According to Henley & Partners’ Africa Wealth Report 2022, South Africa is home to the largest luxury market in Africa. We look at its hotel sector and the destinations that top the list.
The luxury market hotel sector is one of the most important sectors in Africa as it brings in a large amount of forex spending to the continent. It also creates a large number of well-paying jobs for local hoteliers, chefs, game rangers, waiters etc. Much of this income is seasonal in the form of tips.
The coronavirus outbreak has severely impacted this sector and hotel occupancy rates are down substantially in most African countries. A lack of international visitors has forced many luxury market hotels and lodges to lower their prices to appeal to the local population. South Africa is the main luxury tourist destination in Africa. Major South African destinations for wealthy people include Cape Town, Umhlanga, Franschhoek and the Kruger National Park area (especially Sabi Sands).
Major destinations for HNWIs in the rest of Africa include Marrakech in Morocco, Cairo in Egypt, the Serengeti in Tanzania, Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, the Masai Mara in Kenya, Livingstone in Zambia and the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Gorilla safaris in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda and the Bwindi Forest in Uganda are also popular.
Popular hotel groups for HNWIs visiting Africa include Singita, & Beyond, Red Carnation, Sanctuary Retreats, Belmond, Wilderness Safaris, Virgin Limited Edition, Four Seasons and the Royal Portfolio.
South Africa is home to the largest luxury market in Africa by revenue, followed by Kenya and then Morocco. Major components of this include luxury hotels and lodges, cars, clothing and accessories, watches, private jets and yachts.
TOP SAFARI LODGES IN AFRICA
The Africa Wealth Report’s top 10 safari lodge choices for 2022 are shown below (in no particular order).
Ratings criteria – these lodges score highly in the following
- Reputation for quality and service
- Location, views and scenery
- Authentic bush feel
- Biodiversity: birdlife and wildlife experience
