East Africa Archives - Iconic Africa

Lemala Ndutu & Mara: Migration Madness

Posted on February 27, 2023February 27, 2023 by James

If there was one reason to safari in East Africa, it’s the great migration. Well north of a million wildebeest and zebra follow the rains as they move between the great grassland ecosystems of the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti on a continuous loop.

Since the migration is seasonal and highly concentrated at different times of the year, knowing when and where to go is crucial if you are to fully appreciate one of the natural world’s great wildlife shows.

One authentic mobile tented camp, but in two locations, Lemala Ndutu & Lemala Mara moves north and south with the seasons to ensure guests enjoy ringside seats to the spectacle of the magnificent wildebeest migration year-round. Both camps are set up in sublime locations offering a high-quality safari experience with excellent guiding.

Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp is in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area near the border of the Southern Serengeti.
This area is classic savannah, characterized by flat grassy plains, and the camp is in one of the finest locations in Ndutu to see the migration between December and March. Tens of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle usually arrive in December to graze on the newly-watered, highly nutritious short grass plains, and then by February, the main calving season takes place. Predators – especially the big cats – are highly concentrated in the Ndutu area in these months, and take full advantage of the birthing season to snap up easy meals among the newborn wildebeest.
With nine tents, Lemala Ndutu is perched on the edge of a permanent marsh and acts as the ultimate amphitheatre to capture the boundless drama that accompanies the migration.

The twelve tents of Lemala Mara Tented Camp travel north between June and October to set up under large Euclea trees in one of the best game viewing areas of the Northern Serengeti. The exact location varies from year to year. Sometimes the camp set up camp close to the Mara River, but are always far enough away to remain discreet and not interrupt wildlife behaviour as the wildebeest mass along the steep banks during their frantic crossings on their way north to the Maasai Mara.
Here, in this immense remote wilderness, guests can enjoy fabulous landscapes and terrific game viewing with almost no crowds. Resident wildlife numbers are always high, but nothing compared to the dramatic scenes during the migration as tens of thousands of animals gather to then plunge into the crocodile-infested river.

Lemala Mara & Ndutu is a mobile tented camp offering an authentic bush experience, but the tents are spacious and each is furnished with two queen-size beds and all the little luxuries and amenities that make them wonderfully comfortable. After an evening game drive, your tent attendant ensures your safari shower is filled with hot water to wash away the dust of the African savannah.
Delicious meals are prepared fresh, and for those who want to go on extended full-day game drives, great picnic breakfasts and lunches are available. The communal areas have separate lounge and dining areas and are beautifully decorated with leather sofas, chandeliers, side cabinets, rugs, chests and a bar. In the evening, guests can gather around the campfire to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapes and share their safari stories of the day.

Lemala Ndutu & Mara is a superb option for those who want to be in awae of the great migration, and want the feel of an old school authentic safari.
The canvas tents of the camp make you feel so much more a part of the ecosystem, rather than removed from it when you return from your game drive.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about the great migration and the best way to experience it…

One of Africa’s Most Breathtaking Views

Posted on January 18, 2022January 18, 2022 by James

Wildlife Photographer and Guide James Tyrrell recently visited Angama Mara, perched on the lip of the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking Kenya’s Maasai Mara. He is adamant that walking on to the deck for the first time and taking in the view below him is one of his all-time favourite safari moments.

Read what he had to say in a recent Angama Mara blog post here:

After more than a decade of living and working in the African bush, the truly “Wow” moments are inevitably going to be harder to come by.

Despite retaining the same level of childhood excitement I have always felt when heading out on a game drive or bush walk, it was always going to happen that over the years with a certain amount of repetition (and I hesitate to use that word, since nothing in the bush is ever the same), there would be just the slightest drop off in the impact a sighting would have on me. Actually, I guess it’s more a case of working in the bush for so long means it’s just harder to pick specific sightings out of the literally thousands you will have accumulated over the course of my career, just like Kilimanjaro would be tougher to point out if it was part of a mountain range instead of being free-standing. Maybe not the best metaphor, but it’s the closest I can think of.

The first time I saw a leopard hoist a kill will be indelibly imprinted on my mind for the rest of my days, but my twenty fifth time is a bit harder to zero in on. It’s not that one becomes jaded – not at all – but more that you have an absolute surplus of experiences to choose from, and many of them start to merge into each other over the years.

