Thakadu, Madikwe Reserve, South Africa

With jaws agape, we were welcomed to Thakadu river lodge with cold towels and strong drinks. Thakadu rooms are 'tents' in the way that Buckingham Palace is a house. Victorian style claw foot tubs, double sinks, a king size bed and a view of a river home to a group of elephants.




Our guide was exceptional, and managed to track down rhino, zebra, jackals, hyenas, impala, stimbok, warthog, a pride of lions and a slew of smalls animals and rare birds. It's all quite civilized with gin and tonic stops in the middle of the bush during our outings, and more meals than you can shake a stick at before and after.