316 Best Hotels in South Africa

Overlooking False Bay lake and the Hluhluwe River floodplain—follow signs from Hluhluwe village—this fantastic-value, family-owned lodge is the ideal base for visiting the game reserves and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. After a day spent game-viewing, canoeing, bird-watching, mountain biking, boating, fishing, or walking in the pristine sand forest, relax in your comfortable A-frame chalet or sit on your wooden deck overlooking the bush, the floodplain, and the lake. This lodge is the only one with direct access to the lake, but water activities are dependent on the seasonal rains. The food is excellent—wholesome country cooking. There are two family chalets available and children three and under stay free.

On the edge of a forested gorge with the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the background, this lovely lodge puts you close to many of the Garden Route's most popular attractions. You will be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave your room, however, with its private verandah and stunning views. Dinners (available for guests only) featuring local seafood and venison are sociable affairs taken around a huge table in the main house. Breakfasts are enjoyed outdoors on the patio. An energetic one-hour walk through the forest will bring you to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. The lodge is conscientious about environmental and social issues, hiring and training staff from the local community.

This delightful, value-priced camp owned and operated by Honeyguide is situated on both sides of a riverbed within Manyeleti Private Game Reserve. Simply designed and built of corrugated iron and wood, the large public areas overlook green lawns leading to the pool and outside bar. There's a private space in front of each of the 12 platform tents (all with modern conveniences and en suite bathrooms) to chill out and take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding bush. As part of the Children's Safari activities, kids can make clay footprints, learn about the little bugs and critters they see on their guided walks, play soccer, swim, relax in the playroom, and then dig into a special kids' menu.

This tented camp, built on wooden platforms, minimalist but with surprising luxury touches (owned and operated by Honeyguide within Manyeleti Private Game Reserve), gives you the total bush experience at half the price of some of the more upscale lodges. Designed to reflect Hemingway's Africa, it sits in a tamboti grove overlooking a dry riverbed. You'll feel very close to the bush (but quite safe and secure) in your large, comfortable tent with its leather couch and en suite bathroom with concrete bath, double shower, and separate toilet. Tea or coffee is served in your tent at dawn, and meals are served communal style in a big safari tent around a long wooden table in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. Spot game as you lounge on the swimming pool deck, or browse in the temperature-controlled wine cellar. No children under 12, but children are allowed at its sister camp, Khoka Moya.

Tranquil and intimate with only four rooms, this owner-managed guesthouse tucked away in a lush neighborhood setting is perfect for those seeking peace and privacy. All rooms are individually and beautifully decorated with original antiques and artwork, and enjoy views of either the garden or surrounding mountains. Kitchenette facilities in all rooms are a nice touch, as is the option of breakfast on your balcony. An outdoor bath surrounded by indigenous trees and overlooking the small saltwater, solar-heated pool is a great plus. The Bay View and Sentinel both offer a bit of a sea view; the garden apartment is very spacious and the only room that accommodates children.

Just 10 minutes from town, this tranquil property is set amid gardens that descend into a forested valley. The heart of the lodge is an old farmstead, a lovely thatch building with low beams and large fireplaces. Guest rooms are in cottages with their own fireplaces and verandahs. Three suites have private plunge pools. Tasteful antiques grace the rooms, and clawfoot tubs are the centerpiece of many of the gigantic bathrooms. Most guests eat at the hotel's excellent table restaurant, which brings a French touch to local South African produce. There's also the option of eating at Zinzi's, a separate restaurant on the grounds. The Summer House, in the garden, is open for tea, lunch, and early dinner in summer. The lodge is very child-friendly, making it one of the few places where you don't have to sacrifice sophistication for family accommodations.

This Hyatt Regency hotel is trendy and opulent, with lots of black, gold, and glass and enormous picture windows revealing stunning views of the northern suburbs. Local art lines the walls in discreetly lighted passageways, and there's an ultramodern restaurant, a wine bar, and a solar-heated pool on the roof. Sunday brunch is a favorite with guests and local families, and the lobby café serves coffee and light meals. The hotel is adjacent to Rosebank's major shopping malls.

