DESTINATIONS — AFRICA
All-out Africa
Competition at the top end of the safari lodge market is fierce. Joanna Booth tracks down the cream of the crop
safari is one of the most sought-after holiday experiences – just look how popular it is as a honeymoon option. So trying to select just 10 from the generous sprinkling of genuinely jaw-dropping lodges across Africa was always going to be tricky. The properties below are merely a snapshot of the quality on offer rather than an exhaustive list, but if at least one of them doesn’t inspire your high-net-worth, safari-loving clients to book, you need to check them for a pulse.
A
l THE ARCHITECTURAL LODGE
Whether clients are the kind of people who bandy about terms
like ‘minimalist modernism’ or
not, they can’t fail to be struck by Chinzombo’s beautiful looks. The architect-designed six-villa lodge, which sits by a river in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, opened in 2013. Slim-profile steel frames maximise views, and local materials keep the feel natural, if incredibly luxurious. Bedrooms are circular, and each villa has its own private plunge pool. It’s designed to be low-impact and sustainable, but with no sacrifices for clients, who will find all the frills from Wi-Fi to a spa. It’s a Norman Carr Safaris property, with the high quality of guiding and service the name promises.
l THE ALL- MOD-CONS LODGE Safari is about getting close
to nature, but some clients will prefer to retain a little veneer of civilisation in between. This is where Belmond Khwai River Lodge comes in. It overlooks the vast, wildlife-rich floodplains of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in Botswana. The 14 luxury tents are all air-conditioned – a relative rarity – and have his-and-hers vanity units and hairdryers. The one private suite also has a copper-framed Victorian bathtub and its own private plunge pool. In addition to a spa, there’s a small gym, a 20m swimming pool, a business centre and Wi-Fi, so this is great for guests who need to stay connected in the wilderness. Alongside traditional game-viewing activities, clients can take scenic helicopter flights or even have a cheese and wine tasting in the bush.
5 March 2015 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 49
S
S
1
2
▲
1
1
PICTURE: CHINZOMBO
0
0
O
O
F
F
T
T
T
T
H
H
E
E
B B
E
E
1
1
0
0
O
O
F
F
T
T
H
H
E
E
E E
B B
S
S
T
T
10 of the
BEST luxury lodges
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 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76