Elsa’s Kopje, and the Meru National Park in which is sits, is one of those truly special places where visitors very quickly fall in love with Africa. It was here that George and Joy Adamson released their famous lion Elsa back into the wild; an act which inspired the bestselling book (later to become a box office hit film), Born Free.

Today Elsa’s Kopje, a highly personable and deliciously decadent camp, sits very close to the spot at which George, Joy and Elsa set up their camp. But whereas the Adamson’s home was down on the ground, Elsa’s Kopje has been constructed atop a granite outcrop (called a kopje), or perhaps we should say that it grew like a determined plant out of the rock.

The lodge, which centres on an intimate open plan dining area overlooking a rock lined infinity pool, melds nearly perfectly into the natural curve and contours of the granite. Each room (which is more half-tent, half-designer apartment) offers breathtaking views over thorn bush savannahs and chocolate coloured rivers. And you can appreciate this view at all times – even when ‘in’ the bathroom; both the bath and the toilet are built to maximize exposure to the scenery and are semi open-plan! And if that weren’t good enough, the rooms have huge open fronts (and can be zipped shut at night) which allows you to feel a part of the natural order of things. Hyrax scuttle around the large wooden terraces, birds will sing you a sweet morning song, and every now and again a leopard will growl its way into your dreams. Thrilling stuff!

As for Meru park itself, this is one of the most underrated and under-visited parks in Kenya. There’s a massive variety of diverse landscapes here, and the animal life is unusually varied and includes big herds of elephants and buffalo, plenty of cats, and –perhaps the park’s star residents — over 60 black and white rhino who live in a protected sanctuary within the heart of the park.