Hotels in South Africa | Timbuktu Travel

Tintswalo At Boulders

Cape Town

9 Rooms

From $120 per person/night

Beached-out style, and waddling penguins, at this beachside gem

As you head south along the peninsula from Cape Town to Cape Point, Boulders Beach draws your attention for a few reasons. One, the crystal-blue waters of the protected bay, begging a swim or snorkel. Two, African penguins strutting their stuff on the white sand beach. And, number three, Tintswalo's latest villa addition to its portfolio of exquisite lodges. This boutique hotel in Simon's Town, which is technically the oldest neighbourhood in the city, offers extraordinary accommodation on a gorgeous stretch of coastline, far removed from the hustle, yet front row to one of Cape Town's classic attractions.

Auberge Clermont

The Franschhoek Valley

6 Rooms

From $140 per person/night

An elegant guesthouse on a working vineyard, mere minutes from the centre of Franschhoek.

Auberge Clermont is a Provence-style guesthouse in a beautiful vineyard on the outskirts of Franschhoek, a quaint and historic village in one of South Africa’s premier wine-producing regions. Accommodation has a decidedly French feel that's perfectly in keeping with the lodge's Huguenot heritage, and It's an elegant choice for a relaxing country stay in what’s become known as the gourmet capital of South Africa. Guests have the chance to experience life on a working farm, with stylish and luxurious accommodation in a peaceful setting, within easy reach of the surrounding attractions and adventure activities.

Amakhala Woodbury Camp

Eastern Cape

7 Rooms

From $320 per person/night

Enjoy an excellent Big Five safari from this good-quality camp on a malaria-free reserve.

Amakhala is a 7,500-hectare private reserve established in 1999 by six families whose descendants arrived in the area with the 1820 British settlers. Their aim? To return the land to its natural wild state. And what a success it's been, with elephant, rhino, cheetah, springbok, jackal, caracal and many other species roaming free. At the reserve's heart is Woodbury Tented Camp, one of the few lodges and camps here, surrounded by trees and overlooking the floodplain of the Bushman’s River. It's a well-run camp, with comfortable accommodation, excellent food and capable guides. It's affordable too, so great for family vacations.

Camissa House

Cape Town

8 Rooms

From $310 per person/night

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, this boutique hotel makes the perfect city escape.

Practically on the slopes of Table Mountain, this brand new and oh-so-artsy spot couldn't have picked a better location - with incredible views and an interior to match. Paying homage to the Khoi people who called this area home, Camissa means 'place of sweet water' and the name is just the beginning of their love of nature, and the flora of the Cape is infused into every design choice. With endless views of the beautiful city and its natural wonders (enjoy them from the rooftop bar), Camissa House is Oranjezicht's new prodigy.

Maison Chablis

The Franschhoek Valley

7 Rooms

From $80 per person/night

Elegant and tranquil B&B in a prime Franschhoek location

Maison Chablis is a serene Georgian-style guesthouse, well-situated only a block from Franschhoek high street’s stylish boutiques, many of the region's award-winning restaurants, and the ever popular wine tram. If you're looking for some serious R&R, the Maison caters for that too, and you'll enjoy the pretty garden and peaceful swimming pool area. It's also an extremely well-priced abode for the exclusive Cape Winelands area, but standards are as high as they should be and the overall experience, top-notch.

Shamwari Sarili

Eastern Cape

5 Rooms

From $920 per person/night

Go-to family destination in the exquisite Eastern Cape

Sarili Lodge offers intimacy, accessibility and adventure under one extremely accommodating thatched roof. Overlooking a vast plain and the Bushman's River, this modern lodge is a blend of contemporary clean lines and traditional safari accents. This is an ideal destination for families with children of all ages - no malaria and access from South Africa's well-known Garden Route, make it a safe and convenient option. Chances of glimpsing the Big Five here are as good as any; you might even get lucky and catch some lesser-known nocturnal species like brown hyena, aardvark and caracal. For a well-rounded experience - great guiding and game viewing, top-notch hospitality and the utmost in conservation ethics - Sarili is hard to beat.

32S Villa

Cape Town

From $870 per person/night

A 'home' of your own in Camp's Bay with sensational sea views and top-notch facilities.

