Best hotels in South Africa

Just 6.4 km from the original Botlierskop Game Reserve lies the newest addition to the family – The Village Lodge, remote enough for a country escape, near enough for a wonderful day out. Offering magnificent views of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains, the Lodge is set on the landmark Kleinvlei Farm, which now forms part of this picturesque 4,200-hectare, malaria-free reserve. The child-friendly, 16-bedroom Village Lodge is located on the northern side of the Reserve, close to the historical Friemersheim, the original mission station and site of the slave quarters for Great Brak River. The Village is a harmonious collection of new and vintage houses, some dating back to the 1800s. Each house is individual in style, but uniform in luxury, style and comfort. These have been lovingly-restored to blend in with their modern, contemporary-country style counterparts. Each unit is en-suite with spacious, light-filled open-plan interiors. There is also a family wing where each of the four suites has its own entrance and patio with either a garden or mountain view. The expansive herb and vegetable gardens are laid out in a wagon-wheel formation with central focal dams Watermollen (Watermill) and Perdedam (Horse Dam) – also known as Grootdrink of Dors (Large Drink or Thirsty). The water flows past the houses in a series of canals. The abundant fresh produce that’s lovingly coaxed from these gardens supplies the popular Bellevue Restaurant, formerly the district’s school house. Local legend has it that one of the last pupils of The Bellevue School in 1938 maintained that Kleinvlei had one of the strongest athletics team of all the rural schools in the area. The Village Lodge is child friendly and all ages are welcome. Aside from sailing paper boats in the canals, your young ones can enjoy the playground, spacious lawns, sandpit, swimming pool, tadpole fishing and pony rides, while you take time out to relax at the Botlierskop Bush Spa, go on a guided bush trail or horseback safari.

The Redberry Farm cottage offers guests an enjoyable and comfortable stay. Located in George, it is ideally positioned to explore the Garden Route allowing you to enjoy fun family adventures! Redberry Farm is a commercial strawberry grower that offers family-friendly activities such as picking your own strawberries, exploring the largest permanent hedge maze in the Southern Hemisphere, a Tea Garden and Farm Stall, the Red Shed Coffee & Berry Bar, miniature train ride on Redberry Express, a large outdoor playground, pedal go-carts, pony rides as well as bumper boats and bubble balls on the dam. Visitors can experience a taste of paradise with Framboos’s handcrafted ice cream, the Noshery’s wood-fired pizza and Houtbosch’s local wines and craft beer. This holiday accommodation is ideal for families wanting to experience the peaceful nature of the farm within close vicinity to entertainment options.

Set midst mountain and the vine, lies your home from home in picturesque Montagu. Monte Vista Boutique Hotel offers thirteen “Afri-chic” en-suite bedrooms, each with their own private veranda’s. They have the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy a time of leisure around the pool and beautiful gardens, overlooking encompassing mountain views. The prime spot on the historical Church street also means you can leisurely stroll to fine restaurants, art galleries, and museums. Montagu has a way of refreshing and restoring like no other little town.

Klaarstroom Hotel is the only hotel in the picturesque and historical village of Klaarstroom, in the Prince Albert District. Nestled in the Karoo, guests can truly immerse themselves in the splendour of the Swartberg Mountains, the unique fynbos, and the old-world charm of this hidden gem. The Karoo is famous not only for its hospitality, but also for its spectacular night sky and cycle routes, making it the perfect year-round destination. Klaarstroom Hotel’s structure is still largely as it was originally built in 1874, with minor changes made when it was operated as a general dealership and private residence, mid-century. The new owners have taken care to restore it to its former glory as much as possible, complete with vintage and antique furniture.

Palmiet Valley Estate is a historic wine farm on the outskirts of Paarl, the hub of the Cape Winelands. With a history dating back to 1694, this magnificent Cape Dutch manor house has an indulgent sense of bygone luxury, and is furnished with a wonderful collection of antiques gathered by the owners over the years. The estate is beautiful, with centuries-old oak trees, fruit orchards, sweeping tracts of vines, and manicured lavender-edged lawns. Accommodation ranges from standard rooms to larger luxury suites and a vast Presidential Suite. There are also two self-contained cottages, so there’s something to suit everyone’s requirements.

