Best Hotels & Lodges

Loisaba Conservancy is an immense, community run conservation area of 10 million acres, and one that’s so enormous, it’s easy to get lost in. So, what better way to enjoy such an incredible space than by spending a few nights under the stars? The famous Loisaba Starbeds are built entirely from locally-sourced products (old Landrover axles play a part in the design of the bed!) and are raised high on stilts on a rocky kopje with incredible views across the valley. Each bed can be rolled out from under the thatch at night, guaranteeing an uninterrupted view of your celestial ceiling. It's here where you'll truly find time and space to recharge your mind and reboot your spirits – and it’s all done in rather comfortable luxury too.

Setari Camp is an adventurer's paradise, tucked into a forested island in northern Botswana's Okavango Delta. Surrounded by year-round water in an otherwise seasonally flooded floodplain, this new camp lies right at the foot of the panhandle, where the Okavango River spreads across the Kalahari Basin. For anyone who enjoys watching game while afloat, there are myriad channels, lagoons and oxbow lakes to explore... The tents are stilted, tucked among foliage, and are on the luxurious side of comfortable. Don't expect huge numbers of big game, but the birdlife is extraordinary, and the wilderness is magnetic.

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.

Perched high above the glittering Mediterranean, this elegant hideaway sits pretty amidst rolling vineyards and wild gardens on a UNESCO-listed volcanic isle. The white-washed buildings peek out between tangles of bougainvillea and swaying palms, while the heady scent of Malvasia grapes ripening on ancient vines fills the air. Let yourself be drawn into the rhythm of island life, where mornings might find you practicing sun salutations on the rooftop, afternoons call for lazy dips in the freshwater pool, and evenings are best spent sampling estate wines as the lighthouse beam sweeps across inky waters.

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.