Our Favorite City Hotels in South and East Africa - Fauna Travel

Our Favorite City Hotels in South and East Africa

The Silo Hotel pool with views of the Cape Town waterfront / Courtesy of The Royal Portfolio

By: Scott Dubois, Fauna Travel Designer

At Fauna travel, we focus on getting you back to nature in remote and wild places. However, almost every trip requires a stop in the city. These five hotels are some of our favorites to bookend your time in the African bush.

The Silo Hotel

Cape Town, South Africa

Bath at the Silo Hotel in Cape Town Luxury Safari South Africa
Bath at the Silo Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa / Courtesy The Royal Portfolio

The Silo is a former grain silo on the Cape Town waterfront that was transformed into a gallery and luxury boutique hotel. The massive windows and the rooftop pool offer some of the best views of Cape Town. It’s a great place from which to explore all of the food and cultural options the city has to offer. Learn More »

The Saxon Hotel

Johannesburg, South Africa

Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, luxury spa safari / Courtesy of The Saxon Hotel
The Saxon Hotel Spa / Courtesy of The Saxon Hotel

The Saxon Hotel is the most luxurious boutique hotel in Johannesburg and an ideal place to rest and enjoy the spa after your flight or week on safari. Beneath the glamour, there is a little history here. Guests can stay in the Nelson Mandela suite where the former president wrote his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. Learn More »

Giraffe Manor

Nairobi, Kenya

Pool at the Retreat at Giraffe Manor, luxury Kenya safari / Courtesy of The Safari Collection
The pool at the Retreat at Giraffe Manor / Courtesy of The Safari Collection

You’ve seen it on Instagram, but it’s worth visiting in real life because it’s more than just a picture to post. Nowhere else on Earth can you spend intimate time with giraffes in such a storybook setting. The food is also great and the hotel helps conserve the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe through its efforts. The newly opened Retreat at Giraffe Manor has day passes to the pool, bar, and spa for those that may have a late flight out of Nairobi. Learn More »

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The Retreat

Kigali, Rwanda

The Retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, luxury gorilla trekking safari / Courtesy of The Retreat
The Retreat in Kigali, Rwanda / Courtesy of Heaven Rwanda

Not everyone stops for long in Kigali en route to safari, but there is plenty to do if you have an extra day or two. The country is famous for its textile makers who can be found throughout the city, and the Rwanda Genocide Museum is a moving place that one must see to understand the vibrant and peaceful present-day Rwanda. The Retreat is not quite as opulent as some properties on this list, but the hotel is perfectly stylish, has friendly staff, and is undoubtedly the best place to stay in Kigali. Learn More »

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha, Tanzania

Arusha Coffee Lodge / Courtesy of Elewana
Arusha Coffee Lodge / Courtesy of Elewana

Arusha is a city of around half a million people in Northern Tanzania, near Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. It’s a common starting point for mountain trekking and the northern safari circuit that includes Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Arusha Coffee Lodge is located on a large coffee plantation in the foothills outside of the city. Guests of the lodge have multiple dining options and can engage in a variety of coffee-tasting experiences. Learn More »

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