Best hotels in South Africa

Game Lodge, situated in the malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg, is both luxurious and child friendly. Private and exclusive (the lodge has recently been renovated), it's the perfect wilderness retreat for families and small groups wanting to explore the bushveld on guided game drives to see the abundant wildlife. And you can expect great sightings at this 34,000-plus-hectare Big Five Reserve. A major attraction, also newly constructed, is the underground waterhole hide in front of the lodge, which allows guests to get close to the animals as they drink.

Schoone Oordt Country House is a charming and intimate country hotel in Swellendam, only two hours away from Cape Town and perfectly situated as the gateway to the Garden Route. Set on extensive lush grounds, the property consists of the Victorian Manor House and ten luxury bedrooms. Guests have access to woodland glades, a stunning swimming pool and a fragrant rose garden. Meals are made with love and served with true flair and style. The emphasis here is on unpretentious luxury, elegance, quality, and attention to detail. This is the ideal romantic getaway for guests looking for pure relaxation.

De Hoop Nature Reserve on South Africa's southern shoreline (about halfway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay) is undoubtedly one of the country's best kept secrets. The reserve is probably most famous for its incredible land-based whale and dolphin watching, but it's also one of the most spectacularly beautiful areas on the continent: a melee of fynbos, pristine white beaches and wetlands, all framed by towering mountains to one side and the Indian Ocean to the other. And there's a picture-perfect spot from which to enjoy it all - Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.

Nestled within the heart of South Africa’s Lapalala Wilderness, this exclusive-use villa offers a luxurious sanctuary for up to 16 guests. Melote House features six elegant suites in the main residence and two additional suites in a nearby cottage. Guests enjoy complete privacy, with dedicated staff, including a private chef, and access to three pools, a private spa, and an infinity pool overlooking a waterhole. Surrounded by untamed landscapes, it’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Slap bang in the heart of the stunning Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren is one of the oldest working farms in South Africa. With an emphasis on sustainability and organic produce, the owners are bringing an elegant and very contemporary twist to the old adage ‘farm to table’ and boy, do they do it well. From the award-winning restaurant and vineyard to the home-grown spa, every aspect of a stay here is led by the bountiful gardens and hubbub of edible delights within. And then there’s the cottages; white-washed Dutch gables transformed into sanctuaries of graceful simplicity and sophistication, worthy of a visit in themselves.

If you're looking for a private reserve with fewer people in a private vehicle, off-road driving, really good accommodation and food and, of course, the best opportunities to see game, you won't go wrong at Lion Sands. Set within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve, Lion Sands is the only private reserve to have access to the perennial Sabie River, which it shares with Kruger National Park. And River Lodge is a tranquil haven, with lush riverine greenery, the winding waterway, wildlife everywhere and elegant yet homely accommodation.

This private, permanent lodge is set on a 10 000 hectare concession within the famous Sabi Sands Private Reserves. Set on the edge of the Sands River with its year-round flow, enjoy watching the elephants as they come down for their afternoon watering sessions. Spend mornings and afternoons exploring the surrounds as you encounter the elusive leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino from the comfort of a safari vehicle. For those that are a little more adventurous, connect with the bush on foot during a walking safari.

Jaci's Tree Lodge is closed for refurbishment, opening 1 July 2026.

Jaci's Tree Lodge, built high above the ground on wooden stilts, is a unique treetop safari experience consisting of eight stunning tree house rooms decorated in vibrant colours. The rooms are connected by wooden walkways which blend into the surrounding tree canopy and have great views of the Groot Marico River. Each room consists of an open plan, en-suite bathroom with an enormous stone bath and an outdoor shower. Guests can relax on the deck in front of their rooms, on the loungers surrounding the swimming pool or in the vibrant main lodge when not on safari.

