83 Best Hotels in South Africa

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

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 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.

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.

Bush Lodge overlooks a busy waterhole (lions are frequent visitors) and the dry course of the Msuthlu River. The thatch, open-sided dining area, observation deck, and pool all have magnificent views of game at the waterhole. Thatch suites are connected by walkways that weave between manicured lawns and beneath enormous shade trees where owls and fruit bats call at night. All have a deck overlooking the dry river course (where you may well see an elephant padding along) and outdoor and indoor showers. Roomy, comfortable chalets are Africa-themed, each with a personal wooden deck.

This avant-garde, eco-friendly lodge was the first to break away from the traditional safari style and strive for a contemporary theme. It's a luxurious cross between a Hopi cave dwelling and a medieval keep, but with modern touches. You won't spot your mud-domed suite, hidden from view by bush-covered hummocks, until you're practically at the front door. Rough-textured, dark brown walls encrusted with orange seeds and wisps of indigenous grasses cocoon the gorgeous suites which have a huge living area, a mega bedroom and bathroom, private verandah, and plunge pool. The dining boma, fashioned from branches, is lit at night by scores of flickering lanterns. A personal butler takes care of your every need, and there's a meditation garden.

Sabi Sabi's delightful little camp is tucked away in the bushveld on the banks of the Msuthlu River and combines spaciousness with a sense of intimacy. At night glowing oil lanterns lead you along a wooden walkway to your comfortable thatch-roof room or suite decorated in earthy tones of brown, cream, and white. After your action-packed morning game drive—during which you'll see game galore—and your delicious brunch, relax on your secluded wooden deck with plunge pool overlooking the bush, or go active and take a guided game walk with your armed ranger. In the evening dine out under the stars—if you're a city slicker, you may never have seen such bright ones.

If Ernest Hemingway had built his ideal home in the African bush, this would be it. From the moment you walk into the main lounge with its genuine antique furniture, leather chairs gleaming with the polish of years of use, old photographs and paintings, mounted game trophies, and hand-carved doors and windows, you'll be transported to Old Africa at its best. Your room gives exactly the same feel—beautiful antiques, a claw-foot bathtub, a four-poster bed, and a dressing room big enough to swing a leopard by the tail. Write in your journal at the antique desk or laze on your deck next to your private plunge pool and soak up the stunning views. The variety of interleading room suites makes this a top choice for intergenerational family safaris. 

Named for the nearby Lebombo mountain range, the breathtakingly beautiful Singita Lebombo—winner of numerous international accolades and eco-driven in concept—hangs on the edge of a cliff (inspired by eagle nests) with wooden walkways that connect the aptly named "lofts" (suites) seamlessly fusing the outdoor and indoor areas. Organic materials—wood, cane, cotton, and linen—are daringly juxtaposed with steel and glass. Service and food are superb and a cooking class (where local community members are trained) at the on-site culinary school (for a donation of R1,000) is not to be missed. Twice-daily game drives (dawn and late afternoon) in an open vehicle are led by a highly experienced and knowledgeable ranger. You can also take a bush nature walk or camp out under the stars. Among the privately operated areas within the boundaries of the park is the 37,000-acre N'wanetsi Concession in the park's extreme northeast. Here two lodges, Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni, are located at the confluence of the N'wanetsi and Sweni rivers (not to be confused with their sister Singita camps in Sabi Sand private reserve). The area was once the base for the park's foot and horse patrols, and until the building of the lodges, it had never been traversed by vehicles. Today it's home to the Big Five as well as zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, hippos, hundreds of bird species, and varied flora. A carbon-neutral levy has also been automatically included in every booking.

More intimate than its sister camp, Lebombo, but still smack in the middle of the 'Land of Lions', Sweni is built on wooden stilts with six huge river-facing suites glassed on three sides, wooden on the other. At night khaki floor-to-ceiling drapes divide the living area from the bedroom, with its king-size bed and its cascade of ceramic beads. Brown netting lampshades, cream mohair throws, and brown leather furniture enhance the natural feel and contrast boldly with the gleam of stainless steel in the living room and bathroom. You can relax in a wooden rocking chair on your large reed-shaded deck and watch game, or spend the night under the stars on a comfy, mosquito-net-draped mattress. The pool suite is more plush with its own bathing deck. 

This lovely secluded lodge, with the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains as a backdrop, lies in a 700-hectare (1,730-acre) nature reserve and is a perfect base for touring the battlefields, discovering the mountains and rock art, birding, or looking for big game. Choose between full board or self-catering accommodations in colonial-style chalets with all the modern conveniences. Take a battlefield tour with engaging owner-host and raconteur, Raymond Heron (or his son Alastair); enjoy a game drive where you could spot buffalo, giraffe, rhino, and antelope in the neighboring Spioenkop Nature Reserve; go on a birding safari (over 270 species to be spotted); and don’t miss a sundowner cruise on the peaceful dam.

Almost within soaking distance of the pounding surf, the setting at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp is nothing short of spectacular, making it a must-visit for international visitors. There’s an incredibly wide range of accommodations, including attractive seaside apartments called "oceanettes" that have fully outfitted kitchens. Handsome log cabins, referred to as “chalets,” are popular because they sit closest to the ocean. Forest huts are the cheapest option. There are plenty of activities like kayaking and snorkeling.

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. 

