There's not a lot of reality in a suite that's big enough to get lost in, has two showers, a private pool and a game ranger at your beck and call. But then reality is the last thing you'd be looking for at Madikwe Hills. It's about honeymoons, anniversaries, marriage proposals and holidays of a lifetime — and there's always at least one of each going on.

Among the newest arrivals in Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province, Madikwe Hills has 10 thatched suites each decorated in white and earth tones. Good taste, comfort and elegance were obviously all priorities vying for dominance at the time of construction and the end result has guests wondering why they should ever leave their rooms.

Each suite has 180-degree views over the 75 000 hectare reserve with a deck and private pool from which to take it all in. Summer evenings are spectacular: thunderheads wrestle in the sky, lightning flashes and the sun sets all at once.

When the special effects aren't too nearby to threaten dinner, tables are set either in the traditional boma or around the main deck's rim-flow swimming pool, which nobody uses because guests have their own private version.

Talk usually begins with "Have you used your outdoor shower yet?" It swiftly moves on to the private cellar in which is hidden a collection to make a connoisseur's nose twitch. Then the first course arrives: on this occasion it was vichyssoise followed by springbuck carpaccio with fresh Parmesan, a sorbet to clear the palate, then a choice of three main courses. Staff are far to tactful to bat an eye if you can't choose between pan-fillet of beef with mushroom duxelle and Cabernet essence, duck breast with cranberry glaze or butternut lasagne.

"Perhaps you'd like to try a little of each," the suggestion is put delicately.

"Ah yes. That solves the problem." And strangely you don't feel like an oinker tucking into three helpings.

Of course, guests must inevitably leave all this — and go on a game drive. Duty calls at six in the form of head ranger Jaco Badenhorst over the phone. However reluctant you are to leave the crisp white linen of a king-sized bed, it is no trying task to go on a game drive with Jaco. A true career ranger, he's been 'rangering' for more than a decade, been there, seen that, done it and got all the khaki outfits to go with it. Still he remains enthusiastic and passionate about the bush.

Score one for the game drive. The other plus is the animals. It's Big Five and then some. With excellent general game in Madikwe there is literally something around every corner. Then there are the wild dogs. Madikwe has two packs, frequently seen on game drives.

"We estimate each pack kills one animal a day," said Jaco. "So there's a good chance of seeing a hunt or even a kill."

But be careful what you wish for. Wild dogs are gruesome killers.

"They're very clever hunters and often run their prey into the fence or a dam."

A dam?

"Yeah, then they kill it in the water and drag it to shore," replied Jaco.

The likes of wild dog kills are a far cry from crease-free linen and foot-perfect service but, at Madikwe Hills, that's about the only time reality bites.