Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge is a four-star private game lodge in the Klein Karoo, nestled among the red Enon hills with the Swartberg Mountains filling the horizon. The turn off Vergelegen Road onto a winding track across a riverbed (often dry in summer) sets the tone: you might be greeted by Melman the giraffe or a springbok on the way in. Ten species of game roam freely across the reserve, and it is entirely malaria free.

Four chalets sit on the hillside and a fifth cottage hides away in the riverbed, each decorated in its own African animal theme with a private deck, and each linked directly to two walking trails that climb into the hills and valleys and back. The chalets are 300 metres from the main lodge, where a nightly fire is lit and dinner and breakfast are served, and where the lodge's wild animals are encouraged in close enough to make every evening something of an occasion.

Nguni, Oryx and Springbok are king-bedded chalets for two on a bed and breakfast basis. The Zebra Chalet is a fully self-catering hideaway tucked into the riverbed with a king bed, bunk beds, a kitchenette and its own bush braai fireplace, secluded from everything else and equally suited to honeymooners or a small family. The Kudu Chalet is the family option: two en-suite bedrooms, an open-plan living room, a full kitchen, an indoor fireplace and an outdoor braai.

The lodge sits on the Vergelegen Road leading to the R328, the start of one of South Africa's great circular drives over the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert, through Meiringspoort and De Rust and back in time for sundowners. The Cango Caves, ostrich farms, wine and gin tastings, hiking, horse riding, stargazing, game drives and even walking with cheetahs are all close by, and the hosts will help you plan and book any of it at no charge.