Hotels & Lodges | Timbuktu Travel

Peninsula Petit Hotel

Bariloche

11 Rooms

From $120 per person/night

A ‘petit’ hotel with a huge heart, cosy feel and picture-perfect lakefront vistas.

Peninsula Petit is a family-run hotel and it shows: this is a place that oozes with warmth, has incredible attention to detail, and genuine, honest service, making for a very special Bariloche experience. Located on San Pedro Peninsula, 5 kilometres from Llao Llao and about 20 kilometres from downtown Bariloche, the peaceful getaway sits perched over the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi in a top-notch waterfront spot and a only stone’s throw away from the main attractions. The forest setting is dreamy, the food is heartwarming, the rooms are comfy, and the staff will make you feel like you've come home.

Khwai Lediba

Khwai

7 Rooms

From $630 per person/night

If value was measured in remoteness, this lodge would be a steal

After a total refurbishment in 2023, this bush camp in the Okavango's vast Khwai Concession couldn't be more isolated in the wilderness, yet it has all the style and comforts of any top lodge. On a beautiful lagoon connected to the Khwai River, the sprawling tented camp has an authentic but elegant feel. Relaxing on the main raised deck, you feel part of the surrounding woodlands with views of the expansive floodplains in front of the lodge. Wildlife of all kinds passes through this area, including plains game and numerous silent, and not-so-silent predators (such as lion, leopard and wild dogs).

Skeleton Coast Flying Safaris

Skeleton Coast

4 Rooms

From $3.6K per person/night

A unique fly-in desert experience with the Schoeman Family in Namibia.

This spectacular, multi-day flying safari takes you on a birds-eye journey over one of the most enigmatic coastlines in Africa; Namibia's vast and rugged Skeleton Coast. Famous for its shipwreck "skeletons," you'll wind your way along the beach in a small plane, sometimes just a few hundred metres high, and marvel at the ever-changing geological formations and desert-adapted wildlife below. On the ground, you'll be whisked off in a Land Rover to drive through dunes and deserts, salt pans and floodplains and discover the country's wide diversity of unique flora and fauna. Starting in Swakopmund and ending at the oasis of the Kunene river on the border with Angola, with spectacular dunes, wildlife, and aerial scenery in between, this is one of those must-dos in Africa.

Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel

Lake Kivu

From $240 per person/night

A charmed and well-established hotel with spectacular views of Lake Kivu.

Gazing out across the azure water of Lake Kivu, Cleo Hotel has all the makings of a laidback getaway on Rwanda's 'Riviera'. Every space enjoys far-reaching views of the lake but perhaps best of all is the restaurant right at the water's edge where a long lunch followed by a snooze in your private cabana is definitely in order. If you're keen to explore, there's plenty to do as well. Amble along one of the many trails, go kayaking on the lake (happily, it is entirely predator free) or take a tour of a local coffee farm. On your return, a deep tissue massage is just the ticket.

Notten's Bush Camp

South & West Sabi Sands

9 Rooms

From $790 per person/night

Incredible game viewing without the huge price tag in this intimate, home away from home.

One of the original private game lodges in South Africa, Notten’s is a stilted bush camp on the edge of a tree-dotted savanna in the Sabi Sand Private Reserves. The camp offers such excellent service and authentic African safaris that guests keeping coming back for more. From your warm greeting to the impeccable hosting and the vibrant setting, Notten’s is in a class of its own. The professional and friendly guiding team are well-versed at translating the wilderness, deciphering the behaviours and signs of the resident animals, including the Big Five in abundance.

Bailey's Banda

Nyerere National Park

2 Rooms

From $2.1K per person/night

Enjoy the privacy of this stunning, exclusive-use villa in a quiet corner of Nyerere.

