Best hotels in South Africa

The Mount Nelson is an iconic landmark in the fashionable Gardens district, and is one of Cape Town’s favourite luxury hotels. The splendid entrance driveway lined with magnificent palm trees sets the scene for the colonial grandeur of the hotel itself, which oozes old-fashioned maritime style and traditional high society flair. With almost 200 rooms to choose from, this resort is a vintage gem with something for everyone, capturing the romance of days gone but sympathetically updated to include all the mod cons. A peaceful retreat just a short stroll from buzzing Kloof Street and the downtown city scene.

This private lodge within the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers superb accommodation and fantastic year-round game viewing - it's not unusual to encounter all of the Big Five in one game drive. An easy blend of luxurious under-canvas and thatched suites set within lush gardens gives the feel of safaris of days gone by, with modern touches adding a contemporary edge throughout. Top notch hospitality and knowledgeable guides ensure that your safari experience will be remembered for all the right reasons. Whether you're planning a special family safari or a romantic breakaway, Savanna Lodge is a classy choice.

With the foothills of the Olifantsberg Mountains in the rear view mirror and the picturesque Walker Bay laid out before you, Harbour House Hotel is truly winning in the scenery stakes. The hotel itself is made up of three buildings; the original Manor House, the New Wing studios and, just across the road, Harbour Square, which has its own rooftop pool. When you tire of gazing at the view, Hermanus offers everything from scenic walks to antique shopping. It's also one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world and, if you're visiting between June and October, you can enjoy the benefits straight from the terrace at Harbour House.

Makanyi Private Game Lodge is located in the Timbavati region of the Greater Kruger National Park. Timbavati is translated as, “The Place Where Something Sacred Came Down to Earth”, and Makanyi Lodge is certainly a heavenly place! Located in open, acacia woodlands and constructed of natural woods, thatch and stone, the lodge blends perfectly into the picturesque environs and has extensive views over a dam. It's one of very few commercial lodges in the area, and offers a truly wild yet personalised and private experience - and did we mention the fabulous Big Five game viewing?

In the heart of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, you will find a different kind of luxury. Where solar power illuminates intimate moments, and sustainability meets sophistication in every detail. The sanctuary offers more than just Big Five encounters.

Here, among ancient trees and along the flowing Klaserie River, each stay writes its own story of conservation. From your personal reusable water bottle to our native Spekboom gardens, every choice reflects the commitment to preserving this pristine wilderness.

Open-plan luxury tents cleverly designed to magnify the seclusion and expanse of the African bush. A habitat could scarcely be more diverse: open plains of grazing buck yield to dense, bird-plenty thickets, sudden plummets of rocky ravines are carved by the Bushman's River. Conveniently located along the Garden Route, this lodge is an easy-to-access thoroughgoing wilderness with Big Five game viewing and a host of other general and rare wildlife to boot. Shamwari is known for its conservation ethics, offering additional educational activities through its Animal Rehab Centre, Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries and Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre.

A hornbill's flight away from the Timbavati River, your oasis awaits amongst the mopane trees in a private corner of the Ngala Reserve. Taking the meaning of 'treehouse' to an entirely new level, this one comes in the form of a four-storey tower with explorer-chic style and a well-stocked bar...we can taste those sundowners now! With no fence separating the reserve from Kruger National Park and access to 36,000 acres of unbroken wilderness, your days will be filled with tracking members of the Big Five on foot and epic game drives - that is, when you can tear yourself from your rooftop perch.

Amani Safari Camp is the newest addition to the Klaserie Drift portfolio - a place where laidback luxury meets unfiltered nature. Nestled deep in a private part of the Greater Kruger, Amani offers sweeping bushveld views, peaceful seclusion, and an experience that’s as thoughtful as it is unforgettable. Designed with both connection and comfort in mind, the camp features three spacious lodge suites designed for comfort and accessibility, and seven riverbed suites for extra privacy and indulgence. Whilst the lodge suites have easy access to all shared facilities, including the main pool, each riverbed suites boasts a private heated plunge pool, elegant interiors, and the freedom to unwind at your own pace. Relax on the wraparound deck, enjoy a swim between game drives, or toast the day’s sightings beneath the stars in the boma.

Of all the beachfront hotels in Cape Town, the Last Word Long Beach is possibly the only one that opens directly onto powdery white sand. The sand in question is Long Beach, an eight-kilometre stretch of shimmering shingle in the sleepy village of Kommetjie, framed by the jagged turrets of Chapman’s Peak in the distance. The hotel is a white-washed sanctuary and a lovely place to relax, soak up the sun, and watch the bleach-haired surfer dudes take on the waves. Need some action? It’s an hour's drive to the city, 20 minutes to the penguins of Boulders Beach, and a short distance to nearby Noordhoek's restaurants.

This little lodge is situated in the northern section of South Africa's Sabi Sand Reserves. Set on the edge of the unassuming Mabrak River, a hotspot for the surrounding wildlife, the camp is tucked beneath ancient ebony trees. It's an intimate, high-end retreat that provides all the creature comforts of home. Decor could be described as "safari chic", enhancing your sense of being immersed in the bush. Spend your days in a safari vehicle or on well-shod feet, tracking leopard, lion, elephant and rhino with an armed guide before relaxing beside your private plunge pool.

Kwandwe Fort House is one of five lodges within the Eastern Cape’s Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. With its three exclusive-use villas, Kwandwe taps into the popular family safari market, and rightly so – being malaria-free and only 160km from Port Elizabeth, the 30,000 hectare reserve is a very realistic option for a family wilderness trip, and ideal as an add-on to Cape Town and the Garden Route. With sweeping views of the Great Fish River Valley, Kwandwe Fort House is a hybrid between a (rather posh) modern home and a safari lodge – including private staff to keep everyone happy.

Timelessly elegant and deeply inviting, Black Rhino offers a private sanctuary to gather with loved ones and immerse yourself in a truly authentic Cape safari experience, set against the sweeping valleys and mountain vistas of Gondwana Game Reserve.

Embraced by 180-degree views of the majestic Outeniqua mountain range, Black Rhino is poised above a vast valley blanketed in fynbos. This exclusive villa accommodates up to six guests and is fully serviced with its own chef and private field guide. Your time here unfolds entirely to your rhythm, creating the ease and comfort of a second home in the wild.