Small and intimate in a contemporary minimalist style. Small reserve but diverse terrain and big 5 but don’t expect plentiful sightings of the big animals.
Reserve: Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Nambiti Hills
On a ridge with day beds, pool and sunken firepit. Small reserve with big 5 but limited numbers, malaria free & close to KZN battlefields.
Esiweni
Dramatic cliff-edge setting, very French – staff and guests. Small reserve with big 5 but limited numbers, malaria free & close to KZN battlefields.
KwaZulu Natal
I like this area for the variety of habitat for wildlife – forests, plains, mountains, wetlands – and it’s close to unspoilt beaches for a safari & beach combo. Downside is reserves are smaller, so the herds are smaller, and denser vegetation can make sightings more difficult. Camps are very comfortable, with pools, a/c and the lux trimmings. Malaria is on the decline here and some reserves are malaria free. South Africa.