Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge

Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge makes its home on a rocky cliff above the Sundays River, with five standalone suites built into the hillside overlooking Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Each has a generous private terrace for watching the Bushveld, while interiors filled with locally crafted furnishings take cues from the Big Five that give the accommodations their names.

Days revolve around the reserve: sunrise and sunset bring guided drives in open-air 4x4s, with an experienced ranger leading the search for elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalo. Back at the lodge, cool off in the infinity pool, watch the plains from the terrace or settle in for a meal at the 12-seat restaurant. Chef Crystal Wentzel combines French technique with African ingredients, drawing on produce from the lodge's organic garden. Full-board rates at the luxury hotel include meals and both daily game drives, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking view between outings.