Best Hotels & Lodges

Kluges Guest Farm is a serene, owner-operated eco-lodge nestled on 70 acres of lush tropical forest and botanical gardens just south of Fort Portal, Uganda. Originally established as a commercial farm, it has been transformed into a tranquil retreat featuring ten self-contained bungalows and cottages that offer stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains. The property emphasizes sustainability and farm-to-table dining, with its restaurant, Ggava Mukulya, serving fresh meals made from home-grown vegetables and daily-baked bread. Ideally located for nature enthusiasts, the farm serves as a gateway to major attractions like Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking, the Semuliki forest, and the "Mountains of the Moon," while offering on-site amenities such as a swimming pool, nature trails, and vibrant birdwatching opportunities.

Although it is a newly-minted addition to Tanzania's Tarangire National Park, Honeyguide Tarangire Camp has the feel of an old yet luxury classic. The tented camp is owned by safari giants who have intimate, well-honed knowledge of the industry. Everything about the camp has been chosen with care, from the expert guides to the sensational menu to the plush mattresses. Set in a grove of umbrella thorns with views of the vast savanna, it enjoys an ideal vantage in the wilderness. Is it too soon to say it? Honeyguide has all the makings of a legendary camp...

Overlooking the largest private garden in Europe just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Florence, the fragrance of plants and a blissful quiet fills the air. The result of a collaboration between the architect Francesco Maestrelli, with interior design by Matteo Perduca and his brother Marco, this Florentine gem is home to 16 rooms in the Oltrarno area south of the Arno river – the most artisanal and authentic Florentine district. Squares, museums, churches, shops and restaurants are all at a walking distance from this secret hideaway beyond the busy tourist streets.

Ulusaba Safari Lodge will be closed for an exciting refurbishment from 26 January 2026 and reopening on 1 December 2026.

The hill on which Ulusaba Private Game Reserve's lodge sits provided the ancient Shangaan warriors with the perfect lookout point. 'The place of little fear' was therefore the perfect name for this famed stretch of bushveld. Today, the Safari Lodge offers a different kind of adventure. Located on the edge of a dry river and under a canopy of ancient trees, you'll take rope swing bridges between rooms and watch thirsty animals skirt by your deck on their way to the nearby waterhole. Alternatively, retreat to the treehouse to get lost in birdsong.

With a strict limit on the number of lodges allowed in the beautiful NamibRand Nature Reserve, it’s not often that a new one appears on the books. But here is Kwessi Dunes Lodge, once a traditional Namibian farm and now 10 cool and quirky chalets, which opened to guests in March 2020. Set smack bang in the middle of the 200,000-hectare reserve, there’s plenty to get your teeth into – we hear tales of nature drives and walks, quad bike explorations, hot air balloon flights, Sossusvlei trips and plenty of opportunities to spot desert-adapted wildlife. Add to that a lovely-looking lodge and a team that knows exactly what they’re doing when it comes to top-notch safaris (and air conditioning and a swimming pool).

As one of the few geographically elevated areas in Botswana, Ghoha Hills Lodge takes full advantage of its sweeping views over the surrounding Savute landscape. The lodge's remote location in this popular region makes for a more exclusive overall experience. Some of the best game viewing areas on offer are about an hour's drive away, but when the Savute Marsh is showing its full colours, it's well worth travelling across the world for. Hit it at its peak and you'll see things to rival the Serengeti. And the lodge provides all the luxury and relaxation you could want when you're away from the action.

Nestled along the crystalline waters of the Bay of Mazzarò, this century-old residence whispers tales of aristocratic summers past while offering thoroughly modern indulgences. Dating from 1919, when a noble family built their dream escape amid subtropical gardens, the property retains that unmistakable ambience of a private coastal villa rather than a hotel. The secluded shoreline setting creates a haven of tranquility, yet adventure lies just moments away via the cable car that whisks you up to the cultural treasures and boutique-lined streets above. It's the perfect harmony of isolation when desired and accessibility when needed – a rare combination that keeps devotees returning year after year.

Kifaru House, a gorgeous sprawl of thatch, windows and light, is an exclusive-use lodge in the heart of the privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, itself in Kenya's geographical centre. The house takes its name from the Swahili word for rhino, and indeed the reserve is home to both black and white species. All the Big Five are present, along with plentiful other game and some awe-inspiring landscapes and vistas. The house, which combines colonial style with modern comforts, is perched on a hill with 360-degree views. It's the perfect spot for a private safari group of up to 12 guests.