakeshore, wherever that shore may be...The bandas are nicely decorated, with eco loos,…
Botswana
These three campsites have no facilities, but their location on the valley floor (some kilometres apart) is among the best in the Kalahari. Site No 2 (S…
Nosy Be
One of the top beach hotels on this stretch of the coast, Vanila's design – small buildings with thatched roofs, and lots of local art – gives the hotel a…
São Tomé
The budget traveller's salvation, this hotel performs its role perfectly. It feels like a cabin, with a large wooden balcony on the 2nd floor, and…
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…
Western Madagascar
Part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux network, Anjajavy is the quintessential desert-island idyll. The guest villas are luxurious, with polished wood,…
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…
Kampala
Haven is the operative word in this boutique lodging on Kampala's outskirts near the airport. On Lake Victoria, the surrounding marshland attracts…
Cap Bon
Most visitors don't stay in El Haouaria long, but Villa Zembra is an enchanting retreat that's worth unpacking your suitcase for. Its five rooms are…
Etosha National Park
One of the more exclusive luxury lodges in the Etosha area, Ongava Lodge is not far south of Andersson Gate. Ongava is actually divided into two…
Okavango Delta
Opened in 2016, this wonderful camp has six tents that are immaculate, large and the sort of canvas home you'll struggle to tear yourself away from. But…
Free State
Within the Clarens Golf Estate, this collection of spacious, comfortable apartments is set in century-old sandstone architecture, with an attached gallery…
