Niche travel

There are tree houses and then there are tree houses. If you’re planning on doing South Africa’s Garden Route this year, take things (way) up a notch and book at least one night at the Tsala Treetop Lodge.

It’s the last, and highest, word in luxury and, if you think tree house and luxury is a contradiction in terms, that’s only because you haven’t played Tarzan and Jane here yet.

The boutique five-star property has just 10 suites, each of which is tucked up in the canopy of an ancient forest, with leaves, birds and the occasional monkey providing the view.

Each suite has a wraparound veranda plus – get this – its very own infinity plunge pool, way up there in the sky.

Even loftier still are its six Treetop Villas, two-bedroom units built above the canopy treetop, offering spectacular views out over the forest.

Meals are in the glass-walled dining room, so you don’t miss a trick. Breakfast, for those who love the morning sunshine, is on a spectacular wooden dining deck suspended above the forest floor.

Back up in your not-so-modest tree house you’ll have a fireplace, a fully stocked minibar, standalone bath and both under-floor heating and air conditioning.

It's heavy on the wow factor outside the hotel too, with a "swim with seals" experience on offer in nearby Plettenberg Bay, a bird sanctuary up the road, two elephant sanctuaries, a wild cat reserve and Monkeyland, a multispecies primate sanctuary. There's also horse riding, bungee jumping and shark cave diving. Suites from€160pps per night.

tsala.hunterhotels.com