Fodor's Expert Review Kalahari Guest House

A perfect overnight stop on the way to or from the Kgalagadi National Park, this typical South African homestead, 50 km (31 miles) north of Upington, caters to all budgets. It comes complete with a farm stand and traditional boere kos (farm food) and snacks such as ginger beer, biltong, and tipsy tart (a deliciously rich brandy-infused tart). In addition to the guesthouse, which sleeps eight (breakfast and dinner can be arranged), you can opt for the six-person self-catering bush camp, which consists of a thatch roof and walls lovingly created from three thornbushes, or get even closer to the earth by camping next to a rainwater dam that welcomes 145 bird species. Energy is generated by a solar method as well as a wind charger at night.