LUXURY AFRICAN LODGES
Concession. With eight luxury
units, it will offer adventures along the Hoanib River and into the fl oodplains, promising viewings of desert elephants and lions, rhino, giraffe, leopard and cheetah. Bookable through Audley Travel (01993 838 500;
audleytravel.com). Selinda Explorers Camp,
Botswana, (greatplainsconservation. com/selinda_explorers) opened in August in Botswana’s Selinda Reserve – with just four tents and in a riverfront position. It’s bookable only for exclusive use. Walking and canoeing tours are available. Rates through Jacada
Travel (020 7562 8288;
jacadatravel.com).
Gondwana Game Reserve
(
gondwanagr.co.za) offers a luxury bush option just 15 minutes from South Africa’s Garden Route. Malaria-free, with the big fi ve and also offering coastal viewings of the Southern Right Whale, it is an easy safari add-on to a Cape Town or Port Elizabeth holiday. Contact Africa Collection (01403 256655;
africacollection.com) for rates. Jenman African Safaris and African Luxury Hideaways (
africanluxuryhideaways.com) will open two lodges in Zimbabwe next year – Victoria Falls Cliff Top Lodge overlooking the Zambezi Gorge, and Elephant’s Eye, in the Hwange National Park. Each will have eight villas and a natural pool. Rates will be through Imagine Africa (0207 622 5114;
imagineafrica.co.uk) and others.
Beyond-safari news An elegant boutique hotel, 54 on Bath (
tsogosunhotels.com), opened in Rosebank district of Johannesburg in July with fi ne dining, a champagne bar and muted tones throughout.
Meet the Operator
The Royal Livingstone Hotel (royal- livingstone-
hotel.com) on
the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls has
reopened after a US$7m refi t with fresh decor and a new sunset deck. Amani Tiwi Beach Resort (
amanitiwibeachresort.com) has opened on the Kenyan coast, with a large pool, eight restaurants and bars, diving school and kids club. Hemingways Nairobi (
hemingways-nairobi.com) opens in March in a plantation-style house in the suburb of Karen, with 45 rooms and a spa.
Where To Book It JACADA TRAVEL - 020 7562 8288
An 11-night ‘Botswana Explorer’ holiday, starting at the Royal Livingstone, Zambia for the Victoria Falls, before combining Selinda Explorers Camp, Chief’s Camp and Kwara in the Okavango, and Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans, costs from £6,269pp. This includes BA fl ights, regional fl ights with South African Airways, all meals and safari activities.
www.jacadatravel.com
RAINBOW TOURS - 020 7666 1250 Six nights at Singita Serengeti
House in Tanzania costs from £8,250pp, based on six adults and two children sharing the house on an exclusive-use basis. Price includes fl ights with Kenya Airways, light aircraft transfers, full board and all safari activities.
www.rainbowtours.co.uk
VIRGIN HOLIDAYS AND HIP HOTELS 0844 573 2460
Four nights at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in Sabi Sands, South Africa, costs from £2,499pp including fl ights with Virgin Atlantic, internal fl ights and full- board accommodation.
www.vhiphotels.co.uk
AUDLEY TRAVEL - 01993 838500 A nine-night holiday in Malawi combining Mkulumadzi in Majete Wildlife Reserve and Pumulani on the shores of Lake Malawi costs from £3,995pp, including fl ights with South African Airways, full board accommodation, all safari activities and most watersports at Lake Malawi.
www.audleytravel.com
VISIONS OF AFRICA - 01444 225640 Soak up the atmosphere with four nights in the scenic city of Cape Town, then head to the Kruger area for three nights at the luxury Simbambili safari lodge, a hidden gem, renowned for its big cat sightings. Includes fl ights, accommodation, transfers and game drives. From £2495pp.
www.visions-of-africa.com
Top: Garonga Safari Camp, South Africa; Below: Ol Seki Mara Lodge, Kenya (left) and Selinda Camp, Botswana (right)
30 January 2013 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
What’s the appeal of Africa’s lodges? The wildlife encounters and the exceptionally high standard of accommodation. Many lodges offer great value for money when you consider service and exclusivity, and unique experiences in remote areas with very few other tourists.
Which country is leading the pack? Kruger National Park in South Africa has the largest concentration of lodges and variety of wildlife. You are pretty much guaranteed to see the Big Five here. I would also say Botswana, which has Okavango – a true fl y-in wilderness.
Where’s best for the fi rst-timer? Kenya’s Maasai Mara – the fl ights are shorter and transfers are easy; it offers great safari experiences. Alternatively the Eastern Cape in South Africa, malaria-free and with western service and standards.
What’s new for 2013? For 2013 we’re offering more variety in Botswana and Namibia, particularly luxury mobile safaris. We’re also offering more small boutique hotels in South Africa.
What is your favourite luxury lodge?
It would have to be ChitwaChitwa (
chitwa.co.za), which has
fantastic game viewing, excellent accommodation, great food and knowledgeable guides.
Sample Package Nine nights in South Africa for
the price of seven, from £2398pp, combining Garonga tented camp near Kruger NP and Steenberg near Cape Town. Flights are with SAA. (01403 256655;
africacollection.com).
Chris Fortescue, Director, Africa Collection
selling tip Avoid the pills…for
those worried about Malaria push Kruger, other chunks of South Africa and parts of Namibia
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68