Intsomi Forest Lodge, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Intsomi Forest Lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape is a breath of fresh air because, although it shares similarities with a traditional safari lodge, it departs from the norm with clean lines, uncluttered open spaces and light woods.

Its eight suites are surrounded by a forest of huge old trees, including yellowwood, wild chestnut, stinkwood and coral. Three walls of each suite open up entirely to allow the outside and inside worlds to merge, and it becomes easy to imagine that you are in your own forest, full of birds and monkeys calling and chattering their way into your life.

Intsomi is the kind of place where you can slow down and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The 1 000 hectares of land on which the lodge is situated are home to indigenous game and fantastic bird and butterfly populations. Animals like eland, red hartebeest, zebra and buffalo can be found here, as well as the endangered oribi dwarf antelope. Horse trails take you through the forest and over shifting dunefields along the coast, where ancient Khoisan middens can be visited.

If, at times, game drives, hikes or horse rides do not appeal, you could always relax at the swimming pool or have the wellness centre therapist massage away the stresses of life.