luxury african lodges
FEATURE 51
ICONIC ENCOUNTER LUXURY AFRICAN LODGES
Luxury can be interpreted in a myriad of forms but in the end it all comes down to personal taste. The dictionary defi nes luxury as: “ a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense”. Jo Austin puts Africa to the test
E
xpense might not be a major concern for your clients who simply demand the best, but getting the right luxury product can present
a challenge. After all, they need to impress their dinner party guests when they get home! Luxury is about the whole experience and a safari in Africa will probably include an up- close-and-personal experience with game in the company of an experienced guide. Think wide open spaces in the wilds, travelling in an open 4WD game drive vehicle, expert trackers, small lodges, hot baths and private plunge pools combined with delicious food, perfect hosts and world-class service. All these and more are offered by Great Plains Conservation’s Ol Donyo Lodge in the heart of Kenya’s Chyulu
Hills and its magical Mara Plains and Toto tented camps set on a private reserve beside the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Mobile safaris are also in demand, where guests can choose to walk or drive from one exclusive tented camp to another. The Selous in Tanzania is ‘home’ to the walking safari where guests can stroll safely amongst game with a guide in the knowledge that there are no carnivores about. Azura Retreats, known for its boutique hotels in Mozambique, is expanding into Selous with a new top end property on the Ruaha River. Marco Rosa, Senior Vice-President for Sanctuary
Retreats (
sanctuaryretreats.com) commented: “We are excited about the opening of our new lodges and mobile camps in Tanzania. We
www.sellinglonghaul.com
can now offer a ‘circuit’ for clients, who can literally follow in the path of one of nature’s greatest shows, the magnifi cent migration, as it travels across the continent, by staying at Sanctuary Serengeti Migration Camp.” Wilderness Safaris’ (
wilderness-safaris.com) Pafuri
Walking Trails feature in the private Makuleke Concession in Kruger National Park, South Africa. And if night walking appeals, exclusive Lugenda Wilderness Camp (
lugenda.com) in Mozambique runs full-moon safaris with skilled rangers. Specialist safaris can be tailored for almost
any interest whether your client is looking for bats, beetles or wild dogs. Horse-riding safaris in malaria-free Waterberg in South Africa offer a stylish way to mingle with the game when staying at Ant’s Nest or neighbouring Ants Hill (
waterberg.net). Horse-riding is also an activity offered by Ol Donyo. andBeyond (
andbeyond.com) is investing heavily in its luxury camps and lodges and Sandibe’s brand new look is inspired directly by nature. Says Joss Kent, andBeyond CEO: “The innovative design of our completely remodelled Sandibe
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