Here, the natural world potters alongside a small village. Here, you are surrounded. Outnumbered. Look outside. There it is. That, my friend, is a world heritage site. Whoa. Nice. That is iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

With regards the lodge, you'll have to deal with the ubiquitous thatched roof. But we can easily forgive them it's authentic dating to the 1930s when it was one of the first homes in St.Lucia. And it was home home until 2004 when it was converted into a lodge. If you think some of the doors look a bit shabby chic, you're right. They were salvaged from a wreck in the early 1940s.  

Lidiko Lodge has a distinctive bed and breakfast kinda vibe where friendly staff greet you with feeling and enquire about your day ahead with genuine interest. Well, it is a B&B after all and it's quite a nice one at that.

Accommodation is in 16 en-suite garden rooms. The two family/triple rooms are part of the original building. Fourteen others were custom built in the same colonial style.

The family rooms are for two adults and two children - under 12 years of age. They can also be triple rooms so would work for three adults travelling together.

Think classic African hinterland architecture: cool, big and thatched. A rondavel type room with an en-suite bathroom. Private entrance and patio overlooking the gardens towards the Great St Lucia Lake.

The family units have two rooms and two bathrooms with an inter-leading door between the two rooms. These sleep 2 adults and 2 children - between 3 and 16 years old. Private patio, own entrance and they lead onto the pool area.

There are also 12 double or twin garden rooms. They're by the terraced courtyard with the swimming pool in the centre. And sleep two adults. A roll away bed can be added for a child at an extra cost. All have private entrance, private patio and en suite bathrooms with separate shower and bath. Either, two single beds or a king size. Depending on whether or not you've had an argument.