People ask me all the time “What is your favorite hotel?” It’s so hard to narrow down; I love so many for different reasons! But one that is always top of mind is Singita Lebombo Lodge in South Africa. Singita has twelve intimate lodges across southern and east Africa, but to my mind, Lebombo is the sexiest. It’s set on a private tract of land adjacent to South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Private land means that you’re not encountering tons of other safari-goers, so you don’t have the classic “safari traffic jam” — 10 Land Rovers converging on one wildlife sighting, like a shade-seeking cheetah. Lack of traffic means the animals more comfortable too; they ignore us and go about their business undisturbed.
Lebombo has a cool, contemporary interiors, and everything is designed so the focus is where it should be: outside. The 15 suites are all encased in glass, designed for maximum viewing opportunities. Even the bathtub sits in front of a window; there’s an outdoor shower as well. (How I love an outdoor shower!)
If you’re too lazy to get up, well, you don’t have to: The king bed is positioned so you wake to unobstructed views of the bush. Rooms have great design details like beaded curtains and mod, woven chairs, most of it locally sourced using natural elements.
If you ask, they’ll set up a bed on your deck, so you can doze off under the stars and hear all of the magical night sounds, from your safe perch above it. Magic.
Lebombo is perfectly situated on a bluff about the Lebombo River, a popular watering hole for impalas, elephants, giraffes, lions — you name it.
The restaurant is great with a fantastic wine list, much of it sourced from Soth Africa’s wine country. So even though you’re in the bush, the vibe is sophisticated — the exact opposite of roughing it.
Game drives take place at sunrise and sunset, when animals are most active. Which means, during hot, sunny afternoons, you hang out here, at the infinity pool. Seriously sumptuous. I can’t wait to go back.
