Royal Zambezi Lodge

You only have to look at the rugged men in muddy shoes to figure out that this is no ordinary spa hotel, but it’s the only place in the wilds of Zambia that vaguely resembles one – hence its allure. Just the setting will thrill you: purply mountains that wobble in the midday heat haze; a fat, meandering river; and most of the creatures from Noah’s Ark. The open-sided thatched spa is built high on the riverbank, hung with white muslin curtains, and has a hot-tub, mini steamroom and therapies ranging from traditional Zambian massages (so restorative they were originally given to local women post childbirth) to a men’s manicure – kind of fun after a week of mucking about in the bush.