Metsi Lodge

The peaked roof of thatch that covers the main area gives the lodge a rustic air that's continued inside, with wood-framed sofas, generous use of stone and African-inspired linens. The bush is clearly the main event, framed as it is here by glass doors that fold away to the wide, tree-shaded terrace and the views. Most of your meals will be served here, weather permitting, allowing you to enjoy the breeze and the animals that visit the lodge's waterhole.

Five large bedrooms are divided between two homes that are connected by a passageway. Rooms sleep two guests each in four-poster beds that face the sliding glass doors and the landscape beyond. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with shower and deep tub; four have outside showers. Stone floors help keep things cool during the day (when temperatures can soar), and fireplaces make for cosy evenings. Ultra-chic guests may find the decor somewhat dated, but it's muted, comfortable and appropriate.

With no fixed schedule, Metsi's attraction lies in its flexibility. Your guide, who is the expert on all matters bush, will tell you how and when to get the best sightings. You're free to do as you wish, but we recommend you rise early for those dawn drives, which cross the reserve to get you close to more game than you've dreamed of – lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, zebra, antelope, and birds galore. Guided walks are exhilarating too.