If we had to pick a way to do Cape Town, this would be it: watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from an infinity pool, a Constantia merlot in hand, and a private chef whipping up something tasty in the kitchen... Welcome to 32S! In your eyeline is the postcard-worthy Camp's Bay beach and just behind is Lion's Head, an easy distance for those sundowner (or sun rise!) hikes. Use the villa as a base to enjoy the city's world-class cuisine and unmissable sights - and when you need a bit of time out, seek out a plush lounger or deckchair and recline to your heart's content.

Franschhoek Country House

The Franschhoek Valley

26 Rooms

From $170 per person/night

Classic luxury in a stylish country house amongst the vineyards of Franschhoek.

Tucked into an emerald green valley amidst the mountains of the Western Cape, Franschhoek village is the scenic seat of award-winning South African wines and some extra-special fine dining. Just off the main road in the village centre is the Franschhoek Country House and Villas, a lovingly restored manor house (it was actually once a perfumery), and its adjacent collection of luxury villas. It's a modern property that still retains a traditional country-house feel, and the pretty rooms, with their postcard views of the mountains, are the perfect place to retire to at the end of a day's wine tasting.

Amakhala HillsNek Safaris

Eastern Cape

4 Rooms

From $490 per person/night

An intimate family-run tented safari lodge in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.

Small and exclusive with just four luxury tented suites, this family-run safari lodge is situated in a secluded corner of the Amakhala Game Reserve on the banks of the Bushman's River in the malaria-free Eastern Cape region. The reserve sprawls across an incredible diversity of landscapes, from rocky hills, open grassland plains and dense riverine forests, providing a sanctuary for some of the more unusual wildlife species, together with elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, and plenty of plains game. Extra activities include boat cruises, star gazing, and visits to nearby cultural and conservation centres.

Skydance Villa

Cape Town

6 Rooms

From $230 per person/night

Chic, homely style at this six-bedroom home with mountain and sea views

Skydance is a delightfully modern family home in Bishopscourt, an exclusive neighbourhood near one of Cape Town’s oldest wine-growing regions. With sweeping panoramas of Table Mountain’s slopes and the vineyards that climb them, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens nearby, and the ocean in the distance – and only a 20-minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre – the location is exceptionally well-placed. The home is stylish but unpretentious, with superior fixtures, large open-plan interiors, and perfect outdoor entertainment areas. Book a stay for a family retreat or a celebratory getaway, Skydance will spoil everyone, with oodles of space and views for days.

Ashbourne House

The Franschhoek Valley

8 Rooms

From $90 per person/night

Colonial elegance and Cape country style in Franschhoek's tranquil heart

Franschhoek is rightly regarded as one of South Africa's top food and wine destinations, and Ashbourne House enjoys a quiet spot right in the centre of this historic village. A colonial-style guesthouse, Ashbourne has eight beautifully appointed suites, and is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a luxurious boutique-style breakaway in a prime position for exploring the town's many attractions. There’s a great selection of gourmet restaurants, laid-back bistros, quirky art galleries and thriving markets a short stroll from the guesthouse, with the stunning Franschhoek Valley and its famous vineyards on the doorstep.

Sibuya Forest Camp

Eastern Cape

8 Rooms

From $310 per person/night

Classy tented camp on a picturesque horseshoe bend in the Kariega River

Sibuya Game reserve is just a few miles inland from the quaint coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea, in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Forest Camp is nestled among dense aloes and tall euphorbias, on a particularly picturesque horseshoe bend in the Kariega River. Half the fun is getting there: you're met in Kenton where you'll board a boat just 100 metres from the river mouth, then take a relaxing 45-minute ride upstream to camp. The journey enhances your sense of isolation and immersion into the wild, before arriving at an enchanting riverside lodge with classic, African bush camp appeal.

Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge

Eastern Cape

6 Rooms

From $490 per person/night

Family is the heart of this lodge on a pretty, malaria-free reserve in the Eastern Cape.

This well established game lodge just an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth has a choice of accommodation, from luxury suites for couples, to spacious family double suites overlooking the rolling grasslands and aloe-studded hills typical of this region. The reserve supports a thriving wildlife population, with all the Big 5 species and several rare species unique to this region, plus outstanding birdwatching. A Kid’s Safari Programe provides a fun range of bush-themed activities for young adventurers, and as this camp is fenced, it’s perfectly safe for children to roam and play.

