Branson Bundles Safari and Luxury in Africa

First impressions: We missed most of what Duarte said during orientation as we contemplated the effect of high-gloss paint on high-grade designer luggage. We abstained from champagne, snubbed the appetizer plate and signed anything placed in front of us, which essentially said we had no legal rights if mauled, maimed or attacked while breaking one of the numerous game-drive rules. The Rock Lodge was still in the midst of renovation upon our arrival, so we made the short drive to the graveled entrance of the Safari Lodge. A one-room check-in area swiped our credit card, issued our room key and returned us to Duarte, who showed us the new pool deck, gift shop, main lodge with TV room and Internet terminal, as well as the outdoor terrace where most of the human feeding would take place during the day.

The main lounge of the new Treehouse Suite is rustic yet comfortable.

Our room: Our room is accessed along the dry riverbed where Duarte insisted, "You'll have a lot of game action." There are a lot of rules to remember, even when it's just you in your room. You can never leave the room at night unless with a guide. Over a walkway suspended from trees, and warning of tree snakes, we arrive to a single glass door leading to our lodge room. A two-story thatch roof contains a four-poster canopy bed draped in mosquito netting. A small seating area with ottoman-style coffee table and well-worn sofa sit opposite a small writing desk. The room is surrounded by unobstructed views of the riverbed, wrap-around deck with two loungers and small Jacuzzi-size plunge pool that can double as a late-night critter bar. Our location meant a lively night of hippo shrieks, lion roars and occasional rooftop thump of swinging animals on the move.