Must-see hotels in Southern Africa

  • Gorongosa Adventures Campsite

    Mozambique

    About 9km outside the main gate, and 500m off the park access road, is this unsignposted, unnamed campsite, which works as an option if you arrive after…

  • Gum Tree Lodge

    Northern Cape

    As close as Kimberley gets to a backpackers, this former convict station occupies leafy grounds off Rte 64, 5km northeast of the centre. Rooms are…

  • Hostellerie de France

    Malawi

    Accommodation here ranges from standard and executive rooms to self-catering flats, and the saltwater pool (and attached hot tub!) looks out across the…

  • Samfya Beach Hotel

    Zambia

    Sitting on Cabana Beach, this place has a pretty good location but the rooms are small and have very basic bathrooms. Camping is an affordable option for…

  • Mulanje Motel

    Malawi

    Mulanje Motel's 18 basic but clean rooms have flowery bedding, fan and functional if frugal bathroom; those in the rear annexe are rather dingy. Around…

  • Louis Trichardt Lodge

    Limpopo

    Lodge is something of a misnomer here, and you’ll receive curt service at this red-brick motel on the main road. It has basic, serviceable rooms with…

  • Hotel Rosy

    Mozambique

    In a noisy, busy location near the central mosque, the Rosy has faded, overpriced rooms that are worth considering only if other budget options are full…

  • Hotel Tamariz

    Maputo

    This is one of the cheapest, most reliable bets on a busy, noisy street in the heart of the baixa. Rooms are basic but acceptable, and have TV and hot…

  • Ilala Bay Lodge

    Malawi

    Ilala is a fallback option, with run-down rooms featuring mozzie nets, fans and, unfortunately, noise from the main street. It's not really a traveller…

  • New Choma Hotel

    Zambia

    Far from flash, this gritty hotel nonetheless has a convenient central location along the main strip. Rooms are spacious and have TV, fridge and air-con…

  • Pousada Monte Verde

    Mozambique

    This place on the main roundabout near Millennium BIM, and a short walk uphill from the market, has extremely basic rooms with iffy bathrooms. A potential…

  • Kalulu Backpackers

    Lusaka

    Though it's more of a local lodge than a backpackers, Kalulu's rates are cheap. There's a small pool and restaurant with excellent local food. But the bar…

  • Pensão Nampula

    Northern Mozambique

    One of Nampula's scruffier, if cheaper options, this pension (sometimes known as Pensão Africa) is bargain-basement stuff and only worth contemplating if…

  • Hotel Sundowner

    Mozambique

    A block from the river and close to the suspension bridge, the Sundowner is primarily a bar and restaurant, though there's a handful of OK rooms if you're…

  • Evelyn House

    Sunshine Coast

    This beautifully renovated 19th-century house right in the thick of things has spacious rooms behind a tranquil garden. Alas, it charges way too much for…

  • Mgoza Lodge

    Malawi

    Mgoza has en-suite chalets around a beachfront garden and pool, and A-frame thatched huts and dorms. There's also an inviting restaurant with an upstairs…

  • Pensão Famba Uone

    Mozambique

    Just up from the town market, Pensão Famba Uone has seen better days – way back in the previous century. Basic doubles have scarred bucket showers and a…

  • Siga Siga Resthouse

    Zambia

    One purely for penny pinchers, Siga Siga's rooms are barebones and run down, however it's a useful option for bus travel as it’s right by the junction…

  • De Oude Meul

    Stellenbosch

    Above an antiques shop in the centre of town, the accommodation here is a little worn but there is a nice cafe downstairs where breakfast is served. Some…

  • Kwale

    Zambia

    In the south section of the park, this campsite is just over an hour's drive from the park headquarters and is a handy spot to spend the night if you've…

  • Casa de Hospedes Bela Vista

    Northern Mozambique

    Bleak but reliable rooms sharing grubby ablutions. There’s no running water. It’s down from the main junction and Bar Triângulo, and next to Immigration.

  • Safari Lodge

    Malawi

    This fallback option has spacious but basic rooms with tiled floors and a bar where drinkers watch the football or sit outside amid the chirping crickets.

  • Graham Hotel

    Sunshine Coast

    Distinctly unimpressive for the price, the Graham is not quite the three-star heavyweight it thinks it is, but it's right in the thick of things.

  • Pensão-Residencial Magid

    Northern Mozambique

    A short walk downhill from the transport stand is this basic place with passable rooms sharing facilities. There's usually food available.

  • Ritz Hotel

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    This 1960s landmark received a massive overhaul in 2017 after years of neglect but it seems the hotel is doomed and it closed once more in June 2018. New…

  • Muzimu Tented Camp

    Mozambique

    Set to open in late 2017, this will be Gorongosa's first tented camp. Its six tents will overlook the Mussicadzi River, and plans include guided 4WD,…

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