Singita Boulders Lodge

Boulders sits on the Sand River in Singita's part of the Sabi Sand: 12 suites along the bank, with your own vehicle, guide and tracker waiting when you land. It is the longest bush stop on The Southern Arc, and we gave it four nights on purpose. After a week of golf at Fancourt and Leopard Creek, people need a day or two before they stop checking the time.

You arrive from Buhala Lodge, near Leopard Creek. A Cessna Caravan makes the short hop to the Singita airstrip, and before touching down the pilot makes a low pass to move the impala, sometimes buffalo, off the strip. The afternoon drive is yours to time.

Then three full days. Your guide and tracker follow the leopard and lion of the concession, and you stay with a sighting as long as you like. On the second night you leave the lodge altogether for a Singita fly-camp sleepout in a remote corner of the reserve: canvas, a fire, and the bush going about its business in the dark around you.

Boulders suits golfers who want more than a quick look at the bush, and couples who like their game viewing unhurried. From here a Pilatus PC-12 takes you to Kruger Mpumalanga International to clear customs, then on to Maun and Wilderness Jao in the Okavango.

Good to know

• Malaria area. Take your doctor's advice on prophylaxis before you travel.
• The Southern Arc runs May to June and September to October, in the dry season.

Country: South Africa