Best Hotels & Lodges

Tanzania’s annual wildebeest migration swings through the southern Serengeti between December and March each year, following the rains and fresh grasses. This is where you’ll find Kati Kati – a seasonal tented camp in a prime spot for catching the peak of the migration. The camp follows the less-is-more approach, offering a dozen comfortable but rustic tents plus an interlinked family tent, good food, and an all-round authentic bush experience without unnecessary frills to detract from its wild and remote feel. We advise that, when booking, you enquire about guiding requirements as there are no permanent guides at this camp.

Bordering Fischer's Pan, near Etosha National Park's Namutoni Gate, Onguma Bush Camp is the perfect base from which to explore both the private Onguma Game Reserve and the eastern side of the national park. One of five camps in Onguma, this is the only one that is fully fenced, except for three of its newest rooms. At the heart of the camp is a floodlit waterhole that can be seen from both the main areas and the rooms. The decor is fresh and modern, the food is good, the welcome is authentic and nature is all around.

Climb through prayer flags with a view of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to the Bumdra Monastery, where you’ll spend a night at a private camp

Resting on the top of the low foothills in the far northwest of Hwange National Park is Daka Plains. Probably the remotest Camp in Hwange, close to the Botswana border, this area has a very distinct Kalahari feel. Daka Plains offers guests an opportunity to enjoy walking safaris and go on game drives to some of the wildest areas in Southern Africa. The Camp is situated in a private concession in Hwange National Park allowing guests the opportunity to experience night drives as well.

Bhutan's laid-back capital isn't exactly short on charm, but tucked into the pine-covered hillside of Upper Motithang, this boutique newcomer adds something a little different to the Thimphu scene. With just 12 glass-fronted cottages scattered through the forest, each individually named and deliberately spaced for privacy, it's a genuine retreat — even though you're only ten minutes from the Memorial Chorten and the buzz of the town. The setting does most of the heavy lifting here: birdsong, mountain streams and views across the valley to rolling hills. Add genuinely warm Bhutanese hospitality, a spa steeped in local wellness traditions and food made with organic, locally sourced ingredients, and you've got a pretty compelling base for exploring Thimphu.

In an area where conservation is a thriving part of the safari landscape, Ekorian's Mugie Camp fits right in. With their vision for guests to reconnect with nature, you can expect nothing less than a passion for animals and eco-friendly living. All water used at the camp is rain-harvested; their electricity is solar-powered; clothes are hand-washed and plastic water bottles are persona non grata (except for the reusable ones they supply for game drives). Speaking of, Ekorian's lives up to its location with plenty of wildlife activities on offer. Plus, they have an adorable 'live-in' giraffe called Tala!

This luxurious camp is tucked away in the less-travelled corners of Tarangire National Park, where ancient baobabs stand sentinel over sweeping savannahs. Designed with an understated elegance that complements its stunning natural surroundings, the camp offers an intimate safari experience, far from the crowds. Expect daily elephant encounters, as the area is a favoured spot for these gentle giants. With breathtaking views, impeccable service, and a commitment to conservation, this is a sanctuary for those who seek both adventure and tranquillity in equal measure.

Step back in time at this exquisitely restored 15th-century villa, once the countryside escape of Florence's illustrious Corsini family. The dramatic Tuscan-style loggia that dominates the façade sets the tone for what awaits inside - an elegant boutique retreat that somehow manages to feel like the family home it once was. Wander through terracotta-tiled hallways to the central drawing room, where an honesty bar invites you to pour yourself a Campari spritz before dinner. The charming blue and white breakfast room opens onto a sun-drenched terrace, while beyond, a refreshing swimming pool offers respite from the Tuscan heat with views across undulating olive groves and vineyard-stitched hillsides. This is la dolce vita at its most authentic.

Kirkman's Kamp is named in honour of W. Harry Kirkman, a famous conservationist, hunter and Kruger National Park ranger that once lived in the homestead. This lodge is a throwback to the turn of the nineteenth century, styled with colonial artwork and historic artifacts and packed with modern luxuries, ensuring total comfort and relaxation. Placed in the Southern Sabi Sands with rolling views of the inspiring African bush, encounter the incredible diversity of wildlife by vehicle or on foot.

Southwest Sicily doesn't feature in most first-time itineraries, but that's exactly what keeps it interesting. Wedged between the archaeological wonder of Agrigento and the port of Sciacca, this stretch of coast is quieter, more rugged and considerably less photographed than its more famous cousins. And so, amid 230 hectares of olive groves and citrus orchards, Rocco Forte dreamed up his only purpose-built resort: a collection of low-rise terracotta-and-ochre pavilions that look as though they've always been here. Days tend to revolve around the Irene Forte Spa, eight restaurants serving food largely grown on the estate, two championship golf courses and a two-kilometre stretch of private beach. Bliss.

Referred to as the ‘place of plenty,’ this luxurious, famous tented camp is situated on Chief’s Island, within the Moremi reserve, in northern Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Mombo, big sister to Little Mombo, is renowned for its extremely dense concentrations of plains game and predators - regarded as some of the best big game viewing in all of Africa. Its accolades don’t stop there - it is also eco-friendly, solar-powered and involved in a number of conservation projects, including the reintroduction of the black and white rhino. This camp boasts rave reviews and is admired by guests and guides alike.