It’s no easy task compiling a top ten of luxury lodges in South Africa. After all, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to places to stay while on safari or exploring this beautiful country.
We could have easily listed 30 or more, but we’ve taken the plunge and narrowed it down to the ten listed below, each of which we’re confident will deliver the kind of memorable, luxury laden experience you’re looking for.
If living in luxury in the midst of a working farm appeals to you, Boschendal comes so highly recommended, we’ve put it top of our list. One of the main reasons for that is the sheer variety of different kinds of accommodation that’s available here for families and groups of friends. There’s a mountain villa, cottage retreats and farmhouses sleeping up to 12 guests.
The quality of what’s served up on plates and in glasses here has also played a key role in this making our top ten, because this is one of the best locations to experience genuine soil-to-fork dining washed down with award-winning wines.
Even the swimming pool is a cut above, being surrounded by lilies, lotus plants, rushes and grasses, and there are spaces inside and out you can hire for your corporate events or special occasion celebrations.
Location: Cape Winelands
As the lone 5-star hotel in Table Mountain National Park, expectations will naturally be sky high when you book a stay here. And you’re unlikely to be disappointed.
Each of the ten suites is individually designed and decorated to give two guests the space, style and views that’ll have you clearing your diaries next year for a return visit. It’s a chance to enjoy waterside living at its finest, with a pebble beach a mere stone’s throw from your suite, which features luxury staples such as minibar, underfloor heating and a real wood burning fireplace.
Outside your private space, the shared areas keep the good times coming with the Chef’s Warehouse Restaurant serving up breakfasts and dinners with a side order of ocean views. And of course there’s a spa and a swimming pool set amid a luxury sundeck.
Location: Cape Town
You’ll enjoy an elevated view of the Madikwe Game Reserve from whichever of the 8 treehouse-style lodges is yours for your stay. The eco-conscious complex reduces its carbon footprint by using hydrogen power, and its design achieves its aim of blending in with the surrounding landscape with minimal disturbance to the area’s wildlife residents which include lesser spotted leopard and black rhino.
In your suite, highlights include a large free-standing, hand-crafted stone bath and an even larger kingsize bed. Elevated walkways will lead you to the communal areas which include the main lodge, home to the pool and dining areas. And just for Jaci’s guests is the terrapin hide, a water level viewing deck that gives you a unique 270º view of life on and just under the surface of the local watering hole.
Location: Madikwe Game Reserve
Hillside living in the Kruger National Park sounds like a chance to take in some amazing views and experiences doesn’t it? And that’s exactly what The Outpost delivers. With only 12 elevated lodges to book, reserving early is recommended as you’ll soon see why this is such a popular location.
Your open plan accommodation is situated at various heights on the hill, with the lower lodges offering river views and the uppermost giving you a panoramic peek over the treetops. The developers of this complex knew just how alluring the beautiful views were going to be, which is why they designed the lodges with retractable walls so that three sides open up, ensuring nothing gets in between you and the flora and wildlife.
Add to that the comfy kingsize bed and award-winning bathroom, and what you’ve got is a place in which every aspect of your stay is over and above anything you’ve likely experienced before.
Location: Kruger National Park
Lion Sands makes our top ten not just because it’s rated one of the best hotels in the world. It’s also because the lodge lives up to those lofty ratings in every way.
Currently run by the grandchildren of one of the founders of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve where this impressive establishment is located, there’s history within these four walls, as well as all the modern comforts you’d expect to find in a 5-star hotel.
All 8 of the 1-bed lodges are close to the wildlife rich riverbank and feature a private plunge pool and floor to ceiling glass walls for your viewing pleasure. Your privacy is assured as each is spaced 20 metres apart. Want even more privacy? Best reserve the 2 bed Fish Eagle villa.
Wherever you choose to stay during your Big 5 adventure, you can meet other guests in the bar or lounge, around the pool, or in the indoor and outdoor dining areas, which includes a traditional boma.
Location: Kruger National Park
Conservation meets luxury accommodation here in southern Kalahari. Staying here will financially help local nature and community projects as well as give you a chance to see and live alongside an incredible range of wildlife, including cheetah, black-maned lion, aardvark and meerkat.
In our opinion, this is one of the best family friendly safari locations in South Africa. Younger adventurers are well looked after with a range of activities to keep them entertained. And all guests can choose between lodge or tent-style suites, or for an exclusive experience, the 5-bed thatched homestead for up to 10 guests.
Location: Namaqualand and Northern Cape
Here’s where you can enjoy some of the best whale watching in the world without stepping off dry land.
This five-suite lodge is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean on the Garden Route in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, with fynbos and white sand to enjoy just a few steps from your accommodation. All of the solar powered suites sleep 2 in a kingsize bed and feature oversized bathrooms and a private balcony from which to take in the splendour of your surroundings.
Children are well looked after here and receive a special kids’ rucksack upon arrival, and you can all enjoy sharing the heated pool, hot tub, rooftop terrace and firepit with other guests, unless you’re booking all the suites for your group, in which case, it’s all yours.
Location: Garden Route
This 8 room hotel’s nearest neighbour is Table Mountain, which is why each of the rooms is named after an element of that wonderful natural feature. And this guesthouse style location’s next nearest neighbour is central Cape Town with all its shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife. So if you believe that location is everything when it comes to booking a place to stay, you’re going to find it hard not to reserve a room at Camissa House.
The convenience of its location is complemented by the quality of the service here. Enjoy breakfast and high tea daily, with concierge and butler services available 24/7. You can start a walking trail right outside, or just enjoy the views of the city, harbour and one of the most famous mountains in the world. And you and fellow guests have exclusive use of the pool and can dry off on the deck before heading to the dining room or lounge bar for refreshments.
Location: Cape Town
You could say that this place rocks, given that its trio of riverside suites are so inspired by the commanding granite that shapes and dominates the area. But there’s a lot more to recommend Londolozi, including a good likelihood that you’ll spot the Big 5 during your stay here.
It’s located in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve which borders Kruger National Park. And with only ever a maximum of 6 guests plus staff on site, it’s virtually you at one with nature. Your 85 square meter suite gives you a chance to relax as you look out for the elephant, baboon, buffalo, mongoose and more that call this part of the world home.
An elevated communal bar and cocktail lounge in the main lodge give you another vantage point, so too the pool and the indoor and outdoor dining areas where meals are served. And all guests have access to facilities at the nearby Founder’s Camp. Yoga class, anyone?
Location: Kruger National Park
Another location with treetop lodges makes its way into our top ten. And Tsala is here as much for the quality of its accommodation as the way the whole place manages to capture the spirit of Africa and provide places to stay that don’t intrude on the lives of the natural all around.
It’s an impressive looking place, but there’s plenty of substance behind the grand stone entrance, not least a magnificent foyer to enjoy upon arrival.
Whether you book a private suite or villa, or choose to enjoy meals in the dining room or restaurant, you’re assured of views that’ll have you wanting to capture photos from all angles. It’s all thanks to Tsala’s Garden Route location and the quality of the elevated suites within the forest that allow you to enjoy the privacy and luxury offered by private decks with forest views and infinity pools that are all yours.
Location: Garden Route
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