This reasonably priced inn in an Edwardian villa is a pleasant stroll away from charming Kalk Bay's numerous restaurants, antiques shops, and seaside. Some of the spacious rooms enjoy wonderful views over False Bay, and all are individually decorated in keeping with the villa's era. Beautifully decorated public spaces filled with (slightly dusty) antiques, and a large verandah and pleasant courtyard provide numerous places to relax with a good book. Though breakfast is provided only at a neighboring inn at an extra charge, you may prefer to explore Kalk Bay's many cafés and find your own option. Be sure to ask for a room that opens onto the verandah.

A few paces from international arrivals and adjacent to the car-rental companies and bus terminal, this is a good choice for those who have a one-night layover. The InterContinental is very comfortable and upscale, with a chic African interior of warm woods and granite. Those who spend a few nights here do so for the business and meeting facilities and proximity to industrial areas, though it's also a quick 12-minute ride on the high-speed Gautrain into the center of Sandton from the airport. Rooms are soundproof and have blackout curtains, and the eighth-floor heated pool, gym, and spa offers jet-lag-specific treatments. There are great runway views from the gym and pool. The Quills Restaurant and Bar on the ground level serves meals 24 hours.

This lodge within the iSibindi Eco Reserve, 9 km (4 miles) from Rorke's Drift, combines game-viewing and Zulu cultural experiences with battlefield tours led by excellent local guides and historians. Enjoy early-morning and evening game drives, and cultural evenings with traditional Zulu dancers and traditional food. Visit the village across the river where the sangoma (traditional healer) will "throw the bones" for you and read your fortune. Rooms are in Zulu-style elevated beehive huts with private decks, which have lovely views of hill and valley. An attractive lounge and bar area shows off African prints and Zulu artifacts, and an outdoor bar and sunken pool share the views.

The two lodges that make up Jaci's Lodges are family-owned and have a longstanding reputation for friendliness, superb game drives, and comfortable accommodations. They are located side-by-side in the southeast of the reserve on the edge of the Marico River. At Jaci's Safari Lodge, you'll stay in one of eight roomy tented suites with outdoor showers, handcrafted mosaic baths, and a private deck overlooking the bushveld and river below. There are also two suites that sleep about 8 each if you have a bigger family group and two romantic star bed suites. The welcoming public areas are cheerful with a seamless fusion of contemporary and African decor. Children are well catered for (6 to 12 years, younger by special arrangement). The eight suites of the secluded Jaci's Tree Lodge, built of wood and thatch and perched on stilts connected by wooden walkways, have views through the riverine trees across the Marico River. All stays include all meals, house drinks, and game drives.

This intimate lodge, with only five suites, is the ultimate in luxury, with its marble floors, elaborate chandeliers, and plush furnishings. Watch animals at a waterhole on a wide plain from the deck in front of the main lodge area, the sunken fire pit, or from the luxury of your own deck or private plunge pool. Many Madikwe lodges serve excellent food, but at Jamala Madikwe, fine dining is taken to the next level, with three chefs serving up a different menu each night, sometimes running up to six courses and including dishes like tempura lobster served with a soy dipping sauce and compressed pork belly with wilted pak choi. For something really special, inquire about joining a unique conservation experience such as notching a rhino or collaring a cheetah, which the lodge offers in conjunction with the park's management.

These pretty, well-appointed, self-catering cottages can sleep four or six people and have stoves, refrigerators, TVs, and a good selection of culinary appliances. In an attractive garden around a pool and adjacent to a cane-furniture factory and shop, they offer excellent value for the money. Breakfast and lunch are served in a tea garden.

In a quiet part of the Central neighborhood, this friendly hostel tends to attract mature backpackers who are more interested in culture and adventure activities than partying. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and basic, the communal kitchen is well appointed, and the managers are friendly and helpful. There's a lovely garden looking over the valley, which has a communal braai (barbecue) area and visiting dassies (a guinea pig–like animal unique to South Africa). You can also camp on the grass if you have a tent with you.

