Tawi Lodge

The double-storey lodge has four lounge areas, two bars (one of which is a bush bar built around a tortilis tree) and a library on the mezzanine level. Food is served either in the tree-canopied dining room or in the boma. (You can also request to have yours served in your chalet.) There is a small spa, a heated pool and comfy recliners under the trees at the edge of the lawn - all with good views of the waterhole.

There are 13 spacious traditional Makuti-roofed chalets (more like mini-lodges), designed and spaced to provide maximum privacy. En-suite bathrooms have a bath and shower, the four-poster beds are like a small piece of heaven, and the wooden veranda offers the perfect spot to lounge about and marvel at the stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. All units have a fireplace for cold winter nights. Some have a better view of the nearby waterhole and the animals that flock to it.

Morning and evening game drives are guided by local Masaai, meaning guests are privy to their first-hand knowledge of the plants and animals. Expect to see loads of elephants, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes and zebras, as well as interesting birdlife. The more energetic can go mountain climbing and those keen for a more sedentary approach can take in their surroundings from a helicopter. End a busy day with a sleep-inducing massage in the spa or take a dip in the bio-pool.