Ngoma Safari Lodge feels like you're a million miles from anywhere but in fact you're less than an hour from Kasane International Airport in Botswana's northeast corner. The lodge is built high on a ridge above the Chobe River.

See that elephant? You should see lots. And you’re watching from the comfort of your suite. Zebras and giraffes often meander past too.

From the main areas you'll still see the river. This old Chobe sure keeps on giving. Look up and you'll see an ancient baobab too. This is one of Africa's most recognisable tree species. Individual trees can live for 2,000 years. Who's not astonished by that? They also have more than 300 uses. The leaves, rich in iron, can be boiled and eaten like spinach. The seeds can be roasted to make a coffee substitute or pressed to make oil for cooking or cosmetics. And, wait for it, the fruit pulp has six times more vitamin C than oranges. Impressive stuff.

Anyway enough about the tree and more about the lodge - you'll have a lounge area, bar and open decks to hang out on. The viewing platform is good for game spotting too. It's open-air and overlooks a watering hole which is popular with buffalo, zebra and giraffe.

In the evening, you can eat around an open fire or arrange a private dinner.

All food and drinks are included. They go to town here. Breakfast is a gourmet offering almost too pretty to eat. Lunches are lighter, or take a picnic if you're out on safari and dinner can be three courses featuring local fish and game. You'll even get a spoonful of sorbet between courses.

Children aged 10 and over are welcome with many board games and young rangers' safari activities on offer. And a final selling point, the local community benefits financially from the lodge. Win-win.

Think rustic with an ethnic flair. This is an eco-friendly boutique lodge with thatched roofs and stone floors.

Ngoma Safari Lodge has 8 private suites in individual huts. These span out from the main lodge across a ridge and have river views. Two suites have Indian day beds so can be converted into triples.

Inside they use fabrics made by the Ndebele tribe of southeastern Zimbabwe for the beds and Zulu artefacts such as work tools and ploughs to decorate. You’ll have a Nespresso coffee machine and powerful showers both indoors and out. The bathroom is big and includes a huge bathtub, dressing table and double sinks. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a constant movement of animals. Outside is a private deck and plunge pool, occasionally drained overnight by thirsty elephants. Eek