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From Zanzibar’s striking archipelago in the Indian Ocean stands andBeyond Mnemba Island, an idyllic private lodge that literally earns its name, Mnemba in Swahili, meaning “the head of an octopus,” from the tiny island’s oval shape and cool casuarina pine forest. Christened as a “barefoot-island haven” from its exclusive grains of white sand for one to relax without shoes, the thrill of Mnemba begins with a 15-minute boat ride.

The lodge boasts 12 luxuriously rustic, palm-frond bandas nestled in casuarina pine forest with lounges overlooking the white coral sand beach. Equipped with what one needs, from a minibar and beverage station to a phone to summon a personal butler, the bandas are designed in an open style, allowing for the seamless integration of the sea breeze and the island’s tropical aura, ensuring pure relaxation. It also features private beach lounges with daybeds, sun loungers, minibars, and showers, a beach shop and bar, a wellness banda, and an outdoor yoga deck.

Its magical coral reefs and azure seas provide exhilarating opportunities for snorkeling, sunset cruises, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and scuba diving. On land, guests can partake in forest walks or glimpse tiny antelope species and green turtles.

andBeyond Suyian Lodge stands as a luxurious getaway in the 44,000-acre private Suyian Conservancy in northern Kenya. The lodge derives its name Suyian from the local Samburu language to mean “wild dog.” Designed by Michaelis Boyd and Nicholas Plewman Architects, the lodge’s green turf roofs and stone-faced veneers mirror the surrounding geology of granite kopjes and steep-sided rock outcrops. Each of the 14 exceptionally spacious suites is a private sanctuary fitted with a plunge pool and outdoor shower. For families, a dedicated suite on the property is well-appointed.

The dining area features a communal space with a sunken fire pit and a campfire, as well as an outdoor, sheltered courtyard with traditional hanging grills, providing an immersive dining experience. The culinary experience emulates the farm-to-table style, featuring a homegrown herb garden that promotes responsible consumption and production practices. Dietary preferences are easily accommodated. A stay at this lodge offers activities such as guided nature walks, game drives, horseback riding safaris, and visits to the local community. With exclusive tourism rights, Suyian conservancy offers practices outside of typical Protected Area limitations, like off-road driving and night game drives. The lodge has a rawness to encounters that’s lost in other safari-dominating locations.

Perched on a hillside, Borana Lodge features eight rustic cottages built from local rock and cedar wood, thatched with makuti (palm), and blending seamlessly into the landscape. Each cottage offers modern comforts, including an open fireplace for chilly Laikipia evenings and private decks for uninterrupted wildlife viewing or stargazing. The farm-to-table meals combine local and international flavors, using fresh ingredients from the on-site Waitabit Farm, the largest permaculture project in East Africa, and are served in the dining room, on the terrace, or in the bush. Guests can while away an afternoon at the infinity pool overlooking Hyena Valley Dam, often with herds of elephants visible in the distance.

Set on the vast 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy, the lodge is also home to Pride Rock, which is said to have inspired the setting of The Lion King. Disney’s animation team visited while researching the 1994 film, and the crew of the 2019 remake stayed at Borana Lodge for ten days. Today, Pride Rock is a favorite sundowner spot, complete with a mobile bar and a reputation for unforgettable proposals. Beyond the views, guests can explore the conservancy on horseback—often riding close enough to reticulated giraffes to admire the patterns on their coats—or opt for mountain biking, bush walks, rock climbing, or scenic flights.

Tucked away in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve near Kruger National Park, Cheetah Plains is praised for its gracious and attentive staff, including a homegrown sommelier, masseuse, drivers, trackers, and culinary team. Team members ensure that every possible guest whim can be accommodated, whether it’s s’mores by the fireside on your last night or your favorite cocktail during sundowner hour.

Cheetah Plains’ three private villa-style accommodations, featuring African art curated by Goodman Gallery, were designed by Cape Town’s ARRCC. The villas’ four bedrooms unfold from a central lounge that includes a wine cellar, a media room, and an outdoor entertaining space, or boma. With its embrace of raw, natural materials and clean lines, the villas (Mapogo, Karula, and Mvula) each have a distinct feel but follow the same general design-forward ethos: modernist and luxe.

