Accommodation in South Africa

All the properties featured in our website and brochure have been personally assessed by African Pride to ensure that they offer consistently high levels of comfort, service and hospitality.

There are a number of award winning large 5-star hotels which can easily compete with any hotel in the world for exacting standards and range of facilities – for example, Mount Nelson and Cape Grace in Cape Town, and Westcliff and The Grace in Johannesburg. The country is fortunate in having a wealth of exceptionally good smaller hotels, ranging from boutique to farmhouse style, and this makes South Africa such a wonderful country for touring.

Accommodation in the National Parks and private game reserves ranges from simple, comfortable rondavels (circular huts) with en suite facilities to luxurious chalets with private swimming pool, lounge and indoor and outdoor showers. Tented accommodation is far removed from the concept of ‘roughing it’ as, today, tents are spacious, have flooring, zipped doorways and en suite facilities.

A number of hotels, lodges and game reserves have age restrictions and it is quite common that children under the age of 14 are not accepted. However, there are a number of hotels and lodges that openly welcome children. We will be pleased to give guidance.

The dress code in South Africa during the day is very relaxed, but in the evenings smart casual is more acceptable and only at the top hotels or restaurants will a jacket and tie be expected. Many hotels display a ‘plaque’ outside public rooms giving details of the dress code e.g. indicating that jeans are not acceptable after 1800 hrs.

South Africans enjoy good food and guests are continually delighted by the quality, quantity and variety produced. In particular we would recommend that you try some of the local dishes such as the linefish Kingklip, Karoo lamb, babootie, South African wines have become world renowned and most restaurants, hotels and guest houses will have an extensive wine list at very reasonable prices.

Try the excellent brandies, fortified wines and liqueurs – such as Van de Hum made from the naartje (if it’s too sweet then add an equal measure of brandy!). A good range of beers is produced, the most popular being Castle and Lion. With the abundance of fruit, from tropical to the humble apple, a wide range of locally produced fruit juices is always available.