RiverBend Lodge

Charming homestead in malaria-free Addo Elephant Park - fab for families and just an hour from Port Elizabeth

Set in lush colourful gardens with countless butterflies, this 8-suite Victorian homestead with its bright floral décor offers a light, gentle and refreshingly different way to experience African wildlife. Within viewing distance of the nearby waterhole, yet entirely fenced in, RiverBend makes for a safe and peaceful stay in the bush.

After the morning game drive, passing herds of elephants, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast on the wraparound veranda, with its endless views across the plains. Afterwards, we were pampered with a soothing hot-stone massage - though a trek on elephant-back or plain lazing by the pool were equally tempting choices. Delicious homemade snacks appeared out of nowhere throughout the day to save us from sure starvation, before the fabulous 7-course gourmet feast that was our dinner.

Staff are unfailingly lovely and enthusiastic, the vibe is cossetting, and the guides are superb at tracking both large and small animals, required in this type of bush, which conceals wildlife. This is a great place for safari enthusiasts who want a relaxed, gourmet-led experience - and it's utterly fantastic for families with children of all ages.

Highs

• Parents can take offspring on game drives, or leave them with babysitters to have cooking lessons, track small animals, or play in the sandpit. The pool is fenced, and there's a kids' menu
• The spa (a rarity amongst even the most upmarket of game lodges) with a range of treatments
• Spacious, tranquil suites with views of the waterhole - or a private 3-bedroom villa for groups (chef and ranger included)
• Addo was successfully founded to conserve indigenous elephants; now there are also buffalo, hyena, zebra, lion, kudu, jackal, warthog, eland and hartebeest
• Good value for money, considering the standard of accommodation and food, and the full-board basis

Lows

• Some will find the décor a bit old-fashioned and chintzy, and the dining area a bit soulless
• If children don't feature in your dream holiday scenario, this may not be for you, although families are taken on separate game drives wherever possible
• Incredibly popular, so you need to book early
• No twin rooms
• The game viewing in the private concession part of Addo (where the lodge sits) was fairly limited; take game drives in the National Park as well