Chobe Game Lodge is a rough-clad vaulted maze of courtyards, passages and verandahs that face the Chobe River and its great flood plain.

The 44 rooms have barrel-vaulted ceilings and high archways that frame a delightful view of the river. All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, complimentary mini bars and private terraces with river views.

Dining is either a high table bonanza on the river-facing terrace or a sumptuous buffet on the lawn beneath an ancient mahogany tree. The food is a Westerner's introduction to local ingredients and the wine list features some of South Africa's regular offerings.

One of the only lodges inside the Chobe National Park, you are on your game drive or boat cruise long before anyone else. In fact, by the time anyone else has ventured where you've already been, you are back at the lodge relaxing and enjoying a spa treatment.

As if you need any further selling on this superb safari lodge, most of the game drive vehicles and all of the boats are electric, which, apart from the obvious environmental benefit, means minimal noise so your sightings are a true bush experience. Something else for the win, the staff and all guides are female, which makes for a different experience compared to most safari lodges.