100 + best places to stay on your holidays in South Africa

Holidays in South Africa - Where to stay

Over the past few years, I have reviewed many hotels around South Africa, suiting different tastes and budgets. Here is a summarised list, which I hope will help you to find what you are looking for. Click on the links for comprehensive reviews on great places to stay during your holidays in South Africa . I have listed the establishments under the name of the province they are situated in. South Africa has nine provinces. As I live in Johannesburg, in the Gauteng province, I have listed the most hotels under this province.

“I am an African. I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains and the glades, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers, the seas and the ever-changing seasons that define the face of our native land”. Thabo Mbeki, Former president of South Africa

Where to stay in South Africa

Western Cape

The Western Cape is home to Cape Town, also known as South Africa’s Mother City, which is consistently listed amongst the best cities in the world.  The province is endowed with abundant natural beauty, many opportunities for adventure, world-class shopping and food, and captivating history. 

Arabella Hotel, Golf and Spa (Kleinmond) (Review coming soon)

Morukuru Family Beach Lodge (De Hoop Nature Reserve)

The Plettenberg Hotel (Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route)

Hyatt Regency Cape Town (Bo-Kaap, Cape Town)

The President Hotel (Bantry Bay, Cape Town)

Arniston Spa Hotel (Arniston)

Pullman Cape Town City Centre (Cape Town CBD)

The Marine (Hermanus)

Tintswalo at Boulders (Simon's Town, Cape Town)

Sky Villa Boutique Hotel(Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route)

Kogelberg Nature Reserve (Kleinmond) (Review coming soon)

The Lofts Boutique Hotel(Knysna, Garden Route)

12 Apostles Hotel and Spa(Cape Town)

Taj Cape Town(Cape Town)

Hotel Verde (Cape Town)

Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate (George, Garden Route)

Shelley Point Hotel and Spa (St Helena Bay, West Coast) (This hotel was extensively damaged in a fire in January 2023.)

 

Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is home to stunning scenery, captivating wildlife and beautiful beaches. Some of the best surfing in the world can be found here. It is also the province in which Nelson Mandela was born.

Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth(Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha )

Hlosi Game Lodge (Amakhala Game Reserve)

Supertubes Guesthouse (Jeffrey's Bay)

 

Kwazulu Natal (KZN)

KwaZulu Natal is one of the most popular destinations for holidays in South Africa -even with locals. It is a spectacular, multi-cultural, subtropical region flanked by the warm Indian Ocean and the striking Drakensberg mountain range. 

The Oyster Box (Umhlanga)

Radisson Blu Umhlanga

aha Alpine Heath Hotel (Drakensberg)

Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape (Scottburgh)

Thanda Safari Lodge(Northern KZN)

Kosi Forest Lodge (Kosi Bay)

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge (Hluhluwe)

Elephant Lake Hotel (St Lucia)

Hartford House (Midlands)

Brahman Hills (Midlands)

Drakensberg Sun (Drakensberg)

Inkunzi Cave and Zulu Hut (Drakensberg)

Selborne Hotel, Spa and Golf Estate (KZN South Coast)

Cathedral Peak Hotel (Drakensberg)

The Nest Hotel(Drakensberg)

Tala Collection Private Game Reserve(Camperdown)

Garden Court Umhlanga(Umhlanga , Durban)

Gwahumbe Game and Spa (Mid-Illovo)

 

Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga is one of South Africa's most beautiful provinces, world-renowned magnificent natural beauty and prolific wildlife.

