Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge is a luxurious five star property located on 1,800 hectares of private land within the Madikwe Reserve. Comprising of eight stunning suites, this property was designed to blend the accommodation perfectly into the natural bush environment, allowing you to feel closer to nature. Each of suites is air conditioned and hence always at a pleasant temperature for sleeping, but from August until May you can also choose to sleep outside. Hidden deep in the bush is a secretive, custom built deck raised above a hide. Lit only by lanterns, it is hard to imagine a more romantic place in Africa to spend the night.

The Hide, as Sanctuary Makanyane’s star bed is known, is a short distance from the main lodge building but still within its private grounds. If you are a keen photographer, you might well have visited the ground floor hide during the day to keep out of sight as you watch the animals come to drink and bathe at the neighbouring waterhole. When you opt to stay here, however, the hide becomes entirely yours. The sinking pink-red sun will provide just enough light for your sundowner drink and perhaps a romantic dinner for two, and once it falls below the horizon and darkness falls, the lodge’s staff will then light the lanterns for you.

This is a wonderfully peaceful place to stay. You really are out in the wilderness on your own. You can lie back on the scatter cushions and hand knotted carpets which decorate the wooden deck, lazing and reflecting on the beauty of the natural world. When tiredness overcomes you and you are ready for sleep, you can let yourself inside the pyramid shaped mosquito nets, sink onto the deep mattress, and breathe in the cool night air. On a full moon night, the light of the moon will be dazzling; on other occasions your eyes will be drawn by planets and shooting stars.