Kosi Forest Lodge

Overlooked by a giant Zulu podberry tree, the communal lodge has a lounge area in which to relax and chat, a dining area and a bar. Breakfast and an informal lunch are served on the deck; in the evening, guests can enjoy drinks and chats at the pool followed by candle-lit delicious meals. There's wi-fi in the main lodge area only, but it can be intermittent and slow when the weather is bad.

Stay in a thatched bush suite tucked between the trees. Each suite is raised on a wooden deck and has a bedroom, balcony, dressing room and en-suite shower. Outside, a second reed-enclosed bathroom with a beach-sand floor offers an unusual bathing and showering experience. The bedrooms have low wooden walls with mosquito netting and roll-up canvas blinds, so you can lie back and enjoy the views and sounds of the forest.

Canoe up the channel with a guide. Take a boat trip through the Kosi lake system of three lakes linked by narrow channels. Dive the fish-filled reefs, examine ancient fish traps, picnic on the shore, stroll along hippo paths between ancient raffia palms, visit nearby Tembe Elephant Park, take a drive to Kosi mouth and, between November and January, watch turtles lay their eggs. Then sit back with a drink and dream.