Fodor's Expert Review Singita Lebombo Lodge

Named for the nearby Lebombo mountain range, the breathtakingly beautiful Singita Lebombo—winner of numerous international accolades and eco-driven in concept—hangs on the edge of a cliff (inspired by eagle nests) with wooden walkways that connect the aptly named "lofts" (suites) seamlessly fusing the outdoor and indoor areas. Organic materials—wood, cane, cotton, and linen—are daringly juxtaposed with steel and glass. Service and food are superb and a cooking class (where local community members are trained) at the on-site culinary school (for a donation of R1,000) is not to be missed. Twice-daily game drives (dawn and late afternoon) in an open vehicle are led by a highly experienced and knowledgeable ranger. You can also take a bush nature walk or camp out under the stars. Among the privately operated areas within the boundaries of the park is the 37,000-acre N'wanetsi Concession in the park's extreme northeast. Here two lodges, Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni, are located at the confluence of the N'wanetsi and Sweni rivers (not to be confused with their sister Singita camps in Sabi Sand private reserve). The area was once the base for the park's foot and horse patrols, and until the building of the lodges, it had never been traversed by vehicles. Today it's home to the Big Five as well as zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, hippos, hundreds of bird species, and varied flora. A carbon-neutral levy has also been automatically included in every booking.