And the surprise winner of the Oscar is .... 1933 Lodge at Lion Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africa!

This luxurious game lodge bordering the iconic Kruger National Park will be on everyone's lips after the 82nd Academy Awards because Hollywood's favourite actors, actresses and directors have all been invited to stay at the Lion Sands 1933 Lodge.

The four non-winning nominees in the categories of Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress have each received an invitation for a four-night stay worth $45 000 (R370 000) for them and their family.

View the Lion Sands Gallery here

The invitations have been secured by Premier Tours, a preferred tour operator in the USA for this exclusive lodge in the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve.

South Africans are looking forward to welcoming back Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominees Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, who have already done the country proud through Invictus, the moving film that captures that magnificent moment when South Africa reclaimed its place on the global stage as Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar united the nation in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

The amazing Avatar has wowed sell-out audiences in South Africa, and director James Cameron has received his invitation along with Quentin Tarantino, also nominated as this year's Best Director for Inglourious Basterds.

Best Actress nominees who will be visiting include another perennial favourite with South African audiences - Meryl Streep for her ebullient performance in Julie & Julia. Or perhaps glamorous Penélope Cruz will swap her stilettos for sturdier shoes to enjoy a walk through the African bush.

Celebrity guests are nothing new for the 1933 Lodge, as its luxury living and five-star safari experience have attracted George Michael twice, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and others who prefer to remain anonymous.

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is located in the finest territory of the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Mpumalanga Province in the northern reaches of South Africa. Forming part of the greater Kruger National Park, the reserve has no fences and the wildlife is able to traverse freely between Lion Sands and the Kruger National Park. Lion Sands has been family owned since 1933 and offers guests an exclusive and exceptional wilderness experience in the heart of the bush.

Nestling on the banks of the Sabie River, Lion Sands 1933 represents a secluded environment where comfort and relaxation are the order of the day. There are four spacious suites, each with their own private view of the Sabie River. The bathrooms are just as inviting, courtesy of their double vanity units, elegant bath and outdoor showers. There is also a childrens dormitory, able to sleep up to 8 children, with his and hers bathroom and an interleading bedroom for the au-pair.