The choice of accommodations can make or break a holiday, and with South Africa's enduring popularity, this is one area worth tying up before you leave. The selection on this website covers a wide variety of budgets, but all share the common ability to delight, be it because of a fabulous location, special decor, great service, beautiful views or excellent views (of course, some cover all five criteria!). The following collection of properties is highly recommended: Portfolio (www.portfoliocollection.com) brings out an attractive range of free booklets profiling the full spectrum of options across the country. The "B&B Collection" offers fair to excellent budget options, some in quite luxurious surroundings -- if anything, you now have almost too many choices, but if you stick to the "Luxury" and "Great Comfort" options (indicated by colored shields), you're likely to be delighted with the good value. In the "Retreats Collection" the focus is upmarket guesthouses; while top of the range is the slim "Country Places Collection," which includes some of the best game lodges in the country. Each review comes with at least one photograph -- with more on their website.
Other collections that show some discernment before charging the (usually hefty) fee to establishments featured are Superior Choices (www.superiorchoices.com) and Exclusive Getaways (www.getaways.co.za). A newcomer specializing in owner-managed establishments with character, usually in tip-top locations, is The Greenwood Guide to South Africa (www.greenwoodguides.com).
Portfolio, Superior Choices, and Exclusive Getaways all have game lodges in their collections, but if a safari is the primary reason you're heading south, you'd be well advised to take a look at the excellent selection in Classic Safari Camps of Africa (www.classicsafaricamps.com).
Note: South Africa has a great selection of self-catering options -- good for families or for those wishing to prolong their stay -- and thanks to restaurant delivery services in most urban centers, you won't even have to cook. Take a look at www.icape.co.za for a selection of places to suit any budget, as well as www.capetownvillas.net. For rural options, try to track down the excellent "Budget Getaways," or go to www.farmstay.co.za for more off-the-beaten-track options.
