It’s been said that South Africa has some of the most incredible resorts in the world, and according to the latest Condé Nast Traveler readers choice awards, it’s not just all talk!
South Africa (05 October 2021) – For their 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, hundreds and thousands of registered Condé Nast Traveler voters weighed in on their favourite resorts in the world… and 5 of them are right here in South Africa!
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.
“For our 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, registered voters weighed in on their favourite resorts around the globe. As the world has begun to reopen and readjust, the results reflect the kinds of properties you longed to visit when you couldn’t travel and the ones you returned to first once you could. More than 800,000 of you filled out our survey, and while we’re always curious about where you’ve been and where you’re going, we’re especially excited to learn about the truly memorable places that sparked your imagination and stayed with you when travel seemed out of reach.”
Here are the South African resorts that global trotters most loved most this year.
Number 44 – Cheetah Plains – Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Eschewing traditional safari motifs, this trio of private villas in South Africa’s Sabi Sands Game Reserve is all about clean lines and ultra-modern design: Think raw concrete, rusted steel, statement blown-glass chandeliers, and colourful works of art, including portraits by Loyiso Mkize. A similarly forward-thinking approach to sustainability means the property is equipped with solar panels, a greywater recycling system, and a fleet of electric Land Cruiser safari vehicles. Prowling the surrounding landscape as stealthily as leopards, the cruisers allow guests to get surprisingly close to the Big Five, which are easier to encounter here than almost anywhere else across Africa.
Number 11 – Morukuru Family – Madikwe Game Reserve (Owner’s House, River House and Farm House)
The Big Five is the big draw across the continent, but at this family-friendly lodge on South Africa’s fifth largest game reserve, you’ll spot the Magnificent Seven—adding cheetah and African wild dog (an insider favourite for their strategic hunting abilities) as well hippo, rhino, prides of lions and the rest. It’s a fittingly spectacular viewing lined up alongside the camp’s equally spectacular accommodations: three free-standing luxury villas, each uniquely designed. (Think lots of raw blond woods in the Farm House; stone fireplaces and sink-into-’em couches over at the River House; and a staff of eight, plus an infinity pool and African artwork at the Owner’s Home). And unlike many of the lodges across the region, Wi-Fi here is fast and available everywhere, meaning your 13-year-old won’t have to wait until she’s back in Johannesburg airport to upload her shot of leopard cubs to Instagram.
Number 9 – Royal Malewane – Greater Kruger National Park
It can be hard to make the Greater Kruger National Park—a popular destination for safaris that cover an area the size of Wales—feel exclusive, private, and intimate. But Royal Malewane, in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, manages to achieve that (and then some) with just six Luxury suites, two Royal suites, and the palatial six-bedroom, private chef-included Africa House. Twice daily game drives are led by expert rangers far from Kruger’s crowds, which means you’re almost guaranteed to be able to check off the Big Five before you leave.
Number 7 – Singita Sabi Sand (Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge, and Castleton Lodge) — Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Singita Sabi Sand includes three well-appointed options that provide an elegant base from which to bask in the natural beauty of one of South Africa’s most renowned game reserves. Singita’s founding property, Ebony Lodge, sits surrounded by a grove of its namesake trees, with 12 suites inspired by old explorers’ camps. Boulders Lodge, meanwhile, was named after the ancient rocks strewn along the banks of the Sand River, and the 12 glass-fronted suites have artfully pared-down interiors, featuring fossilized tree stumps and other found objects. And Castleton Lodge occupies the ancestral home of Singita founder Luke Bailes. Its Cape Dutch charm, mullioned windows, antiques, expert safari guides, and longtime family staff remain—but the wine cellar, state-of-the-art kitchen, and full gym are all new.
Number 2 – Morukuru Family, De Hoop Reserve (Beach Lodge and Ocean House) — De Hoop Nature Reserve
Say you’re more of a beach bum than a safari enthusiast—don’t worry, South Africa still has you covered. Head to the intimate five-suite Morukuru Family Beach Lodge or the nearby four-bedroom Morukuru Family Ocean House, about three hours east of Cape Town on the shore of the Indian Ocean. There are white sand beaches, of course, but also access to the De Hoop Nature Reserve with its zebra and bontebok and protected marine area. You can simply chill on the beach or by the lodge’s pool, but we’d suggest letting Morukuru’s friendly, attentive staff fill your day with game drives through the reserve, mountain biking, sandboarding, snorkelling, and more. Plan your trip during South Africa’s winter (July-October) for prime southern white whale watching from shore, from the lodge’s restaurant, and even from your bed.
Condé Nast Traveler also released the list of the best hotels in the world and South Africa took 2 places in this category!
Number 47 – Ellerman House — Cape Town
Twenty-six years on, Ellerman House is still everybody’s fantasy bolthole in Cape Town: minutes from the best beaches and the Table Mountain cableway, but close enough to the city and its dynamic food, art, and design scene. Sandwiched between Lion’s Head and the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Edwardian mansion looks like a private residence from the road and that’s exactly what keeps guests coming back. Owner Paul Harris takes enormous pride in his country—his impressive collection of South African art spans original works from the turn of the last century to current contemporary art. An informal tour of the collection with one of the in-house art experts is a fascinating lesson in the country’s socio-political history. Then there are the 7,500 bottles of rare and vintage South African wines in the cellar, and the indigenous plants sourced from Kirstenbosch (Cape Town’s botanical garden) in the 1.5-acre terraced gardens. Besides the main house, there are two modern, minimalist private villas built into the granite mountainside, as well as a wine gallery, and an excellent little spa.
Number 34 – Babylonstoren — Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
What if you could actually visit the Garden of Eden? And what if it was surrounded by vineyards, historic Cape Dutch farm buildings, and a formal French-style potager garden, where you could pick your own strawberries and fragrant herbs? At Babylonstoren, in the Drakenstein Valley, 33 miles northeast of Cape Town, the mythical garden comes to life. Founded in 1690, the 590-acre compound is modelled on the farms that supplied the ships making their way around the Cape of Good Hope en route to India. The cottages and suites are minimalist but stylish. You won’t find a grand lobby or an obsequious concierge here, but the staff, most of whom are wearing T-shirts, aprons, or khakis, combine a genuine eagerness to help with a high level of knowledge about the farm and its long history. Stay long enough and eventually—after a visit to the on-site bakery, the winery, the cheesemaker, the butcher, and the farm-tank-style swimming pool—you may forget that you’re staying at a hotel.
The 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.
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