Must-see hotels in South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini (Swaziland)
Lesotho
On the banks of the Malibamat’so River, this incongruous alpine chalet would look more at home in the Alps. It fills during winter with South African…
eSwatini (Swaziland)
Framed by the Malolotja peaks, these quirky chalets are a blend of traditional Swazi materials (wattle and grass) and glass, with ethnic African interiors…
eSwatini (Swaziland)
Run by a Christian NGO, this lodge is 200m from the Bulembu border post. Facilities include a simple restaurant, tranquil, picturesque grounds and smart…
The Wild Coast
A mellow place where several low-slung buildings line a hillside with excellent views of Second Beach. A rambling network of verandas, leafy walkways and…
eSwatini (Swaziland)
It's far from flash, but this mellow place is the most obvious choice if funds are short, with an assortment of 10- to 12-bed dorms, a self-catering…
Cape Town
There are just two cosy rooms decorated in pop-art-bright colours at this ace art and education centre crafted from shipping containers. There's a cafe…
Blyde River Canyon
These basic chalets are improved greatly by the good location and impressive views. In addition to hiking, the resort can organise boat trips and more. It…
Durban
The motto of this place says it all: ‘Tekweni goes off’. Its courtyard, complete with pool and bar, gets jammed with socialising backpackers on Friday and…
The Wild Coast
Hugging the tree-shaded shore of the Kwelera River, Areena has self-catering rondavels, thatched cottages, timber chalets, riverside tents and caravan…
Cape Town
Occupying three 250-year old cottages once attached to the historic Zonnebloem Farm House, this spacious guesthouse – surrounded by a broad stoop and with…
Lesotho
This working mission is a humble yet charming place to stay. The rondavels offer an electricity-free experience, and the rooms are newly powered by a…
Kruger National Park
This modern rest camp has a manufactured feel, lacking the traditional bush atmosphere of the others. Although the view over Pioneer Dam is impressive,…
Gauteng
You wouldn't guess from the outside, but this Brutalist concrete building overlooking the square shelters stylish, tranquil rooms, all in beiges and…
Durban
Wake up to the sounds, sights and smell of the ocean in a beachfront room at the ageing Beach Hotel. In the thick of Durban's watery action, the place…
Eastern Cape
There are a few remote and beautiful lodges on the mountainous gravel roads leading off the main route from Lady Grey to Rhodes that are accessible by 4WD…
The Wild Coast
Trennerys has large thatched bungalows with private balconies (but no sea views), a grassy campground and a poolside bar-restaurant. It’s all very simple…
Sunshine Coast
Despite its odd location on the edge of the airfield, about 4km north of the centre, this low-key venture run by friendly Sean is a good bet, with a…
Sunshine Coast
This thatch-roofed hand-crafted home has four individually designed units with Oregon pine wooden floors, private decks and direct access to Supertubes…
Northern Cape
The walls of this spacious old house are adorned with nature photos, and rooms are cosy, African-themed affairs. There’s a self-catering kitchen and dorm…
Johannesburg
A good pick if you need to stay near the airport (it's 5.5km north of OR Tambo), Africa Footprints offers a good combination of business facilities and…
KwaZulu-Natal
Inside the reserve in a valley are campsites in very pretty surrounds, overlooking a reservoir. It’s peaceful and offers plentiful bird life, plus the odd…
Mpumalanga
Situated in a little green oasis, just 2km east of town towards Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, this dated but peaceful retreat offers a relaxing…
Lesotho
A short drive into the park, this upscale lodge offers a dining hall and some very well-appointed rondavels, but at the time of research only its…
Durban
Close to the beach is this spacious, well-run, warehouse-style accommodation choice. There are bright colours, vast spaces and an awesome rooftop bar,…
Northern Cape
There are 14 simple guest rooms here, scattered across several buildings in the mock-up historical town at the Big Hole. Breakfast is served at the Protea…
Mpumalanga
Run by the good folk at Funky Monkey Backpackers in Nelspruit (Mbombela), this bush camp is in a wildlife reserve overlooking Crocodile River. It's a…
Lesotho
The large, four-bedroom chalets in Bokong Nature Reserve boast magnificent views but are neglected, so expect only the very basics. Electricity is…
Garden Route
Just off the N2, on the Goukamma River's banks, this backpacker resort offers safari tents and simple cabins as well as en-suite rooms and four-sleeper…
Northern Cape
Perched on a hillside overlooking the gorge, the chalets are equipped with bedding, towels and kitchen equipment. Water for the showers comes straight…
Franschhoek
A delightful budget option in a town not known for affordable accommodation. Basic double rooms lead to a shared deck shaded by poplar trees, and there’s…
South Africa
Decent-value chain, with Road Lodges (slightly superior standards to the rival SUN1 chain, for about R650 for a room accommodating one to three), Town…
Winelands
The tents here are fairly basic – two single beds and a private bathroom – but it's really about the location. The camp is at Drakenstein Lion Park, a…
Northern Cape
Rooms are a little worn, but this hotel attached to a historic pub has a great location, within walking distance of Belgravia's museums and architectural…
Lesotho
Butha-Buthe's main hotel is dated, with a busy bar and a smell of bleach in the institutional corridors, leading to the rooms' sweaty odours. Rooms only…
Northern Cape
This small reserve, 35km south of Twee Rivieren, is a sanctuary for mistreated meerkats and the animals can be seen roaming the grounds. As well as a…
Kruger National Park
Next to Crocodile Bridge Gate, this small camp has croc and hippo pools nearby. Despite zebras, buffaloes and wildebeest in the immediate area, the…
Limpopo
This local farmhouse was converted into a guest cottage in 2012 and has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lovely location in the heart of the park with…
The Wild Coast
On the main drag, Sugarloaf is a relaxed and relatively orderly budget choice, with a full complement of facilities and hang-out areas in leafy grounds…
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