Jamala Madikwe 

If you are looking for a lodge where you don’t need to go on a vehicle to have phenomenal game viewing, then we think the watering hole at Jamala Madikwe is hard to beat. The watering hole is one of the only sources of water in the Madikwe area and throughout the day a steady flow of wildlife comes and goes. Our top tip – grab a seat on the sofa, get out some binoculars and let the watering hole deliver the rest.

Angama Mara

No top 10 list of views would be complete without mentioning Angama Mara. With lofty views across the Masai Mara, every tent and window has been carefully crafted and positioned to make the most of their vantage point on top of the Oloololo Escarpment.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

When it opened in the late 90’s andBeyond Crater Lodge was unique. It was a first. Never before had a lodge been built like this. Designed to feel like a Masai Village from the outside, but decorated inside with rich velvets and dark wooden paneled rooms. Each of the bathrooms has a large bath positioned with views across the Ngorongoro Crater, even the loos have a view.  

Segera

Located in Kenya's Laikipia region, we don't suggest you come to  Segera purely for the game (it's not a Big Five area) - rather come and enjoy the variety of activities, from collecting honey, riding camels or tracking the rare Patas monkey to taking a helicopter to Mount Kenya - wow, what spectacular views. And on return to the camp, you'll find a bubble bath on your deck where you can luxuriate and admire the views across the African plains. We did!

The Silo

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, The Silo's ingenious windows bulge outwards as if gently inflated. Enjoy views of Table Bay Harbour and South Africa’s mother city. The pool deck on the top of the building is for residents only, in our experience is has some of the best panoramic views of Table Mountain.

MannaBay

The views of Cape Town from MannaBay are quite simply amazing. Tuck in and enjoy their high tea while admiring their collection of local art. Our top tip is to the book the Versailles Suite, which has a day bed and private balcony. Views so good that we question whether you need battle the queues to get to the top of Table Mountain.

Ol Donyo Lodge

Views of Kilimanjaro. Tick. Great watering hole. Tick. Great deck and private plunge pools to enjoy it all from. Tick. Star beds and views of the night sky. Tick. Does Ol Donyo still rank as one of our most memorable experiences in Kenya? It absolutely does, need we say more?

Zambezi Queen

If you want river views, then why not actually stay on the river? Sailing along the Chobe River, the Zambezi Queen really does immerse you into river life - watching elephants from the river as they come down to drink really is an alternative view. Why not combine it with a Rovos Rail trip from Pretoria to Victoria Falls?

Linkwasha

With an estimated 40000 elephants in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, there is arguably no better waterhole for viewing elephants than at Linkwasha. 

Victoria Falls Island Lodge

Situated upstream from Victoria Falls what makes this lodge so unique is the way the suites have been built on stilts over the Zambezi River. This really raises the bar for ‘river views’! Enjoy.