23 Best Hotels in KwaZulu-Natal and Durban, South Africa

Connected via a series of wooden boardwalks (all the better to keep you out of the hippo highways), Makakatana Bay Lodge comprises elegant Zen forest cottages and access to the western shores of Lake St Lucia. The bright, light suites have sliding mesh doors that invite the dune forest inside, while the outdoor bath will likely draw you out from the tranquil sanctuary. It's a classy base to explore the ecologically diverse UNESCO World Heritage site via land on game drives (expect to see giraffe, zebra, buffalo, perhaps a rhino or furtive leopard) and adventurous water-based outings, such as lake cruises or a full day at the beach to enjoy a swim and snorkel in the Indian Ocean.  

Hidden in a rare sand forest, this fabulous lodge overlooks a small water hole where nyalas, warthogs, and baboons frequently come to drink. A real departure from traditional safari lodges with a unique "Zulu Zen" feel bringing the worlds of the Zulu and Japanese together with finesse, thanks to glass-paneled walls, light woods, and a deliberately spare, clean look. Suites use the same architectural concepts as the lodge, where walls have become windows, and rely on the dense forest (or drapes) for privacy. It's ideal for spotting the bird rarities (such as the African broadbill) of this unusual biome. Visit their new wine cellar or gallery space, or watch the stars from the new firepit, or hop on an e-bike tour through the forest.

Made of thatch, teak, and glass, with a distinctly Asian feel, your suite, tucked into the shade of a sand forest overlooking a marshland on the edge of an inviting woodland, is so private you'll find it hard to believe there are other guests. The bedrooms and romantic bathrooms are huge, and each has a private plunge pool and outdoor deck. Keep an eye open for game roaming close to your room. The lounge-living area of the lodge has a dining area, and a large terrace under a canopy of trees, where breakfast is served. The bush braai, with its splendid food and fairy-tale setting, is a memorable occasion after an evening game drive.

Perched upon a hillside, the park's only four-star private lodge underwent a complete refurbishment in 2023 and still commands breathtaking views across the park with each airy abode featuring glass sliding doors that enjoy those expansive views; the luxury bush villas offer the best value with private plunge pools, a romantic bath big enough for two, and cozy fireplaces for when that moody Zululand mist rolls in. The safari outfit is a joint venture between the National Empowerment Fund and the local Mphembeni community who own the land on which the lodge is built. People from the community have been trained to work in various departments and now constitute 97% of the lodge staff. The variety of activities available is quite impressive—from traditional Zulu homestays to expert-led wildlife walks and spa treatments overlooking the watering hole. Special kid-focused safari drives are also available for children under 6 years.

This intimate and traditional safari camp enjoys a sublime forested setting aflutter with birdsong inside the southern stretch of the Manyoni Game Reserve. Sleeping a maximum of ten at any given time, all attention is on the guest experience and every day holds a special surprise (not to be spoiled and revealed here, dear reader). On return from drives or nature walks, a sumptuous off-the-grid guest tent with its own private pool and wide wraparound veranda awaits. Inside, a clawfoot bath begs for bubbles and the romantically draped four-poster bed dominates the romantic space. Although exceptionally plush luxuries (like Wi-Fi) never overshadow nature, the camp seamlessly couples modern comforts with the environment. Mornings commence with your guide around the open fire, all amenities are biodegradable, and everything runs off the camp's solar farm. It will come as no surprise then, to learn that the family-owned operation is run by passionate conservationists.

Dramatically sited, this lovely beach lodge just a stone's throw from the sea has air-conditioned, thatched suites decorated in chic Robinson Crusoe style with wooden floors, reed interior walls, cane and wooden furniture, gorgeous bathrooms with sea views, and personal decks looking out over rolling coastal dunes and the blue Indian Ocean. Opt for a deluxe ocean-view suite with a private plunge pool under the Milkwood trees, if you can. You'll dine outside on delicious creative food on wooden sea-facing decks or in the cozy restaurant, and you'll be amazed at just how hungry the sea air makes you. Take a walk along the beach with you to the point, where at low tide, you can float among the rock pools. If you've never snorkeled, then now is your chance. Go for sundowners to Lake Sibaya, South Africa's largest, freshwater lake, and spot slumbering hippos. Take a guided walk through the dune forest around the lodge, or go diving to the pristine reefs offshore.

