Aigas Field Centre, near Beauly

Reviewed by Louise Gray and Luke Wainright from Edinburgh Waking up in the Aigas Roundhouse is a little like being on safari in Africa. Birds can be heard chirping away in the surrounding trees, including African native guinea fowl, rare creatures such as beavers and wildcats roam just a short distance away and if you are not careful a wild beast (a pine marten) will scamper through the bathroom window.

Inside, it feels even more reminiscent of Africa. The circular room is adorned with sculptures, gourds and kikoys from the great continent. At the centre a Douglas fir holds up the thatched roof and the bed is also made of trunks.

But this is by no means basic accommodation. The super king size double bed is completed with fresh linen and a luxurious bathroom and log burning stove makes up for the drastic difference in weather between Scotland and Africa.

The feel is completed by photographs of African wildlife like lions, elephant and antelope. Look closer and you will see members of Sir John Lister-Kaye’s family enjoying stunning views across the African savannah.

The Roundhouse was inspired by an 8,000-mile Land Rover expedition up Africa’s Rift Valley undertaken in 2008/9 by Sir John with his daughter Hermione and son Warwick. Upon their return, they decided to recreate some of the wonders of Africa by building a roundhouse in the grounds of Aigas Field Centre. The concept works perfectly as it is not only a celebration of African animals and art, but also the wildlife we sometimes neglect to appreciate at home.

Aigas has been so successful in attracting charismatic species like otters and red squirrels that the BBC’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch have all been filmed at the centre. Activities include bird watching, workshops in identifying fauna and trips to see dolphins and eagles. In the evenings you can see beavers from a hide, or watch badgers, red and roe deer and pine martens in the woods.

Returning to sleep at The Roundhouse is the perfect end to the day and a reminder of one of the central messages of Sir John Lister-Kaye’s books: you don’t have to go to Africa to see wildlife, if you just look, it is all on your doorstep.

Prices for an Aigas Wildlife week, all inclusive, £1,275 per person.