Condé Nast Traveller’s Triple Crown Shortlist

A firm favourite in the office, DumaTau is located on the edge of a lagoon where elephants are frequently spotted. The property offers seven tented suites and one 2-bedroom family unit, plus a pool, a gym, a spa, and a plethora of activities. With game drives, night drives, boating, and helicopter rides all available, you are sure to have an unforgettable time.

 One of only three permanent camps in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Jack’s Camp is perfect for old-school romantics. An ode to safaris of yesteryear, this opulent, explorer-style option offers four-poster canopy beds, floor cushions, and rich carpentry. Activities include nature walks and quad biking alongside chances to see the zebra and wildebeest migration, plus flamingos and migratory birds.

Located on the iconic Skeleton Coast, this tented camp is exceptional. Spot desert elephant and lion on game drives, or spend your time on nature walks marvelling at the area’s shipwrecks and monster sand dunes. The camp is accessible by plane, and guests are greeted by an array of accommodating staff and excellent guides who ensure everyone’s stay is beyond memorable. You can also chat to wildlife researchers in the research centre!

Sterrekopje combines a healing retreat with a working farm to create an experience rooted in Franschhoek’s natural beauty. Framed by the Franschhoek Mountains, this property includes olive groves and natural pools. Plus, the spa here offers hammam and sound healing treatments. Alternatively, guests can relax through sunrise journalling or a session or two in the Yoga Yurt, an open-sky, feminine space dedicated to meditation, breathwork, and cacao rituals.

This lodge’s dramatic cliffside setting high above the N’wanetsi River is enough to make anyone sit up and notice. But it’s the quality of game viewing within Singita’s private concession that really seals the deal. Think big cats, elephants, and copious birdlife. Add to that, 15 sumptuous suites with balcony daybeds that can be transformed into star-beds, personalised spa treatments, and you’ve got one of our favourite lodges in South Africa!

 Located a 3-hour drive north of Durban, this private game reserve, host to six luxury lodges, is renowned for its seven diverse ecosystems within 30,000 hectares, including the super-rare Sand Forest. The variety in game drives is remarkable. As we have a former Phinda guide in our ranks at Yellow Zebra, we know first hand that the Phinda properties provide high-quality guiding alongside the ultimate luxury. From the Big Five and infinity pools to sleeping out under the stars, everything is managed with a smile.

Nestled between the Limpopo River and Botswana, Madikwe Safari Lodge offers malaria-free Big Five safaris from three beautifully appointed lodges, plus a private villa for those in need of total exclusivity. The variety of properties offered here means that families, honeymooners, and groups can all be accommodated. Whichever lodge you choose, you’ll enjoy thatched roofs and plunge pools – and the pools are the perfect setting for planning the next day’s adventures.

Away from the hustle-and-bustle of Victoria Falls, this family-owned luxury lodge combines river cruising, safari, and visits to the Falls inside one large private concession. There are 16 suites, two family suites, and a private villa, all situated on the banks of the Zambezi River. As well as surprisingly prolific game viewing, Matetsi offers a wide range of amenities such as a safari shop, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a massage room.

This boutique hotel combines traditional Mozambican design with top-quality service. Offering some of the finest deep-sea fishing and diving in the region, &Beyond Benguerra sits shoreside on Benguerra Island, Bazuruto, one of Mozambique’s three pristine archipelagos. Each of the property’s ten thatched casinhas, two cabanas, and one 3-bedroom casa offers barefoot luxury. Private beach daybeds, pools, and bathtubs big enough for two create the perfect environment for a secluded getaway.

Rounding off our shortlist is an absolute knock-out, truly the place to stay for gorilla trekking. Nestled on the edges of a national park, Wilderness Bisate Lodge has six Forest Villas, plus an outstanding spa. The Sanctuary is a wellness haven, equipped with a heated saltwater indoor lap pool, a steam room, and an ice bath – perfect for post-gorilla trekking relaxation. Architecturally, the six dome-shaped rooms replicate the palaces of Rwanda’s bygone royalty and the food is equally fit for a king. Every last detail makes for a special memory, whether it’s the wine you enjoyed or the personalised water bottles presented before your gorilla trekking.