Guest Houses are generally owner-managed and often, it’s hard to leave because you have been so wonderfully welcomed and the levels of service are without comparison.

Indeed, whether you stay on a working farm in the Franschoek Valley or in a Guest Lodge surrounded by the glorious flowers of the Namaqualand, you will experience the warm hospitality of the South African people.

Guest houses that will challenge your logic or your senses are those in the vibrant township of Soweto. It’s an experience like no other and at night, late, you’ll be invited to join in a ‘shebeen crawl” or dine in one of the smoky taverns found all over the sprawling township that is linked on every level to the country’s struggle and rebirth.

Many guest houses, especially those in the rural areas offer full board.

At most of the guest houses, I enjoyed truly fine cuisine and at times, was even invited into the kitchen to watch the chef at work.

It often happens that a guest house has been a family home for generations and so, you’ll likely get excellent advice on where to go and what to see in the area from the owner or a staff member who probably grew up locally.

Some of my favourite have been in rural villages: a converted stable now offers 5 star luxury accommodation: another is a 100 year old shed and one in Mpumalanga takes you on a nightly astral safari and story telling and offers the finest cuisine imaginable.

I have even stayed in guest houses where the resident pet was a warthog and the only couch in reception was strictly for the Great Dane and a cranky parrot!

Eccentric, charming, fascinating, unique, delightful…. And all offering excellent luxury - these are the guest houses I will book for you when you travel in South Africa

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