Tinga Legends Lodge, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Travel writer Carrie Hampton feels small at Tinga Legends safari lodge, as everything seems bigger here at this private concession inside Kruger National Park. Read this adaptation from her latest book, ‘Exclusive Safari Lodges of South Africa’ with photographs by Gerald Hoberman.

A thatched cathedral-like entrance greets you at Tinga Legends Lodge, which befits this safari lodge’s grand and sumptuous design mix of Afro-colonial and classic gentleman’s club. This is achieved with mounted antelope horns, Persian rugs, fine African antiquities and dark leather sofas contrasting with light, wicker terrace chairs.

The whole effect is striking yet understated. Design features are not limited to the interiors: rendered walls around the lodge incorporate African swirls into the plasterwork and a beautifully packed dry-stone wall surrounds the outdoor dining boma.

Everything seems bigger here – the swimming pool, the wooden dining deck, the suites with king-size beds, private terraces with plunge pools, and the views from every part of this luxury South African safari lodge across the Sabi River and into Kruger National Park. Everything has been thought about and then doubled!

With only nine luxury suites, the level of service for the lodge’s maximum of eighteen guests is of the highest order. A simple smile from friendly staff starts the day well, but a massage with river stones followed by an exquisitely prepared lunch cannot fail to make your day.

If perchance you happen to be thinking of a honeymoon in South Africa, then Tinga Legends Lodge won’t disappoint. A honeymoon vacation is supposed to be extravagant and there is nothing at Legends Lodge that falls short of that expectation.