Sibuya Forest Camp

The attractive main area has wooden floors, stone and canvas walls and a thatched roof. Comfortable armchairs and couches create an easy communal hangout in front of the bar. The next-door dining room is spacious, with simple tables, a buffet counter, open-plan kitchen and stone pizza oven. Outdoors is a deck with a fire-pit at its centre, canvas camp chairs and the forest just beyond. Down a stony path is a swing-chair: a quiet spot to catch the breeze.

There are eight tents on wooden decks in the forest. While they're close to the river's edge, the water is not directly visible through the trees, though some have pathways that lead to a viewpoint with a bench. In addition to the double or twin beds, four of the tents have an additional sleeper couch. The stylish en-suite bathrooms have baths, showers and complimentary toiletries. Lighting is solar-powered and water is heated by gas, adding to the rustic camp feel.

Morning and afternoon game drives are the best way to see Sibuya's wildlife, which includes rhino, buffalo, elephants, giraffe, zebra and several antelope species. Sibuya's lions and cheetahs are kept in enclosures separate from the rest of the reserve's wildlife and require feeding; this will make your experience of them less wild and natural, but it does guarantee that you'll see them. River cruises or canoe trips show off the reserve's magnificent scenery and myriad of birdlife, including fish eagles, herons, egrets and many more. Fly fishing in the river can be particularly rewarding, and a swim in its temperate waters makes for a fun and relaxing afternoon. Nature walks are available in parts of the reserve, and if you'd like to walk on the beach, that can be arranged too. Other activities (which come at extra cost and need to be booked in advance) include horse riding, deep-sea fishing and spa treatments.