Best Hotels & Lodges

This elegant country house is situated in a historical farming area of the friendly Eastern Cape. The special region, known as the Great Karoo, was once settler country, discovered by the Dutch in the late 1800s. The vast expanse of farmland, which previously supported dense herds of springbok and wildebeest, has once again been reclaimed for conservation. Settle into the lovingly restored homestead for a relaxing “bush” experience.

On a remote stretch of the Caprivi's floodplains, only accessible by boat.

One of the more remote locations for a safari, Chobe Savanna Lodge sits in Namibia's Caprivi Strip - a narrow wedge of land to Botswana's north that connects Namibia to Zambia. A privileged position indeed, this camp is only accessible via an hour's boat ride, launched from the town of Kasane in Botswana. (Getting here is half the adventure). Once you arrive you'll enjoy the 180-degree views from the lodge's exquisite main area overlooking a floodplain on the banks of the Chobe River. Here the wildlife and landscape are enjoyed almost exclusively from the boat (except when waters are low enough to take a guided walk on the floodplain - a very brief window of time). This place truly forces one to slow down.

Set on the chilly lap of Kongde Ri, surrounded by majestic mountains on all sides, Kongde Lodge is hours away from, and several thousand feet above, the closest bazaar. While the trail from Lukla all the way to Everest Base camp is dotted with hamlets, and busy with tourists and locals alike, the Kongde path—taken by Khumbu Sherpas in centuries past—offers a purer interaction: just you and the landscape.

On the Santa Rosa Pantanal Hotel property there are a variety of chalets and apartments that are offered to guests for a comfortable stay. These chalet options include: Chalet in the Woods, Farmhouse Chalet, River Chalet and Chalet by the Aquarium River - each designed to provide comfort, security, and tranquility to guests after they enjoy a day out exploring the Pantanal.

As the name might give away, this Marriot-managed hotel is just five minutes away from OR Tambo International Airport – and comes complete with a complimentary shuttle service from the terminal. Mostly used by travellers as a comfortable stopover on the way to other destinations in southern Africa, the hotel is well-equipped with all the amenities one might need, from an outdoor pool and spa, sauna and fitness area to a 24-hour restaurant, and good Wi-Fi. The hotel is also close to the Mall of Africa and the Eastgate Shopping Centre should you need to stock up on anything for your travels.

Skip the sand - The Naha Terrace is all about the city. Tucked into Shintoshin, Naha's business and shopping quarter, it's twenty minutes from the airport and built for guests who want Okinawa's capital, not its coastline. Rooms come with oversized windows and proper city views; go Club Floor and you'll have a guest relations officer and butler on call day and night. Three restaurants cover Japanese, Continental and teppanyaki, and the bar plays live jazz every evening (G&T optional). Six conference venues make it a solid pick for work trips too - Adan holds 460 theatre-style. There's a pool and a sauna for unwinding once the day's done. It won't give you turquoise water or powder-white beaches - for that, head to Busena or Uza - but for Naha itself, done well, this is it.

After a complete refurbishment and new ownership, Tulela is both a world away from modern life and thoroughly steeped in luxury – not excessive, but discreet and respectful of its natural surroundings. Discretely tucked in the trees on a bend in the seasonal Ntsiri River on the western edge of the Greater Kruger region, Tulela sits in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve (one of the largest privately owned sanctuaries in South Africa), at the heart of the country's most iconic wildlife area. See the Big Five along with the other major players – wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, and a host of birds.

Narina Lodge is an intimate retreat along the banks of the Sabie River, in the private Lion Sands concession in southern Kruger. It shares an unfenced border with the infamous Sabi Sand region, and the game viewing in this part of South Africa is, quite simply, outstanding. The lodge is beautifully positioned beneath centuries-old riverine trees, and with just nine ultra-luxurious suites, exclusivity is guaranteed. Safari activities are varied, with the freedom to follow the game off road, and explore after dark, but a real highlight is the opportunity to spend a night out in the bush, on a magical treehouse platform with only the stars for company.

Khaya Ndlovu is situated in the Khaya Ndlovu Game Reserve, surrounded by nature, yet a stone’s throw away from Hoedspruit, gateway to the greater Kruger - wildlife haven of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Khaya directly translates to 'home' or 'haven' in the isiZulu language, one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. It could not be more appropriate for what they represent. They offer a true home away from home experience, where you set the pace of your own holiday, working only to a time-lapse deadline! Offering a variety of rooms to accommodate any African safari traveller. The Leadwood Honeymoon suite is perfect for the romantic couple looking for a luxurious option or travellers that enjoy the finer things in life. The Acacia Family Suite is suitable for a family of 4 or a group of 4 adults who don't mind sharing a bathroom. There are 2 other suites inside the Manor House. There are also garden units available which offers incredible spacious options for any traveller needing to get away from it all. Game drives are conducted on the 5,500 hectare Rietspruit Game Reserve which is home to a huge variety of wildlife with wide-ranging views of the beautiful Drakensberg Mountain Range and Blyde River Canyon.