Having a moment then, in which you know, in the moment itself, that this is going to stay with you forever, becomes a rarity.

Walking on to the Angama Mara deck for the first time was one such moment for me.

I can still go back to it in my head and feel the same sense of wonder and awe. I can still see what the light was doing and how cloud shadows danced on the grassland far below, and I can still hear the air rushing over the white-backed vulture’s wings as it soared past, beneath me.

It’s not often that I am truly at a loss for words, but seeing Africa laid out before me in all its vastness was something that upon consideration would have made anything spoken superfluous.

There’s a surrealism to that view that grips you. It’s almost like a live version of the love-child of Google Earth and the best nature documentary you’ve seen.
When elephants look like ants, the teeming herds of wildebeest resemble a moving carpet and you can make out every little twist and turn in the Mara River in the distance, you know you are somewhere special.

“Moments of Discovery” are one of the first things one learns about when training as a guide. They come in a multitude of forms; from the first time a guest exits their plane to the first time they enter their room, to their first encounter with a lion.
Hundreds of little moments – some more noticeably impactful than others – that aggregate over the course of a safari to create an intangible experiential synergy…

Each one is an opportunity for a guest to reconfirm to themselves – whether consciously or subconsciously – that this, right here, right now, is where they ought to be.
The top guides, lodges and companies in the safari industry – and other industries as well – recognise these moments of discovery as being instrumental in making guests or customers want to return time and time again.

One rare occasions, one single moment of discovery is all it takes for a guest to say to themselves, “I could go home right now, and I’d be happy”. More often than not these are the wildlife sightings normally associated with National Geographic; a leopard hoisting a kill, a wild crossing during the great migration or a pride of lions taking down a buffalo bull in the rain.
Sometimes though, they are something else, and for me, it was walking out onto the Angama Mara deck.

When such a moment occurs before a guest has even gone on safari, you’re onto a pretty good thing.

The view breathes life into your soul and captures your imagination.

A safari lodge that can do that is one that’s always going to occupy a special place in its guests’ hearts.

I know it does in mine.

Kicheche Safari Camps: Hidden Gems in a Huge Landscape

Posted on September 15, 2021September 15, 2021 by James

Kenya’s Maasai Mara ecosystem is subdivided into a number of areas; the Mara Triangle in the west which forms the edge of the grasslands where it rises up into the Oloololo escarpment, the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which has its own private camps and is where public vehicles can access too, and on the norther edge, a number of conservancies, which operate in conjunction with local communities and traditional pastoralists.

All sections are unfenced and open to each other, allowing free movement of wildlife.

Although not receiving as much press as the sectors to the south, the northern conservancies boast just as spectacular game viewing, if not more so, as well as operating with far fewer vehicles in a sighting. And it is in these areas, prolific with wildlife, that you find the Kicheche camps.

Valley Camp in the Naboisho conservancy is tucked discreetly away in acacia woodland on a hillside, and it is not uncommon to see 20 different cheetahs in a week’s stay here. In the west, Kicheche Mara Camp is in the Mara North conservancy, where world-famous Leopard Gorge is to be found and where so many iconic wildlife documentaries have been filmed.
And in the middle sits Kicheche Bush Camp, set back in the tree-line alongside an expansive grassy plain. This is the lurking ground of the leopard Fig, who featured prominently in the National Geographic Documentary “Jade Eyed Leopard”.

All three camps are small enough to retain that sense of intimacy with guests, in which you don’t feel like a number, but part of things. Valley and Bush Camp have only six tents each, while Mara Camp is only slightly bigger with eight.
Many of the guides have been with Kicheche for well over a decade, and their experience shows in their intimate knowledge of the area. This is especially true when it comes to photography, and Kicheche is ultimately a photographer’s dream. Open skylines, an abundance of wildlife, lion numbers like you wouldn’t believe… combine this with the specially adapted Kicheche photographic vehicles and guides who understand everything from backlighting to depth of field, and you couldn’t ask for anything more, except maybe a memory card or two, as yours are sure to fill up given the prolific number of photographic opportunities.