Sea Five

Cape Town

7 Rooms

From $140 per person/night

Beach house sophistication on a quiet street in Camps Bay.

Closed for renovations. Opening January 2027.

Set a few streets back from Camps Bay beach, a favourite of Cape Town’s rich and beautiful, Sea Five is blissful in every way. From the palette of earthy African tones and soothing Mediterranean blues and the sweeping views of the mountains and sea to the divine lavender scented gardens, you can’t fail to feel utterly zen after a stay here. But with private transfers to the bustling city, easy access to the hip bars and restaurants of Camps Bay Strip and the spectacular coastline of the Western Cape only a few minutes away, there’s plenty to keep you feeling lively too.

Amakhala Bush Lodge

Eastern Cape

5 Rooms

From $590 per person/night

Spark your inner romantic in this luxury camp set in the heart of a Big Five reserve.

Amakhala Bush Lodge is a luxurious small tented camp in a secluded valley flanked by aloe-studded hills overlooking wide plains. This malaria-free reserve is a conservation success story of the transformation of former farmland to its original natural splendor, and renowned for its ecological diversity, unique vegetation and a combination of open plains, rugged hills and forested river valleys which support a thriving population of wildlife. The entire camp is constructed from natural materials, with sturdy timber floors, high thatched ceilings with exposed beams, and canvas sides. The feel is one of traditional safari chic with colonial Settler-style touches.

Maison Noir

Cape Town

4 Rooms

From $130 per person/night

Modern African homestead-style property in Cape Town's pretty Hout Bay

Thirty minutes from central Cape Town, in the beachside suburb of Hout Bay, lies a truly breathtaking mountain retreat that exemplifies the essence of African communal heritage. Maison Noir, "black house" in French, is a private family estate in which each member owns a small home. The architect drew his inspiration from the many cultures that have taken root in South Africa, and he's created a winner. The homestead incorporates indoor/outdoor design around an interior courtyard in a setting that'll appeal to lovers of fine design, and those keen to explore Table Mountain National Park – just steps away.

Amakhala Leeuwenbosch

Eastern Cape

9 Rooms

From $320 per person/night

Gracious country-style safari in an original Settler family homestead.

With a history dating back to the early years of last century, this country homestead and converted shearer’s shed offers a distinctively different safari experience, with a generous helping of Eastern Cape frontier history. Situated within the Amakhala Game Reserve, guests can enjoy the best of elegant country living together with fine game viewing in this ecologically diverse region which consistently lives up to its reputation of delivering a range of exciting safari experiences. Easily reached from Port Elizabeth, this malaria-free reserve spans a staggering range of habitats in beautifully scenic surroundings.

Pepper Club Hotel & Spa

Cape Town

210 Rooms

From $130 per person/night

A large hotel amidst all the action in South Africa's Mother City.

Pepperclub Hotel & Health Spa lies in the heart of Cape Town, in an area that's both steeped in history and close to all the city's attractions. The location certainly can't be faulted for convenience, and the interiors are pretty remarkable too. The accommodation is nothing short of that rather over-used adjective – luxurious. The rooms are crisp and chic, but very comfortable. There's a top-notch spa, two on-site restaurants, and even a retro movie theatre (free Mon–Thurs). With its good staff and winning location, this classy place is a no-brainer for a few nights' sampling of this spectacular city.

Amakhala Safari Lodge

Eastern Cape

11 Rooms

From $490 per person/night

Rustic luxury with a strong African feel in a premier Eastern Cape reserve.

Amakhala Safari Lodge is a luxury lodge tucked away in the remote northern reaches of the Amakhala Private Game Reserve. This is a bush retreat with a distinctively tribal feel, featuring a charming combination of traditional rustic safari style and African designer art. Signature stone-capped thatched roofs give an unusual twist to each of the eleven guest suites and sprawling guest areas. Inspired by the owners’ love of local art, the attention to detail is evident at every turn in this comfortable well-established family-run lodge which is perfect for couples, families or larger groups of friends travelling together.

