Monwana Game Reserve

With a maximum of 24 guests occupying Monwana Game Lodge at any time, safaris here take on a private feel, making the whole experience a dream for first timers or those who prefer a slower drive so they can search for the animals they truly want to see. Sharing a fenceless territory with Kruger National Park means the wildlife that roams here sways to its own rhythm, making each outing different from the last. In fact, with an active year-round waterhole literally on the doorstep, sometimes there isn’t even any need to leave, maximising every second of potential sightings. 

From the moment eager feet step out of the transfer, life is perfectly paced. Of course, the main attraction to the area is the vast array of wildlife, and that’s what days mostly revolve around, but when guests aren’t out and about in search of the Big Five, there’s plenty going on to occupy the hours. Restoration from the early rises can be found in the spa, where treatments using African botanicals are tailored to individuals. Then there’s the dining that almost becomes a part of the safari experience, with breakfasts served in the bush, riverbed dinners under the stars, and sundowners by the waterhole. And for the sustainability minded, a tour of the lodge’s extensive eco-friendly systems shed slight on how luxurious comfort and caring for the environment can go hand in hand.