Best Hotels & Lodges

Clear customs in Nairobi and within 45 minutes you can be out in the bush amongst a myriad of birdlife and four of the Big Five. Positioned on the edge of Nairobi National Park, surrounded by acacia trees, the Emakoko is a firm favourite with those not quite ready to face civilisation after their holiday. Unpretentious and simple but with all the comforts hosts Anthony and Emma go out of their way to make sure you are looked after. With easy game viewing on your doorstep and a host of activities available this is a gem of lodge.

Rhino Plains Camp is a small, pioneer-style bush camp in a 12,000-hectare private concession within the central Kruger National Park. Nestled in an acacia thicket overlooking the broad Timbitene plain and a waterhole that attracts numerous wild animals such as rhino, buffalo, giraffe, elephant and lion. This is the camp to visit if you're interested in exploring the bush on foot. It has a charming atmosphere of a early naturalist’s rest base, with elegant furnishings consisting of family heirlooms, polished brass and silver. For the environmentally conscious you'll be pleased to know that it's also eco-friendly.

A new addition to Lamu Island's coastline, the low-key but charming Cabanas are a sublime destination for couples and honeymooners looking to kick off their shoes and indulge in some barefoot bliss and good food. The Cabanas are located on the more remote southwestern tip of the island, just a few kilometres from the living Swahili museum that is Lamu town, and are set amidst coconut and doum palms, with some indigenous woodland and picturesque sand dunes. With only crabs and migrant seabirds for company, you and your beloved can wander the vast, secluded shoreline undisturbed.

If tree-lined streets and sunshine-dappled gardens are your cup of tea, then the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg's affluent suburb of Sandhurst is for you. Every bit of your stay will exude indulgence, from the delectable meals and scrumptious afternoon teas to the relaxing spa and comfortable suites and villas. Enjoy evening or morning walks around the 10 acres of beautiful gardens and, when you've had about as much relaxation as you can handle, head to the stylish Olive Bar for sundowner cocktails and a laugh with friends.

Thanda Tented Camp will be closed from January 2021 for the foreseeable future At Thanda Tented Camp, it’s nature all the way and a truly authentic safari experience. After the sun sets in a red glow, you’ll wine and dine around a crackling bonfire. Then, once night falls and you fall asleep to the distant cries of howling jackals, the only thing separating you from a galaxy of shining stars is the canvas of your safari tent. Wake to the dawn chorus of a thousand birds as you enjoy a steaming coffee, before heading into the reserve to watch South Africa’s wildlife in action – and of course, to fall in love with the bush.

The Farmstead at Royal Malewane is an exceptional new addition to the eclectic collection of lodges and hotels that fly the Royal Portfolio Collection banner. It occupies an elevated perch in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary that shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, across which animals spill in great numbers. Just 12 kilometres away is Royal Malewane, one of the most prestigious lodges in the country. The Farmstead offers the very best in accommodation – perfect for honeymooners and visitors who can afford its exclusivity. Once you're there, expect five-star accommodation, cuisine, guiding and wildlife.

Kambaku Safari Lodge lies within the Timbavati Game Reserve on the western, unfenced border of South Africa's much-loved Kruger National Park. The 540-square-mile amalgamation of private reserves offers an exclusive game-viewing experience that is far less-crowded than the adjacent National Park. It is also home to the infamous white lion population, thanks to a naturally-occuring recessive gene which gives the lions their pale, pearly coat. Besides the spectacular, undulating terrain, ranging from savanna bushveld to various kinds of woodland, the region offers potential sightings of the Big Five, as well as wild dog, cheetah, and plenty of other animals.