Boutique Hotels in South Africa

Why go?

For its incredible natural beauty: South Africa is a large country of massively varied and spectacular terrain - from the picturesque winelands to the awesome Drakensberg mountains and the unspoilt wilderness of the bush.

There's loads to do - nature lovers and adventure seekers will not be disappointed. Its wealth of plantlife is outstanding and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife. And for those just wanting to relax, there's mile upon mile of glorious sandy beaches - some of the best and least crowded in the world.

There's excellent accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from treehouses and luxury tents to chic guesthouses, characterful country inns and Africa's most stylish safari lodges. Eating out is still quite cheap, and great infrastructure makes it perfect for touring. There's plenty of sunshine and the seasons are reversed, so it's ideal for escaping the European winter. For Europeans, it's long-haul without the jetlag - the time difference is just 1-2 hours.

Any Downsides?

Apartheid may be dead, but the inequality of wealth and racial tensions still pervade. The segregation of society is still extreme with most blacks living in townships like Soweto or in basic housing in the rural areas. Visitors to the Western Cape will find the atmosphere more American or European than African.

Crime is a major problem in South Africa's cities and main towns, but despite this most travellers to South Africa experience a hassle-free visit. Downtown Johannesburg is one of the worst affected areas; Cape Town is generally much safer. Use common sense and be cautious but don't get paranoid.

South Africa is huge so unless you have several weeks, it would be unwise to attempt a tour of the whole country. Better to concentrate on either the east or west.

What's where?

• Cape Town: A truly awesome venue: climb Table Mountain, bask on beautiful beaches, visit Robben Island and enjoy hip restaurants and bars at the V&A waterfront Read More >>
• Cape Winelands: Utterly idyllic with rugged mountains cradling endless green vineyards. Taste world-class wines and indulge at fabulous restaurants Read More >>
• Garden Route & Eastern Cape: A stunning stretch of golden beaches, buzzy seaside towns, Phantom rainforest, fantastic game parks and the chance to whale-watch Read More >>
• Hermanus & Overberg: Just 2 hours from Cape Town: long sandy beaches, whale watching, flowering fynbos, semi-arid Klein Karoo, buzzy Hermanus and historic Swellendam Read More >>
• Johannesburg: SA's largest city with buzzy restaurants and a busy nightlife plus top museums and shopping malls Read More >>
• Kruger & Around: Home to the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon and the flagship of SA's game parks, there's dramatic scenery, open savannah and wildlife in abundance Read More >>
• Kwazulu Natal: An often-overlooked corner of SA yet it has fabulous beaches, great surf at Durban, game viewing and the rugged Drakensberg mountains Read More >>
• Madikwe: Big cats, black and white rhino and astonishing buck and birdlife; see it from a Jeep or on foot in the gloriously wild Madikwe Game Reserve Read More >>