With its epic beauty South Africa can feel like many countries in one. It's not just that there are 11 official languages and that the scenery includes everything from empty deserts, to savannah, to lush river systems, to a gorgeous coastline or that South Africa is a great place to spot the Big Five - plus whales. It's also that the South African way of life varies from modern first world standards in the big cities to a much more traditional way of living in the smaller towns and villages. Most travellers come to South Africa hoping to see something of all of these worlds, so choosing the best places to stay in South Africa is all about deciding what you really can't miss from a list of un-missable attractions.
Some of our South Africa Collections:
What not to Miss
The Wilds of South Arica
From the empty openness of the Kalahari to the verdant deltas of the Limpopo River and from the incredible biodiversity of the KwaZulu-Natal to the Kruger National Park's big-game-rich savannah, South Africa is one of the world's most epic destinations when it comes to flora, fauna and scenery.
It's also big. Really big. So choose your jumping off points carefully!
- The Western Cape is known for the Garden Route which is an easy way to see quite a bit of countryside. Also for wine, whales and Table Mountain. The Kirstenboscåh National Botanical Garden sits on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain and is renowned for being one of the most magnificent botanical gardens in the world and this reputation is well-earned. Rare and endangered species live in this vibrant paradise and there are also a few restaurants for when your legs need a break! Robberg Nature Reserve is a fantastic coastal park through which you can hike whilst keeping the sea in sight! A great place for some gentle exercise. The beautiful bay of Knysna Heads is best visited by boat as this opens up the possibility of whale spotting depending on the season. Stunning scenery and a terrific place for a day trip.
- The Eastern Cape has the Tsitsikamma National Park which marks the end of the Garden Route, the Addo Elephant National Park, fantastic beaches at Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay and the best surfing.
- The Northern Cape is famous for diamonds and the Kalahari desert.
- The KwaZulu-Natal region is where you’ll find seaside the city of Durban, plus the Drakesberg Mountain Range and the Tugela Falls, the world’s second highest waterfall.
- Mpumalanga has part of the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon.
- Limpopo has the rest of the Kruger National Park and is where you leave South Africa to enter Zimbabwe.
South Africa's Colourful Cities
South Africa is still a country in flux. Apartheid has only just been quashed - and many current citizens have experienced this change first hand. While this is still a country of huge inequalities it is changing. To put what you see in South Africa’s cities into context it’s really useful to visit museums charting the revolution against apartheid - not just Robben Island.
- With the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain in one direction and the glittering expanse of Table Bay in the other, Cape Town has a reputation for being one of the world's most beautiful cities. It's both rugged and delicate, and rough and pristine, and extremely photogenic. On top of the beauty, the city has a reputation for being laid back and friendly and many of the best places reflect this attitude with their great service.
- Johannesburg is where most people enter South Africa and is arguably the economic heart of the whole continent. As well as the commerce you're familiar with, you'll also see a lot of business being done on the streets - especially at the traffic lights. This city is fast modernising and smartening up.
- Pretoria, the administrative capital, feels more like an old Afrikaner city than South Africa's other major centres. Elegant and gracious, the old administrative buildings are now where people of all backgrounds work. Though it looks historic and has some of South Africa's best museums it's actually very multicultural.
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Durban is very much a coastal city and Africa’s busiest port. The waterfront is a great place to be, it is freshly revamped as there’s quite a bit of development going on in Durban. The Golden Mile, the name for the stretch of wide golden sand close to downtown Durban is well-loved by surfers and there are play pools and playgrounds as well as cafes and bars. There are lots of purpose designed visitor attractions too - like aquariums and marine parks because Durban is a popular holiday destination for South Africans.
South Africa's Stunning Coastline
With golden beaches on the eastern coastline, warmed by the Indian Ocean, and the semi-arid west coast painted by the ice Atlantic, there’s a lot of choice even once you’ve decided you want to see the coast!
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Hermanus is one of the best places in the world (on land) to whale watch - a key spot on the migration route of the Southern Right whales.
- Cape Town is well know for its its beautiful, golden beaches, ideal for surfing and windsurfing. If you want to get even closer to the inhabitants of these waters visit the Two Oceans Aquarium. If you're a qualified diver you'll even be able to get into the water.
- The Eastern Cape is also known for its beaches: Jeffrey's Bay is the country's best known surfing beach, but Port and Elizabeth and East London are probably more aesthetically lovely.
- Just south of Cape Town you'll find Simon's Town, a picturesque little village with a colony of penguins.
For Wine Buffs and Foodies
- From Cape Town the wine regions of Stellenbosch and Constantia - South Africa's very first wine region - are just a short drive, and there are many tours you can join which will save you having to drive yourself. We'd recommend you stay in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch.
With such a variety of places to see and things to do, there will be no shortage of finding one of the best places to stay in South Africa. It just depends what you are going for!
The best places to stay in South Africa
For an Adventure
- Within the Elandskloof Nature Reserve, the Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse is an elegant, spacious, Victorian guesthouse with rooms, suites and a self-catering house. There’s a pool and six thousand acres of private reserve to explore. Aside from joining in game drives, guests can hike, cycle, row, kayak, fish or windsurf.
- Close to the Garden Route, the Hlangana Lodge in Oudtshoorn, is an exotic, but homely feeling guesthouse with lovely landscaped gardens and 18 bedrooms. As well as the Garden Route you’re also close to the Cango Caves.