Far from Dar es Salaam's bustling busyness, Nyerere National Park ('The Selous') is a 54,000-square-kilometre game reserve that's both the biggest in Africa and a World Heritage Site. Bailey's Banda lies in its southwest, blending into the landscape on a hill overlooking sister Beho Beho main camp. It's a lovely stone cottage, with just two bedrooms and a touch of oh là là about the atmosphere. Wildlife sightings in the area are splendid, and there's birding to satisfy the most demanding birders. If you're after exclusivity in the wilderness for your family, and some seriously dedicated service, you'll find it here in spades.

Hotel Belvedere Bellagio

Lake Como

From $670 per person/night

Home to the real Lake Como.

Belvedere Bellagio presents the authentic Lake Como experience, going beyond the overly grand stereotypes. Arrive with a head full of noise, leave with eyes full of color. The mountain greens and the lake blues.

Linyanti Expeditions

Linyanti

6 Rooms

From $630 per person/night

Botswana's wild northern reaches, where nature is king.

Set in the magnificent water-rich northern reaches of Botswana, between Savuti Marsh and Chobe National Park, Linyanti Expeditions taps into the best of the region. This tented camp is both rustic and elegant in the vein of old-style safaris. You certainly can't fault its setting. This area is well-known for its varied habitats – rivers, swamps, floodplains, grasslands and woodlands – and their attendant wildlife. Elephants are especially prolific during the drier months, but there are good numbers of lion, hippo, wild cats, wild dog and rarer antelope species like sable, roan and sitatunga year-round.

Zannier Hotels Sonop

NamibRand

10 Rooms

From $940 per person/night

A new take on luxury in a lunar landscape on the edge of the Namib-Naukluft

This sophisticated lodge in Namibia's Karas region echoes the camps of those travellers of old – with no expense or comfort spared. Sonop ("sunrise") is a sumptuous experience to be sure, complete with multi-course meals served by white-gloved waiters, and a telescope in your fit-for-royalty tent. You're deep in the empty wilderness here, far from any beaten track (although the best Namibian holidays are meandering). Expect a vast moonscape terrain, sculptural sand dunes, wide salt pans, a star-studded vault of sky, and the romance of raw natural beauty. We call this pure drama, Namib-style.

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Guanacaste & Nicoya Peninsula

238 Rooms

From $180 per person/night

A palm-strewn, family-friendly resort along one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches.

A part of the idyllic Las Baulus National Park, Diria Resort enjoys 3.5 kilometres of Blue Flag beach frontage. We're talking lapping waves, china-white sands, and access to endless adventures on the water. Split into multiple zones, the resort caters to every kind of guest, whether you're on a family holiday or looking to get away from it all. In fact, the main route leading into Tamarindo town cuts through the middle of the property, offering a bevy of dining choices and shopping spots too. Then, when you're not enjoying the local grub, learn to surf off Tamarindo Beach, go scuba diving around the nearby islands, or simply laze by the pool(s).

Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira

Nampula

40 Rooms

From $690 per person/night

A private island resort off the coast of Mozambique where the standard couldn't be higher.

A bona-fide island paradise off the coast of Mozambique, Banyan Tree's latest endeavour is really making a splash. Its name comes from the similarities to a volcanic caldera, with a ring of sand encircling the palm-covered interior of the lodge. Banyan Tree is the only resort on the island and offers a personalised experience that's difficult to rival. When you're not snorkelling through crystal-clear waters or sailing to secluded isles, there's plenty at the lodge to keep you busy. The award-winning spa springs to mind - and you could easily lose a few hours in the hydrotherapy pool.

Head over Hills

Knysna

8 Rooms

From $190 per person/night

Clifftop luxury along South African's Garden Route

Life amounts to breezy perfection at this clifftop retreat perched above the Indian Ocean. Set in the seaside hamlet of Knysna, one of South Africa's most beloved Garden Route destinations, Head Over Hills is a family-run boutique hotel. Each of its features – its modern luxury and ocean panoramas, its easy access to coves and world-class golf courses – combine to create a getaway par excellence. Enjoy languorous gourmet breakfasts on the sundeck, settle back and drift with the tides, or keep the days action-packed, exploring the myriad opportunities for adventure.

