Top 10 Hotels in South Africa

This is a perfect choice for families since the 8 rooms are actually tree houses built around a giant Leadwood tree. There are outdoor jungle showers as well as en-suite bathrooms. Raised wooden walkways lead to a restuarant and bar. To top it all off, Jaci's Tree Lodge is situated in the excellent (malaria-free) Madikwe Game Reserve, near the border of Botswana, which boasts abundant wildlife.

For rates email the lodge directly at jaci@madikwe.com

The Cape Grace hotel is situated on its own private quay on Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Every room has views of either Table Mountain or the harbor. This is a very luxurious hotel with excellent dining facilities, a spa, a whisky bar and of course a wonderful pool. If you can't afford to stay here (rates start at around (USD 500 per night), it's worth just going in and having a drink to soak up the atmosphere.

Cape Grace Hotel reviews.

Phinda has 5 different distinctive lodges to choose from including the Forest Lodge which includes 16 hand built glass-encased suites all with private decks. The Vlei Lodge consists of six stilted glass and thatch suites situated in the rare Dry Sand Forest. Each suite comes with plunge pool and private game viewing decks. The Rock Lodge with its six suites suspended from the side of a rocky cliff each with spectacular views.

Phinda Reserve is a unique area with 7 distinct habitats, an abundance of wildlife including Africa's Big Five and over 380 bird species.

The perfect destination for honeymooners, Garonga Safari Camp offers 6 tented rooms and a suite. The tented rooms are situated on a dry river bed and each have their own deck with fantastic views. This is a an unhurried, intimate, quiet safari experience, but still luxurious. A highlight is the opportunity to camp out for the night on a deck accompanied by a gourmet picnic basket and hot drinks.

Rates start at USD 260 per person per night.

The Earth Lodge is actually sculpted into the earth and is a unique design that blends in with the environment. Situated around a waterhole, each of the 12 suites at this private game lodge are attended by a butler and appointed with specially commissioned furnishings, a secluded plunge pool and an open air shower. You can dine outside around an open fire or enjoy a gourmet meal in the cellar.

The Earth Lodge is in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve which is one of South Africa's top rated reserves.

Thonga Lodge has 11 air-conditioned thatched bush suites built on stilts in the sand dunes. The Lodge is situated on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean close to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. Activities at the lodge include snorkeling, diving, dining on the beach and turtle tracking in the summer.

Rates start at USD 250 per night per person inclusive of meals and activities.

Diaz 15 House on the Beach is situated in lush gardens on the white sands of Jeffrey's Bay. The Mediterranean style suites come with their own patios and balconies where you can enjoy your sundowner in luxury, while watching the dolphins in the surf below. The rim-flow swimming pool overlooking the beach is the icing on the cake. This is a very well situated hotel to enjoy all the sights of the Garden Route.

Rates start at USD 100 per person including breakfast.

The MalaMala Main Camp is set on the banks of the Sand River. The camp provides 18 very luxurious rooms under thatched roofs. Dine under the stars around a bonfire and enjoy world-class game drives during the day. MalaMala is consistently rated as a top African hotel and safari destination.

Rates start at USD 500 per person and include meals, snacks and game drives.

Set in the dramatic surroundings of the Drakensburg Mountains, the Cathedral Peak hotel has been offering high quality accommodation since 1936. The hotel offers plenty of activities for families including golf, hiking, biking, swimming, tennis, squash and more. There are family suites, honeymoon suites and presidential suites to cater to all budgets.

Rates start at USD 85 per night.

The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is an intimate, luxurious and stunningly beautiful place to enjoy the unique Kalahari Desert. Accommodation is limited to just 30 guests at two locations. Choose between Motse, an African village consisting of eight authentically stone walled and thatch-roofed bungalows. Or Tarkuni, a free-standing dwelling with a luxury swimming pool opening to the remarkable scene of animals drinking at a nearby watering hole.

Tswalu has won numerous tourism and environmental awards.

Rates start at USD 650 per person.