In years prior, European nobility came to hunt and kill. In our era of heightened awareness of endangered species, animal lovers and nature lovers come from all over the world to view game: not as they are viewed in a zoo, but as they engage in their daily activities.

You watch the animals bathe and feed, play with and court one another, fight and tease one another, take catnaps (pardon the pun) and search for their next meal. If you are lucky, you may follow a pride of lions as they engage in a strategic hunt.

Every visitor - by virtue of his visit alone - lends support to the urgency of conservation in Africa. South Africa, with its intact eco-systems and its wide range of animal life and bird life, is in the forefront of world conservation efforts. This has been achieved through a joint venture of the government and the private game reserves, whose mission is two-fold: · to engage in conservation and re-population efforts. · to allow their (human) guests the opportunity to safely live with the game at close-hand in a way that is respectful and non-threatening.

Just as the tourist board likes to boast of the prevalence of "The Big Five", we at Heritage Tours offer what we like to call the "Indulgent Five" - five beautifully-designed upscale game lodges of unimaginable luxury in the midst of the African Bush: Singita, Londolozi, Phinda, Mala Mala and Makalali

Although they are not inexpensive, the Indulgent Five (and others, to varying degrees as well) offer an authenticity of experience that cannot be found in the national parks, even in the much-touristed Kruger Park.

• Intimacy with the animals: you are not surrounded by the hordes of tourists that fill other parks.
• Greater connection with the Bush: all vehicles are open-air vehicles.
• Greater chance of success: the Range Rovers are able to traverse nearly any terrain and thus follow the Big Five. Unlike national parks, where you are restricted to the roads, you venture off-road in the all-terrain Rovers. As the animals are familiar with the shapes of the vehicles, you can come shockingly close and - as long as you stay inside - you are in complete safety.
• Unequalled knowledge: you will be guided by some of the best rangers and trackers in Africa.
• The Bush in all its splendor: rather than just the typical daytime drives, you participate in night-drives, when the Bush becomes a different world.
• Quality of experience: Each vehicle holds a six to eight guests (often fewer) with your own private ranger and an expert tracker.

For all the excitement of your adventures in the Bush, we believe that there is nothing wrong with being pampered back at the lodge. And "the Indulgent Five" have raised pampering to the level of a fine art.

Your lodges are freestanding cottages of great beauty (a few have even won architecture awards) in the midst of the Bush. From your full-height bathroom window (privacy assured), you may just witness a pride of lions walking across an open field while you lay in your Victorian tub. Enjoy your large wooden deck, your private plunge pool and the crackling of your stone fireplace. You have a remarkable sense of being alone with the animals.

Special activities can be planned. Join members of the professional conservation team as they go about their work or train with ranger-candidates. Arrange a tented expedition or, for small groups, a private compound.