Pondering the nature of luxury while enjoying the luxury of nature, I concluded that what defines the luxury experience at Singita isn’t the comfortable surroundings or the excellent cuisine but rather privacy and a bespoke experience away from lodge’s other 22 guests.

We noted how vastly different the game-viewing experience was on our private deck or while floating in our private pool overlooking the Sabie Sand river. Game drives were intimate too with just JP and I accompanied by ranger and tracker.

Although among the most costly safari experiences in South Africa, Singita offers value for visitors earning Pounds, Euros and Dollars when compared to top-end experiences in Europe.

I think it was Marco Pierre White who refused to serve soufflés to guests sitting upstairs. I thought about this after asking for (and receiving) a softly poached egg delivered to our room about 500 meters from the main camp.

Aside from the silence and expansive plains, Singita have taken pre-emptive luxury to a first-time experience: returning from our afternoon game excursion we arrived to find our suite transformed. Bubbles were settling in a freshly drawn hot bath, a heart-shaped collection of flowers and tea-light candles. A silver Champagne cooler with bubbly chilled and ready.

Most luxury hotels offer VIP guests champagne and I’ve been to a number, like the Ritz Carlton in Kuala Lumpur that offer a bath menu that includes cigars, chocolates, martinis what have you, but never before has a hotel decided to provide it without request or permission. We didn’t care for bubbles of either kind that day but having it available was pure pleasure. Guests may be paying R15, 000 a night to stay at Singita but everything – including superlative cuisine and free-flowing fine wines (sommelier Chris’ recommendations were another highlight) is included.

I pack Martini’s for sundowners on the beach. If Singita can provide hot (yes, hot) snacks with our gins and tonic in the middle of the bush, my resolve is stiffened to always have something divine at hand. It is a good thing that alcohol is prohibited on beaches but, like the white line at a Stop sign, I’m happy to ignore some of the rules. A little civil disobedience goes a long way. The velvet revolution is underway. I’m all for anarchy if it means I can enjoy beautiful surroundings with delicious things to eat and drink.