Waterfront Village

Cape Town

60 Rooms

From $140 per person/night

The perfect getaway on the water’s edge in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront

The Waterfront Village is a conglomeration of apartments situated next to the world-renowned Cape Grace and One&Only hotels in Cape Town's picture-perfect tourist centre, the V&A Waterfront. They offer a wide range of accommodation options, from pretty standard to super-luxurious rooms with comprehensive facilities and excellent service. The location is hard to beat for immediate access to an abundance of restaurants and bars, the ferry to Robben Island and several other top attractions. Longer-stay options are available too, which is a great idea if you want to dedicate some time to the exploration that this incredible city deserves.

Sibuya River Camp

Eastern Cape

Popular |

4 Rooms

From $410 per person/night

An intimate, family-friendly camp on a beautiful river in the Eastern Cape

Sibuya Game Reserve is just a few miles inland from the quaint coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea, in South Africa's Eastern Cape. River Camp lies on a lush peninsula surrounded by the twists and turns of the Kariega River. To get there, you'll board a boat at the river's mouth in Kenton and take a 45-minute cruise upstream to camp. Care has been taken to create an authentic bush-camp feel, though the reality is that this is not the wildest place in Africa, with much of the reserve being reclaimed farmland. Nevertheless, it is extraordinarily beautiful and has the added convenience of being close to the Garden Route as well as some stunning beaches.

Kariega Homestead

Eastern Cape

7 Rooms

From $370 per person/night

An exclusive-use villa in the Eastern Cape’s Big Five Kariega Reserve

The astounding variety of landscapes and things to see and do in South Africa’s Eastern Cape make this region a good choice for an easy-to-reach safari destination – and a malaria-free one at that. Kariega Game Reserve, wedged between the winding Bushman’s and Kariega rivers, is private piece of wilderness. Here you'll find the Big Five alongside bat-eared fox, brown hyena and abundant birdlife. The Homestead, a comfortable, sole-use villa, is ideal if you're travelling with family or friends (it sleeps up to 14 guests), and have a real desire for a laid-back bush experience in a home-from-home setting.

Amakhala Woodbury Lodge

Eastern Cape

6 Rooms

From $430 per person/night

A small and intimate lodge with stunning views over this Big Five, malaria-free reserve.

Woodbury Lodge lies in the eastern corner of Amakhala Game Reserve - a relatively small, privately owned and managed operation, just beyond the Garden Route in South Africa's Eastern Cape. It is easily accessible by car, or guests can be collected from the Port Elizabeth Airport, one hour away. This reserve is dominated by the Bushman's River Valley and is scenically stunning with several diverse vegetation types, including some restored farmland and a wide variety of birds and mammals. The lodge has a spectacular view from the edge of a rocky ridge, looking out across a wildlife-rich plain.

Msenge Bush Lodge

Eastern Cape

12 Rooms

From $750 per person/night

A well-rounded safari experience near the tail-end of the Garden Route.

South Africa's un-sung Eastern Cape is a diverse region of vast coastline, quaint seaside hamlets, remote wilderness and sprawling farmlands, many of which are being rehabilitated and re-stocked with native wildlife. Of its most attractive characteristics is its proximity: a day or two's drive from Cape Town along the picturesque Garden Route. Pumba Msenge Lodge sits on one of the region's best private game reserves, with superb views of a waterhole, plains and mountains beyond. Don't be fooled by its relative small size, however, for this reserve packs a punch - it's home to all of the Big Five and the genetically rare white lion.

Pumba Water Lodge

Eastern Cape

12 Rooms

From $590 per person/night

Safari ease and Big Five authenticity on a private reserve in the Eastern Cape.

Pumba Private Game Reserve's relative ease of access (it's just an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth) makes it a fabulous safari option for travellers on a time budget, but it's also a great option for those looking for an authentic Big Five experience in a beautiful setting. In the heart of the reserve is Water Lodge, perched on a rise overlooking Lake Cariega with expansive vistas of the rolling thicket and shrub-filled habitat. The network of boardwalks and staircases running between the lodge and the chalets give it the feel of a treehouse-cum-palace and, fittingly, the attentive staff make you feel like royalty.

