Singita Sweni & Lebombo, South Africa

These non-identical twin lodges, set on a 13,350-hectare private concession in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, first opened in 2001. Even then they set a new standard for design, with Lebombo in particular flying in the face of convention with its bright-white urban edges and attitude. The revitalised version is just as trailblazing, now sporting a minimalist new look by its original creators, Cecile & Boyd; a new library; multimedia room; and slick lap pool. In addition, one of South Africa’s most innovative chefs, Liam Tomlin, has been brought onboard to create the menus at both lodges. Sweni, built on a quiet riverbank shaded by acacia, jackalberry and river thorns, has been revamped in rich, neutral shades with flashes of iridescent colour and enhanced with expansive outdoor terraces. The addition of two new family suites (they can be taken together as a grand, four-bedroom villa) positioned between the two lodges serves to link the 13-suite Lebombo and six-suite Sweni.