This quaint little Victorian lodge is run by a safari- and mountain-guide couple who follow Fair Trade, sustainability, and social ethics, and also offer guided walks and activities. It lies in the lee of the infamous Spioenkop hill, site of one of the bitterest battles of the South African (Anglo-Boer) War. Choose a cozy en suite Victorian cottage overlooking a secret game-filled valley, set against a magnificent mountain backdrop, or one of three delightful self-catering lodges (Kiplings is particularly geared to little ones, with games and bunk beds). Check out the amazing original memorabilia throughout the lodge—there's even a copy of one of Winston Churchill's paintings of the area when he was a war correspondent here. Even if you're not into military history, a morning's visit to the top of Spioenkop and its mass grave with a knowledgeable guide, may well have you in tears. Reserve the new wine cellar for an intimate evening dinner and top-notch South African wine tasting. 

This is an exclusive yet unpretentious genuine health hydro, set in one of the province's prettiest locations, only an hour's drive from Durban, and five hours from Johannesburg. A haven of tranquility, you'll stay in one of 17 rooms or 5 suites clustered round tree- and bird-filled courtyards, relax on the wraparound decks that overlook the indigenous forest, pamper your body with all sorts of treatments, float around in two large pools (outdoor and indoor) and eat healthy, delicious food—this is definitely not a one-lettuce-leaf place. Amazingly, however, even with the great food, guests do lose weight as they de-stress. Attend interesting lectures, go for lovely early morning forest walks, or go shopping on the Midlands Meander.

This property enjoys an enviable position at the northern tip of Umhlanga, surrounded by the wilds of the Hawaan Forest and overlooking the unspoiled wetlands of Umhlanga Lagoon. Of all the resorts in Umhlanga, this one suffers the least from crowds, but the disadvantage is that you'll probably need a car to get into town, and you can't swim directly in front of the resort because the surf's too dangerous. The satisfactory rooms have fully equipped kitchens and great views of the beach and lagoon. The lovely grassed pool area, where you can order breakfast, lunch, and supper from on-site Harry's Beach Club, has a beautiful view of the sea.

Set in a 5,000-acre natural heritage site, this attractive lodge lies just a couple of miles from the famous battle site of Rorke's Drift and overlooks the drift where survivors of the British defeat at Isandlwana fled across the Buffalo River. Rooms are individual cottages that open onto gardens, with fireplaces and wood furniture. Rent a room in a cottage or the whole cottage, depending on your group size. The focal point of the lodge is the lounge and dining room, evocatively decorated with old rifles, British regimental flags, Zulu spears, and antique military prints. Battlefield tours with experienced guides cost R1,560 per person for two sites, transport, and refreshments.

Located in the Hluhluwe half of the park, the camp's self-contained chalets have high thatched ceilings, rattan furniture, and small verandas. Unless you plan to cook, forgo the more expensive chalets with fully equipped kitchens and eat at the restaurant. If you're on a tight budget, opt for a basic rondavel with two beds, a basin, and a refrigerator; toilet facilities are communal. Chalets with best views are No. 40 upward. A restaurant, pub, convenience store, and a gas station are on-site.

In the central iMfolozi section of the park, Mpila is reminiscent of some of Kruger's older camps with lodging options that range from basic but fully equipped one-room chalets with en suite bathroom, kitchenette, and deck, to three-bedroom cottages (these come with a cook who will prepare the food you've brought with you), self-catering chalets, and the Safari Tented camp, with two- and four-bed self-catering tents with en suite bathrooms. Three luxurious lodges with resident chef and ranger are also available. Gas is available, but you can only buy curios and sodas at the camp shop, so stock up with groceries before you arrive.

Log cabins simply decorated in ocean tones of white and blue lie on a dune ridge ensconced by coastal forest regularly visited by little duiker antelope and trumpeter hornbills. The self-catering or bed-and-breakfast cottages twist around the central restaurant hub, which is open all day, every day for milkshakes, pizza, burgers, breakfasts, and seafood platters. If nothing else, don't miss a cocktail on the sunset deck. The wide, quiet beach is accessed via a wooden staircase, and there's the Amoray dive center on-site for exploring the underwater wilds of Sodwana Bay.

Complete with a dedicated butler, chef, ranger, and tracker, this property is the only sole-use safari villa on the reserve and the most contemporary designer-chic of all the stays. Warm ochre hues and beautiful basketry thread through all four remarkable suites uniting them to the swanky main area, where every thoughtful interior element honors the area. Nguni cowhides, Zulu crafts (even the marble basins in the four bathrooms are shaped like traditional pots) and traditional beadwork, plus pineapple motifs and railway sleeper cladding celebrate this special reserve and its astonishing story of wilderness resurrection and successful community collaboration. Ideal for both families and small groups, The Homestead has an interactive kitchen (great for kids), library, and a gym. The boma, firepit, and an infinity-edge pool bordered by a sundeck all overlook the well-frequented water hole.

