Northern Mozambique
Very basic rooms with double bed, bucket bath, fan and no nets. It’s at the western end of town, two blocks north of the main road.
Must-see hotels in Southern Africa
Knysna
You’ll find mainly double rooms at this large Victorian house a few blocks up from Main St. It's a fairly quiet, family-run hostel.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
An excellent budget/midrange alternative with three cottages and one flatlet for those allergic to backpackers; no meals provided.
Sunshine Coast
Fifteen well-equipped self-catering cottages close to the Matyholweni gate, at the southern end of the park, just 3km off the N2.
Botswana
Big Foot Tours looks after all of the campsites in Khutse Game Reserve, as well as a few in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini (Swaziland)
Offers a range of accommodation across its Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and InterContinental hotels in the major cities.
Western Cape
Beside the beach on the western side of town. You can hear the waves breaking from your tent. Follow the signs from Rte 44.
Mozambique
Bog-standard African resthouse with dark, grubby-looking rooms that do, at least, have running water, air-con and soap.
Route 62
The simple rooms in this friendly, family run guesthouse offer good value. An optional breakfast costs R50 per person.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
This pretty campground on the estuary is within snorting distance of hippos, monkeys and crocodiles.
Sunshine Coast
Over 20 homestays are offered by Xhosa women in Grahamstown's townships. Meals are available.
Maputo
Clean, decent-value rooms in a centrally located high-rise. There's also a restaurant.
Cape Town
Classy villas and apartments in De Waterkant, sleeping from two to eight people.
Drakensberg Escarpment
These comfortable and peaceful self-catering units feature a TV and kitchenette.
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
A basic campground with an impressive setting inside Royal Natal National Park.
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
You can camp at the beautiful Mahai inside the Royal Natal National Park.
Cape Town
Rents luxury apartments atop the Cape Quarter and at the Waterfront.
eSwatini (Swaziland)
A basic campsite that offers shared ablutions and shady trees.
Zambia
This enterprise run by the local Kunda people gives tourists the opportunity to visit a real rural Zambian village while helping the local community. Four…
Malawi
This campsite is ideally located in the lee of a valley amid a giant gum- and cedar-tree clearing. In late 2016 it was showing signs of not being well…
Malawi
Crouching low against the river, this plastic-flower-accented digs has beige '70s couches in reception and feels as though it was built for an event that…
Malawi
Cool, rough-and-ready rooms are found in this beachside backpacker joint about 2km from the main road. Hammock flop, get to know the locals, kayak (US$30…
Malawi
This 111-room behemoth does its best to banish a lingering feeling of faded grandeur, with rooms in blocks overlooking riverside gardens shaded by palms…
Zambia
The former Zambezi Breezers has been rebadged as Wagtail River Club, but it's the exact same place. It still boasts a wonderful grassy spot overlooking…
Malawi
Shire Camp's faded bamboo-and-brick cabanas in varying states of repair have tiled floors, fans, hot-water bathrooms and netted breeze vents. The three…
Southern Mozambique
This very basic backpackers has a tranquil lagoon-side setting, camping and a few rustic, thatched bungalows. There’s a braai (barbecue) area, a communal…
Port Elizabeth
Sure, it's located on a quiet street, only a block from the beach, but the neighbourhood is not that enthralling – think a few high-rises and anonymous…
Malawi
In the skirts of Mt Mulanje, this old red-brick trusty has 55 basic rooms with amazing views of the towering massif. Rooms are small and musty, with…
Malawi
Go for a superior or executive room at this motel-style set-up, in a peaceful location east of town (en route to Nkhata Bay). Rooms are a little…
Eastern Cape
Somewhat grand and institutional-looking, almost like an embassy, the aptly named White House has glass windows for panoramic views of cliffs and sea –…
Zambia
Offering a relaxed atmosphere, the well-maintained Chimwemwe Lodge is set on a manicured lawn with roaming farm birds. It offers good value, clean…
Mozambique
About 9km outside the main gate, and 500m off the park access road, is this unsignposted, unnamed campsite, which works as an option if you arrive after…
Northern Cape
As close as Kimberley gets to a backpackers, this former convict station occupies leafy grounds off Rte 64, 5km northeast of the centre. Rooms are…
Malawi
Accommodation here ranges from standard and executive rooms to self-catering flats, and the saltwater pool (and attached hot tub!) looks out across the…
Zambia
Sitting on Cabana Beach, this place has a pretty good location but the rooms are small and have very basic bathrooms. Camping is an affordable option for…
Southern Mozambique
Maxixe Camping, just south of the jetty, has a scruffy, enclosed campground directly on the EN1 and overlooking the bay that's worth considering if you're…
Malawi
Mulanje Motel's 18 basic but clean rooms have flowery bedding, fan and functional if frugal bathroom; those in the rear annexe are rather dingy. Around…
Limpopo
Lodge is something of a misnomer here, and you’ll receive curt service at this red-brick motel on the main road. It has basic, serviceable rooms with…
