I've stayed at many lodges and hotels in Africa over the years but to say I was blown away the first time I laid eyes on Silvan Safari is an understatement. It is the breath of fresh air the safari industry needed. You won't find a shade of khaki here, just the sleek lines and modern finishes which wouldn't be out of place on the top floor of a New York high rise. Opulence has never felt so good. One thing which really struck me at Silvan was the attention to detail. This lodge was clearly a labour of love and the adoration and attention-to-detail translate into everything Silvan does.

The wildlife? The best in the world (six leopards in one game drive!).
The service? Second to none - it was like they knew what I wanted before I did.
The rooms? Have you seen the pictures? A family of 10 could live in these rooms accommodating two - certainly the biggest and the best I have ever been in.
The staff? Africa's people are one of her greatest assets and the Silvan staff truly show you what all the fuss is about. They're warm, welcoming, and always making sure your G&T is full. Ah, perfection.

This leads me to one of the biggest shocks about Silvan: the food. It was off-the-charts amazing and better than most Michelin-star restaurants I've been to. Created for the sophisticated palate, it combines a fine dining experience with the magic of the African bush and I can say with all honesty: I have never been fatter or happier.

I don't want to give away all of Silvan's secrets in just one review but what I can say is this: a holiday to Africa will change your life. A holiday at Silvan will make you never want to go anywhere else again.

Silvan Safari Lodge is a true Gem! The most beautiful rooms I have ever stayed in! Each room individually and tastefully decorated. Beautiful baths with a view and double showers. Huge viewing decks with private plunge pools.

The staff were so friendly and welcoming and made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. The food prepared was out of this world, very different to the usual “bush cuisine”. We were so well looked after, nothing was too much.

The game viewing in the area is phenomenal, we saw all of the Big Five and much more, our tracker even spotted a chameleon in a tree! Now that is impressive!

I had a chance to sample one of the spa treatments; I don’t think I ever felt so relaxed after a mere 30 minutes. I slept like a baby, not sure if it was thanks to the massage or to the comfortable beds in the suit, or the Zen feel in the rooms.

We only stayed 2 nights at Silvan Safari Lodge which was just too short! I could easily stay there forever, and recommend a minimum of 4 nights.