This eco-designed luxury lodge, one of the world's first, is centrally positioned in Phinda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Each of &Beyond's lodges in Phinda have been positioned in a different type of location. Phinda Rock Lodge, for example, is built into a cliff; Vlei Lodge overlooks a wetland. At Phinda Forest Lodge, the setting is a tranquil sand forest. Raised off the ground, with wooden decks and huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the lodge offers incredible views of the torchwood trees and other delights hidden in this unique ecosystem. Expect enthusiastic guiding, lion, rhino, cheetah and excellent birding.

If we had to dream up the perfect South African escape, the Coot Club Cottages brings it to life in a secluded corner of Overberg. Flanked by the soaring Maanschynkop Mountains and Klein Rivier Lagoon, nature is an ever-present feature and the activities at Coot Club take full advantage of that. Look out for incredible birdlife on bike rides, walks and kayaking excursions, or scan the ocean for whales from the dunes or a boating safari. A cosy limestone cottage or contemporary boathouse will be your sanctuary, where the doors are often flung open to let the scent of fynbos in and evenings are spent together around the fire (or firepit).

If there was ever a place where the world appears through rose-tinted glasses, it's Fairview House. Living up to its name as it looks over an idyllic scene of mist-infused mountains and fynbos-covered valleys. These views even inspired two novels written by the family matriarch! Once a hand-built home, Fairview has been transformed into a impeccably styled boutique hotel with South African artwork and touches to remind of its heritage - the ornate fireplace makes for a cosy spot to curl up. Tucked away from the fast lane, Fairview is an inviting refuge with the beauties of the Garden Route within arm's reach.

This mid-sized lodge has a safari character with a difference. Located in the central eastern parts of the Kruger National Park in the Singita Private Concession, it's set on a cliff face overlooking the N’wanetsi River. Enjoy spectacular views of the bush, extravagant luxury and a top-end wellness centre. Like its sister lodges, Singita Lebombo is known for its impressive guiding. Discover the secrets of the wild on foot or from a vehicle and get the chance to come face to face with the Big Five and so much more.

Three Tree Hill Lodge is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains, and overlooks the secluded Mfazimnyama Valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve. It is an owner-managed, eco-friendly, historic lodge offering spectacular scenery, locally grown farm-style country food and warm hospitality in a relaxed atmosphere. The lodge has 6 double/twin cottages along with 3 self contained cottages namely Kiplings Family, Churchills and Burchells which can accommodate different group sizes and offer different views of the reserve depending on where you stay. It is also the perfect base to explore the major Anglo-Boer War Battlefields in KwaZulu Natal, and the Northern Drakensberg Mountains, a world heritage site. History and wildlife enthusiasts will love this comfortable and welcoming lodge.

Tswalu Private Game Reserve lies in the arid Northern Cape, and is one of South Africa’s largest private reserves. Tarkuni is an elegant small camp, with just five suites, and perfect for families or groups of friends travelling together. The lodge was formerly the private residence of the Oppenheimer family, and has since been transformed into a fabulous oasis of luxury in the Kalahari Desert. This area is known for its unusual wildlife and vast stretches of rugged wilderness, and as this is one of only two lodges on the reserve, it has a true feeling of isolation and exclusivity.

Marataba Lodge offers a super-luxurious safari experience within an exclusive private concession in the Marakele National Park. This vast wilderness area spans a staggering 75,000 hectares of spectacular terrain at the far western range of the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo Province—an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg. A private airstrip offers a fly-in option. Renowned for superb game viewing, this malaria-free Big 5 reserve covers some of South Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, with soaring mountain ranges, wide stretches of savanna, dense indigenous forests and permanent waterways.

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse nestles in the beautiful Kamberg region of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, set on 202 hectares of rolling hills at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains. It is owned and run by Richard and Mouse Poynton, whose many years of experience, passion for cooking and flair for ingenuity have created a rare experience in this serene mountain setting. You'll be welcomed warmly, stay in idyllic accommodation, walk in the mountains, wallow in the silence far from traffic and meetings, enjoy seven-course dinners and be pampered in the spa. Just gaze at the view and feel the tension dissolve.