OPENING MARCH 2026! Introducing a new exclusive private lodge, nestled on the storied slopes of Brookdale Estate in the heart of the Winelands. Designed for discerning travellers seeking stillness, space and soul-stirring scenery, this breathtaking retreat is available on an exclusive-use basis – ideal for friends and family of up to 8 guests wanting to reconnect with nature.

What was once a forgotten vineyard, is now a place of imagination and tranquility, a refuge for the inquisitive and the inspired. Brookdale Estate Manor House overlooks sprawling vines beneath open African skies in a valley hugged by dramatic mountains. Stay in the Paarl Wine Valley at a world-class country estate, inspired by the villas of Europe.

The historic Manor House on Doolhof Wine Estate has been elegantly restored and houses 6 individually designed and appointed en-suite bedrooms and suites, offering 5-star luxuries and service. The free-standing thatched cottage forms the 7th bedroom and is ideal for honeymooners or guests seeking additional privacy. Situated in a long valley below the Bainskloof Pass, the Estate not only offers a wide variety of outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking but is also an ideal base from which to explore the Cape.

Bakubung Bush Lodge is concealed within the rich expanses of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park and offers you everything you need to get in touch with the bush. These Pilanesberg lodges are set in an area where the Big 5 roam, a mere 2 hour drive from the hectic lifestyle of Johannesburg. Bakubung, or “People of the Hippo”, offers you everything you need in regards to comfortable and luxury accommodation. With the bush just outside your window you will be able to relax and take in everything about the bush and the animals living around you. Bakubung Bush Lodge has some of the best accommodation in the Pilanesberg and offers an amazing family holiday experience.

Situated within an exclusive use zone in the south-western portion of the malaria-free Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge offers everything you need for an unforgettable safari experience. Its fantastic location provides easy access to all the park’s public roads, as well as the opportunity to explore some of Pilanesberg Game Lodge’s untouched environment. If you’re looking for privacy coupled with a 5-star luxury setting and the opportunity for some Big Five game viewing, look no further than Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge. The luxury suites offer breath-taking views of the distant bushveld amphitheater. Additionally, the lodge offers 2 game drives daily conducted in the Pilanesberg National Park, where you’ll get the chance to experience the striking beauty of the park along with a professional game ranger in an open 10-seater viewing vehicle.

Ivory Tree Game Lodge is situated within the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the park. Ivory Tree Game Lodge has a variety of accommodation options; executive, luxury or standard. The Executive Suite features a comfortable king-size bed with a Nespresso machine and flat screen television with limited DSTV channels. Take a dip in the plunge pool on the private patio.

An ideal family retreat, Black Rhino Game Lodge boasts 23 spacious luxury suites, which will ensure our guests of comfort and style. Each air-conditioned suite offers television, tea and coffee making facilities and expansive bathrooms including an outdoor shower. Our private game viewing decks are the perfect spot to enjoy the tranquillity and excellent birding opportunities. Overlooking a busy waterhole, which is a hive of bird and animal activity and a favourite playground for elephant and buffalo, the central gathering area is an expansive space which invites the opportunity of outdoor living.

With her picture-postcard style and elegance, Critchley Hackle Lodge is the ideal place to plan a getaway... Dullstroom's original majestic mountain retreat. With a rich and colourful palette of autumn ambers and cool spring teals, all washed over by misty whites, the Mpumalanga Highlands provides an awe inspiring backdrop to Critchley's timeless charm and hospitality. Located in a quiet and scenic corner of Dullstroom, the lodge and restaurant incorporate the finest amenities and superb facilities while still maintaining a country home atmosphere. The atmosphere is matched only by the superb dishes our chef prepares in the restaurant on a daily basis. Critchley Hackle features a private lake stocked with trout so you can indulge in a bit of fly fishing. The lodge offers an outdoor swimming pool, and accommodation with a patio and views of the lake, the gardens, and the surrounding mountains. The Lodge is conveniently close to all the town has to offer.