BEST FOR LOCATION

MOMBO CAMP Okavango Delta, Botswana
With a great location off the north-western tip of Chief's Island and set within the Moremi Game Reserve, Mombo has thatched dining and living areas, as well as eight en suite tents raised off the ground. All have captivating views across floodplains frequented by elephant, antelope and large concentrations of birds.
Best bit: Not having to leave the verandah to get an eyeful of Okavango wildlife.
Find out more: www.mombo.com

SERENGETI SAFARI CAMP Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
If you want to maximise your chances of witnessing the Great Migration, you've got to be flexible and prepared to move with the action. Being a fully-supported mobile operation, the Serengeti Safari Camp roams the vast plains of the western Serengeti, providing you with a comfortable base from which to experience this annual event.
Best bit: The thrill of being able to keep pace with the migration.
Find out more: www.nomad-tanzania.com

WOLWEDANS DUNES LODGE NamibRand Reserve, Namibia
A short distance south of Sossusvlei, NamibRand captures all the diversity, mystery and beauty of the Namib Desert in a single 180,000ha private reserve. With its ‘wrap-around' desert views, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge has the subtlety and ambience of a tented camp, but with a few little extra comforts - like a pool and wine cellar.
Best bit: All that jaw-dropping desert scenery.
Find out more: www.wolwedans.com

ROCKTAIL BAY LODGE Maputaland, South Africa
Tucked into dense forest along a beautiful and secluded stretch of World Heritage coastline, Rocktail Bay Lodge is perfectly located for exploring some of Africa's least explored coral reefs. Combine this with nature walks and beach-roaming and you have the setting for a unique all-round experience.
Best bit: Walking along miles of unspolit white sandy beach.
Find out more: www.rocktailbay.com

NATUREWAYS CANOE TRAILS Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
There is no better way to appreciate the beauty, serenity and abundant wildlife of the Zambezi River than on a canoeing safari. After a relaxed day of paddling (interspersed with walks in the riverside woodland) you arrive each evening at a different campsite, fully staffedand with.large walk-in tents, hot showers, ice-cold drinks and excellent food.
Best bit:Staying in bush camps that are wild, exclusive and off-the-beaten track.
Find out more: www.natureways.co.zw

BEST FOR VALUE

NDUTU LODGENgorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Located in the south-eastern Serengeti, Ndutu Lodge has 30 small, unfussy stone and thatch rooms. Meals are wholesome and the service is friendly. In fact, so welcoming is Ndutu that many people return year after year. It has a great location near Lake Ndutu and, from December to April, the lodge lies at the heart of the migration.
Best bit: Relaxed evenings around the campfire, soaking up the ‘bush atmosphere'.
Find out more: www.ndutu.com

ROTHMAN MANOR Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa
South African B&B's represent excellent value for money, and Rothman Manor, built in 1834, is no exception. This attractive Cape Dutch style property has five bedrooms with state-of-the-art bathrooms boasting underfloor heating. There's also a large swimming pool and several hectares of private parkland.
Best bit: Taking breakfast under the shade of a majestic 19th-century oak.
Find out more: www.portfoliocollection.com

FLATDOGS CAMP South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Providing a budget alternative to the largely upmarket camps and lodges in Zambia's premier national park, Flatdogs has a wide range of facilities, including family chalets, a campsite, restaurant and shop. The camp can also organise activities, such as game drives and walking trips. It's ideal for backpackers or self-drive travellers.
Best bit: Not having to fork out £200 a night to experience the South Luangwa.
Find out more: www.flatdogscamp.com

IL NGWESI LODGE Laikipia Plateau, Kenya
This community eco-lodge has six rooms, a swimming pool and panoramic views. Renowned for its unique ‘free-form' architecture, Il Ngwesi can either be booked in its entirety or on an individual full-board basis, inclusive of game drives, guided bush walks along the sand rivers, bush breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Best bit: The extraordinary thatched design which follows the shapes of ancient newtonia trees.
Find out more: www.lewa.org

AI-AIS RESTCAMP Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Located in the bottom of the Fish River Canyon, Ai-Ais Restcamp has a range of accommodation, including self-catering huts and a campsite. It's a great base for exploring the canyon and has plenty of facilities, such as a shop, restaurant, fuel station, swimming pool and tennis courts. Ai-Ais opens between March and October.
Best bit: The natural hot springs which are located nearby.
Find out more: www.namibiareservations.com

