As a premier international and domestic holiday destination, Southern Africa has the full range of guest accommodation from superior, top-end, luxury hotels and lodges, comparable to the very best in Europe and the States, to basic budget backpackers, bed & breakfasts, self catering establishments and hostels.

With reasonable exchange rates and an overall ‘value for money’ precedent, tourists are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the ideal African holiday accommodation.

Big brand, international hotel chains are a dime a dozen, offering distinctive lodgings with impressive 5-star ratings, but elegant boutique beach hotels are also commonplace, presenting a slightly smaller, more attentive and often a rather romantic accommodation alternative.

Many of the urban hubs have trendy, hip hotels which offer sustainable, green alternatives to vacationing in style, whereas South African cities, Cape Town in particular, boast new, purpose-built design hotels with a distinctly avant-garde, art edge.

Hotel prices fluctuate considerably according to the hotel amenities and standard of the rooms, but it’s not unusual for hotels - cheap or ultra luxurious - to offer discounts during the quieter seasons. We highly recommend visitors shop around online to find the hotel or hotel group offering the best rates and hotel deals.

If you’re seeking overnight accommodation at a well appointed airport hotel or going the whole hog and opting for an upmarket, luxury suite in an internationally acclaimed beachfront property, visitors to Southern Africa are always impressed at the versatile choice.

The region has an array of both individual and group accommodation, with a host of accredited guest houses, self catering apartments, bed &breakfast accommodation and child friendly resorts scattered all around the country; some are even dedicated to man’s best friend – dog friendly accommodation!

For an intimate interaction with the local people, home bed and breakfasts are the obvious choice. Undoubtedly one of the more affordable accommodation alternatives, B & B’s range in price from cheap to luxury bespoke B and B guest houses and hotels.

Guest house accommodation is yet another popular alternative. From stylish country guest houses to the more formal guest house hotels of the cities, you’ll find a diverse range of properties up for grabs covering all budgets.

Self catering accommodation is a popular choice with families and those who do not want to be bound by any restrictions. From luxury self catering holiday homes, hotels and villas to the simplicity of beachfront cottages, chalets or self catering farm accommodation, there’s plenty of options for both locals and visitors.

Hostels, youth hostels in particular, are one way of enjoying an African holiday without breaking the bank. Hostel accommodation is renowned as the cheap alternative the world over and if you’re not afraid to share a dorm with a bunch of travellers, then a hostel holiday is tailor made for you!

Backpackers have grown in stature as a reasonably priced alternative for the young and young at heart and range from cheap backpacker hostels to pricier backpacker lodge alternatives. It’s a super way of connecting with future adventure travel partners also constrained by a smaller budget.

With over 20 national parks, including one of the most acclaimed conservation reserve areas in the world, the Kruger National Park, within South Africa’s boundaries, many of the 8.5 million foreign tourists who visit South Africa’s shores each year are seduced by the allure of the African bush.

Opulent big five game lodges with a distinctly ‘Out of Africa’ appeal are one bush lodge accommodation alternative, luxury tented camps are quite another. From privately owned game farms with luxury safari game lodge accommodation to the more basic rondavels of the African game reserves, all visitors are well catered for. Quaint thatch cottage accommodation is available at virtually all national parks at remarkably competitive prices.

For a really affordable alternative look no further than tent accommodation, caravanning or simply camping out.

With over 700 camping sites and a small legion of caravan parks dotted around the country, your private bush or beach outdoor camping accommodation is well taken care of, at a fraction of the price. Camping gear and accessories, from camping tents to gas cookers, is freely available at camping equipment outlets.

Buy your camping supplies, hire your caravan or tent, and all the other equipment for camping including chairs, mattresses and even camping showers, and head for the big open spaces of Africa for a camping holiday of note. Many of the best campsites and caravan sites are close to the major attractions of the region, be it the powerful rivers, the two great oceans, the iconic mountains or the pulsating heart of Africa, the bush!

If privacy and seclusion is what you’re after, then consider rental accommodation - holiday homes, accommodation apartments or timeshare - which is often a cheap accommodation alternative for those intent on staying a while.

Are you in need of a healthy break or a total make-over? Select your luxury accommodation from one of many South African hotel spas or simply invest in a luxury day spa with all the spa treatments and acquiesce to a bit of private pampering!

Not looking for overnight accommodation but rather a venue for a special occasion? Browse our conference and functions accommodation for the perfect place to hold a wedding, family reunion or a corporate team-building function.

Whether your Southern African accommodation quest is for untold luxury, 2010 accommodation, a room for a weekend or simply basic overnight accommodation, you’re guaranteed to find incredible deals right here!