Nantwich Lodge

The main area has a beautiful, rustic-luxury appeal, built of natural wood and decorated with colourful textiles. All areas overlook the dam, where hippo hrrumph and crocs laze in the sun. Outside you'll find an eco-pool with loungers, and beside it, a well-equipped bar. Meals made with locally farmed produce are served beneath the stars in the boma, or on the wide deck. (Watch dishes being prepared in the open-display kitchen). There's a cosy open-plan lounge, and a library.

Nine rooms branch out from the main camp, with a good space between each offering optimal privacy and a good dose of wilderness (you'll be escorted to and from your unit). Simply built, with those little touches of luxury you need to make your stay comfortable, the rooms complement their surroundings. En-suite bathrooms with solar-powered eco-showers are standard throughout, as are outdoor bathtubs. Four of the units are linked to make family suites, and there's a super-romantic honeymoon suite.

Hwange's reputation is world-renowned. It's not only one of the best reserves to see elephants, but its guides are recognised masters of their trade. Their expert knowledge and skillful teaching make the landscapes come alive. Game drives are the principal mode of exploration, and you're ensured great sightings of the wildlife that wanders this flat terrain of woodland and savanna. Guided walks get you close to the small stuff. Hwange is a photographer's dream, and good for birdwatchers too.