This attractive thatched lodge (the first built at Phinda) sits on a rocky hill overlooking miles of bushveld plains and the Ubombo Mountains. Wide verandas lead into the lounge and bar, with their high ceilings, dark beams, and cool tile floors. In winter guests can snuggle into cushioned wicker chairs next to a blazing log fire. Brick pathways wind down the hillside from the lodge to elegant suites with plunge pools, thatched roofs, and large decks overlooking the reserve. Children are welcome and will have a blast on the "Wild Child Progamme" or crafting, baking, and playing with designated staff in the playroom. (Only children from six years and older are permitted on game drives, unless you hire a private vehicle or book a family package safari). There's a state-of-the-art gym plus massage therapists available on-site for unwinding between safari activities. 

Ideal for honeymooners or romantic solitude, this turreted lodge feels like it's dropped from a Moroccan movie set. If you get tired of the eagle's-eye view of the deep valley below from your private verandah, you can write in your journal in the luxurious sitting room or take a late-night dip in your own private plunge pool. All of Phinda's activities are included—twice-daily game drives and nature walks. Scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and spectacular small-plane flights are extras. Don't miss out on one of Phinda's legendary bush dinners: hundreds of lanterns light up the surrounding forest and bush, and the food is unforgettable.

Designed as an exclusive, single-use lodge for a family or small group of friends, Zuka (zuka means "sixpence" in Zulu) is a couple of miles from the bigger lodges and can now be booked per room. Luxuriously furnished thatched cottages overlook a busy waterhole, and you'll be looked after by the camp's personal ranger, host, butler, and chef. Children are welcome.

In the heart of the lush KwaZulu Natal Midlands, this lakeside English cottage–style hotel offers lawn tennis, walking trails, a distillery, and a brewery, with beers best enjoyed at the Boars Head Pub.

Tucked away in the Maputaland Coastal Forest, with glorious unspoiled beaches, this lovely lodge is perfect for families, though it's great for individual travelers and honeymooners, too. The Maputaland Marine Reserve is just offshore, so if you're a diver, a snorkeler, a birder, or just a potential beach bum, you'll be in seaside heaven. Tented rooms have reed walls, wooden floors and viewing decks, and are raised on stilts, as are the public areas, to overlook the bird-filled forest. Seven of the rooms are designed for families. Activities abound, including forest walks, world class diving with qualified instructors, superb snorkeling off the beach—just walk into the Indian Ocean—and turtle tracking.

This exquisite lodge blends elements of royal Zulu with an eclectic pan-African feel evident in the thatched, turreted dwellings perched on the side of rolling hills that overlook mountains and bushveld. Inside, contemporary Scandinavian touches meet African chic and communal areas are decorated with beading, leather, wood and splashes of royal red. A huge stone fireplace divides the bedroom area from the comfortable and roomy lounge, while outside there's a personal plunge pool, private deck, and cushioned sala (outdoor covered deck). Dine on a superb meal with other guests or alone in your private boma under the stars. The spa is ultra-indulgent and there is a great variety of activities on offer. 

Perfect for a family or friends' reunion (although it's great for individual travelers, too), this intimate and luxurious eco-forward camp deep in the bush brings you into close contact with your surroundings. You might wake up in your spacious safari tent with en suite bathroom and private verandah to find a warthog or nyala grazing outside. The camp has its own vehicle, ranger, and tracker, and a huge sala with pool and sundeck. Jabula (meaning "happiness" in isiZulu) Tent is the ultimate bush honeymoon getaway. This is a great value, immersive bush experience and passionate guides deliver in-depth knowledge of the ecosystem rather than chase down Big Five sightings. 

Smack in the middle of Royal Natal National Park west of Bergville, amid some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Drakensberg, this very affordable popular camp makes a great base for hikes into the mountains. One of the closest resorts to the high Drakensberg escarpment, Thendele offers accommodation across a variety of bungalows, cottages, and chalets and one 6-bed lodge all with excellent views of the Amphitheatre, a sheer rock wall measuring 5 km (3 miles) across and more than 1,500 feet high. Bring all your own food, although you can buy staples and local trout at the main visitor center. 

If you find Shakaland too commercial, then consider delving into Zulu culture at this small settlement in a remote valley of Zululand, 60 km (37 miles) from Babanango. Simunye's introduction to traditional Zulu culture extends to contemporary Zulu lifestyles, too. Park at Depart Point and access the camp by a very bumpy road on horseback or 4x4—the views are breathtaking. You'll watch Zulu dancing, visit a working kraal, and meet the locals. Rooms, built of stone and thatch, are a mix of Zulu and pioneer cultures, with locally handmade wooden beds and chairs and decorated with Zulu cooking pots and cow-skin rugs. All the rooms have electricity and hot water. The dining room and bar overlook the quietly flowing Mfule River.