Shambala

Don your pith helmet and Tilley Vest and head out into the great unknown. And let’s be honest, regardless if you’ve been to South Africa before or not, there are always new pieces of this rich and dynamic region that beg to be explored.

The 30,000-acre private game reserve of Shambala is located about two-and-a-half hours north of Johannesburg by car. It boasts seven afro-provencial thatched chalets at Zulu Camp that are designed to just fit a single group of guests. The “one-group-at-a-time” rule ensures you’ll not be bothered by any strangers sporting Hawaiian shirts.

Shambala spans nearly 12,000 hectares of South Africa's Limpopo Province; home to the Big Five: leopard, lion, elephant, black rhino, and buffalo. Don’t miss a guided elephant tour and catered bush picnic — both incredible for very different reasons.

And although the bush is the main draw here, keep in mind the more civilized draws of Shamabala, ranging from the Zulu Camp’s plunge pool and world class cuisine, to the refined spa and tantalizing wine collection.