Best Hotels & Lodges

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.

This personalised, mobile tented camp focuses on an intimate encounter with one of Africa’s most impressive wilderness regions. Set in various locations across the Serengeti National Park (it won't move during your stay), total bush seclusion is guaranteed. A simple but authentic safari camp experience, focusing attention on the external environment. Known for its top notch guides, explore by vehicle and encounter the Great Migration, elephants, buffalo lion and cheetah, to name a few.

The 74,00 acre Mara Conservancy may be home to a mass of lodges, but Offbeat has managed to carve out their own unique spot in this abundant wildlife wilderness far from the masses. A small tented bush camp tucked very discreetly along the banks of the Olare Orok River, unfenced and unpretentious, it's location away from the airstrip and collection of other camps in the area allow you a bit more privacy as you look out from your neat tent onto the plains beyond. They even have their own resident lion pride!

Meet nature at its finest, where vivid turquoise sea meets clear blue sky, white sand and rich green vegetation. Within this tropical setting is Seychelles' glamorous Constance Lémuria Resort, a getaway that's worth every cent. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the food at its various eateries is five-star and the suites and villas are fit for royalty. The lodge is set around a golf course, with buggies available to transport you wherever you wish to go. Don't miss the three beaches though, all of which are typical of the islands, with soft white sand, huge granite rocks and palms.

The Manor at Ngorongoro is located about an hour's drive away from the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania, and half an hour from Lake Manyara. Although only built in 2008, it's a perfect replication of the 18th and 19th century colonial-style mansions, typical of South Africa's Cape winelands, and there really is nothing like it in Tanzania. Instead of being surrounded by vineyards, The Manor is set amidst a beautiful, sprawling coffee estate and the most manicured of gardens, and offers a level of service, luxury and charm that's definitely hard to beat.

Welcome to the 5-star luxury that is Hotel Santa Caterina of Amalfi. Renowned for its hospitality and position on the Amalfi Coast, this is a resort for those in search of excellence. Classic interiors, Mediterranean design, and the style of a typical Amalfi villa: each room at Hotel Santa Caterina, uniquely appointed, is spacious and bright, featuring hand-painted majolica floors, marble bathrooms, and balconies overlooking the sea or garden.

With its picturesque view of the sea, the hotel is located a short distance from Amalfi town centre and is perfectly positioned for visiting nearby towns such as Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii and Herculaneum and Naples

Embodying the very core of conservation, Nantwich Camp is a lovingly restored historic lodge in the north of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. This is the sweet spot, where mindful conservation and good accommodation meet location (just 1.5 hours by road from Vic Falls) and plenty of wildlife. (This region is known for its big cats, painted dogs and 350-strong elephant herds.) The camp sits on a bluff overlooking a permanent dam, populated by crocodile and hippo, with one of the best views in the park. The intimate setting and excellent guiding make this little-known spot a real treat.

Situated just 12 kilometres upstream from those famous Victoria Falls, Sussi & Chuma Lodge holds prime position on the banks of the wide Zambezi in Mosi-oa-Tunya ('the smoke that thunders') National Park. Named for the servants who buried David Livingstone’s heart in Africa, Sussi & Chuma is far different from the usual accommodation found in the reserve. This is not for those who like to rough it, but an ultra version of a classic safari-style camp. It is perfectly positioned for access to the falls, while being itself a peaceful retreat surrounded by jackalberry trees and palms, animals and birds.

The Palms is a family-owned resort and with just 6 gorgeous villas, offering intimate luxury on the stunning East Coast of Zanzibar. Each villa has a private outdoor plunge pool and looks out across the beach to the beckoning Indian Ocean. The resort is excellently positioned for kite surfing and the Water Club on the beach is there to enable guests to try out a variety of water sports.