GO REMOTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

SA residents don’t need to go far for that blissed-out, offline feeling. Try one of these splendid spots, where, as the cellphone signal starts to fade the true adventure begins

LEKKERWATER BEACH LODGE South Africa

De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful and remote stretches of Indian Ocean coastline. It takes a bit of effort and driving to get to the Beach Lodge, perched on a small cliff overlooking the often misty sea. There are only seven rooms, hovering above stunning fynbos vegetation. All have views of endless, white sandy beach. On the menu: long walks, reading on the balcony, a glass of local wine in the evening and the sleep-inducing sound of ocean waves at night. The hotel, incidentally, was just named by Travel+Leisure as one of the world’s most beautiful new hotels (it opened in April 2019).

● SADC rates from R2,900 per person per night. See naturalselection.travel.

WOLWEDANS PRIVATE CAMP Namibia

The 200,000ha NamibRand Nature Reserve is an unspoilt slice of Namib desert made up of red dunes dotted with mysterious fairy circles, impressive mountains and granite stone formations. Wolwedans Private Camp, hidden deep in this wilderness, is surrounded by nothing but an unearthly desert landscape. The camp may be remote but you will still enjoy the luxury of an on-site butler and personal chef. You can spend days exploring the area without ever encountering another human — only a gemsbok or a leopard might cross your path.

● Doubles from £1,130pp (R22,175), all-inclusive. See wolwedans.com.

JACK’S CAMP Botswana

This classic tented camp owned by legendary guide Ralph Bousfield is blissfully remote, located deep in the vast, beguiling landscape of the Kalahari salt pans. While the camp is closed for refurbishment until April 30, Jack’s Migration Camp is open just down the road.

It has only eight tents, all spread out under the waving palms of the Makgadikgadi, but the main area is similar to the original Jack’s, with comfy seating, a small library, well-stocked drinks cabinet and the infamous Natural History Museum cabinet. There is also a swimming pool with a shaded, chill-out area. Jack’s Camp reopens on May 1. There is no Wi-Fi — just use binoculars to watch wildlife and post those cute meerkat photos on Instagram when you get home.

● SADC rates from $310 (R4,700) per person per night. See naturalselection.travel.

ANVIL BAY CHEMUCANE Mozambique

Eleven luxury “treehouses“in a coastal dune forest fall within two overlapping protected areas — the Maputo Special Reserve on land and the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, stretching 6km into the sea. The owners call it a “barefoot beach camp”, where dolphins leap off the coast, turtles plod up the beach, hippos and crocs squat in the nearby lakes and elephants lumber over the neighbouring plains. Get there by helicopter or by driving through the reserve — but only with a highclearance 4x4.

● SADC residents pay from $305 (R4,632) pps. See anvilbay.com.