When the sun is at its zenith, a lunch spread of Nobu-inspired salmon teriyaki awaits, after which a hoist lowers me down into the pool to float like a contented hippo. The lodge overlooks a vast plain, so even when you aren’t on safari, there’s always a chance of spotting something. If you are lucky, and positioned at the right time in the hide (accessible via wheelchair ramp), you can get as close to nature as is feasibly safe. One afternoon, after a generous helping of homemade raspberry sorbet, a lone giraffe gallops into view and takes his lunch in front of us.
Sophie Morgan at Ximuwu: Luxury Klaserie Lodge, South AfricaDaniel Patrick Vaughan
No need to waste a moment: a quick nap can be combined with a deep tissue massage at the spa; Elly — equipped not only with her pilot’s license but also hairdresser credentials — offers me a wash and blow dry. Her hospitality is matched by her team, fronted by Anette Porter, all of whom are fully disability-aware and know exactly when to help and when not to.
The borders between the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park are unfenced, allowing animals to move freely around both reserves. In total, I checked off over twenty-five sightings: from hyenas, leopards, rhinos, lions, and giraffes to vultures, bush babies, warthogs, and more. The space is teaming with life, but the reserve itself is deserving of equal praise, sightings or otherwise.