The residences are outfitted with expansive decks and private pools overlooking the wilds of the Sabi Sand. Mapogo is an especially compelling spot, set on an active watering hole flush with hippos. A pioneer in eco-friendly safaris, Cheetah Plains boasts a fleet of (virtually silent) custom electric vehicles, ideal for game drives. Although Cheetah Plains has been open since 2018, 2024 saw the debut of an art gallery, an added draw for culture connoisseurs.

In the bustling core of Marrakesh’s medina lies El Fenn, a boutique oasis for the artist’s soul. Drawing its moniker from the local term for “art,” El Fenn is a muse for creatives.

Conceived from art collector and entrepreneur Vanessa Branson’s vision, El Fenn, once a grand 1815 merchant’s abode, was rediscovered in a state of disrepair, brimming with original features; the meticulous year-long restoration not only revived its former glory but has continually expanded. Today, the property features 41 beautifully designed rooms, each evoking Moroccan opulence and a touch of mid-century European flair, with vivid colors, ornate patterns, and sumptuous décor. And no two are the same. Every curated detail tells tales of Marrakesh’s grand past, from its indulgent spa with a hammam to its family of resident tortoises. El Fenn’s crowning jewel is its expansive 7,000-square-foot roof terrace, offering unparalleled views of the majestic Koutoubia Mosque and the city skyline.

An updated and redesigned rooftop and restaurant are part of the property’s new look, but not to worry: the iconic red-and-white stripes remain, now joined by oversized Moroccan lamps, artisan-crafted zellige tables, and bold fabrics. The boutique has also expanded, featuring new designers, arched fitting rooms, and curated collections in fashion, accessories, and homewares.

Set on the edge of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Ngaga Lodge feels more like a research outpost than a resort. And that’s by design. Six elevated thatched bungalows, each with mosquito-netted beds, hot showers, and forest-facing decks, put guests right in the thick of the rainforest.

Days here revolve around gorilla trekking. Ngaga is the base for one of the world’s most respected western lowland gorilla research programs, and guests have the rare privilege of joining expert trackers on daily hikes to observe habituated families. Beyond gorillas, guided walks highlight other rainforest denizens, including forest elephants, pangolins, and a dazzling array of birdlife.

Meals are served communally in the main dining pavilion, a soaring thatched structure that also houses a cozy lounge and fire pit. Menus lean into regional ingredients, from fresh fish and tropical fruits to Congolese-inspired stews, and the convivial setup often draws researchers, trackers, and guides to the table, offering guests the chance to engage directly with the scientists who have been studying the area’s western lowland gorillas for decades. As part of the larger Kamba portfolio, Ngaga Lodge prioritizes conservation and community at its core. A significant portion of revenue goes directly to local villages and gorilla protection efforts.

In the pulsating heart of Marrakech, framed by the silhouette of the Koutoubia Mosque, rises La Mamounia—a bastion of luxury, history, and enduring legacy since 1923. Enveloped in verdant gardens and surrounded by echoing fountains, this five-star emblem of Moroccan grandeur offers 209 stunning rooms and suites. The three garden-sequestered riads include a sprawling 700-square-meter sanctuary with private pools and terraces. Ornate Moroccan motifs, scenic balconies, and multiple therapeutic hammams promise guests an immersion in authentic luxury. Each corner of La Mamounia whispers tales from yesteryears: the hushed conversations of Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Nelson Mandela, and cinematic memories from Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much to the Netflix phenomenon Inventing Anna.

Dining transcends mere gastronomy here; it’s an art. With four restaurants offering Moroccan, Italian, Asian, and French cuisine, including a poolside venue serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and world-renowned French Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé’s iconic desserts, culinary journeys become their own story. And, in September 2025, the Italian restaurant reopened under the direction of Michelin-starred Chef Simone Zanoni. The menus spotlight the flavors of southern Italy—sun-drenched produce, olive oil-rich pastas, fragrant herbs—delivered with contemporary finesse. What truly sets La Mamounia apart is its legacy as a confluence of luxury, history, and Moroccan allure.