Usangu Expedition Camp

Ruaha

4 Rooms

From $830 per person/night

Fantastic conservation projects, walking safaris & stellar wildlife await at Usangu.

Journey to this newly-revitalised wilderness, the Usangu Wetlands, to experience nature up-close and without boundaries. Usangu is a tiny, four-tented camp on the banks of the wetlands, where the leaves of miombo trees provide an idyllic hiding spot. Out and about, there are myriad activities to get involved in, with waterways to explore and plenty of gregarious birdlife to spot. On game drives, keep your eyes peeled for big cats and even bigger elephant and on night drives, the prize spot is the highly-endangered pangolin. On top of that, Usangu has a passion for conservation and you'll see it in full force while here.

Grand Hotel Continental

Siena & Val d'Orcia

48 Rooms

From $180 per person/night

An opulent Renaissance palazzo where five centuries of history meets five-star luxury.

Ever dreamt of living like 16th-century nobility? Step through the doors of this magnificent palazzo and you'll find yourself transported back in time to when members of the powerful Chigi family roamed its hallowed halls. Originally gifted by Pope Alexander VII to his niece as a rather lavish wedding present, today it stands as the only five-star hotel within Siena's ancient walls. Just a stone's throw from the iconic shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striking zebra-striped Duomo, you're perfectly positioned to soak up the city's medieval splendour. Inside, original frescoed ceilings, cotto tile floors worn smooth by aristocratic footsteps, and antique chandeliers create an atmosphere that whispers of bygone opulence while catering to modern luxury-seekers.

Hotel Green Plaza

Hakone & Mount Fuji

90 Rooms

From $110 per person/night

Hotel Green Plaza is a resort Hotel with a classic modern interior that boasts open-air baths with magnificent views of Mt. Fuji. Conveniently located for sightseeing in Hakone with good access to Sengokuhara, Owakudani and Ashinoko. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers an idyllic setting for a family trip.

Casa Kalfu Boutique Hotel

Lake District

19 Rooms

From $50 per person/night

A bright blue, storybook hotel with stunning lake views and real community roots.

Fittingly meaning 'blue house' in Mapuche, Casa Kalfu is a higgledy-piggledy, characterful hotel with cerulean walls, originally built by German settlers in the 1940s. After being bought by its current owners, the hotel was renovated into a 19-room boutique abode that honours the architectural and cultural heritage of Puerto Varas. Almost every space enjoys views of the tranquil Lake Llanquihue and the towering Osorno Volcano. The owners really know the area and will happily share their favourite places to go, and help you with your itinerary, including organising boat trips across the lake and planning routes over the 100 kilometres of bike trails that connect the nearby sights.

Savute Safari Lodge

Savuti

12 Rooms

From $750 per person/night

Down-to-earth comfort and great game viewing along the Savute channel

A relatively traditional game lodge, this camp offers access to some of Botswana's most dramatic game viewing along the evanescent Savute channel in Chobe National Park. The camp is perched right on the bank of the channel, which somewhat erratically flows and is dry through other periods, save a few waterholes. This location ensures that a near-constant flow of wildlife streams past your front doorstep. The lodge provides a high level of service and privacy in a very popular region, as well as some expert guiding to help ensure you seeing what you came to see.

Kingsmead Guesthouse

Harare

14 Rooms

From $190 per person/night

The perfect rest stop on the way to the alluring wilderness of the bush.

Zimbabwe's capital is wistfully known as 'the garden city' for its jacaranda-lined streets and a sub-tropical climate. The fringes of Harare offer especially tranquil and secure accommodation, whilst also maintaining easy access to airports and other key urban offerings. Kingsmead Guesthouse is one of the best in a sprawling city that's filled to the brim with quaint suburban B&Bs. Located in the suburb of Borrowdale, it's a family-run affair and the excellent facilities and on-point service really make it stand out.

