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…
Must-see hotels in South Africa
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…
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?…
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…
Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
North West Province
Madikwe’s second-oldest lodge is also the reserve’s only non-five-star option, but Mosetlha’s relatively low rates are not its only attraction. With nine…
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…
Johannesburg
A wonderful urban sanctuary, Satyagraha is built around the Kraal, a 1907 traditional African-style thatched house where Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi lived…
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,…
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…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The only private lodge in iSimangaliso’s Kosi Bay region, and surrounded by the sand forest’s Umdoni trees, this intimate 16-bed lodge offers a dreamy,…
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…
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,…
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…
Free State
The accommodation at this cheerfully overgrown place is decidedly rustic, but the secluded location right on the Vaal River is unbeatable. Options include…
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…
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',…
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…
Free State
Within the Clarens Golf Estate, this collection of spacious, comfortable apartments is set in century-old sandstone architecture, with an attached gallery…
Sunshine Coast
Offering colonial-chic luxury, this property takes full advantage of breathtaking panoramic views from its perch in the Zuurberg Mountains above Addo…
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…
The Elephant Coast
If you're looking for seclusion you'll find it at this luxurious lodge set deep in the bush overlooking Lake St Lucia. Each chalet is stylish, airy,…
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…
Nelspruit (Mbombela)
Simplicity, elegance and a masterly design that keeps the premises cool using the afternoon breeze mark this exceptional accommodation. Rooms are…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Green Point & Waterfront
Little expense seems to have been spared creating this luxury resort. Choose between enormous, plush rooms in the main building (with panoramic views of…
