Uganda
Dutch-owned Nature Lodges' most ambitious venture takes the form of an ambient Islamic fort in a commanding location overlooking the Albert Nile. It has…
Must-see hotels in Africa
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…
Southwestern Uganda
A stylish retreat with a rock 'n' roll heart, stunning Papaya Lake Lodge goes that extra mile. A gin cart for cocktail hour, antique masks and a bathroom…
Four Seasons Resort at Anahita
Mauritius
Located in Beau Champ, slightly south of Trou d'Eau Douce, the Four Seasons Resort is part of a vast luxury complex known as Anahita and features a…
Mahé
One of Mahé's most exclusive hotels, this place will render you speechless – you'll never want to leave. Overlooking glorious Anse Louis, it's truly…
Okavango Delta
Ask anyone in Botswana for the country’s most exclusive camp and they’re likely to nominate Mombo. The surrounding delta scenery is some of the finest in…
Southwestern Uganda
Eight stylish bandas (thatched-roofed huts) with solar power, gorgeous textiles and warming fireplaces make up this ultraluxurious offering. Take a walk…
Bazaruto Archipelago
This is perhaps the most intimate of the archipelago lodges, with lovely, well-spaced beach chalets ('cabanas') and villas ('casinhas'), fine beachside…
Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort
Northern Mozambique
At Medjumbe you're essentially on your own private island. You and a dozen other lucky devils are accommodated in detached villas, each with its own…
Kampala
Kampala’s finest boutique hotel is housed in an elegant property set in wonderful gardens with rooms that blend lodge atmosphere with luxury. The more…
Malabo
Malabo's only boutique hotel, this is a superb choice in the upmarket suburb of Paraíso. It has swish modern decor, king-size beds and an excellent…
Mauritius
One of the loveliest places to stay along the south coast, and among the island's signature resorts, the Shanti Maurice oozes luxury. All of the expansive…
Praslin
Luxurious villas, each with its own private plunge pool and many with uninterrupted views of paradise, make this one of the premier properties on Praslin…
Liberia
Run by Californian surfers in conjunction with community initiatives, this blue-and-yellow beach house offers pleasant, breezy rooms with wooden four…
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…
Selous Game Reserve
Set splendidly on its own on the Rufiji south of Lake Tagalala, this is one of the Selous’ most exclusive options, with some of Tanzania’s most renowned…
Botswana
If we could choose one place to stay in the CKGR, this would be it. These lovely solar-powered tents inhabit a gorgeous location southeast of Deception…
Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel & Spa
Aswan
The grande dame of Aswan hotels, the Old Cataract is a destination in itself and brings you back to the days of Agatha Christie, who is said to have…
Northern Tanzania
This tented camp is a wonderful escape from the safari circuit. Set on a steep hillside, the seven tents have splendid views of Kilimanjaro and down into…
Okavango Delta
In a grove of ebony trees on the flats near the Boro River, this exquisitely designed tented camp has sweeping views of the delta floodplains. The rooms…
Abu Simbel
Part Nubian cultural centre with a library dedicated to Nubian history, part wonderful ecolodge in a traditional mud-brick house, Eskaleh is by far the…
Loango National Park
This impressively remote and high-end lodge operated by the National Parks Board is a wonderful option if you want to visit the northern end of the Loango…
Masai Mara
Way to the north of any of the other camps, and virtually on the border of the conservancy, this breathtaking camp has around a dozen tents dusted with…
Ras Mohammed National Park
Early-morning snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, spotting desert foxes loitering around camp under star-strewn night skies: camping in Ras Mohammed is a…
Malawi
Built with local materials, this eco-conscious lodge sits at elevation above the Bua River, a well-worn elephant crossing. Its thatched, near-church-high…
Zanzibar Town
The delightful Mangrove Lodge is owned by a Zanzibari-Italian couple; their gentle style imbues the whole place, from the palm-thatched lounge overlooking…
Lesotho
Offering 'Lesotho in a nutshell', Malealea is a deserving poster child for the mountain kingdom. Every sunset, village choirs and bands perform at the…
The Great Reef
It would be more accurate to describe this place as a work of art that you stay in rather than an arty guesthouse. The work of Bruno Decorte (a Frenchman…
Seychelles
By focusing on connecting its properties and guests with nature, Six Senses has climbed to the top of the luxury hotel brand rankings. Looking at Zil…
Malawi
Set at 1585m, homey Luwawa sits in a clearing of pine trees, its manicured gardens spilling with colourful flowers and morning mist. There are seven…
Northern Madagascar
Family-run Sakatia Lodge offers garden bungalows on a slope above the stylish open restaurant and bar. There are also beachside three-bedroom villas…
Zambia
Set on a pretty beach just outside Nsumbu National Park, this family-owned lodge has several spacious chalets dotted around the grounds, all made from…
The Great Reef
This creative burst of liberal personality is one of the best hotels south of Tana, and it just keeps getting better. Dario and Valerio, the young Italian…
Kenya
Campi ya Kanzi is, quite simply, an outstanding place to stay. Set upon the slopes of the Chyulu Hills – these may have been Ernest Hemingway's 'Green…
Marrakesh
Welcome to the garden villa of the Moroccan-British Nour family, who pamper visitors as if they are favourite house guests. With eight rooms of spice…
Botswana
Just outside the CKGR's northeastern boundary, this exclusive bush retreat inhabits 150 sq km of privately owned Kalahari bush and has a much more…
São Tomé
At the remote southern end of the island, this ecolodge has been a great success due to its excellent management, which pays attention to details. Nicely…
São Tomé & Príncipe
This beautifully renovated and fast-expanding roça is the best of its kind in STP. High up on a hill, it affords marvellous views of the coastline from…
Sinai
In a remote wadi, this Bedouin-owned ecolodge is the perfect spot to sample the tranquillity and rugged beauty of southern Sinai. It deserves kudos for…
