Best Hotels & Lodges

Staying at Hotel Onda Verde means immersing yourself in the colours and scents of the Amalfi Coast, fascinated by the beautiful nature and getting lost in a glowing sunset over the sea.

Praiano sits roughly seven kilometres from both Positano and Amalfi, but stays mercifully out of their crowds. Hotel Onda Verde is built into the cliff here — five former villas, 25 sea-view rooms with hand-painted Vietri tiles, and a pool tucked among terraced gardens. The Milano family runs it, and it shows in the welcome. A path drops to La Praia's pebble beach below, and a small jetty makes water taxis to Positano and Capri delightfully easy.

The quintessential bush camp, Luwi occupies an enviable location in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park. Aside from sister camp Nsolo, Luwi is the only camp in the area and activities focus on walking through the untouched and pristine bush. With the nearby lagoon drawing animals from the surrounding plains there is never a shortage of wildlife to discover and the birdlife is an ornithologist’s dream. Quite simply, Luwi is secluded luxury at its best and a stay here is intimate and very, very exclusive.

White sandy beaches, turquoise water, balmy weather and unrivalled land-and-underwater excursions are some of the reasons visitors flock to the Seychelles. The luxurious Eden Bleu Hotel is situated on Eden Island, a residential marina development connected to mainland Mahé by bridge. Eden Bleu offers easy access to spectacular beaches, a marine reserve, boating excursions and neighbouring islands. A few days at Eden Bleu -with its modern finishes, rim pool and views of super yachts - will leave you feeling like royalty. This is a holiday that combines exquisite natural beauty with pampering fit for a queen.

Named after Zanzibar's local moniker, Spice Island, the resort is a collection of over-the-water bars, thatched bungalows and a dazzling white coastline. Set in a tropical garden of fragrant shrubs and scarlet flamboyant trees, Spice Island Hotel isn't far from Jambiani Beach, a top spot for kitesurfing and snorkelling. Walk along the jetty to nose out a cocktail (you can even jump straight into the sea from the bar!) or relax with a book by the pool. Zip over to Zanzibar's Old Town for a taste of the island's history or simply soak up all the 'vitamin sea' you can.

Nestled amongst a lush grove of trees in the 200,000-hectare Xudum Concession of the Delta, Mokolwane feels like the only camp around for miles. It's a real wildlife haven — NatGeo filmmaker Brad Bestelink has even based himself here — and the area boasts impressive numbers of leopard (the third highest density in Africa) and elephant who love to snack on the abundance of palm nuts, berries and wild fig. The camp is simply but beautifully designed with the ultimate goal of framing the stunning views of the Okavango Delta beyond.

Located in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg’s newest developing suburb, the modern African Pride Melrose Arch is an urban traveller’s ideal stopover. Whether you’re visiting for work or pleasure, this trendy inner city stay is the perfect base from which you can explore this vibrant city, or host formal business lunches. Head to the library bar for a game of snooker, or watch movies and presentations in the fully equipped sound room. Enjoy the excellent dishes offered at the recently refurbished March Restaurant, where the Slow Food menu, made with the freshest of local produce, offers something delicious for everyone.

This exclusive lodge is tucked away within the Timbavati Private Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger Park, and with just five luxury suites, makes a classy choice for families or small groups of friends. It holds a commanding position on a rocky ridge, with stunning views over the surrounding wilderness. This was once a family home, and personal touches are evident in the quirky décor and African artwork throughout. In this scenically beautiful game-rich area you’ll be treated to some exciting viewing, and the chance to explore on foot with highly trained guides and trackers is to be recommended.