Our favourite lodges for a luxurious holiday in South Africa
Many will offer relaxing spa treatments, superb wine tasting, gourmet dinners and – occasionally – even top-notch game-viewing. Regardless if you are looking for a luxury safari providing a high standard of service or an exclusive stay in the vibrant city of Cape Town, here you can find great choices for very luxurious holidays in South Africa.
Kwandwe Self-drive Safari
3 days • 1 location
PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
US$2,340 - US$3,860 per person
Ecca Lodge
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge successfully melds modern comfort of a luxury lodge with inventive architecture and trendy, yet thoughtful details. Add to this: superb service and food, highly flexible staff and first-rate guiding; this is truly a luxury escape in a pristine private wilderness.
Cape Grysbok Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
US$3,630 - US$6,010 per person
Cape Grace
This luxury hotel combines modern comforts with traditional Cape culture in an exclusive waterfront setting. At Cape Grace you can expect individually-designed rooms with sumptuous beds and extravagant throws. Flamboyant décor and colonial artworks complete the luxurious feel.
The Marine
From fresh seafood, fine wines and an impeccable dining atmosphere, to browsing through exquisite jewellery at the hotel’s boutique and relaxing in luxuriously appointed and individually decorated rooms; the attention to detail at the Marine is apparent in every aspect.
Tsala Treetop Lodge
Set in the forest canopy of the Western Cape, Tsala Treetop offers unique and opulent accommodation with a bird’s eye view of the treetops. A luxurious choice for your holiday, the lavish offerings include wraparound decking and private infinity pools for each suite.
The Franschhoek
The Last Word Franschhoek’s location in the French corner of the Cape proves to be a perfect setting for an idyllic, luxurious holiday. High levels of personalized service and comfort in a region with a fine tradition of wine-making make this a perfect base for wine lovers.
Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari
12 days • 4 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
US$3,410 - US$6,330 per person
Garden Lodge
Enjoy panoramic views of the sparkling distant ocean and unique fynbos vegetation whilst relaxing on sumptuous canopy beds or at the swimming pool. Grootbos Garden Lodge provides an exceptional level of comfort and luxury set amidst beautiful and interesting scenery.
Bushmans Kloof
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness brings great luxury with emphasis on guest comfort and generous hospitality. Indulge yourself at the award-winning spa and enjoy delicious organic cuisine in special and unusual locations; Bushmans Kloof’s offers a first-class experience in a beautiful setting.
Babylonstoren
Once a farmhouse, now a luxury hotel; Babylonstoren’s sprawling grounds are beautifully manicured offering an abundance of impressive gardens and vineyards. From contemporary, modern décor to inspired, fresh food from their own gardens, this hotel is unique and full of character.
Waterbuck self-drive
12 days • 6 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
US$2,250 - US$2,800 per person
Cellars-Hohenort
Cellars-Hohenort is the perfect place for those seeking an idyllic holiday with a luxurious feel. Its delightful, old-fashioned character combined with high-quality furniture/furnishings and unique features like its own vineyard, add to its exclusive ambience.
Leopard Safari
13 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
US$9,170 - US$13,000 per person
Cape Grace
This luxury hotel combines modern comforts with traditional Cape culture in an exclusive waterfront setting. At Cape Grace you can expect individually-designed rooms with sumptuous beds and extravagant throws. Flamboyant décor and colonial artworks complete the luxurious feel.
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
US$14,280 - US$18,140 per person
Mount Nelson Hotel
Timelessly elegant with English colonial décor, Mount Nelson Hotel is perhaps South Africa’s top hotel and offer classic luxury in a tranquil setting. The hotel’s soft pink exterior, heated swimming pools and indulgent afternoon teas highlight the hotel’s attention to detail.
Victoria Falls Hotel
The furnishings and décor of the Victoria Falls Hotel evoke an era of Edwardian gentility, whilst functioning well with efficient modern amenities. For true indulgence, stay under the high ceilings of The Stable Wing, or in one of the hotel’s large and luxurious suites.
1 of
Luxury elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.

Botswana
Botswana’s tourism policy aims for high value, low impact tourism. This results in high prices, ...

Kenya
Kenya is distinguished by the diversity of its landscapes, wildlife and culture – but there’s an ...

Malawi
There are only a small number of high-end lodges in Malawi, but these are small, intimate and very ...

Mozambique
Mozambique is off the beaten track. The tourism industry is currently still developing and many ...

Namibia
Wide-open spaces, seemingly endless wilderness and a sense of solitude almost guaranteed: Namibia ...

Rwanda
Rwanda offers striking scenery, diverse wildlife and great cultural experiences – but until recently, ...

Seychelles
With the sun reflecting on the deep blue Indian Ocean, palm-fringed beaches and lush forests, the ...

Tanzania
When it comes to luxurious accommodation, Tanzania isn’t short of beautiful camps and lodges offering ...

Zambia
Zambia has plentiful wildlife across huge areas and many very experienced guides. Although as its ...

Zanzibar
With endless palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and accommodation built with world-class comfort ...

Zimbabwe
With great game viewing, vast national parks and some stunning scenery, Zimbabwe is fantastic to ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
82% SUCCESS
2,016 sightings from 2,455 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
31% SUCCESS
787 sightings from 2,528 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
90% SUCCESS
2,880 sightings from 3,189 observations

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,067 sightings from 1,523 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
85% SUCCESS
2,761 sightings from 3,231 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,092 sightings from 2,355 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
53% SUCCESS
1,668 sightings from 3,141 observations

Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
196 sightings from 1,219 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
46% SUCCESS
1,533 sightings from 3,311 observations

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,399 sightings from 2,966 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
477 sightings from 1,586 observations

White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
387 sightings from 903 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
698 sightings from 2,211 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
66% SUCCESS
1,947 sightings from 2,929 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
42 sightings from 2,652 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
64 sightings from 2,713 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
47% SUCCESS
1,110 sightings from 2,368 observations

Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
22% SUCCESS
74 sightings from 333 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,040 sightings from 3,621 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
22% SUCCESS
369 sightings from 1,662 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
21% SUCCESS
355 sightings from 1,665 observations
