Must-see hotels in Southern Africa

  • Blue Waters

    Durban

    At the northern end of the beachfront, away from the promenade crowd, Blue Waters is a classic hotel that has recently undergone an extensive renovation…

  • Residencial Reggio Emilia

    Pemba

    This tranquil spot along the extension of the Wimbi Beach road has 10 clean, spacious rooms – with hot water, air-con, satellite TV, mini fridge and…

  • Parkwood

    Johannesburg

    Comfort, charm and atmosphere: this superb venture has it all. It offers the chance to unplug in a series of separate, narrow, self-contained buildings…

  • Haus Ol-Ga

    Windhoek

    The name of this German-oriented place is derived from the owners’ names: Gesa Oldach and Erno Gauerke, who go out of their way to provide a good measure…

  • Bateleur Bushveld Camp

    Kruger National Park

    The oldest and smallest of the bushveld camps, Bateleur has loads of wilderness ambience. The seven thatched-roof self-catering cottages with their 1930s…

  • Wayside Bed & Breakfast

    Lusaka

    This upmarket and peaceful guesthouse is one of the best in Lusaka, with only a handful of snug en-suite rooms. It used to be a farm and today the…

  • Arum Place Guest House

    Johannesburg

    This 1935 villa on the outskirts of Melville is just the ticket for those seeking a stylish ‘home away from home’ experience. The eight rooms are…

  • Hotel Thule

    Windhoek

    Perched on a hilltop in Eros Park, akin to the Beverly Hills of Windhoek, Hotel Thule commands some of the most impressive views of any hotel in the…

  • Cape Cadogan

    Cape Town

    This Gone with the Wind–style, heritage-listed villa presents a very classy boutique operation, with some rooms opening onto the secluded courtyard…

  • Budleigh Guesthouse

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Just like something out of a BBC TV production with its verandas, trimmed lawns and stunning garden, this mansion has a range of neat, sophisticated rooms…

  • Mousebird Backpackers & Safaris

    Namibia

    Tsumeb’s long-standing backpacker spot continues to stay true to its roots, offering economical accommodation without sacrificing personality or character…

  • Rhodes Nyanga Hotel

    Zimbabwe

    Here at the entrance to the national park is the former holiday home of Cecil Rhodes, converted into a hotel in 1933. It features tropical verandahs and…

  • Helmeringhausen Hotel

    Namibia

    A surprisingly swish hotel with elegant rooms in addition to a very popular restaurant and bar. The menu is limited, but the beer is cold and it has a…

  • 44 on Livingston

    Johannesburg

    This lovely, small guesthouse in the heart of Jewish Johannesburg has all the hallmarks of a great deal: seven tasteful, immaculate rooms complete with…

  • Pensão Gurúè

    Mozambique

    On the main street in the lower part of town, this pension is the place in Gurúè, not just for its simple, comfortable rooms but also for its affiliated…

  • Bushwhacked

    Mpumalanga

    This rustic hillside eyrie has rooms in the main cottage and two chalets. With a fully equipped kitchen, a wood-burner and book exchange in the comfy…

  • Caribbea Bay Hotel

    Zimbabwe

    While its pink Sardinia-inspired facade is in need of a coat of paint, all up this lakeside resort offers a decent place to stay, in a kitschy Afro…

  • The Grey

    Cape Town

    Rooms are smart (and, naturally, decorated in shades of grey), but most are very small, especially at the lower end of the price range when the bed…

  • Roy’s Rest Camp

    Namibia

    Accommodation in this recommended place looks like a fairy-tale illustration – the handmade wooden furnishings are all fabulously original, while the…

  • Hotel Inter Tete

    Mozambique

    Tete's newest hotel is a large, business-like affair with modern, functional rooms, well-manicured grounds and a few bells and whistles – the gym and spa…

  • Mukolo Campsite

    Namibia

    This simple campsite overlooks a channel of the Kwando River and is an excellent base for excursions in the area; fishing trips can be arranged here…

  • South Camp

    Botswana

    Around 37km from the park gate along a sandy track, South Camp has 10 sites clustered quite close together behind some trees at the edge of one of the…

  • Courtyard Guesthouse

    Namibia

    The top spot in Grootfontein is modest by any standard, but its truly enormous rooms (not all – ask to see a few) leave you plenty of space to unpack your…

  • France’s Cottage

    Malawi

    This historical two-bedroom cottage sleeps six and comes with a living room complete with cooking fireplace. There are two single beds and two bunks. It’s…

  • Sophiadale Base Camp

    Swakopmund

    Campsites here have large, shady trees and there are even sunroofs around the camping ground. Fireplaces and electrical powerpoints are big ticks, and the…

  • It's a Small World (Harare Centre)

    Harare

    In a period house in a leafy inner-city suburb is the relaxed sister guesthouse to Small World Backpackers in Avondale. This option will suit longer-term…

  • President Walmont Hotel

    Lilongwe

    This five-star Peermont hotel offers an air-conditioned welcome in its Wild Orchid bar-restaurant and reception decorated with cute model cars. It soars…

  • Etotongwe Lodge

    Damaraland

    This refreshing, professionally run place on the way to Etosha, just outside of town, feels like an unlikely oasis of green. Its neat appearance and trim…

  • Tautona Lodge

    Botswana

    This reasonable lodge has expansive grounds featuring two swimming pools and a watering hole that's frequented by antelope. Spacious rooms in Batswana…

  • Eight Bells Mountain Inn

    Garden Route

    This country inn oozes old-world charm and boasts a lovely mountain setting at the foot of the Robinson Pass. Its large grounds feature tennis and squash…

  • Sepupa Swamp Stop

    Okavango Delta

    This laid-back riverside campsite is secluded, handy to Sepupa village, very affordable and accessible (3km) from the Maun–Shakawe road. The lodge can…

  • African Ubuntu

    Sunshine Coast

    A suburban home transformed into an intimate and colourful backpackers by its passionate surfer owner. It has compact six- to 10-bed dorms and seven…

  • Lungile Lodge

    Port Elizabeth

    Uphill from Kings Beach in a suburban neighbourhood, this well-run A-frame home’s large entertainment area rocks most nights, and the six- and 12-bed…

  • Sarasungu River Lodge

    Namibia

    Sarasunga River Lodge is situated in a secluded riverine clearing 4km from the town centre. It has attractive thatched chalets that surround a landscaped…

  • Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Main Camp

    eSwatini (Swaziland)

    This homey camp is set in a scenic wooded location about 3.5km from the entry gate, complete with well-appointed rondavels and simple huts – including…

  • Gibela Backpackers Lodge

    Durban

    This hostel (a tastefully converted 1950s Tuscan-style home) gets lots of good reports from travellers, including those travelling by themselves…

  • Mapontela Inn

    Zambia

    Along the main road in the centre of town is this charming guesthouse that's the best in Serenje. Opening out onto the leafy courtyard are a number of…

  • Ilala Country Lodge

    Limpopo

    The sweeping views of the Limpopo River Valley into Zimbabwe at this old country lodge are something special. And there are few better places in Limpopo…

  • Owl House Backpackers

    Eastern Cape

    The whitewashed Karoo facade conceals a home with old-fashioned character, funky nooks and crannies, and a sizeable back garden. For more privacy, try the…

  • Profcon Resort

    Eastern Cape

    This well-run complex with a laid-back vibe features excellent facilities and amenities, including a restaurant and a superb children's playground. With…

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