Impodimo Game Lodge

There's a large, thatched common room with a beautiful stone fireplace at its centre. With a stylish dining room and lounge under high ceilings, the space is at once cosy and spacious. Pull up to the bar for a refreshing concoction or quietly sip a coffee in the loft/library above the dining area and bar. Outside, the tiered deck overlooks a bushveld thicket and a broad valley further afield. The pool is a real treat: crystal clear water surrounded by natural rock, with a central island dotted with indigenous aloes and plants. There's also an outdoor thatched area where meals are often enjoyed.

There are eight luxury and one deluxe chalet on the property, all supremely private with large glass windows and excellent orientation. Luxury chalets sleep two guests in double, twin bed or king-size beds. The fireplaces make them feel cosy inside, and the ample outdoor deck and al fresco shower allow you to connect effortlessly with the outdoors. Full ensuite bathrooms with all the amenities, plus a deep bath, bump up the luxury quotient a notch. Deluxe chalets are self-sufficient dwellings with two suites, each with a private deck and large ensuite bathroom with bathtub and shower. Chalets have a large communal lounge and dining area, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen and bar. There's a private pool (with a safety net for the kiddies) surrounded by a large deck with views overlooking the waterhole and valley beyond.

Morning and afternoon activities give you a chance to traverse this pretty terrain via open Land Rover, or on foot. Drives will likely catch up with some or all of the Big Five, and with any luck, wild dog and cheetah. General game viewing is excellent in these parts. Walks will put you in touch with less obvious beauties as you tramp to the tune of Mother Nature's chattering quiet. Night drives give you a shot at seeing another side of bush life - porcupines or aardvark and pangolin, to name a few. Don't miss the chance to treat yourself to a top-notch spa treatment on your chalet's private deck.