In the heart of South Africa’s Winelands, the best way to describe La Residence is as if Versailles had a baby with a charming Loire Valley château. The result is a hotel that feels palatial and cozy, Baroque and down-to-earth, elegant and accessible. A drive-up gate opens onto a sprawling 30-acre private property surrounded by vineyards and mountains, where a winding driveway brings you past Shetland ponies and springbok (South Africa’s national animal) before you reach the manor house.

Step inside and the drama continues. Each suite and villa is personally designed by founder Liz Biden, who pairs chandeliers, marble floors, and soaring ceilings with French and Asian antiques, African art, and a touch of whimsy. For groups seeking seclusion, a new exclusive-use villa—Franschhoek House—offers six suites, an outdoor courtyard, and a heated pool with panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards.

Beyond the interiors, La Residence impresses with seasonal, locally sourced cuisine and ever-flowing wine. And as if that weren’t enough to make travelers swoon, the estate has wild peacocks roaming about the property and its surrounding gardens.

There’s simply no better front-row seat to Cape Town’s Table Mountain than the historic Mount Nelson – A Belmond Hotel. Tucked between city streets and mountain slopes, its pink stucco has been a landmark since the early 1900s, when it was built for first-class visitors from London. Today, guests enjoy helicopter wine tastings, surf lessons, and marine tours of the kelp forests. Sipping cocktails under pink parasols while watching the famous “tablecloth” cloud spill over Table Mountain is another option.

On Saturdays, the Oasis Restaurant hosts a traditional South African braai, bringing guests together around open flames and regional flavors. This December, the hotel unveils Amura, a restaurant by Spanish chef Ángel León. The three-Michelin-star chef’s first African restaurant features a sustainably sourced menu that changes daily, guided by the Cape ocean catch and the chef’s Spanish roots.

Each of the 190 rooms and eight garden cottages blends high-end luxury with South African style, featuring checkerboard tiles, wrought-iron staircases, and Cape Dutch architecture. Heated pools and private cabanas offer private sanctuaries, while the nine-acre estate showcases the delicate flora of the Cape Floral Region. Even the on-site honey production supports endangered Cape honeybees, tying Africa’s incredible ecology into the fabric of the stay.

In the vast Serengeti National Reserve safari, the secluded paradise, Mwiba Lodge, sits perched atop giant stone boulders, offering a delightful panoramic view of the surrounding wildlife, canyon, and savannah landscapes. The lush eco-lodge has 10 luxuriously appointed tented suites, including two family ones, all richly layered in textured creams, suede, tans, chocolate, and charcoal, creating interiors that artfully integrate the camp’s organic surroundings. Spacious accommodations include outdoor showers. While taking a dip in the lodge’s infinity swimming pool, guests take in both the sights and sounds of the reserve’s wildlife. The all-inclusive rates include a complimentary 45-minute spa treatment, and a three-night stay comes with a trip to southern Serengeti Park to view the spectacular wildebeest migration.

Exciting experiences while at the lodge include dining in the bush, bushwalks in the wild, unlimited game drives even at night, scenic helicopter rides, enjoying views of shimmering stars while sleeping on a sky bed, rock climbing, and being treated to unique cultural expeditions like songs and dances by local communities, and getting versed in their distinct hunter-gatherer lifestyles.

Royal Mansour is Marrakesh’s discreet sanctuary, a retreat of luxury within the vibrant pulse of the Red City. Commissioned by King Mohammed VI, the estate resembles a private medina, with 53 multi-story riads connected by rose-hued pathways. Each residence features an airy courtyard, Moroccan-style salons, and a rooftop terrace with a private plunge pool overlooking the city and the Atlas Mountains, delivering an exclusive and immersive guest experience.

The location offers both immersion and escape: nestled between the Atlas Mountains and the Agafay Desert, the hotel sits just steps from the Koutoubia Mosque and the lively Jemaa el-Fna. Yet within its walls, the city’s bustle dissolves into serenity.

