Dwyka Tented Lodge

Take a three-hour scenic drive out of Cape Town and into the Karoo. Here, at the horseshoe bend in a dry ravine in the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, you will find a find a place unlike any other: Dwyka Tented Lodge, a place where you can experience an authentic desert escape without sacrificing the comforts of nifty accommodation.

The 54,000-hectare Sanbona Wildlife Reserve possesses a beauty that is otherworldly: the stark landscape is dotted with succulents and rock formations that have been adorned with Khoisan rock art. The reserve is also the home to the elusive white lion, a rare species that has been reintroduced into the area in recent years. After a day of searching for this magnificent creature, treat yourself to a rejuvenating session at the lodge’s Relaxation Retreat.

Accommodation consists of luxury tents, some with king-size beds and others with twin-size beds. All tents have indoor and outdoor showers, as well as private decks with plunge pools and landscape views. Karoo winters can get icy, while the summer sun can be quite harsh. Luckily, all tents come with air conditioning and underfloor heating.