Most first-time visitors to South Africa head straight to the Kruger National Park for their fix of all things safari, but the oft-overlooked province of KwaZulu-Natal offers up spectacular vistas and abundant wildlife. Here’s a round-up of some of our favorite luxury game lodges in KwaZulu-Natal.

&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge and Phinda Vlei Lodge

Anyone who has been to Phinda will probably tell you that all five of the best luxury game lodges in the province can be found in the 23,000-hectare &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. It’s that amazing. Situated near KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline, the reserve encompasses seven distinct habitats, including coastal grassland, open woodland, mixed bushveld, sand forest and wetland. While Phinda boasts all of the Big Five, it is particularly well known for its large populations of cheetah and endangered black rhino, which can be difficult to spot at other game reserves.

Because Phinda is a private game reserve – and one with a formidable price tag – you’ll be guaranteed limited guest numbers and an exclusive game viewing experience. There are six different accommodation options to choose from ranging from exclusive-use villas to intimate lodges, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. The game viewing differs in the north and the south of the reserve because of the varied habitats, so we’d recommend splitting your stay between Phinda Rock Lodge, which is set dramatically against a cliff overlooking the valley below, and Phinda Vlei Lodge, which is situated alongside the rare sand forest. Both lodges accommodate only 12 guests, ensuring a private and secluded experience.

In addition to the expected game drives and guided walking safaris, for an additional fee, you can participate in the reserve’s rhino notching program. For this you’ll need a fairly robust travel fund, but you’d be contributing to the conservation of these endangered animals by spending the day with the veterinary team, tracking down and darting a rhino and notching its ear for research and security purposes.

Thanda Tented Camp – Thanda Private Game Reserve

When it comes to private game reserves, Thanda, which means “love” in isiZulu, falls into a similar category to Phinda. The 14,000-hectare reserve, which is home to the Big Five as well as the Little Five (elephant shrew, rhino beetle, leopard tortoise, ant lion and buffalo weaver), is involved in various conservation projects. Thanda is also strongly committed to preserving Zulu culture and empowering the local communities.

There are three accommodation options – Thanda Safari Lodge, the exclusive bush residence Villa iZulu, and Thanda Tented Camp. The reasonably priced Tented Camp provides a more traditional safari experience. While you’ll be sleeping in tents, this is hardly rough-and-ready camping! The camp is made up of 15 spacious tents that come with their own en-suite bathrooms and private sun decks. Solar power and back-up generators ensure that you’re perfectly comfortable. While a waterhole entices animals to the camp, a partial electrified fence deters them from entering your tent.

Spend a day with the conservation team — tracking the Big Five and assisting with reserve maintenance and monitoring — or get the reserve’s resident wildlife photographer, Christian Sperka, to show you how to capture some of Africa’s most magnificent creatures.

Leopard Mountain Game Lodge – Zululand Rhino Reserve

If your budget rules out Phinda and Thanda, Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in the Zululand Rhino Reserve is an excellent choice. The reserve, which lies in the Msunduzi valley in northern Zululand, was formed when 17 landowners dropped their internal fences to create a 23,000-hectare Big Five reserve. Home to over 70 mammal species, the reserve is a haven for critically endangered species.

The four-star lodge, which overlooks a valley, comprises nine stone chalets – each with their own private plunge pool. What this lodge lacks in swank, it makes up in service. Attentive staff and knowledgeable rangers will make sure that your needs are met and then go a step further, ensuring that your stay is memorable. A nice touch at this particular lodge is that lunch takes the form of a picnic basket – you select the menu items that tickle your fancy, then eat your picnic at your leisure at a place of your choosing.

Thonga Beach Lodge – iSimangaliso Wetland Park

The first area in South Africa to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 332,000-hectare iSimangaliso Wetland Park is astoundingly diverse. Made up of eight interlinking ecosystems, it is home to 526 bird species and Africa’s largest estuarine system. Mabibi, where you’ll find Thonga Beach Lodge, offers up some of the best diving in the world, making it an ideal spot for a marine safari. More than 1200 species of fish are found on Mabibi’s coral reefs!

The four-star lodge accommodates guests in standalone treehouse-style cottages that look out over the ocean. If it’s a view you’re after, you should book one of the Deluxe Ocean View Suites; look carefully and you’ll probably spot of school of bottlenose dolphins swimming by. In addition to snorkeling and scuba diving, you can also explore parts of Lake Sibaya – the largest freshwater lake in SA – by guided kayak.

It’s worth planning your trip so that it falls between the months of November and February. This way, you can take part in the nightly turtle tracking activities. Two types of turtles lay their eggs on the Maputuland coast – Leatherbacks and Loggerheads – and the lodge facilitates the opportunity to witness the turtles coming out to lay their eggs or the hatchlings making a dash for the sea.

Karkloof Safari Spa

A little less off the beaten track, Karkloof Safari Spa – situated 30 minutes from Pietermaritzburg – is a good option if you are looking for something closer to the city. The 3,500 hectares of varied terrain are abundantly stocked with game, including white rhino and herds of African Buffalo. However, you won’t encounter elephants or any of the large predators.

As the name suggests, the lodge, which comprises 16 villas linked to each other and shared spaces by wooden walkways, is equal parts safari and spa. The spa facilities – including a hydro area, flotation room, and 17 treatment rooms – are impressive. If you can afford to splash out on the most expensive package, you can expect your own private guide and game drive vehicle for the duration of your stay, unlimited spa treatments, and all the food and drink (except French champagne) that you can stomach.

More from AFKTravel:

Top Scuba Diving Spots In KwaZulu-Natal

Midlands Meander: A Foodie’s Guide To Central KwaZulu-Natal

6 Reasons To Go To iSimangaliso Wetland Park

This article was originally published October 6, 2015.

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