Looking for a top-notch hotel experience in South Africa? You’re in the right place!
South Africa is home to some of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the world.
These aren’t just places to sleep — they’re destinations in themselves, offering world-class service, stunning views, and unique experiences.
Whether you’re dreaming of waking up to the sight of wildlife from a lavish safari lodge or soaking in the elegance of a chic city hotel, these hotels in South Africa have got it all.
This guide will share with you to the crème de la crème, where every detail is designed for the discerning traveler.
Most Expensive Hotels in South Africa
The Shambalala Private Game Reserve is currently the most expensive hotel in South Africa, it commands rates up to $4,870 per night. Nestled within a tranquil setting, this exclusive lodge offers guests an unparalleled luxury safari experience.
1. Shambala Private Game Reserve
Shambalala Private Game Reserve stands as the pinnacle of luxury in South Africa, commanding rates up to $4,870 per night.
Nestled in a secluded area, it offers guests an intimate Big Five safari experience.
The reserve’s exclusivity is underscored by its limited number of lavish suites, ensuring a private and serene stay.
Each suite is a testament to luxury, with plush interiors and panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing comfort.
2. Royal Malewane
Royal Malewane exudes opulence with rates at $4,270 per night, offering a premier wildlife experience in the Kruger National Park.
This esteemed lodge is renowned for its exceptional guiding team and the high standard of wildlife encounters it provides.
Accommodations are sumptuous, featuring classic décor that reflects the African bush’s elegance and spirit.
Each suite offers utmost privacy and comes with a private deck and pool, offering spectacular views of the wild.
The spa and gourmet cuisine add to the indulgent experience.
3. La Residence, Franschhoek
La Residence in Franschhoek, with rates reaching $1,900, is a sanctuary of luxury nestled in one of South Africa’s most picturesque valleys.
This boutique hotel is celebrated for its exquisite interiors, each room and suite uniquely decorated with lavish furnishings and artwork.
The hotel’s setting among vineyards and mountains adds to its allure, offering breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere.
La Residence’s acclaimed service, gourmet dining, and the personal touch in every aspect of the guest experience make it a standout destination.
It provides a perfect blend of rural charm and opulent living, making it a favorite for those seeking a serene retreat with a touch of grandeur.
4. Dulini Moya
Dulini Moya, set under the canopy of ebony trees with rates up to $2,397, offers an intimate escape into the heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve.
The lodge’s few suites ensure a personal and secluded experience, with each suite boasting views that connect guests directly with the serene environment.
The design merges elegance with the natural setting, featuring private plunge pools and outdoor showers.
Dulini Moya is not just about luxury accommodations; it’s about creating unforgettable safari experiences, with expert-guided game drives and walking safaris that bring guests face-to-face with Africa’s majestic wildlife.
5. Leopard Hills
Leopard Hills, located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, offers modern safari experiences at rates up to $2,362 per night.
This lodge is perched on a hill overlooking a natural waterhole, ensuring spectacular wildlife viewing right from the comfort of one’s suite.
The suites are designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, featuring glass fronts that allow for uninterrupted views of the bush.
Each comes with a private deck and plunge pool, providing a serene spot to observe the wildlife.
6. Lions Sands Game Reserve
Lion Sands Game Reserve, with rates around $2,208, is nestled in the renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park.
This family-owned lodge offers a distinct safari experience, combining luxury accommodations with exceptional wildlife encounters.
Each of the lodge’s spaces is thoughtfully designed to offer panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, ensuring guests are always in touch with nature.
The reserve is known for its high density of wildlife, providing guests with unparalleled opportunities to observe the Big Five up close, often directly from their private decks.
7. Kapama Karula Hotel
Kapama Karula Hotel, set within the expansive Kapama Game Reserve, commands rates up to $1,980 per night.
This hotel epitomizes safari luxury with its contemporary design and expansive suites that offer unobstructed views of the Klaserie River.
Each suite is a haven of sophistication, equipped with private pools and outdoor showers, blending the indoors with the magnificent outdoors seamlessly.
The reserve’s diverse ecosystems guarantee dynamic wildlife experiences, including the Big Five.
Kapama Karula not only focuses on comfort but also on immersive safari experiences, offering guided bush walks and game drives.
8. Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Tintswalo Safari Lodge, located in the pristine Manyeleti Game Reserve, offers exclusive accommodation with rates up to $1,735.
This lodge is renowned for its unique location, providing a tranquil escape in an area less crowded by tourists, allowing for intimate wildlife sightings.
Each of the lodge’s suites is themed after African explorers, adding a touch of historical charm to the luxurious amenities.
With personalized service, Tintswalo creates bespoke safari experiences, including game drives in open vehicles and bush walks, offering guests a deep connection with the African bush.
The lodge’s attention to detail, from the fine dining under the stars to the spa treatments overlooking the wilderness, ensures a memorable and opulent safari experience.
9. Hamiltons Tented Camp
Hamiltons Tented Camp, positioned within the iconic Kruger National Park, reflects a bygone era with its luxury tented suites, commanding rates of $1,630 per night.
This camp pays homage to the early 20th-century safari spirit, with decor that includes antique steamer trunks and old-world accents, without compromising on modern comforts.
Each tented suite offers spectacular views of the Nwaswitsontso River, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the sounds and sights of the bush.
The camp’s intimate size ensures personalized service, and its location within Kruger means exceptional wildlife encounters are a given.
10. Kings Camp Private Game Reserve
Kings Camp Private Game Reserve, located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, offers a regal safari experience with rates at $1,547 per night.
This lodge blends colonial elegance with modern luxury, set against the backdrop of the untamed African bush.
The suites are lavishly appointed, offering privacy and comfort, with views that extend over a bustling waterhole frequented by wildlife.
Kings Camp is dedicated to providing an unrivaled safari experience, with expert-led game drives and walking safaris that bring guests up close with the diverse wildlife, including the rare white lions of Timbavati.