Jock Safari Lodge (Kruger National Park)

Hoyo-Hoyo Safari Lodge (Kruger National Park)

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge(Sabi Sands - Greater Kruger)

Walkersons Hotel and Spa (Dullstroom)

Sabi River Sun(Hazyview)

Kruger Park Lodge(Hazyview)

Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge (Pilgrims Rest)

 

Northern Cape

"The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province and a must-see destination, whether you prefer the ocean, the desert, the bush or quirky towns rich in history and culture." Experience Northern Cape

Augrabies Falls National Park

Namaqua National Park

Red Sands Country Lodge (Kuruman)

Protea Hotel by Marriott Kimberley

 

Free State

"The Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in, that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons."  Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

Protea Hotel by Marriott Clarens

Golden Gate National Park

 

Limpopo

"Limpopo is a land of beautiful and contrasting landscapes, which is typical of Africa. Hence it has become a favourite destination for leisure and adventure travellers worldwide." Limpopo Tourism

Kingfisher Villa (Mabula)

Kapama River Lodge (Hoedspruit)

Tintswalo Waterberg (Welgevonden Game Reserve)

Tintswalo at Lapalala (Waterberg) (This hotel is now closed.)

Mhondoro Game Lodge(Welgevonden Game Reserve)

Letamo at Qwabi Private Game Reserve (Bela-Bela)

Garingani 360 (Entabeni)

Safari Plains (Bela-Bela)

Mabula Game Lodge (Bela-Bela)

Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge(Modimolle)

Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway(Welgevonden Game Reserve)

Zwahili Private Game Lodge(Modimolle)

Zebula Golf Estate and Spa(Bela-Bela)

Legend Golf and Safari Resort(Entabeni)

 

North-West

"Nature has blessed this province with breathtaking scenic beauty, rolling fields of maize, golden sunflowers and vast plains of African bushveld." North-West Tourism

Last Word Madikwe ( Madikwe Game Reserve)

Molori Safari Lodge ( Madikwe Game Reserve)

Morukuru Family Owner's House( Madikwe Game Reserve)

Madikwe Safari Lodge ( Madikwe Game Reserve)

Jaci’s Lodges ( Madikwe Game Reserve)

Tau Game Lodge( Madikwe Game Reserve)

Moledi Gorge(Rustenburg)

Kwa-Maritane Bush Lodge(Pilanesberg Game Reserve)

Dikhololo Resort (Brits)

Three Oaks and an Aloe Boutique Hotel (Hartbeespoort)

Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa (Rustenburg)

ANEW Resort Hunters Rest (Rustenburg)

African Hills Safari Lodge(Magaliesburg)

Mount Amanzi(Hartbeespoort)

 

Gauteng

"Sometimes the gold of Egoli can be found in the most inconspicuous places". Indra Wussow

The Houghton Hotel (Houghton)

Sandton Sun(Sandton)

Seven Villa Hotel and Spa (Sandton)

The Winston Hotel (Rosebank)

Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton

Courtyard Hotel Arcadia (Pretoria)

Bushman's Rock Country Lodge (Pretoria)

Mount Grace Country House & Spa(Magaliesburg)

De Hoek Country Hotel(Magaliesburg)

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel(Sandton)

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff(Westcliff)

54 on Bath (Rosebank)

Zebra Nature Reserve(Pretoria)

Sibani Lodge (Muldersdrift)

Black Brick Hotel(Sandton)

Idwala Boutique Hotel(Cresta)

Kievits Kroon Country Estate(Pretoria)

Clico Boutique Hotel(Rosebank)

Thaba Eco Hotel(Johannesburg South)

Valley Lodge and Spa(Magaliesburg)

Irene Country Lodge(Pretoria)

Riverside Sun Hotel(Vaal)

Bon Hotel Riviera on Vaal(Vaal)

Radisson Blu Sandton(Sandton)

Radisson Blu Gautrain(Sandton)

Gold Reef City Hotel(Ormonde)

Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park(Parktown)

Indaba Hotel(Fourways)

The Orient Hotel(Pretoria) (This hotel is now closed.)

Most of these places can be booked here.

 

Other

Rovos Rail

"Africa is mystic; it is wild; it is a sweltering inferno; it is a photographer’s paradise, a hunter’s Valhalla, an escapist’s Utopia. It is what you will, and it withstands all interpretations. ” Beryl Markham (British-born Kenyan aviator, adventurer, racehorse trainer and author; extract from “West with the Night”)

Holidays in South Africa - Where to stay

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