Kicheche gets it right in the “feeling”; that intangible sense that you are somewhere that you ought to be. That synergy of all the smaller details that can seem so formulaic on paper yet is so difficult to achieve in reality. It’s the staff, the accommodation, the wildlife, the setting. It’s all of them yet none of them.
It’s an ever-elusive element that very few destinations produce, yet Kicheche have, through their own secret formula, got it right…

Angama Mara: Endless Horizons Over Africa

Posted on September 4, 2021September 2, 2021 by James

There are few places on the African continent that are so picturesque, let alone iconic, but the picnic site at Angama Mara overlooking the Masai Mara grasslands has to be top of the list.

Imagine gazing down over somewhere in the region of a million herbivores, from the very same spot that Robert Redford and Meryl Streep picnicked in Out of Africa; hot air balloons floating in the still Kenyan air beneath you, swallows swooping all around, and the stillness of the magnificent continent stretched out to the hazy horizon.
As fancifully romantic as this sounds, it really is an experience you can live. Angama Mara offers intimate picnics for two at the little koppie (rocky outcrop) next to their southern camp, right where Out of Africa was filmed, or at least that scene from it.

But it is far more than a simple picnic that has guests travelling from all over the world to this stunning camp, perched literally on the rim of Africa. The wildlife, the staff, the views that take one’s breath away… take your pick of any one of multiple reasons that have made Angama the award-winning camp that it is today.

The first time you walk out on to the deck of the main lodge will be a moment you won’t forget in a hurry. You truly feel as if you are gazing out over the rest of the world.
Perched up on top of the Oolololo Escarpment, Angama Mara sits above the Mara Triangle, an incredibly wildlife-rich area best known for the wildebeest crossings that take place there every year as the migrating herds thunder across the Mara River, braving crocodiles, often raging water levels, and often marauding lion prides waiting on the riverbank.
Yet it’s not only about the migration: year round the wildlife viewing is stunning, with black rhino, elephant, leopards, cheetahs and many more being constant features of the terrain, even when the wildebeest herds (that get funnelled into the triangle by the steep walls of the escarpment itself) have turned back south.

Photography plays a key role in the safari experience at Angama, and their dedicated photographic studio is at the core of their media offerings.
Guests can learn the fundamentals of photography, hire a private photographic guide, and even print their own photographs on canvas as a special memento to take home. Few destinations in Africa lend themselves so well to wildlife photography as the Masai Mara and its sweeping plains.

The Angama experience is ultimately as well-rounded as one can find, with activities ranging from traditional game drives to balloon flights to cultural immersions. This is a place where the true meaning of safari can be understood, in the very place where the word originated.

To stand on Angama’s deck and gaze out over endless horizons is to gaze out at limitless, beautiful possibility…

The Great Migration – Where to stay?

Posted on November 24, 2020January 21, 2021 by Lexi Hall

The wildebeest migration is rated as one of the world’s most incredible wildlife spectacles, and a phenomenon that should have its place on every safari lover’s bucket list. Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate clockwise around the Serengeti/Masai Mara ecosystem. They travel up to 3000 kilometres each year in search of rain ripened grass. It is a natural phenomenon like no other, a spectacle not to be missed and, most definitely, an event that belongs on your bucket list.

The trouble with the wildebeest migration is that it can be so unpredictable and it can be difficult to be in the right place at the right time, and you could miss the whole event. Therefore, we’ve made a list of the best places to stay to make sure you get to see a wildlife spectacle like no other without the hours of driving to spot their movements.

Where to Stay in Masai Mara, Kenya

The ideal time to stay here: August – December

The Masai Mara sits at the top of every safari lover’s bucket list. This exceptional reserve comprises 1,500 square kilometres of endless, savannah grassland. In amongst whistling thorns, white thorns, fever trees and wild olives, the great plains of the Masai Mara are home to Africa’s most majestic animals. The red grass savannahs, brightly coloured Maasai villages, interminable vistas and distinct horizons combine to ensure the most quintessential African panorama.

Angama Mara
Perched on the edge of Africa’s Great Rift Valley is a lodge that comes as close to heaven on earth, as possible. Angama Mara, Swahili for “suspended in mid-air” boasts the best views in the Masai Mara. A place that constantly takes your breath away, where happiness reigns and peace is all-encompassing, where you literally stand on the edge of the world. Owner-managed and run by the reputable Fitzgerald family, Angama Mara is the ultimate African safari destination.

