With amazing wildlife, world-class cuisine and beautifully designed rooms, few lodges provide the all-round experience of Earth Lodge

When looking for the best places in the world to go on safari, South Africa’s Sabi Sand Wildtuin, a private safari area adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park has to be at the very top of the list of places to go. Boasting an incredible density of wildlife, especially big cats, rhino and wild dog, it is a wildlife lover’s paradise and also boasts some of the country’s finest lodges.

Sabi Sabi’s uniquely styled Earth Lodge is amongst the best of the bunch and is a truly wonderful spot for a safari, especially special trips such as Honeymoons or anniversaries. The whole lodge has been built from mud and straw, making it as eco-friendly as possible, with as few “unnatural” materials as possible used. The 13 suites, including the vast Presidential Suite are wonderfully luxurious with huge beds, indoor sitting areas and vast bathrooms that come equipped with Charlotte Rhys toiletries. On the private veranda guests will find outdoor showers, private pools and comfy sofas and hanging chairs, making them the perfect spot to relax in between safari activities. Food is a huge part of life at Earth Lodge, with the chefs amongst the finest in South Africa and able to offer unique and innovative menus. There are plenty of inspiring spots to enjoy meals, most notably their stunning wine cellar which is wonderfully atmospheric and boasts some of the finest vintages South Africa has to offer to boot. The bar is a great spot for drinks after game drives and dinners, with the focus on South African produced drinks from artisan producers as opposed to large, national brands. The spa is outstanding with a huge range of treatments available and there is even a well-equipped gym for those looking to work out.

Game drives are offered in the morning and afternoon, with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle meaning everyone gets a coveted “window” seat for optimum game viewing opportunities. With the Big Five found in abundance, as well as more unusual animals such as wild dog, cheetah and hyena, as well as varied plains game, a safari from Earth Lodge is always a wonderful experience.