You may be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a designer boutique hotel in the heart of Black Rhino Private Game Reserve, the exclusive section of Pilanesberg National Park. Sleek interiors punctuated with unexpected accents and modern photography contrast with the untouched bush and gentle hills that are just moments away. ‘Umoya’ means ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’ and that may be what you reconnect with after a few blissful days of game drives, birding, nature walks, good food and rejuvenating spa treatments.

Just a handful of stylish rooms make up Umoya, and each has luxuries like air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The games room is at the centre of the lodge while the swimming pool and bar overlook Umoya’s nearby waterhole.