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Conde Nast’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards were announced last week, and the results for this year’s Best Resorts in the World have two South African lodges in the top 50.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards helps capture the travel experiences that Conde Nast readers love best, from hotels and airlines to cruises, islands, and luggage.

“This year, you traveled farther and deeper; seeking out remote properties; sailing on smaller, more intimate ships; and prioritizing destinations you’ve been waiting years to visit,” the website reads.

At least that’s what a staggering 526,518 readers revealed in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, 75% of whom said they’d rather use up all their vacation days to take longer, more immersive trips to places that have topped their bucket lists for years.

Two of them seem to be nestled deep in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

The area’s Londolozi Game Reserve took the sixth spot on this year’s list. Per TimesLIVE, this lodge has made it onto the list consecutively since 2017.

The lodge boasts five luxurious camps and is famed for its ability to deliver memorable leopard sightings, Big Five photographic game drives and a healing house.

 

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A night at Londolozi will set you back around R19,950 per person in a chalet in the Varty Camp and reach upwards of R37,450 in one of the Private Granite Suites.

 

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Rates include accommodation, all meals, selected beverages, game drives and walks and one yoga class per day.

 

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Then, coming in hot at number 48 is Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, called Ulusaba Private Game Reserve:

 

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With 20 rooms and suites across three lodges, it’s the amazing views and wildlife sightings that put this spot miles ahead. In fact, this is the eighth year it’s made the list.

 

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Rock Lodge comes with panoramic views of the Drakensberg escarpment, the opulent Cliff Lodge has expansive views of the reserve, and Safari Lodge is made of treehouse-type rooms.

A night in Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge will set you back R13,800 per person sharing per night in the most basic rooms, while the ‘cheapest’ night in Cliff Lodge will cost you R25,500 per person sharing. Rates include your accommodation, all meals, selected beverages and game drives and walks.

 

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While Londolozi and Ulusaba are the only two South African properties to have made it onto the Conde Nast 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards this year, the Readers’ Choice selection of Top 15 Resorts in South Africa was also announced. The best places in our country include:

• Londolozi
• Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
• Molori Safari Lodge
• Lion Sands Game Reserve
• andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
• Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
• Lepogo Lodges, Noka Camp
• Morukuru Family, Madikwe Game Reserve
• Kapama Karula
• Morukuru Family, De Hoop Reserve
• Samara Private Game Reserve
• Tswalu Kalahari
• andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge and Tented Camp
• Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat
• Marataba Luxury Lodges

Start starving, I mean saving, everyone.

[source:timeslive]