Daka Plains

Built of thatch, stone, wood and canvas, the main area has a farmhouse/safari-camp feel. At its front is a broad deck that provides the perfect setting for sun-uppers and sundowners. Inside, the vaulted lounge keeps things comfortable and cosy with plenty of soft seating and a stone hearth. A single family-style table makes for convivial meals – which are excellent, by the way, fresh and hearty.

Just six rooms sit on the gentle hillside overlooking the Seeps and endless tree-filled horizon beyond. Basic A-frame structures, they're simple but spacious and comfortable. Inside you'll find a double bed and crisp white linens, a tea and coffee area and writing desk; at the rear is an en-suite bathroom with piping-hot shower, basin and toilet. The porch out front is a private seat to the goings-on of the bush theatre.

The beauty of Hwange is its sheer expanse. While the terrain here is not as dynamic as that at other parks, it's also its virtue – animals drawn to the waterholes make spotting certain species especially easy. The area is well-known for its elephants, but all of the Big Five are present. Walks are a must – to immerse yourself in the nuances of the bush. Night drives reveal the secretive nocturnal species, including big cats, hyena, bushbabies and aardvark.