This gorgeous ultraluxurious lodge, sited under huge jackalberry and fig trees, overlooks a seasonal river, where game (elephants especially) come down to drink and bathe. Each suite is themed for one of the great African explorers, including Dr. Livingstone and Stanley, who would undoubtedly be amazed by such modern conveniences as air-conditioning, hair dryers, en suite bathrooms, and personal plunge pools. The suites are warmed by Persian rugs and honey-colored velvet chairs and ottomans. Dining is under the stars or in an elegant thatch dining room with open fireplace and sparkling chandelier. Stargaze by telescope, enjoy a spa treatment, visit a local Shangaan village, or, if you're both adventurous and romantic, opt for a moonlight sleep-out in the bush. There's also a Manor House that's rented out separately to private groups of six or more (it can accommodate 10).

If you're on a tight budget, this farm is the place to stay. There are no frills at these basic but comfortable cottages, but the surrounding mountain scenery is spectacular. It's also where all the climbers come to hang out when they've had enough of conquering the nearby rock faces and need to beef up with a burger. The best reason to stay though, is the Sevilla Rock Art Trail, which starts at Traveller's Rest. You can take a guided tour or explore on your own with a booklet that describes all the rock art on the farm. The restaurant is open daily and has a menu of traditional dishes like bobotie, eland stew, and chicken curry.

If you're a small family or a bunch of friends and want to have a genuine, very exclusive, out-of-Africa experience, then stay at this restored 1905 colonial farmhouse. There are three spacious en suite bedrooms with balconies furnished in early Settlers style, albeit with contemporary enhancements, and you'll have your own tracking and guiding team, plus a dedicated chef. The game-viewing experience is excellent, and you'll have memorable moments sitting around a blazing log fire as you swap fireside tales in the evening. Try one of Kwandwe's specialist safaris that range from learning about carnivore research to walking trails and excursions revealing the colorful past of this area, which is steeped in cultural, military, and archaeological history.

Londolozi's largest camp, centered on a thatch A-frame lodge that houses a dining room, sitting areas, and lounge, has been around for more than nine decades and is the very soul and center of Londolozi. Meals are served on a broad wooden deck that juts over the riverbed and under an ancient jackalberry tree. The thatch rondawels, which were the Varty family's original hunting camp, now do duty as a library, a wine cellar, and an interpretive center, where you can listen to history and ecotourism talks—don't miss the Londolozi Leopard presentation. If you're looking for romance, have a private dinner on your verandah and go for a moonlight dip in your own plunge pool. In suites, the pool leads right to the riverbed. All rooms are decorated in African ethnic chic—in creams and browns and with the ubiquitous historic family photographs and documents—and have great bushveld views. Families are welcome (children must be over six), and the fascinating kids' programs should turn any couch potato into an instant wannabe ranger. Then there's the unique Healing House wellness center on-site. This is no typical spa massage parlor, instead offerings include wilderness walking and ancient forms of sound therapy.

If you can't make it to Kgalagadi, stay a few nights in a three-bedroom chalet or a simple bungalow at this beautiful lodge, owned by the provincial government and situated in the southern Kalahari within the 3,500-hectare (8,650-acre) Witsand Nature Reserve at the foot of the Langberg Mountains. Decent thatch-and-stone accommodations sit in thick bush under large camel-thorn tree, and the lodge blends in well with the reserve, which covers vast white dunes, up to 200 feet high and stretching across an area 9 km (6 miles) long and 4 km (2½ miles) wide. In hot and dry conditions, you can experience "roaring sands"—dunes that produce a deep hum when walked on (as the sand moves, air escapes, producing a vibration). Although not easily seen in their natural state, fulgerites, glassy gray tubes reconstituted from melted silica that was struck by lightning, are on display at the information center, as are 500-year-old ostrich eggs that were buried by Bushmen. The variously sized lodgings sleep between two and six people and have self-catering facilities and outside fire areas; you can rent bicycles and sand dune boards, and there are 4x4 trails to explore, for which a fee is payable.

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 thatch cottages overlook a busy waterhole, and you'll be looked after by the camp's personal ranger, host, butler, and chef. Children are welcome.

Accommodations at this small, family-operated game reserve are in luxury tents under the shade of the indigenous camel-thorn trees, with each intimate and secluded tent including a viewing deck overlooking a water hole. The former farm was bought in 1991 by wildlife veterinarian Dr. Johan Kriek, who has developed it as a breeding area for rare antelope species, and the reserve opened its gates to the public only in 2006. It offers 36 different species, including the rare roan antelope and sable antelope, across 4,856 acres of privately owned land. Game-capture tours are also available, as are fly-in bushveld dinners and game-viewing from quad bikes. Facilities include a fully licensed bar, restaurant, pool, mobile spa, and its own helicopter airstrip and helipad; airport shuttle service can be provided from Kimberley. Day visitors are also allowed and encouraged, so you don't necessarily have to stay here.

This secluded and charming resort on the peninsula is great for families, as well as popular for small conferences and events. Thatched-roof log cottages sit in an indigenous milkwood forest overlooking a nature reserve and the white sands of Noordhoek Beach. Options include suites or self-catering cottages with either two or three bedrooms, and fully equipped kitchens. Most cottages also have large balconies, many with sea views. All accommodations share a rustic log-cabin aesthetic and are attractive and tidy with cottage-style furniture. Some have fireplaces and pretty Victorian bathrooms. An on-site restaurant serves three meals a day and is popular with locals for Sunday lunch. Children's programs for all ages can be arranged on request.

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.