A perfect overnight stop on the way to or from the Kgalagadi National Park, this typical South African homestead, 50 km (31 miles) north of Upington, caters to all budgets. It comes complete with a farm stand and traditional boere kos (farm food) and snacks such as ginger beer, biltong, and tipsy tart (a deliciously rich brandy-infused tart). In addition to the guesthouse, which sleeps eight (breakfast and dinner can be arranged), you can opt for the six-person self-catering bush camp, which consists of a thatch roof and walls lovingly created from three thornbushes, or get even closer to the earth by camping next to a rainwater dam that welcomes 145 bird species. Energy is generated by a solar method as well as a wind charger at night.

Offering clean, comfortable self-catering accommodations just a short drive away from the Twee Rivieren gate to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, this is the kind of unique place that's worth seeking out. A compelling narrative is often the key to getting the most out of a destination, and retired zoology professor Anna Rasa (herself a story) translates the story of the broader Kalahari and the transfrontier park exceedingly well. Observe the meerkat family on her 9-acre property, go on a game drive, and learn about this bewitching landscape and its inhabitants. Morning and evening walks are very popular, with the sundowner drives a favorite. Tours are offered in both German and English. There are also some bush-camp accommodations for those who would rather rough it.

A beautiful garden entrance leads you into this stylish oasis of a guesthouse where you can expect an atmosphere of luxurious privacy and attentive concierge service from on-site management. Spacious and elegantly designed suites all come equipped with king-sized beds, a patio or terrace, and extras like a bluetooth speaker, yoga mat, and beach-ready bag. Local cell phones are also available for complimentary use by request. From the exclusive Higgovale area above the Gardens neighborhood, views of Table Mountain from the garden (and most room terraces) are lovely when the weather is clear. Aesop bath products add a luxe touch to sleek bathrooms.

In a quiet part of Summerstrand, this hotel feels cocooned, but it's close to the Boardwalk and Humewood Golf Course and within easy walking distance of Pollock Beach. The rooms are richly furnished with heavy fabrics and dark wood (which is not as overpowering as it sounds). Most bathrooms have enormous tubs and triple-head showers in roomy stalls, though four rooms have showers only.

Although Kleinplaas means "small farm," this lodging isn't really a farm despite the ostriches and ducks on the premises. Basic but comfortable chalets are neatly arranged in a huge, shady lawn area. Each chalet has a tiny patio area. If you brought you own tent, there's also a tree-shaded campsite. 

On the road to Tsitsikamma, this magnificent 1,500-acre estate offers spacious suites that make you feel like you're staying in your own country home. This historic Cape Dutch homestead was once the home of a Russian émigré, Baron Peter Behr, back in the 1940s. Accommodations are in separate buildings and feature antique furnishings, book-filled shelves, handsome fireplaces, and private balconies. Many have staircases leading to charming children's rooms. The food in the restaurant is delicious, beautifully presented, and made from fresh, local ingredients.

The greatest asset of this hotel, primarily a time-share resort, is its location: in a bowl of rocky hills on the edge of the game reserve. The resort has an underground blind overlooking a waterhole, which is connected to the lodge via a tunnel; sit here (especially in the evening) armed with drinks, patience, and plenty of insect spray for a rewarding hour or so. Guest rooms have high thatch ceilings and large glass doors that open onto a verandah. It's best to secure a unit far from the noise of the reception, dining, and pool areas. You can pay to go on day or night game drives in open-air vehicles or to go on guided walks with an armed ranger—both are worthwhile. The breakfasts at the restaurant are legendary.

This good-value chic hotel enjoys a great location between the popular seafront promenade and Green Point park, and is also just a 15-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront. Ask for a sea- or mountain-facing room, either of which will have great views; the side-view rooms face the neighboring building but are quiet. The comfortable, well-proportioned, and cleanly designed rooms are bright and airy—mostly white with playful splashes of primary colors and a bit of a vintage-retro feel—and the downstairs restaurant Sotano serves tasty Mediterranean food and cocktails- perfect for sunset viewing on the busy promenade. 