KK Beach

Galle

10 Rooms

From $290 per person/night

Equal in aesthetics & soul, KK Beach has everything needed for a top-notch summer holiday

In a sequestered spot along the south coast, KK Beach sits pretty just metres away from the silver sands. Every space at KK is styled to perfection with brazen paintings by Sri Lankan artists occupying the walls and a soft tones throughout the open-plan lounges - a relaxing place to enjoy a book and a chilled beverage. There is much to see and do as well, from very swimmable beaches and diving hotspots, to cinnamon plantation tours and bicycle rides down quiet Galle lanes. And, just a few steps across the well-manicured lawn will have you standing on the beach, where long, ambling walks are a given.

Samode Palace

Jaipur

43 Rooms

From $310 per person/night

Right at home in the 'Land of Kings', history and grandeur reigns at Samode Palace.

Tucked away in the Aravalli foothills, Samode Palace is regal in every way. With a rich history and guest list to match, Samode offers a touch of luxury surrounded by all the markings of a bygone era. Enveloped by greenery against a glimmering desert backdrop, Samode sits like a fortress on the hillside and looks the part too. With 475 years of history, every mosaic and room is something special - and you'll hear all about it on your palace tour. With the scenic town of Samode on your doorstep and the promise of attentive hospitality, you'll definitely want to spend more than one night at this grand hotel.

KajaNe Mua

Ubud

22 Rooms

From $70 per person/night

A well-positioned, all-villa resort in the beating heart of Ubud.

Ubud is known for its arts scene and pervasive spirituality, and Kajane Mua just happens to be set right in the heart of it all. But by no means does that mean it lacks in tranquillity and instead, you'll find an oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of central Ubud. And we wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to leave, especially once you've clapped eyes on your private villa and pool. It's the perfect spot to cool off for a while after venturing out to see Ubud's famous monkey sanctuary or exploring the sprawling art market.

Sovereign House

Madikwe

3 Rooms

From $1.5K per person/night

When a lodge has a name like Sovereign, you know you're in for a vacation in a million

Set against the Botswana border, close to the Kalahari Desert, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth-largest sanctuary in South Africa. It's also regarded as one of Africa's best, with excellent accommodation and even better wildlife. The newest addition to the Royal Madikwe portfolio, Sovereign House is palatial in size, but relaxed and homely, with three bedrooms, open-plan communal spaces, and plenty of room to sprawl. Beyond the windows and deck, the views are topographically diverse, from open grasslands and forests to the rocky Tshwene Tshwene hills. It's an ideal spot to spend some valuable private time with your loved ones.

Verdura Resort

Sicily

203 Rooms

From $580 per person/night

Abundant space, a working farm and genuine Sicilian soul on the island's quieter coast.

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.

Terra Luna Lodge

Carretera Austral South

30 Rooms

From $90 per person/night

A scenic lodge on the shores of Laguna General Carrera with endless chance for adventure.

Built along the shores of Laguna General Carrera, with the stunning Mount San Valentin standing like a sentinel in the distance, Terra Luna Lodge is entirely cloistered from the world. It isn't all wood and rocking chairs either, with specialty rooms including nests built in the treetops, a domed Igloo, and The Pirate, a boat-come-bungalow right beside the water. While you may be here for some peace and quiet, adventure is just around the corner too: the area is surrounded by sky-blue lakes, ice fields and glaciers that'll take your breath away whether you're hiking, riding horseback or flying overhead in a helicopter.

Walking Wild

Lewa Downs

4 Rooms

From $1.1K per person/night

Explore some of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing habitats, on foot

Take a walking safari into the magical Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and two Masai Community Conservation areas, Il Ngwesi and Lekurruki. These wildernesses cover some of the most stunning landscapes in Africa, places where the Big Five roam, plus specials such as reticulated giraffe, cheetah and Grevy's zebra. Led by Kenya's top professional guides, this five-day walk (you could go on for 15 days!) begins in Lewa, continues through Il Ngwesi and ends at Lekurruki, with all five star-studded nights spent in fly camps. Camels accompany this safari – and you can even hitch a ride where the terrain allows.

Dinaka Safari Lodge

Central Kalahari

8 Rooms

From $790 per person/night

An oasis for adventure-seekers in the heart of the ancient Kalahari.

