Impossibly elegant, always magical, and extremely comfortable, Dulini Lodge in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is the idyllic combination of bush glamour and authenticity. The property’s seamless incorporation of the surrounding wilderness into the lodge design somehow makes a deep claw foot bathtub and a velvet pedestal seem – dare I say – normal? Shades of grey and cream perfectly compliment the expansive windows that enshrine Dulini’s six private thatched stone cottages, complete with plunge pools and outdoor showers. Each suite overlooks a secluded portion of the local river, where elephant and leopard often visit for a mid-afternoon drink.

Game drives with Dulini through the Sabi Sands are just as spectacular as you might imagine. From a luxury safari vehicle, highly skilled rangers and trackers dynamically work together to navigate this exclusive wilderness, in hopes of spotting a lioness with cubs or a leopard with a kill. Herds of playful elephant move through the bush with remarkable delicacy, while throngs of buffalo look casually onwards. The highlight however is spending time with smaller species, and learning from your guide and tracker about the intricacies of the bush. Feeling the power of a dung beetle or the velvety softness of an indigenous fern perfectly completes the experience.

The ambiance of the unfenced main lodge only further captivates guests as they return from game drives. With the entire property shaded by Leadwood and Ebony trees, there is no shortage of quiet corners to relax, be it on a lounge chair poolside or in a plush couch in the library. Warthogs are often seen wandering across the manicured lawns, while birds fly over the lantern-lined rope suspension bridge that crosses the river. Private evenings spent riverside under the stars, or communally in the boma with friends and staff, perfectly round off a day of indulgence and adventure.

Ultimately, what you find at Dulini is the combination of romance and luxury, which inevitably creates a sensational and exclusive Sabi Sands African safari.