When Getty House is not being used as a vacation home by its owners Tara and Jessica Getty, it's an exclusive-use villa that comes with its own ranger, tracker, butler, and chef, thus allowing for choice in planning every aspect of your safari. Unlike Zuka Lodge, the other private retreat in the 44,400-acre Phinda Reserve, the entire Getty House—eat-in kitchen, living and dining rooms, study, and four bedrooms, each with a private bath—is under one roof. The decor is clean-lined and deliciously cool, with mosquito-proof sliding windows and doors. The elevation means that game sightings can be made from the infinity pool. After a lunch of chermoula-grilled prawns and homemade ice cream, go for an afternoon bush walk with your tracker.
When to go: March through September, for the best game viewing. Within that time, the relatively cool and dry months (MayAug.) are the most comfortable. All four bedrooms overlook a lush valley (villa, $4,485, all-inclusive).