Guests meander through shaded alleys lined with palms and olive trees, discovering riads with one to four bedrooms. Inside, artistry abounds—chandeliers illuminate intricate plasterwork and carved cedar, while zellige tiles, velvet, silk, and copper reflect the work of 1,200 artisans who have merged North African, Moorish, and Andalusian influences.

Dining is equally distinguished. La Grande Table Marocaine spotlights Moroccan cuisine, while chef Hélène Darroze presents French sophistication. Mediterranean and international menus complete the offerings. Guests can join the cooking school, concluding with tastings in the gardens.

Located on the grounds of a former cattle ranch in Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, Segera Retreat stands as a testament to the power of conservation. Today, thanks to more than two decades of diligent rewilding efforts, the 50,000-acre conservancy has transformed into a thriving habitat for rare and endangered animals, including leopards, cheetahs, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, and lions.

In June 2025, the new Segera Rhino Sanctuary opened with 21 black rhinos as part of a milestone effort to establish what will become the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion (KRRE), one of the largest interconnected rhino sanctuaries in the world. Segera also stands out as one of the most stylish lodges in the country, decorated with museum-quality contemporary African art from the personal collection of owner Jochen Zeitz (co-founder of Cape Town’s Zeitz MOCAA).

Choose from five thatched garden villas, each equipped with outdoor baths and private decks overlooking the savanna, or an assortment of spacious houses designed for families or groups. Activities thoughtfully highlight a blend of culture, community, and conservation. After a morning in the bush, enjoy a surprise lunch in the property’s renovated stables, learn how to bead with local Samburu, Turkana, and Borana women, or gather wild honey from hives nestled among acacia trees.

Sirai House takes its name from the Maasai word for the euphorbia trees that dot the ridge on which it perches, within the 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy. This luxury residence in the conservancy’s southern quarters is both contemporary and modern, built by skilled Kenyan artisans. The attention to detail is evident in everything, from the art collection to bespoke furniture. It boasts opulent marble bathtubs overlooking the verdant hillsides, cozy fireplaces, and a private infinity pool. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of any of its six lavishly appointed suites, which are spread apart for privacy, gaze out onto the sacred Mt. Ololokwe or Mt. Kenya. The main house, which is only available for exclusive use, has a drawing room, bar, recreation room, gym, library, dining area with a cellar, gallery, and cinema.

Homegrown meals are served at the open-air restaurant: Eggs and poultry are from the property’s chickens, fruits and vegetables are harvested farm to table, the beef is Borana cattle, and even the honey is from Sirai House’s own bees. There’s a telescope on the veranda through which you can use to spot wildlife in the nearby waterhole during the day or gaze up at the night sky before retreating to your room, where a log fire and hot water bottle tucked between fresh sheets will keep you toasty through the night. Guests can encounter wildlife in various ways, from scenic flights and 4×4 game drives to e-biking, horseback safaris, and the rare thrill of tracking rhinos on foot.

If you’re visiting Simon’s Town, South Africa, chances are you’re there to see penguins. Renowned for its endangered African penguin colony, Boulder Beach has become one of those bucket list places topping most travelers’ lists. But the trick to seeing the penguins sans crowds is to spend the night nearby, which is what makes Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa such a perfect stay.

Awarded on last year’s Fodor’s Finest Hotel Awards list, this 4-star luxury villa continues to offer a stellar stay that is worthy of another year of recognition. Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa offers only nine rooms, all decorated by owners Lisa and Gaye Corbett. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with open balconies, unobstructed ocean views (and, yes, penguin views), and a maritime theme that runs throughout the villa. While each of the rooms differs in design, a color palette of blue and cream gives a nod to the maritime theme, with each of the rooms named after famous ships that once sailed the very waters the rooms face.

Beyond its rooms, what makes Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa so special is its private access to the boardwalk that stretches between Boulder Beach and Foxy Beach, where the penguins reside. At check-in, you’ll be given a literal key to a door that lets you out right to where the penguins hang and honk good morning to you.