Mara Plains
Situated in the luscious river woodland of the Ntiakitiak River, within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the Northern border of the Masai Mara, is the definition of grandeur and colonial opulence. Mara Plains is a lavish and magical wonderland. From the minute you step onto the rope bridge, you are immediately transported into your very own, African, home away from home. “A camp’s success is in the details,” says Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains and Mara Plains is testament to this.

Perfect for: Family or friends travelling together

Bateleur Camp
On the edge of the Mara Triangle, beneath the Olooloolo Escarpment, Swahili for “zigzag” lies a lush, magical oasis of giant fig and wild ebony trees that is home to an intimate, colonial, Kenyan escape. The sanctuary of comfort, shade, coolness and luxury is a welcome retreat from the heat and wide-open spaces of the surrounding savannah. Enquire now and let us plan the ultimate East African Safari for you.
Perfect for: Groups and families (children of all ages welcome)

Ol Donyo
Ol Donyo Lodge is one of the oldest and most classic of Africa’s safari destinations. Kenya’s first Relais and Chateaux lodge represents the ultimate of private, exclusive safari bliss. Located on the Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch, comprising of 275,000 acres of wilderness between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks and bordering Chyulu Hills National Park, it offers endless views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the savannahs below. Breathtakingly beautiful every way you look, Ol Donyo is a must for the bucket list, the ultimate luxury destination in South Eastern Kenya.

Mara Expeditions Camp
Set on the very outskirts of the Masai Mara and on the edge of the Mara North Conservancy is this unbelievable luxury safari hideout. At Mara expeditions camp you immediately become an intrepid explorer, with so much to investigate, to learn and to enjoy. The never-ending plains become your playground and the big-hearted, ever-smiling, genuine African staff… your friends. Mara Expeditions Camp has been built on a small bend in the Ntiakitiak River where the dese riverine forest meets the golden plains. It’s a place where lion calls dominate the nights…

Where to Stay in the Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park, meaning “endless plains” in the Maasai language, is Tanzania’s oldest game reserve and undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous wilderness areas. It is most celebrated as the site of Africa’s greatest spectacle, the annual Great Migration when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. This epic, seasonal journey is something every safari-goer and lover of Africa should experience at least once. The Serengeti has so much to offer: from action-packed game drives, to epic hot air balloon adventures and an abundance of game that makes it the iconic safari adventure of a lifetime.

&Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp
Set in a wild and remote section of the Serengeti’s Western Corridor is a riverside paradise like no other. Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp was built for and inspired by the Great Migration as it sits minutes away from one of the key crossing points on the Grumeti River. This lush haven is the perfect way to escape from the crowds of the Greater Serengeti to relax, put your feet up, immerse yourself in nature and resign yourself to the fact that you don’t have to lift a finger in order to have the time of your life!

Perfect for: Romantic getaways and families/groups travelling together

&Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas
Set somewhere in the vast Serengeti in hot pursuit of the massive herd of the Great Migration is this unbelievably luxurious semi-permanent camp. It is the absolute ultimate in true bush immersion and wild African adventure, your very own wildlife haven set up in only the very best part of the Serengeti for that particular time of year. Escape from the real world entirely, put your feet up and relax while sharing Africa’s most famous wildlife area with its wildlife as intimately as possible.

Perfect for: Adventurous travellers and families

Alex Walker’s Serian
Alex Walker’s Serian is the ultimate mobile camping experience, with four camps in the Serengeti it will bring you as close as humanly possible to the migrating herds. Revel in the fresh air, the unspoilt bush, the wild animals and this wholly natural setting; let the harmony and tranquillity of your surroundings infiltrate you.

Sayari
Close to the famous Lamai wedge overlooking the unspoilt plains of the Northern Serengeti and minutes from the mighty Mara River’s most famous wildebeest migration crossing points is this award-winning camp offering only the very best in exclusive game viewing while indulging you in remarkable luxury. Perched high up on a hill overlooking the great expanse of the Serengeti is Sayari, Swahili for ‘planet.’ And you definitely do feel as if you are on your own planet.

Singita Faru Faru
Singita Faru Faru really is something else, it is the ultimate in classic safari lodges, set in one of the most exquisite locations, boasting incredible game experiences and the very best East African hospitality. Here you don’t even need to leave the lodge, due to the waterhole the safari comes to you.

