Marataba Trails Lodge

"This private-public collaboration with state-owned Marakele National Park is South Africa’s biodiversity hotspot you’ve never heard of, yet Marataba’s sustainable conservation model, since replicated across Africa, was endorsed by the late, visionary Nelson Mandela. Rhino, large elephant herds, big cats, pangolin, and prolific birdlife—it’s all here along with the hypnotic beauty of the 2.5 billion-year-old Waterberg escarpment. Water seeps from ancient aquifers deep within its sedimentary rock, spilling into gorges and converging into rivers with deep Coke-colored pools. Wild swimming, hiking, and overnight fly camping, all led by seasoned guides, will make any post-lockdown spirit soar. With the opening of Founders and Explorers camps in this 56,834-acre private concession, the idea of a conventional safari (twice-daily game drives) sounds old hat. While each booking with Marataba Conservation Camps comes with a private 4x4 and guide for guaranteed animal viewing, it’s when you get off the vehicle to participate in rhino notching, game counts, camera trap monitoring, snare patrols, or learn to use telemetry to locate a collared cheetah, that the fun begins. How you spend your time in camp depends on which one you book and the time of year. The four suites at Founders are right on the river, while the six-tented Explorers overlooks a very busy waterhole. Either way, you’ll feel part of the gang rubbing shoulders with the conservation team over lunch, from the vet to the head of anti-poaching, while tucking into venison pie and Ottolenghi-style salads from the community garden outside the park gate. From about $374 per person per night"