The sheer beauty of the setting has not changed since this wine estate was founded in 1692. Its classic Cape Dutch manor house is flanked by the rolling vineyards and mountains of the Jonkershoek Valley. You can eat casual alfresco meals on the terrace (weather permitting), grab some upmarket pub food in the utterly charming Taphuis, or opt for fine dining at the Manor Kitchen, where chef Stephen Fraser pulls out all the stops. The menu changes regularly, but always features some South African touches like game meat, local oysters, or cheese from the Winelands region.

A great base for exploring the Constantia winelands, this peaceful boutique hotel with a lovely garden and incredibly spacious rooms successfully combines elegance with homey intimacy. The decor is classical, and fine touches include fluffy robes, luxurious toiletries, and wonderful baths with gorgeous mosaic details. Groups can even rent the entire establishment. Breakfast is served in the lush garden or conservatory, while lunch and dinner are only available on request.

Perched high on a hill, this trio of bush tents with fabulous mountain views feels like your own little private paradise. There's one luxury suite tent with a canvas roof that’s perfect for couples or honeymooners. Guests can also sleep in one of four family rooms. Dinner either has a French twist or features traditional South African fare.

This classic guesthouse on the Paarl Wine Route is tastefully decorated in a comfortable and homey style—crisp white linens, wood-frame mirrors, and ornate lampshades highlight each of the guest rooms. An open hearth is popular during winters, as are summer breakfasts on the patio. Other outdoor areas include three gardens and two swimming pools. Some of the best rooms open out onto the garden.

Renowned for its relaxed and informal atmosphere, Leopard Hills is one of the premier game lodges in the Sabi Sands area. Set on a rocky outcrop with panoramic views of the surrounding bushveld, this small lodge offers privacy and luxury. Its main draw is its spectacular game-viewing; during a two-night stay you're almost guaranteed to see the Big Five at close quarters. Rangers are eager to share their knowledge and quick to rush guests off to see big game. The decor has an authentic bush theme, which gels well with the surroundings. Each double room has its own private pool (in addition to the main pool) and deck overlooking the bushveld. Bathrooms have his-and-her showers both indoors and out. 

Set on one of the longest and best stretches of river frontage in Sabi Sand, you can watch the passing animal and bird show from your deck or from the huge, tree-shaded, wooden viewing area that juts out over the riverbank facing Kruger National Park. The guest rooms are comfortable and attractively Africa-themed, with honey-colored stone floors with pebble inlays, cream wooden furniture, embroidered white bed linens, and lamps and tables of dark indigenous wood. The food is imaginative and tasty, the staff enthusiastic, and the rangers highly qualified. After an exhilarating game drive, take a bush walk, go fishing, or relax with a beauty treatment at Lalamuka Spa (lalamuka means "unwind" in Shangaan). There's a resident senior ecologist, plus a classy and interesting curio shop.

Thatch roofs and earth tones are part of the traditional African kraal (settlement) feel at this villa set around a central lawn and pool area, with stunning views and rooms facing outward for privacy. All rooms have outdoor and indoor showers and open onto a private veranda. Two rooms and the suite have private plunge pools. Meals are served around a fireplace, and you may choose wines from the extensive cellar. As a villa, this lodge can only be booked as the whole property (ideal for a group), not per individual room.

The upper floors of a beautifully restored Victorian building on trendy Long Street house this incredibly good-value boutique hotel made up of 12 luxurious rooms. Chic design—all elegant white-and-silver minimalism—retains warmth thanks to the historic setting. Several rooms have freestanding Victorian bathtubs, five enjoy private balconies, and double-glazed windows help to soundproof your sleep from the buzz of Long Street's legendary nightlife below. The hotel has good amenities (satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee in the room, ceiling fans, and air-conditioning) for the price. The service is attentive and knowledgeable.