Singita Sasakwa
Resembling a deluxe ranch house in the midst of the African bushveld this is one Africa’s most exquisite destinations and another Singita – ‘place of miracles’. From June-September you may even have a run-in with Africa’s most phenomenal spectacle, the great wildebeest migration… something that should most definitely take the top spot on any bucket list. Witness as thousands of wildebeest make the trek from the Southern Serengeti, up North to the Masai Mara in search of rain ripened grass.

Let’s Make it Happen! Our team will make sure you get to experience a side of Africa that few others ever get to see. Contact us here for more information.

Once-in-a-lifetime Maasai Mara Special

Posted on November 23, 2020November 23, 2020 by Lexi Hall

Perched on the edge of Africa’s Great Rift Valley is a lodge that comes as close to heaven on earth, as possible. Angama Mara, Swahili for “suspended in mid-air” boasts the best views in the Masai Mara. A place that constantly takes your breath away, where happiness reigns and peace is all-encompassing, where you literally stand on the edge of the world. Owner-managed and run by the reputable Fitzgerald family, Angama Mara is the ultimate destination that is calling your name!

Visit the quintessential luxury African safari built exactly where “Out of Africa” was filmed 30 years ago for only $3115 per person sharing – that is an amazing 60% saving for Southern African citizens and residents.

Stay at Angama Mara for 5 nights at this unbeatable rate including local flights, a hot-air balloon safari and so much more…

Designed to replicate a traditional Maasai village the décor is tasteful, welcoming and unobtrusive. It’s absolute indulgence with the utmost integrity and discretion. With two totally separate camps of just 15 tents each, there is nothing that detracts from the main feature of the space, which is very definitely the 180degree view. Sit in opulent comfort, in amongst the woods, coppers, warm hues and contemporary pieces while looking out your very own window to the world. Unfaltering service, impeccable presentation and mouth-watering food craft every mealtime.

Includes:
Road transfers JKIA-Wilsons-JKIA
5 nights accommodation at Angama Mara
Return flights Wilson Airport-Angama Mara with Governors Aviation
All Maasai Mara Park Fees
Angama Foundation Contribution
1 Hot-air Balloon Safari per person per stay with Governors Balloon Safaris

Optional Extras:
Private flights JKIA-Angama-JKIA
Nairobi Accommodation

T&Cs Apply. Valid 1 November 2020 – 30 June 2021. Subject to availability. This special is non-refundable or transferable.

East or South Africa for your 2021 safari?

Posted on October 27, 2020October 28, 2020 by Lexi Hall

This year has left people all over the world dreaming of travel, and many have already planned to touch down in Africa in 2021. Most spaces are already filling up fast, and the only thing left to decide is.. where in Africa to go.

The idea of a safari was conceived in East Africa, but soon reached Southern Africa where luxury safaris became popular. Today both parts of the continent offer state-of-the-art designed lodges and camps, unparalleled game viewing and bucket-list-worthy activities. But with so many countries to choose from, it’s not surprising that one would find it difficult deciding where to go – especially if it’s your first safari. Here’s what makes each region a unique and memorable safari destination:

East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda

East Africa is synonymous with the incomparable Mara-Serengeti triangle and the indigenous ecosystems that fall part of these areas. If you want to experience the seasonal Great Migration between Kenya and Tanzania, then an East Africa safari should be right on top of your travel list! The seasonal rain patterns are nothing short of awe-inspiring, supporting over a million wildebeest and other game. East Africa, like other parts of the continent, boasts diverse habitats from lush, green forests to aquatic bodies that see large flocks of flamingos, baobab forests, and gorilla families. Not forgetting Mount Kilimanjaro and the famous Ngorongoro Crater where you will find incredible lodges that offer panoramic views. East Africa has many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks with vehicle trails, ensuring exceptional game viewing at a close range. Unlike Southern Africa’s reserves and parks, off-road and night-drives are less likely unless you are visiting a private concession. However, you can look forward to life-changing bush walks with Maasai locals who will show you the area on foot.