Perfectly positioned in its own 200-square-kilometre game reserve on the northern border of Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Dinaka is where you want to be during the dry season, when the wildlife is easy to see and the permanent waterhole entices all species to drink. This popular camp has acquired new owners, and extensive refurbishments have made, making this an ideal destination for a wild Kalahari experience. Dinaka hosts one of the most unique biodiversities in southern Africa, with its ever-changing desert landscape and varied wildlife. There's so much to love about the Kalahari... It's a place for the soul.

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang

Nha Trang

74 Rooms

From $240 per person/night

A stellar seaside resort with amazing diving spots and views as peaceful as the atmosphere

The only beachfront resort on the entire island of Nha Trang, Evason has the monopoly on crystalline ocean views and the best diving spots amidst the darting marine life. Set up like a traditional Vietnamese village along the shore, the resort has two large pools, an over-the-water spa, and easy, exclusive access to the beach from every villa. There are adventurous excursions aplenty, from hikes into the jungle to white water rafting, but if you fancy reclining all day, pull up a lounger and tell them to keep the homemade ice cream coming. Did we mention that the island gets 250 days of sunshine a year?!

InterContinental Lusaka

Lusaka

117 Rooms

From $80 per person/night

Zambian hospitality in the heart Lusaka's professional district.

This lodge is currently closed until further notice. Though often treated as little more than a layover or transactional pit-stop, the bustling, chaotic, colourful Lusaka is on its way to becoming major hub of culture in southern Africa. Whether you're up to exploring or not, the InterContinental Lusaka makes for an easy stay in the capital. Within walking distance from a number of embassies and corporate offices, the hotel sits at the centre of this transforming city, and, rest assured that you'll be in good hands with top-notch facilities and on-the-ball staff who ensure your stay is seamless.

Tambopata Research Center Lodge

Tambopata

24 Rooms

From $980 per person/night

A former research centre that's perfect for a full immersion into the magic of the Amazon

The Tambopata Research Centre is one of the most treasured Amazon stays. Location within the Tambopata Nature Reserve in Peru’s southern Amazon, there's a 2.5-hour scenic boat trip into the jungle just to get to the lodge - but it’s worth it in every way. Once there, enjoy one a magical and completely immersive nature experience in a lodge celebrated for its role in conservation and research. Spot elusive local flora and fauna as the guides lead you through remote corners of the world’s most biodiverse rainforest, then head back to repose in comfort, jungle cocktail in hand.

Hobatere Lodge

Kaokoland

24 Rooms

From $170 per person/night

Off the beaten path, within close range to several Nambian gems.

Hobatere Lodge offers true locally-flavored hospitality, entirely owned and operated by members of the Damraland community of northern Namibia. Though the lodge is somewhat off the well-trod tourist path, it allows convenient access to many of Namibia's stunning wilderness regions: Twyfelfontein, Brandberg and Hoanib River, to name a few. It is set on a private concession where guided walks and drives can be undertaken on-site, though the most rewarding wildlife viewing will undoubtedly be within Etosha National Park, an extraordinary wilderness experience based around life-giving water holes. This is a great mid-range option for the adventurous self-driver that's big on personality, warmth and local-expertise.

Best Hotels & Lodges

Peninsula Petit Hotel

Khwai Lediba

Skeleton Coast Flying Safaris

Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel

Notten's Bush Camp

Bailey's Banda

Hotel Belvedere Bellagio

Linyanti Expeditions

Zannier Hotels Sonop

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira

Head over Hills

Usangu Expedition Camp

Grand Hotel Continental

Hotel Green Plaza

Casa Kalfu Boutique Hotel

Savute Safari Lodge

Kingsmead Guesthouse

KK Beach

Samode Palace

KajaNe Mua

Sovereign House

Verdura Resort

Terra Luna Lodge

Walking Wild

Dinaka Safari Lodge

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang

InterContinental Lusaka

Tambopata Research Center Lodge

Hobatere Lodge

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