Malawi
Far from backpacker hardship, this affordable island idyll is one of Malawi's most luxurious hostels. Its stone chalets are the closest you'll come to…
Must-see hotels in Southern Africa
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…
Chobe National Park
This cross between a tented camp and luxury mobile safari enables you to experience the freedom of camping (sites are moved every few days) with the…
Malawi
Pumulani is a stylish lakeside lodge with nature-inspired rooms – think grass roofs and huge windows to let in the light, views of the surrounding forest…
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 …
Mozambique
For a fantastic alternative to the business hotels of Macuti, check into this quiet Mediterranean-style place near the lighthouse. Upstairs are six…
Windhoek
Inside Heinitzburg Castle, which was commissioned in 1914 by Count von Schwerin for his fiancée, Margarethe von Heinitz, Hotel Heinitzburg is a member of…
Namibia
Located 30km from Mudumu, and just outside the entrance to Nkasa Rupara National Park, this remote luxury, Italian-run lodge sits on the banks of the…
Namibia
Occupying a magical setting in the Tsaris Mountains, this is Rob and Marianne Field’s private Grand Canyon. Go for one of the more expansive rock chalets …
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…
Harare
In an attractive renovated colonial house, refined Wavell House is very much an oasis with over a hectare of gardens and a luxurious swimming pool. Rooms…
Swakopmund
Sam’s Giardino Hotel is a wonderfully personal place in the backstreets emphasising superb wines, fine cigars and relaxing in the rose garden with a…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Namibia
One of Namibia's most opulent and remote safari experiences, Serra Cafema is a breathtaking place. Stunning desert scenery, combined with a special…
Zambia
The Thorn Tree is family-run, homey and very popular, so book ahead to avoid disappointment. Rooms are either in the main house sharing spick-and-span…
Okavango Delta
Stylish rooms on slightly elevated wooden decks have a refreshingly contemporary look that you just don't expect to find in this dusty, nondescript border…
Pemba
If you're a romantic with a penchant for luxurious beachside hotels that have an Arabian bent, then this five-star establishment is the business. Sitting…
Botswana
If you’re after Kgalagadi's most luxurious experience, book a night here. Owned and operated by the local San community, the lodge is a dry, dreamy…
Northern Mozambique
These three exquisite suites are relatively new on the island scene and have upped the ante, mixing retro decor (record players, antique phones) and…
Malawi
Doogles is popular with discerning travellers of all stripes, its inviting pool and bar ringed by walls with a cool sunset-safari design. From there, the…
Botswana
Slightly removed from the main circuit, the two Piper Pan sites have a wonderfully remote feel and wildlife watching is good thanks to a water hole. The…
eSwatini (Swaziland)
A dream come true for nature lovers, Stone Camp consists of a series of rustic and luxurious semi-open stone-and-thatch cottages (a proper loo with a view…
