Kariega Settler's Drift

Built along a densely forested ridge with sensational views over the pristine Bushman's River Valley, this lodge could not be better positioned. The lounge, bar and dining room are all wonderfully spacious with a calm, tasteful combination of wood, stone, canvas and polished cement. The wine cellar has a large stone fireplace and long wooden table that make for atmospheric dining. An expansive deck has a lovely semi-circular seating area around a fire-pit, and there is an exquisite rim-flow pool at the edge of camp. There is also a small curio shop, a library and a spa.

Nine large tented suites are well spaced along the ridge above the river, each with private decks and stunning views. At 110m² and with clever use of floor-to-ceiling glass, they feel vast. They're beautifully built with wooden floors and high canvas ceilings and boast supremely comfortable king-sized beds and free-standing fireplaces. A living area with chairs, a sofa and a mini-bar sits to one side, while on the other, an ensuite bathroom has a standalone tub, double basins and a large shower.

Morning and evening game drives form the core activities on the reserve and provide easy viewing of big game (elephants, lions, rhino, buffalo, giraffe). Sometimes the guides need to be asked to pay attention to some of the smaller animals as well, of which there are plenty. For example, this may be the best region in South Africa to see species such as aardvark, bush pigs, porcupines, caracal, bat-eared foxes and aardwolf, many of which come out to play at night, as well as the myriad of succulent plants found in the thicket biome. Boat cruises on the rivers provide a fun alternative from the drives, as do kayaking and fishing trips.