What you can expect from a safari in East Africa:

Massive herds of wildebeest and zebra

Two dry seasons: January to March and June to October

Great for family safaris as most accommodations allow young children; there are fewer internal flights and the interactive game drives keep kids interested

All of our safari guides and spotters are exceptionally trained and experienced professionals

Enjoy overland expeditions in 4-wheel-drive vehicles with English-speaking guides

Hot air balloon safaris over the Mara plains

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Fun walking safaris in some private reserves

Numerous cultural encounters with local tribes

Click on the links below to see our top luxury destinations in East Africa:

Kenya– Great Migration, Maasai warriors, pink flamingos, Giraffe Manor, hot air balloon safaris.

Mozambique– Snorkelling, diving and untouched coral reefs.

Tanzania– Great Migration, Mt Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Tarangire National Park, hot air balloon safaris.

Rwanda– Gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, chimpanzees and canopy walks.

Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Southern Africa has an array of different geographical features and weather conditions. You can tailor-make your safari to include the Kruger’s savannah grasslands, Zambia’s woodlands, Zimbabwe’s thundering Victoria Falls, the dry desert of the Kalahari or the Okavango Delta’s heavy rains. Or combine the rugged mountains and luscious Winelands with beautiful golden beaches and the bustling city life of Cape Town. You can have it all in one Southern Africa trip!

Guests look forward to low -volumes of people and smaller camps or lodges that often only accommodate up to a dozen people at a time. With the abundance of private concessions, you can create a more exclusive and personalised safari.

Contrary to East Africa’s vast open landscapes found in the Serengeti or Mara region and high concentration of wildlife, Southern Africa focuses more on personal encounters and walking safaris which can be done in Botswana and Zambia. You will also have the chance for exciting night game drives to spot elusive nocturnal animals, charming water safaris and nights out under the stars. While cultural experiences are limited unlike the many found in East Africa, you can plan a visit to the San Bushman of the Kalahari which is equally as rewarding.

What you can expect from a safari in Southern Africa:

Varied topography and habitats

A smaller concentration of herds in private concessions

One dry season: May to October

South Africa is great for family safaris with some lodges and camps located in malaria-free areas

Many camps outside of South Africa require a minimum age of eight years old unless you reserve the entire camp

All of our safari guides and spotters are exceptionally trained and experienced professionals

Enjoy overland expeditions in 4-wheel-drive vehicles

Choose from many small, remote and exclusive private camps with limited guests of 8-12

Guides usually share meals with guests at small lodges/camps developing close relations

More private concessions with fewer tourists which makes for great wildlife viewing

Wider variety of safaris activities such as walking safaris, mokoro tours, night drives, hot air ballooning, kayaking and food safaris

Click on the links below to see our top luxury destinations in Southern Africa:

Botswana–, , Mokoro trips in the Okavango Delta, Big 5 safaris, hot air balloon safaris, boating trips.

South Africa– Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Big Five safaris, marine safaris, hot air balloon safaris, Garden Route.

Zambia– Adventure activities in Victoria Falls, village tours, safaris in South Luangwa.

Zimbabwe– Adventure activities in Victoria Falls and Mana Pools.

Both East and Southern Africa offer amazing opportunities to spot the Big 5 wildlife, amongst other game and indigenous fauna and flora. Each region has its own unique wildlife and landscape attractions, but East Africa definitely has a higher density of animals in one area – especially considering the Great Migration and gorillas. Needless to say, you will see plenty of cool animals in both parts of the continent and Southern Africa will entice you with its diverse topography in a single city such as Cape Town. So which is better for safari? Whether you’re interested in seeing tens of lions on your first day or basking in opulence at small, private lodges with low visitor concentration, you can’t go wrong with either choice.

Falling for Africa

Posted on October 13, 2020October 19, 2020 by Lexi Hall

Africa is the continent of safari, wilderness and adventure and infused into all of this is an unmistakable and ancient romance. Not only can Africa rekindle the flame under ancient Jackalberry trees, but this colourful continent will touch your heart and have you falling in love with everything it has to offer. There is very little in this world that compares to a rustic, yet luxurious entanglement with nature and no other place can offer it in an abundance like here.

We can think of hundreds of places to make you fall head-over-heels, but we have chosen just 5 for now…

South Africa

Cape Town has something which will appeal to you, no matter your holiday desires. Honeymooners and romantics will fall further in love with the idyllic views and white sanded beaches. Families can share a morning with curious penguins or throw in some laidback whale watching in Hermanus. For the more adventurous go cage diving with the Great White sharks off Gansbaai or even paraglide off the mountains surrounding Cape Town.

