Best hotels in South Africa

Tucked under the leafy canopy of an ancient Morukuru tree on the banks of the Marico River in the Madikwe Game Reserve, lies this perfectly decadent, ultra-luxurious home. Ideal for honeymooners, couples or a small family, Owner’s House has two huge en-suite bedrooms surrounded by decks and shared indoor and outdoor spaces. Your own private butler, chef, game ranger and nanny will ensure that your family’s every whim is catered for. Morukuru invites you to do whatever you want, whenever you want, making this the ultimate tailored safari holiday experience.

Jonkmanshof. A private escape, nestled in the small and picturesque Klein Karoo town of Montagu. The back drop of captivating mountain views and manicured farm gardens enfold the Cape Dutch style heritage house. Contemporary South African art lives with 18th century Cape furniture in the well preserved and fully restored interiors. Book one of their unique suites or the full house in exclusivity. Chic and elegant with impeccable attention to detail. Our 4 boutique suites each offer a unique experience. Each suite is an unforgettable experience unto itself and are furnished with a mix of carefully selected antiques and contemporary furniture and art. All the bedrooms have remote ceiling fans for the hot summers and down feather duvets, underfloor heating and cashmere blankets for the cold Karoo winters. Jonkmanshof homestead forms part of HEMELHUIJS, the well established design restaurant in Cape Town and voted as one of the best breakfast restaurants in the city. Food and hospitality is at the heart of the experience when staying with them.

Relaxed King's Camp gives you a real sense that you've travelled not only to another place, but to a more elegant era. There are just a few bungalows, all beautifully furnished, and the books, old cameras, typewriters and silver that are used in the decor throughout give a Downton Abbey touch. The lodge overlooks a watering hole that draws a steady stream of animals, so you can breakfast while watching elephants and their skittish young at the water's edge below. Your surroundings? The famed Timbavati Private Game Reserve, home to the Big Five, the small creatures and much more.

It may take pride of place in Cape Town's Church Square, surrounded by the views that make the city famous, but it's the attention to detail that will make you fall in love with Labotessa. Beyond the hotel's 17th century facade, it has history woven into its design and you'll find a space infused with elegance, comfort and a feeling of homeliness quite unexpected in a hotel with such an aristocratic flair. Feature walls and intriguing artworks join forces with plush furniture and a tour-de-force of hospitality to create a hotel that leaves the word 'immaculate' hanging in the air - along with the scent of their fabulous all-day breakfast.

The award-winning Londolozi Private Granite Suites are the most exclusive suites in the prestigious Londolozi Collection and are part of the Relais & Châteaux portfolio. They can be booked individually or as a private camp for six guests. Children under 16 are not allowed unless the camp is booked for exclusive use. The elegant suites incorporate Feng Shui in their decor and integrate seamlessly with the surroundings. They have large French doors and huge windows which open directly onto the Sand River, and private heated plunge pools. Game drives, bush walks and birdwatching will provide you with incredible wildlife experiences in this renowned game reserve that borders the Kruger National Park.

Tuningi Safari Lodge is one of the few ultra luxurious camps created with families in mind. A maximum of sixteen guests can be accommodated in the wonderfully spacious rooms and suites, which are split between the main area and the smaller and totally private Little Tuningi for optimum exclusivity. Traditional safari style flows throughout the camps – the use of natural materials, chunky timber furnishings, thatched roofs and exposed beams blend perfectly with the rugged landscape. The lodge is situated in a private section of the vast Madikwe Game Reserve, and this region is renowned for its exciting game viewing.

Set in the Waterfall (Waterval) Valley, dramatically ringed by the flat-topped Waterberg escarpment, Marataba Mountain Lodge is a luxurious, Scandinavian-sleek safari destination that sets the bar. There are just five elegant, modern suites, serviced by a small team of extremely capable staff and guides. With sweet savanna grasslands, sour veld, and riverine forests, the varied habitats sustain wildlife that ranges from all of the Big Five, to cheetah, bat-eared fox, hyena and giraffe, and the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures: around 800 breeding pairs. It's wild, it's super-stylish, and it's well worth a visit.

Ngala means 'lion' in Shangaan, the traditional language of the local people, and it's an apt name for this beautiful lodge set in the heart of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, known for sightings of the Big Five, wild dogs and a host more species. Decorated in chic minimalist style, Ngala Safari Lodge is an exclusive destination sheltered by spreading mopane and tamboti trees beside a well-frequented waterhole. The lodge and its sister tented camp are perfectly placed to explore this wild region adjacent to Kruger National Park. Experience excitement, Africa-style, on game drives and walking safaris.

Colonial Cape in style, the Victoria and Alfred Hotel pays tribute to England's former queen and her son, who visited the Cape in 1870. This charmer of a hostelry overlooks the bustle and busyness of the Waterfront, where seals and visitors frolic and the ferry heads off to Robben Island. This is a world-class hotel, the last word in luxury, comfort and charm, with endearing extras like a personalised hand-written welcome notes and extremely friendly staff determined to make your stay happy. Spend your days exploring Cape Town's sights in a sidecar, or sip sundowners on a catamaran.