Located within Phinda Private Game Reserve, Zuka Lodge overlooks a small low-lying pan. The 4 suites can be booked on a room by room basis, or as an exclusive-use lodge, adding to the home-away-from-home feel. The latter option also means that you’ll have your own ranger, tracker, butler, chef, and safari host, and can completely personalise your stay.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll have 29,866 hectares of private traversing on your doorstep – during game drives, you’ll cross 7 distinct habitats, offering fantastic variety in landscapes and wildlife sightings. Home to The Big Five, the region is especially renowned for its large population of cheetah and black rhino, with the sand forest also home to 2 rare tiny antelope species, suni and red duiker.

The 4 individual thatched Zululand bush suites cluster around a swampy pan, which turns into a popular waterhole during rainy season. Each suite comes with a circular bath chamber, indoor and outdoor showers, and private decks offering a front-row seat to the resident wildlife.

In-between game drives, cool off in the pool while looking out for further animal sightings, take advantage of the gym-in-a-basket in your suite, and book soothing in-room spa treatments using Healing Earth products.

Come evening, walk from the guest deck out to the boma, where dinner is served around a crackling fire beneath a starlit sky. The interactive kitchen is another highlight, with guests able to cook with the chef. During your stay, you might also be treated to a special bush dinner or breakfast in a secluded location within the reserve.