Those who enjoy the social side of safari – joining fellow travellers at the bar for a drink or making new friends around the boma fire – will be in their element at Kapama River Lodge near the Kruger National Park in South Africa. With 64 rooms in total, it is perfect for larger groups of safari lovers travelling together and provides contemporary accommodation on 16 000 hectares near the Blyde River Valley. The centre of the lodge is no doubt the rim-flow swimming pool, the cocktail bar and the Siyadla lounge, where guests gather to chat about sightings, while away the afternoon between game drives or share a nightcap after dinner in the Rhino Boma. Diners have access to 600 superb South African wines and Jewish guests can select from a varied kosher menu. Romantics can arrange to take supper out on a nearby dry riverbed, enjoying the night sounds of Africa before making their way to an equally romantic sleep-out. In addition to game drives to see the Big 5, you can also make arrangements to visit the Kapama anti-poaching dog unit, tour the Hoedspruit Centre for Endangered Species and undertake sensitive elephant interactions. The Kapama series of lodges has been owner-managed since 1989 and sets a very high standard for lodge accommodation.