For Cape Town
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Welgelegen is the Dutch word for 'well situated', which is exactly what this guesthouse is. The 13 bedroom Victorian era property is on a leafy cul-de-sac right around the corner from the trendy bars and restaurants of Long and Kloof Streets.
- The Cape Grace Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Cape Town if you want to be right on the water. The views, especially from the rooftop spa, are incredible.
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Kensington Place is a small stylish hotel in Higgovale on the Table Mountain foothills. This intimate spot puts emphasis on peace and tranquility. Each room comes with private balcony and most have phenomenal views of the city and bay. Check out nearby Kloof Street, Cape Town's hottest spot for restaurants and bars.
For the Coastline
- The Abalone House & Spa in Bek Bay, in the coastal village of Paternoster, offers all the luxury you’d associate with its five star rating. It also offers great sea views, has a fantastic restaurant and a hot tub on the roof - perfect for sundowners overlooking the sea.
- Also in Paternoster, the Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel is a simple, but beautifully designed property with just 14 suites, some of them opening directly onto the beach. The food is good and as this is an adult’s only hotel so you can expect it to be peaceful.
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Essenwood House in Durban is great value, cosy and comfortable. It’s a short drive from Durban city and a great base from which to organise a safari.
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The Twelve Apostles Hotel is 'around the corner’ from Cape Town on Camps Bay with views of two oceans and Table Mountain. A classic, comfortable,70 room hotel, this is a great location for enjoying the best of both Cape Town and the coast.
For Wine and Food
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Cellars-Hohenort is an elegantly converted old manor house on a wine estate at the base of Table Mountain. The sleek rooms are white on white with splashes of bold fabric, utterly chic! Spectacular views, award winning gardens, spa services and an extensive wine cellar in addition to the two award-winning restaurants will make it hard to leave.
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Majecka House in Stellenbosch is a modern hotel with fun decor and state-of-the-art bathrooms, statement murals and funky wallpapers. There are just 23 rooms, four outdoor pools, plus a spa and hammam. The restaurant is excellent.
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La Residence, Franschhoek is a visual feast, with impressive antiques, exotic paintings and palatial decoration. Each of the 16 suites is decorated like a Maharajah’s palace - or Versailles and there’s an indulgent looking dining room and award-winning spa.
- Also in the Franschhoek Valley, the Leeu Estates are in the middle of a beautiful, working vineyard. The hotel has been converted from an elegant, 19th century manor house and the decor is both colonial and African, Both the dining and the wines are fine.
- The Rickety Bridge Manor House, on the Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, is an intimate, three bedroom manor house in the verdant Franschhoek Valley. The decor is charming and homely and the price is reasonable.
- Sitting in between the Franschhoek Valley and the Stony Brook River, Holden Manz is a spacious, five room country house with a fantastic kitchen and a spa that we really take you away from it all - though you sort of already are....
For A Rural Retreat
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Babylonstoren is a restored Cape Dutch farmhouse in the rural hamlet of Simondium. It has 12 elegant rooms with original farmhouse features like fireplaces and stone walls. They have an organic garden where they grow many ingredients for the restaurant.
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Grand Dedale is a beautifully restored manor house turned seven room boutique-style county house hotel on a 380 hectare estate. Chic and luxurious accommodation is just the start of the offering here, you can also enjoy four course suppers of game and seafood - or even catch your own fish.
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The Robertson Small Hotel, in off-the-beaten-track Robertson, is a five star property with Victorian design and ten, chic, light-filled rooms, a lovely pool and an extensive wine list.
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Akademie Street is a collection of boutique-style suites and cottages in charming Franschhoek. Elegant and comfortable, with wonderful views and a choice of pools and hot tubs, this is a great village to stay in surrounded by wine and walking country.
For Families
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Hawksmoor House is a charming hideaway outside Stellenbosch with views of Table Mountain to the South. Traditional architecture, antique furnishings and a great pool make this an ideal spot for relaxation. Very family friendly.
- The Arabella Hotel & Spa in Hermanus is a county estate on the coast known for its golf course and award-winning spa. There are 145 rooms, with room rates starting from around £120 per night, and the decor is modern with African accents. The hotel has both indoor and outdoor pools and there’s a fine dining restaurant.
For Honeymooners
- The Abalone House & Spa in Bek Bay in the coastal village of Paternoster, offers all the luxury you’d associate with its five star rating. It also offers great sea views, has a fantastic restaurant and a hot tub on the roof - perfect for sundowners overlooking the sea.
- Sitting in between the Franschhoek Valley and the Stony Brook River, Holden Manz is a spacious, five room country house with a fantastic kitchen and a spa that we really take you away from it all - though you sort of already are...
- Also in the Franschhoek Valley, La Petite Ferme is a gourmet restaurant with rooms in a famous vineyard. The suites have extremely beautiful views, and some have private plunge pools. You’re close to Franschhoek and a range of excellent restaurants.
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Mont Rochelle is a 26 room hotel in a spectacular vineyard setting. The decor is classical with clean lines and plenty of light. There’s a spoiling spa and a fabulous restaurant.
For an Apartment or Villa
If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.
Travel Information
- South Africa has three main international airports: Cape Town International Airport, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Durban King Shanka International Airport. Durban is smaller, and has fewer direct connections.
- If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
- If you’re here for a beach break you’ll need to fly into Cape Town between November and March or Durban between April and October. If you’re here for a safari you can pretty much travel at any time - though do check carefully as there are some reserves which include floodplains.
Still not sure?
