Maputo
This peach-coloured establishment has a sleepy reception area and bland but mostly spacious rooms in a convenient central location.
Must-see hotels in Southern Africa
Southern Mozambique
This centrally located hotel has simple, mostly clean and mostly spacious rooms with TV and hot water. There's no food on site, but several eateries are…
Northern Mozambique
Directly in the village centre, this place has solar-powered lighting and a row of no-frills, clean rooms. Each has a small double bed. Meals can…
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
There are self-contained chalets that sleep up to four people as well as campsites here. The area has caves for overnight hikers (however, check on their…
Lesotho
Mahlakapese picks up a little noise from the nearby mosque and main road, but it's a reasonable deal overall with comfortable and spacious rooms. Find it…
Northern Mozambique
Stay with the locals at this central guesthouse. Rooms are a tad scruffy and dark – and the water might not be piping hot (or hot at all) – but they'll do…
Zimbabwe
A relaxed lakeside, resort-style hotel with affordable rooms and fantastic views; go the water-facing rooms in the Ele Wing. There's a pool, terrace…
Zambia
The newest campsite in the park is more open then the others and looks out to grassy plains. It's close to the big tree, Fibwe Hide and hence is a popular…
Namibia
In the quiet Westdene neighbourhood of town, Pension Gessert offers quaint and homey rooms with modern touches, a beautiful cooling green garden to relax…
Botswana
Slightly away from the main park headquarters and busier campsite, Makoba Woods sits beneath the southern edge of Female Hill and is quieter, has decent…
KwaZulu-Natal
This is one of a range of fabulous bush camps; the others have heftier minimum charges. Note, this is your 'real Africa' camping experience – it’s cold…
Natural Moments Bush Camp & Diving
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
This very basic backpackers is of the laid-back, hippie variety has small huts crammed into a lush garden setting. It also runs a campground and Zulu-hut…
Mozambique
Just back from the river, and just off the N103, Hotel Nhungué has unexciting but spacious rooms set around a courtyard. All come with air-con and chunky,…
Western Cape
This campground has good facilities on a fantastic surf beach. The beach is unsafe for swimming but there is a pool on site and a tidal pool nearby. Bring…
Limpopo
About 1.5km out of town and off a dirt road, this farm has a beautiful, scenic forest location and great camping possibilities, along with B&B and self…
Zambia
Camping at the orphanage is an option for those travelling with a tent, and rates include access to its fully equipped self-catering kitchen plus hot…
Villa das Arábias Boutique Hotel
Maputo
The serviceable rooms at the conveniently central Villa das Arábias have bright-red doors with faux-Arab decor. Note that some rooms have interior windows…
Hazyview Adventure Backpackers
Mpumalanga
South of town, this roadside backpackers offers dorm beds, safari tents and cabins, plus a kitchen and a bar-restaurant specialising in traditional South…
Western Cape
This decent budget option has campsites and basic chalets a short walk from the beach. Bring your own bedding and provisions. Prices rise sharply during…
Zambia
At Lake Waka-Waka accommodation is in the form of a small community campsite with basic bucket showers, barbecues and long-drop toilets. Bring your own…
Northern Cape
These simple units are based in the old classrooms of the town's first school. They're a little chintzy but well equipped with fridges, microwaves and…
KwaZulu-Natal
These four self-catering log cabins are neat, modern, clean and spacious. Follow the signs to the Dlinza Forest Reserve; the guesthouse is just beyond the…
Limpopo
Overlooking the main drag, Thohoyandou’s own Graceland is popular with businesspeople. The white complex’s small rooms are a little bland but clean and…
Western Cape
A friendly place offering a good range of prices, including basic self-catering units (for two people R950). Rooms have panoramic sea views out to Dyer…
Garden Route
A self-contained house with two double bedrooms. There's modern decor throughout and the open-plan kitchen opens onto a deck with braai (barbecue)…
Eastern Cape
This fenced campground near the dam of the same name has 15 gravel sites beneath thorn trees, each with a barbecue, a power point and a self-catering…
Damaraland
At the welcoming White Lady B&B, simple, well-kept rooms are a good size, and the small orderly campsite has some shady trees. Dinner is also available.
The Elephant Coast
This simple rest camp has campsites and rest huts with shared ablutions and a communal kitchen. Guided walks (R150) and game drives (R250) are available.
eSwatini (Swaziland)
In a quiet neighbourhood close to the main road, this family-run venture is an acceptable plan B. The seven rooms are unmemorable but get the job done.
Northern Cape
This rustic cottage tucked away in the west of the park sleeps four. There is a well-equipped kitchen and a braai area, but no restaurant, bar or pool.
Garden Route
It’s about 6km from the centre, but this is a decent budget option with en-suite rooms in a quiet, residential area. Staff can arrange activities.
Botswana
A simple campsite, but it can be convenient if you're entering the park through the Kaa Gate (84km away) and aren't arriving until late afternoon.
Southern Mozambique
This very basic campsite is located at Limpopo National Park's Mapai gate. It has hot-water showers; otherwise you'll need to be self-sufficient.
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Bridge Lodge offers spartan, but comfortable, accommodation at great rates for the area. The cheap pub grub is a favourite among the locals.
Lesotho
A simple, well-run guesthouse with friendly staff and hearty meals (book ahead). Rooms are in cute thatched cottages with marvellous views.
eSwatini (Swaziland)
Camping is available at the well-equipped main site near the reserve's reception, with ablutions (hot shower) and braai (barbecue) areas.
Northern Cape
The gardens at this friendly, family-run guesthouse with two cosy rooms are a fairy-tale creation, and run all the way down to the river.
Route 62
A superb caravan park, with a big pool and decent chalets, some of which have been renovated. The restaurant is only open for breakfast.
Limpopo
Provides cramped self-catering chalets or B&B rooms. There’s also a bar on site. It’s signposted on the way to/from Vaalwater.
Cape Town
This small guesthouse with offers good-value, fan-cooled rooms decorated with antiques, plus a self-catering unit sleeping up to six.
