The bush is very quiet after the rain, but Omega, our game ranger, says some rhinos were spotted earlier. After some skilful tracking, we come across two beautiful and highly endangered white rhinos. Watching these magnificent, ancient beasts in their natural habitat is an incomparable experience and again I find it unfathomable that anyone could harm or kill these creatures for their horns. We also spot some Bushbuck, Eland, and the rare Honey Badger.

After sundowner drinks by the river – we are dropped off at our living quarters for the evening, namelyTinyeleti Tree house.The weather is perfect and the first stars are already making a shy appearance as Omega and German, our tracker, familiarise us with our home in the open bush. We had a tree house when I was little and this is a more luxurious version. It's complete with a four poster bed with mosquito netting. Instead of plastic mugs with hot chocolate, we have a set table with real linen, a "picnic" feast of penne arabiata, olive and camembert cheese tartlets, venison kebabs, superb De Waal wine, a selection of soft drinks, crackers and cheese and home made chocolate brownies – all accompanied by the finest crockery and cutlery. Entirely made of wood and overlooking the river on stilts and with a double basin vanity and toilet beneath, the tree house is heaven on earth, replete with a powerful telescope. There is a two-way radio for emergencies. As night falls fast and with hardly any moon, the stars come out and twinkle like a million diamonds. We hear the hippos in the river below us and catch a glimpse of them with the spotlight. I wake up twice during the night; once to the roar of lions in the distance and once because of the call of a hyena right underneath me. In the morning, watching dawn break all around from a bed in a tree, is a sensation I simply cannot describe. Omega collects us at about 7 am to have breakfast back at the Lodge and then, sadly, it's home time.

Narina Lodge will always have a special place in my heart. It seems to touch the soul, heart and mind and will forever stay there.

Thank you to Monica, Melanie, Grant, Omega, German and all the wonderful staff at Narina who made our stay a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

(Photographs by Jo Kromberg and Izak van Zy)

Go to http://www.lionsands.com/narinalodge.asp for more information and reservations.