Best Hotels & Lodges

Overlooking the thorn-thicketed and grassland valley in the western Madikwe Game Reserve, Buffalo Ridge is a pretty perch indeed. It is in fact the first wholly-owned, community-based lodge to be developed in South Africa and when you're back at base, there's a homely atmosphere that's hard to beat. More broadly, this region of northern South Africa represents an important transition zone between the Kalahari thronveld and lowveld bushveld and there's a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetah, hyena and wild dog, to be spotted. It's also only a four-hour drive from Johannesburg (or a fifty-minute flight) and completely malaria-free, making it a great choice for an easy jaunt into the bush.

Perched at the top of its own little world in the Maseke Game Reserve, this intimate five-star lodge enjoys some of the most commanding views in the Greater Kruger. The unfenced borders with the national park mean that wildlife wanders freely across more than 11,000 hectares of wilderness, including a riverfront traverse along the Olifants River where big cats come to drink and hippos bask in the shallows. The motto here is I matutu vana va tavasi – Tsonga for 'it is plenty', and the emphasis is on quality over quantity – exceptional guiding, beautifully considered design, and the kind of personal attention that larger lodges struggle to replicate. Wildlife wanders freely through camp, and the elevated position means sundowners come with views that stretch all the way to the Drakensberg.

21 Nettleton is undoubtedly one of the city’s most luxurious abodes. Set high on the slopes of Clifton, a glitzy, residential beach suburb, it's an intimate private mansion with just five opulent suites and a stunning Presidential Penthouse. The setting is absolutely breath-taking: the beautiful gardens have a towering backdrop of the Twelve Apostles, and the views at the front look out over palm-fringed beaches and the vast Atlantic Ocean. The owner also lives here, so personal attention is guaranteed, yet it offers absolute privacy and seclusion - and all the attractions of Cape Town are on your doorstep.

The sweeping, double-story grass thatched structure of A'Zambezi River Lodge is surrounded by extensive lawns and set right on banks of the Zambezi River, above the magnificent Victoria Falls. More like a mid-sized hotel than an intimate lodge, it has eighty-seven rooms and a large central garden with a swimming pool. It is well-positioned to take advantage of the town of Victoria Falls and its multitude of activities; the fact that guests can embark on a river cruise directly from the lodge itself is a major benefit. A magnificent mile-wide waterfall straddling Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls needs little introduction. There are several ways to experience it, offering guests varying degrees of adventure. A visit between May and October is optimal.

Livingstone is Zambia's adventure capital, and Protea Hotel Livingstone plays the part of dependable home base rather than riverside showpiece. You're in town here - a few minutes from the falls the locals call Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders" — in a low cluster of buildings wrapped around a garden and pool. It's an unfussy, well-run sort of place: friendly staff, a generous breakfast, and rooms built for collapsing into after a day of rafting or game drives. There's even reliable backup power, which in this part of the world is no small mercy. .

Welcome to the hotel Amata n’Ubuki, the ideal hotel to discover Kigali. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is close to the airport, convention centre and several shopping centres. Amata n’Ubuki hotel is perfect for a romantic weekend, a business trip or to taste the many flavours of their restaurant. The hotel offers well-equipped rooms and an outdoor swimming pool for prime relaxation. An unforgettable stay awaits you with the team at Amata n'Ubuki.

Tucked away in Franschhoek, just off the main road, is La Rive, a tranquil haven in this fair heart of the Cape Winelands. The thatched villa marries colonial English and traditional Dutch/Afrikaans heritage beautifully in its design, with all mod cons for convenience. The warm and homely atmosphere, large and lovely interiors – and 5 bedrooms – make this the perfect retreat for a family or group of friends. For the duration of your stay, the villa, its gardens and pool (perfect for lazy dips after wine-tasting tours) and staff are for your sole use. Welcome to the Winelands!

The first of the Singita lodges, Ebony lies beneath spreading jackalberry trees on the banks of the Sand River, the perennial waterway that flows through Singita Private Game Reserve within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. The lodge has recently been revamped, but the welcoming atmosphere of a place where people have a real love of Africa's wild spaces remains. Here, colonial comfort meets Afro-chic to create a super-comfortable wilderness sanctuary. The reserve area is a game-lover's paradise, with excellent Big Five sightings and a pack of 20-odd rare wild dogs. There are regular birding tours.

Quatermain’s 1920s Safari Camp is a delightfully authentic recreation of the adventurous safaris made famous by the fictitious and intrepid explorer, Allan Quatermain, more than a century ago. The camp itself has just three tents, so it’s an intimate setting, and a good choice if you’re looking for a true bush experience far from present day intrusions. Situated within the malaria-free Amakhala Game Reserve, Quatermain’s is a wonderful base from which to explore the surrounding wilderness on foot just like the olden-day explorers would have done, with the welcome modern option of guided game drives.

Nestled in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Amaya Safari Lodge is a sanctuary for those seeking the wild’s rhythm in quiet luxury. With just eight guests, enjoy an intimate experience with safari game drives and evening fireside chats amid Africa’s untamed beauty.

Nestled in the tranquil setting of Greater Kruger National Park, Tulani Boutique offers unbridled luxury to every stay. The Boutique lodge offers an all inclusive escape for up to 8 guests. Designed with both comfort and character in mind, the lodge combines contemporary finishes with warm, inviting areas to create a truly relaxing atmosphere.

Nyikani Camp is a seasonally mobile camp that makes its way around the Serengeti in hot pursuit of the annual Great Migration – arguably the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Join the camp on its Ndutu leg in the southern Serengeti, which becomes blanketed with short grasses after the November/December rains. For 4–5 months, wildebeest, zebra and antelope (trailed by predators) congregate in their thousands to graze and calve. Ndutu lies in the rich Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so there's plenty to see year round, and new Nyikani Camp's hillside setting is a lovely place to take in the sights.

Think Masai Mara, think Governors' Camp. The small collection of properties has become synonymous with the Masai Mara and none more so than the original Governors' Camp. Set in the shade of the riverine forest along the banks of the iconic Mara River and overlooking the vast, rolling plains, the camp was originally built in 1972 to set the standard for a new breed of luxury camps. Save for a few (welcome) changes here and there, the camp remains largely as it once was. Entirely under canvas, in a magical location and with an excellent selection of activities on offer, this is a classic and hard-to-beat Mara safari.

Cerf Island, the largest hotel on a small mile-long strip of white beaches and abundant towering tropical Tamaka trees, is home to only a few hotels and 100 local residents. Being only a short boat ride from the main town of Mahe it is the perfect kind of place to escape. Surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian ocean the reefs of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park are teeming with different fish species-perfect for snorkelling. No roads, no pathways and no chance of being crowded into mass resort-style spaces with your only task being to relax unencumbered.