Phinda Getty House and Zuka Lodge, Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

In the western region of CC Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve are two exclusive-use lodges for the ultimate private safari or secluded romantic getaway: Getty House and Zuka Lodge.

Getty House is an eight-guest private residence overlooking an extinct volcano, now covered in lush green vegetation and ringed by gently rolling hills. Designed to be unobtrusive, it incorporates sandstone, thatch, timber and glass. Interiors are elegantly earthy, with airy free-flowing spaces furnished with a mixture of classical and contemporary furniture that feels homely rather than extravagant.

Named by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007 as one of the world’s 130 top new hotels, and by Travel + Leisure as one of the world’s 50 most romantic escapes, Getty House attracts an exclusive clientele and is ideal for those who seek total seclusion or who may want a holiday out of the limelight. This is guaranteed, as Getty House comes with its own butler, chef, ranger and tracker, as well as sole use of a private safari vehicle.

Zuka Lodge also has a dedicated team to look after its guests, who are accommodated in four contemporary thatch-and-stone bush cottages surrounded by densely wooded hills and lush valleys.

Zuka’s interiors are characterized by hues of blue and stone, with a strong accent on shape and texture. The bathrooms were designed for pleasure and feature a curved bathing chamber, twin hand basins and a steamy double shower.

The intimacy at Zuka Lodge lends itself to moments of quiet contemplation and reflection in the library or in deep-seat lounging chairs on the private veranda overlooking a well-used waterhole. Social gatherings happen at the swimming pool and in the café-style kitchen, where anyone can get involved in creating the feast orchestrated by a white-hatted chef.

An important aspect of both Getty House and Zuka Lodge is the ability to tailor-make each day to suit the desires of its guests. Activities to choose from include game drives, bush walks, riverboat cruises, or trips to the coast for snorkelling, scuba-diving, fishing and night turtle-watching.