LUXURY AFRICAN LODGES
Africa Collection (africacollection. com) says its average sale is worth around £8,500. But despite the sums involved, director Chris Fortescue says agents shouldn’t forget quality service and offer extras where
possible. “These are high-earners, but value for money is still the most important thing for our customers.”
What’s New A luxury lodge
opens near Zambia’s South Luangwa
National Park in March 2013. Chinzombo will be operated by Norman
Carr Safaris (normancarrsafaris. com) and have six villas overlooking the Luangwa River, each with a
private plunge pool. Guides will lead riverboat encounters into the park. Available through Expert Africa (020 8232 9777;
expertafrica.com). Rubondo Island in Lake
Victoria now has a luxury lodge – Rubondo Island Camp (
rubondoislandcampproject.com) opened in December and by June it will have eight luxury cottages. Elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees and other wildlife live on the island, which is a short fl ight from Serengeti National Park and also bookable through Expert Africa (020 8232 9777;
expertafrica.com). Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
(
fourseasons.com) is opening three properties in Tanzania. The fi rst, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, opened in December with 60
SAND DUNES AND TOTAL LUXURY BY EMILY BAMBER “The sun is sliding down the sky, turning the apricot sand dunes deep purple and casting long shadows across the grassy plains. An oryx walks into my line of vision, stopping momentarily to drink at a watering hole. The sound of cutlery drifts from the kitchen – dinner is almost ready. I am staying at Wolwedans, a desert
rooms, a spa and an infi nity pool overlooking a watering hole visited by elephants. A tented camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and a beach resort on Zanzibar will follow. Sir Richard Branson opens another luxury lodge this year, Mahali Mzuri (
mahalimzuri.virgin.com), north of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have already enjoyed a preview and royal treatment is assured – the camp will have 12 tented suites, with butlers, plus an infi nity pool and spa. Rates through Virgin Limited Edition (0800 716 919;
virginlimitededition.com). &Beyond has a new Honeymoon
Special, as part of its Signature Offers range throughout 2013 (subject to seasonal validity). The deal sees brides pay just 50% at &Beyond’s African lodges and other selected accommodation. The lodge operator also promises ‘romantic honeymoon surprises’ (
andBeyond.com). Wilderness Safaris (wilderness-
safaris.com) makes its second foray into the remote Namibian coast – Hoanib Skeleton Coast opens in July 2013 in the northern Palmwag
Top: Fynbos Camp, South Africa, with Singita Mara Tented Camp below and and Wolwedans, Namibia, (right)
resort deep in Namibia’s Namib Rand reserve. There is no air-conditioning here, no power points, televisions, telephones or hairdryers. But it offers the greatest luxury of all – total immersion in one of Africa’s most extraordinary landscapes. Rooms are completely open to the elements – the hot dry air sweeps through by day and by night. Only come here with someone you really like – once the staff have served dinner and lit the hurricane lamps they leave us completely alone in the desert, with just each other – and the passing oryx of course – for company.” Wolwedans Private Camp, Namibia (
wolwedans.com)
A safari holiday in Africa can be a once in a life time trip, and with so many choices, it is hard to know where to start. That is where the experts at Visions of Africa can help, with tailor made itineraries created for each client. South Africa is a great option for the fi rst time visitor; luxurious lodges, plentiful game and good infrastructure to ensure that arrangements go without a hitch At the upper end of the scale, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge offers clients the very best cuisine and levels of service, including personal butlers, private game
drives, spa treatments and romantic bush dining.
South Africa is fi rmly in the southern hemisphere and therefore offers the UK visitor some winter sunshine. Slightly nearer to home and sitting on the equator is Kenya, this means the country is ideal for summer visitors when the famous Wildebeest Migration takes place. Kenya also has some truly unique, top class lodges including the Tarangire Treetop Lodge, as well as a number of superb tented camps for a real ‘Out of Africa’ safari experience. “It is diffi cult to pick one favourite
lodge, but if I had to choose one, it would be Chitwa Chitwa in the Sabi Sand Reserve of South Africa” says Lucy, one of the Africa Team. For 2013, Visions of Africa is offering a luxury Safari & Cape Town combination, with three nights at the exclusive Chitwa Chitwa Lodge and four nights at the One&Only, Cape Town. From £3055.00 pp, based on two sharing. Includes fl ights, transfers and accommodation.
Call the Visions of Africa experts on 01444 225 640 or visit
www.visionsofafrica.co.uk.
selling tip Ask questions…be sure
to match clients to the right products by getting infor- mation about where they have stayed before
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