For those long haul flights when the last thing you want is to step onto another plane and fly to your safari camp, Thamo Telele (previously known as Royal Tree Lodge) just outside Maun is a convenient safari-lite overnight stop.

A 20-minute drive from Botswana's Maun airport takes you to the 2,5 square kilometre private game reserve stocked with giraffe, zebra, several antelope and enough open skies and wild bush to ease you into the magic of an African safari.

You're right on the edge of the Thamalakane River and accommodation is in either thatched chalets (for the honeymooners) or tented suites on wooden decks. Both options feature quality beds and semi-open plan en suite bathrooms with hot running water, open-air showers and flushing toilets.

The living area is beneath some ancient trees and a shaded deck winds around the trunks. It's rather magical. Throughout you'll enjoy the bursts of colour in the quirky decor, art pieces and over-sized murals. Giraffe is the word here. You'll even get to see the 20-strong resident herd. The lodge itself is named after the littlest, who was born during the refurb in 2021. Thamo Telele means "long neck" in Setswana and a long neck she has indeed.

Stretch your legs on a guided walking safari or horseback trail through the reserve learning about the plants, small creatures and some of the larger plains game as well as the hundreds of bird species on permanent call. And of course rinse off the dust and wash away the heat with a dip in the pool and an ice cold drink on the deck. The pool is a delight and the sundowners even more so. Aaaaaaaah! Now you're ready to enjoy your safari.