BEST FOR FAMILIES

JACI'S SAFARI LODGE Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
At Jaci's, children aged seven and under are taken on their own game drives which are geared totally to their interests and age level. There's also a baby-sitting service and separate, earlier evening meals for youngsters. Children sharing with their parents are comfortably accommodated on camping stretchers in the eight thatched rooms.
Best bit: Creature comforts, like the hand-made rock bath and ceramic fireplace in each room.
Find out more: www.madikwe.com

THE PALACE Sun City, South Africa
Inspired by the vanished empires of Africa, The Palace of the Lost City is an amazing fantasy resort surrounded by its own private jungle. Children can enjoy an action-packed programme of watersports centred around the spectacular wave pool and waterslides. There's also horse-riding, two magnificent gold courses and Big Five game-viewing at the neighbouring Pilanesburg Nature Reserve. And it's all malaria-free.
Best bit: The fact that the kids will never get bored.
Find out more: www.suninternational.com

MARA INTREPIDS Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Families staying at Mara Intrepids can enrol on the highly acclaimed Adventurers' Club or its big brother, the Young Rangers' Club. Both offer a stimulating programme for children, including a bush school, nature walks, practical conservation work and a chance to take part in cultural and sporting events with the local Maasai.
Best bit: The children's guides are widely regarded as the best in the business.
Find out more: www.heritage-eastafrica.com

ANT'S NEST Waterberg, South Africa
Family-run, this secluded bush home overlooking the Waterberg hills is the perfect spot for a relaxing family break. Older children will enjoy the range of activities on offer, which includes some excellent horseriding. There are also plenty of toys and games available to keep youngsters entertained.
Best bit: With a maximum of just eight guests, you'll feel part of one big family.
Find out more: www.waterberg.net/antsnest

OL JOTO HOUSE Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Ol Joto House is located in a quiet part of Naivasha with lovely walks down to the lake. It is just one of the properties offered by Home from Home which, as the name suggests, specialises in providing comfortable, relaxed and homely accommodation - perfect for families. Ol Joto has two double bedrooms, with extra sleeping space for children in the loft. Activities include birdwatching, game viewing, swimming, water sports and fishing.
Best bit: Not having to worry that your children might be disturbing other guests.
Find out more: www.kenyasafarihomes.com

BEST FOR STYLE

SINGITA LEBOMBO Kruger National Park, South Africa
Setting the standards for contemporary-style African lodge design, Singita Lebombo integrates the interior with the outdoors, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls (offering sweeping views across the Nwanetsi and Sweni Rivers), uncluttered décor and slatted roofs of woven branches. For all its sleek simplicity, Singita Lebombo also offers every creature comfort, including a bush spa and fine restaurant.
Best bit: The refreshing, uncluttered ambience of the place.
Find out more: www.singita.com

THE VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Celebrating its centenary this year, The Victoria Falls Hotel still manages to convey the grandeur and elegance of the Edwardian period. Meticulously restored using original photographs and plans, this classic African hotel is brimming with colonial touches - from the period antiques and wood pannelling in the comfortable lounges to the claw-foot bathtubs and black and white tiling in the bathrooms.
Best bit: High tea on the terrace with views towards Victoria Falls.
Find out more: www.zimsun.co.zw

EMERSON & GREEN HOTEL Stone Town, Zanzibar
Once the home of a wealthy Swahili merchant, Emerson and Green simply oozes romance and style. Each of its ten rooms are different in character, from the North Room with its beautiful hardwood latticing and stone bath to the Crystal Room adorned with mirrors and chandeliers.
Best bit: The hotel's famous rooftop restaurant has one of the best views across the bustling, atmospheric streets of Stone Town.
Find out more: www.zanzibar.org/emegre

AL MOUDIRA HOTEL Luxor, Egypt
Located on the west bank of the Nile, Al Moudira is magnificently opulent. Its bedroom walls are decorated with hand-painted frescoes; there are Ottoman-style four-poster beds, mother-of-pearl inlaid desks, chandeliers, copper lanterns and wrought iron sofas. Courtyards, fountains and sculpted wooden columns complete the exotic oriental feel.
Best bit: The extravagance of bedrooms measuring 50m2 and with 4m-high ceilings.
Find out more:www.moudira.com

EARTH LODGE Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
If you're after atmospheric surroundings look no further than Earth Lodge where subterranean suites are sculpted around ancient tree roots. Each suite has a plunge pool, open-air shower and a dedicated butler. The lodge also has a library, art gallery, meditation garden and a lavish Earth Nature bush spa.
Best bit: The intimacy of the 12 suites with their ochre-coloured walls and ethnic furnishings.
Find out more: www.sabisabi.com