Makakatana Bay Lodge

The spacious guest area consists of an open-plan lounge, dining room and bar, with wide glass panels letting in plenty of light, and a wraparound terrace facing onto the lush dune forest. Dinners are served in the charming boma around an open fire. Follow the raised wooden walkway to a secluded swimming pool overlooking the lake, and be sure to visit the magical wine cellar – an original stone storeroom engulfed by the roots of an ancient fig tree.

The lodge has five double or twin rooms, a secluded honeymoon suite, and two family suites each with two interlinking bedrooms. Interiors are roomy and very comfortable, with a simple elegance and natural earthy tones brought to life by the vivid artworks on the walls. Each has air conditioning, an indoor and outdoor bath and shower, and a private deck which is completely open to the bush – look out for the beautiful nyala, warthog and other wildlife passing by.

Boat cruises on Lake St. Lucia offer the chance to see huge numbers of hippo and crocodile, with superb birdwatching along the way. Beach trips can be combined with game drives through the reserve, with elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a variety of antelope species to be seen. Walk through the dune forests and search for tiny red duiker and bird species like the elusive Narina Trogon, and end your day with a night drive to look for leopard and hyena.