Nunda River Lodge

The main lodge is a triumph of thatch and timber, with a rather lovely deck that juts out over the water - perfect for an afternoon G&T or simply watching life unfold on the river below. The restaurant serves up hearty three-course affairs (paired with some rather good South African wines), while the swimming pool provides blessed relief from the subtropical heat. But it's the surrounding indigenous forest that steals the show, creating delightfully private spaces between each accommodation option.

Take your pick from seven properly spacious Meru tents (complete with wooden decks and river views), eight thatched bungalows that make the most of their waterfront position, or four garden-facing chalets tucked into the greenery. For those who prefer to sleep under canvas of their own choosing, there are nine grassy camping spots right by the water's edge - each with its own braai area and access to possibly the most immaculate ablution blocks in Southern Africa.