Compass House

Cape Town

4 Rooms

From $150 per person/night

Thumbs up for the views and service at this stylish beachfront hotel

Compass House, situated in Cape Town's sheltered Bantry Bay, is a stunning boutique hotel. And it's safe to say that it lies in one of South Africa's most beautiful beachfront locations. Not only does the hotel have gorgeous ocean views, a warm atmosphere and five-star accommodation – it's also just 10 minutes from the buzzing CBD. The interiors are intimate, with the blue ocean and sky visible from every room, and guests are made to feel especially well looked after. Topping it all is a 20-metre swimming pool, and plenty of comfortable seating to watch the sunset, cocktail in hand...

Moondance Villa

Cape Town

4 Rooms

From $920 per person/night

Ultimate sophistication in one of Cape Town’s most luxurious private villas

Nestled beneath the imposing peak of Lion’s Head, 50 Moondance must rate as one of Cape Town’s finest private villas – a veritable palace offering mind-blowing views over the Mother City and Atlantic Ocean. The interior is just as stunning, with state-of-the-art entertainment spaces, relaxation areas and functional convenience blending seamlessly throughout the multiple floors, and all the extravagant touches that make this four-bedroomed villa stand head and shoulders above the rest. 50 Moondance rates as the perfect choice for that once-in-a-lifetime dream holiday in one of the most sought-after spots in Cape Town.

The Clarendon Bantry Bay

Cape Town

6 Rooms

From $390 per person/night

A room with a view, perched above the ocean in the quiet streets of Bantry Bay.

Perched majestically atop the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and out of sight of the city crowds, the Clarendon Bantry Bay is a cool fusion of ultimate boutique luxury and local flair. Privacy and exclusivity are the name of the game and with views like this, you can’t fail to be seduced into a chilled-out Cape Town state of mind. And with absolutely every detail taken care of by the friendly team, all that’s left to do is lie back, pull up a sun lounger and gaze at the vast cerulean ocean stretching as far as the eye can see….

POD Boutique Hotel

Cape Town

17 Rooms

From $210 per person/night

Design with a capital 'D' in Cape Town’s trendiest suburb, Camps Bay.

Camps Bay has long attracted the rich and fabulous with its glamorous bars and restaurants and if they were looking for somewhere to stay, POD would be it. Occupying possibly the best location in town, a minute’s stroll from the white sands of Camps Bay Beach, the ultra-hip boutique hotel is the zenith of modern design and architecture. We’re talking sleek, clean lines and sparkling glass walls in the open-plan interiors and a wraparound infinity pool and low-slung seating outside. Don’t let the design put you off however – it’s actually terribly relaxed and the team of butlers make sure you don’t need to lift a finger.

Camps Bay Retreat

Cape Town

15 Rooms

From $190 per person/night

A historical manor house in the most beautiful of settings, tucked away beside Camps Bay.

Set in an arboreal glen in the bustling seaside suburb of Camps Bay, Camps Bay Retreat offers a collection of different suites and rooms around the beautiful grounds. A historic manor house built in 1929 is at the heart of estate; externally, the architecture is grand and impressive, and internally, the classic décor will make you feel as if you’ve stumbled into an 18th-century explorers lounge. Accommodation-wise, choose from the classic rooms in the house itself, or one of the more modern suites in the Deck House. And then all that’s left to do is lounge in the garden, stroll to the beach or play a lazy game of tennis...

South Africa

Best hotels in South Africa

Tintswalo At Boulders

Auberge Clermont

Amakhala Woodbury Camp

Camissa House

Maison Chablis

Shamwari Sarili

32S Villa

Franschhoek Country House

Amakhala HillsNek Safaris

Skydance Villa

Ashbourne House

Sibuya Forest Camp

Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge

Sea Five

Amakhala Bush Lodge

Maison Noir

Amakhala Leeuwenbosch

Pepper Club Hotel & Spa

Amakhala Safari Lodge

Waterfront Village

Sibuya River Camp

Kariega Homestead

Amakhala Woodbury Lodge

Msenge Bush Lodge

Pumba Water Lodge

Compass House

Moondance Villa

The Clarendon Bantry Bay

POD Boutique Hotel

Camps Bay Retreat

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