iSimangaliso Wetland Park
This newish addition to the St Lucia hotel circuit is a good choice for those who want no muss, no fuss accommodation. All of the rooms have crisp, white…
Must-see hotels in South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal
Right next to the entrance to the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, Vuna Valley Lodge is an old standby in the area. It came under new ownership in 2017 and has…
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Perfect for families, Glengarry Park has pleasant, unpretentious chalets with a lovely green outlook, facing a small lake. Although in need of a…
The Wild Coast
This smart hotel overlooks an amazing coastal ecosystem, in which two rivers share a mouth and dune forest meets the world's southernmost mangroves…
Kruger National Park
Just south of Olifants, this atmospheric camp has just six huts and 15 campsites. There’s no electricity, but lanterns are provided for huts (a torch is…
Bloemfontein
This charming Victorian guesthouse, comprising two 1921 houses, is popular with visiting dignitaries and perfect for literati and romantic types. The…
Limpopo
Though looking a bit worn around the edges these days, Daan & Zena’s is brought to life by lashings of colour and a friendly atmosphere, and it still…
The Wild Coast
At the Qhorha River mouth, this family-focused resort offers accommodation in 46 thatched units, 14 of which have sweeping ocean views. There are…
Eastern Cape
Reflecting the spirit of its nature-loving owner – who might arrive with a rescued horse, hang from the rafters and lead a drum circle, all in the space…
Free State
Serving up beers since the mid 1800s, this historic hotel and bar is brimming with antique furnishing, glistening hardwood and old-timey adornments. Its…
Kruger National Park
This rustic, compact camp has lost none of its charm, despite some of its eight reed and thatch rondavels being replaced with modern versions, complete…
Drakensberg Escarpment
This friendly backpackers has a variety of rooms in good condition, plus basic wooden cabins, a self-catering rondavel (round hut with conical roof) and…
Sunshine Coast
Slightly ramshackle but reasonably clean, the Orange Elephant is a good budget base for Addo, offering a shuttle from Port Elizabeth (R250 return) and…
Mpumalanga
Stoep is a pretty colonial-style house with a small garden, pool, lapa (circular area with a fire pit) and braai (barbecue) in the heart of town. There…
Eastern Cape
This camp offers accommodation ranging from rustic forest huts to chalets, family cottages and waterfront ‘oceanette' cottages with top ocean views. Most…
Mpumalanga
This sprawling, well-equipped lodge's 23 en-suite rooms have vaulted bamboo ceilings, comfy beds and animal-themed decor. The recently renovated hostel, a…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
This resort has neat boardwalks, banana palms and pine-filled, slightly dated rooms. The chalets here are very comfortable, with huge decks. It caters to…
Nelspruit (Mbombela)
This is a top Nelspruit guesthouse. Rooms have double-height ceilings, private patios and corner bathrooms with views. There's also a small spa and the…
Winelands
Far from towns and paved roads, this is the perfect place to recharge. There are wildlife drives exploring the Karoo landscape, hikes to see San rock art…
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
With oodles of bush-lodge exclusivity, this opulent place blends a thatch-and-fireplace homeliness with plenty of luxury comforts in very swish chalets…
Durban
At the northern end of the beachfront, away from the promenade crowd, Blue Waters is a classic hotel that has recently undergone an extensive renovation…
Johannesburg
Comfort, charm and atmosphere: this superb venture has it all. It offers the chance to unplug in a series of separate, narrow, self-contained buildings…
Green Point & Waterfront
Butlers dressed in white kurta-style pyjamas greet you at this super-elegant six-bedroom property crafted out of the former harbour master’s house. The…
Kruger National Park
The oldest and smallest of the bushveld camps, Bateleur has loads of wilderness ambience. The seven thatched-roof self-catering cottages with their 1930s…
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
The main camp here is an impressive and remote set-up 8km from the main gate. Two-, four- and six-bed chalets have fireplace, kitchenette, floor-to…
Johannesburg
This 1935 villa on the outskirts of Melville is just the ticket for those seeking a stylish ‘home away from home’ experience. The eight rooms are…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Choose between sea- or garden-facing rooms and spacious self-catering cottages – all with thatched, open-rafter roofs – at this imaginatively designed,…
Cape Town
This Gone with the Wind–style, heritage-listed villa presents a very classy boutique operation, with some rooms opening onto the secluded courtyard…
KwaZulu-Natal
Just like something out of a BBC TV production with its verandas, trimmed lawns and stunning garden, this mansion has a range of neat, sophisticated rooms…
Mpumalanga
This rustic hillside eyrie has rooms in the main cottage and two chalets. With a fully equipped kitchen, a wood-burner and book exchange in the comfy…
Johannesburg
This lovely, small guesthouse in the heart of Jewish Johannesburg has all the hallmarks of a great deal: seven tasteful, immaculate rooms complete with…
Cape Town
Rooms are smart (and, naturally, decorated in shades of grey), but most are very small, especially at the lower end of the price range when the bed…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Excellently located at the Noordhoek Farm Village complex, this hotel's rooms are spacious and comfortable and surround a pretty inner courtyard planted…
Garden Route
This country inn oozes old-world charm and boasts a lovely mountain setting at the foot of the Robinson Pass. Its large grounds feature tennis and squash…
Port Elizabeth
Uphill from Kings Beach in a suburban neighbourhood, this well-run A-frame home’s large entertainment area rocks most nights, and the six- and 12-bed…
Sunshine Coast
A suburban home transformed into an intimate and colourful backpackers by its passionate surfer owner. It has compact six- to 10-bed dorms and seven…
Durban
This hostel (a tastefully converted 1950s Tuscan-style home) gets lots of good reports from travellers, including those travelling by themselves…
Limpopo
The sweeping views of the Limpopo River Valley into Zimbabwe at this old country lodge are something special. And there are few better places in Limpopo…
Eastern Cape
This well-run complex with a laid-back vibe features excellent facilities and amenities, including a restaurant and a superb children's playground. With…
Eastern Cape
The whitewashed Karoo facade conceals a home with old-fashioned character, funky nooks and crannies, and a sizeable back garden. For more privacy, try the…
