Flying into the Selous Reserve on a private plane with the wilderness bustling beneath you is quite a way to begin your holiday. Welcome drinks and an introduction to the full enclave of wonderful staff who will ensure that your every wish is met with exceptional, 5 star service soon follow.

Azura Selous houses 12 tented villas, each with an outdoor shower, private terrace, plunge pool overlooking the dramatic Ruaha river and lush grasslands that extend beyond the horizon. No expense is spared in ensuring your every comfort is met: air conditioning, luxurious beds, custom-made furniture and plush décor…even sherry in bespoke glasses for when the need arises. The suites are spacious as well as being well-spaced, so you’ll enjoy complete privacy with only the sounds of the wild and the river to lull you to sleep and nuzzle you out of bed each morning.

The safaris at Azura are exceptionally personal; you’re allocated one guide for the duration of your stay who will design experiences around precisely what you would like to see and encounter, and the options are superb. Morning and afternoon driving safaris, walking safaris, boating safaris as well as tiger fishing, all interspersed with scrumptious breakfasts and sundowners overlooking river beds and watering holes.

Dinners are in a different location every night and each is truly spectacular: an à la carte dinner overlooking the river from the lodge, a candle-lit banquet beneath a canopy of stars, an evening of spoils in the river bed surrounded by nothing but the wonders of the Selous. The food itself is a fusion of fine dining and traditional fair, giving you a feel for African spice and local ingredients, but with a refined touch.

Aside from the magnificent wildlife including elephants, hippos, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and wild dogs (the largest number of wild dogs in Tanzania), what sets Azura apart from other five-star resorts is the extraordinary care and attention to detail given by the staff. Each member treats you as their honoured guest in a way that goes above and beyond your expectations. In this way you’re left with not only beautiful memories, but a tenderness that lingers with you long after your journey has ended.