Cape Winelands are without doubt one of the most beautiful regions in the world. Leave the coastline of Cape Town and wander towards the culinary capital of South Africa – Franschhoek. Cross rugged mountains passes and descend into century-old vineyards framed by high arching mountains. Drive lightly down age-old cobbled driveways and gently make your way into the Cape Dutch style manor houses.

The Kruger National Park is the largest reserve in South Africa and forms part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which stretches over 35 000 square kilometres and encompasses three countries – South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This is one of the world’s largest wildlife sanctuaries whose vast expanse ensures the ultimate luxury safari experience as the wildlife is free to roam in a protected area which is slightly larger than the State of South Carolina.

Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls is possibly the most awe-inspiring and humbling natural wonder on planet earth. Standing in the rainforest faced with the great thundering boom of the ancient Zambezi waters plunging more than 100 metres into a fathomless gorge will leave you silent, grinning, tearful and overjoyed to be soaked by the cleansing waters. Victoria Falls is a soulful journey into primal Africa – with Iconic Africa, your visit is combined with superlative luxury, service and adventure.

Rwanda

Not only is Rwanda the realm of the Silverback Gorillas, but it is also home to a multitude of monkey species. Rwanda promises to be the pinnacle of monkey interactions. Of course, a trip to Rwanda would be wasted without the unique experience of a gorilla trek but, why not combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee trekking to create an utterly unforgettable experience? Nothing compares to the excitement of spotting Colobus and Mangabey monkeys whilst strolling through the lush, virescent jungles of Rwanda. Birdlife is also abundant—making Rwanda the ultimate bird lover’s paradise.

Kenya

The density and variety of wildlife is unreal, with often more than ten different species of mammals in one spot, an anomaly that is unheard of elsewhere. Kenya boasts hoards of unique antelope such as the graceful Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle as well as the vibrant topis making it the ultimate predator’s paradise.

Tanzania

From the volcanically rich soil to the lush forests, interminable golden savannahs, pearly white sands, snow-capped peaks, baobab clusters, lush swamps, fields of sunflowers and a constantly overwhelming sense of space, there is so much to explore. Tanzania has three safari circuits and each one of them would make Tanzania a top wildlife destination. The popular Northern circuit with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater offers one of the best classical safaris in Africa, especially if timed with the annual wildebeest migration. Sit surrounded by 1.5 million wildebeest as you experience one of nature’s great wonders, sip a G and T on the shores of the flamingo-infested lake Manyara as the fiery sun sinks below the horizon, or survey the vast Ngorongoro crater from a breathtaking vantage point on the rim.

Rwanda, Kenya and Zambia Open for Travel

Posted on September 11, 2020September 14, 2020 by Lexi Hall

We are excited to let our international travellers know that entry into Rwanda, Kenya and Zambia is now open.
Do not hesitate to book your trip to the land of a thousand hills and endless jungle; the finest wildlife entertainment in Africa; and world-class predator activity!

RWANDA
Rwanda is the ultimate jungle escape for the adventurous traveller. Its gorgeously green and misty forests are home to the magnificent, world-renowned Silverback Gorillas. Rwanda is fondly known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’ because of its remarkably hilly landscape and its spectacular volcanoes.

One of Rwanda’s most luxurious lodges, Bisate Lodge is a sight to behold—striking in its unique design and set against the backdrop of Rwanda’s verdant forested landscape, Bisate Lodge allows guests to marvel at the wonder that is Rwanda.

And no Rwandan adventure is complete without a gorilla trekking tour! This magical experience will, no doubt, take your breath away and render you speechless. You will be in awe of this most unbelievable and unforgettable, encounter. It is an intimate experience like no other and has been known to bring many people to tears. One hour is certainly not long enough but it is an hour that you will remember for the rest of your days.

Rules for entry:
*All countries can visit.
*All countries must fill out a pre-arrival form. Before travelling to Rwanda, passengers must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. To fill out this form, passengers must be able to provide passport information, travel details, negative PCR COVID-19 test results, and booking confirmation at one of the designated hotels for a 24-hour quarantine upon arrival.
*All countries must produce a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding. The negative test must be emailed to lab@rbc.gov.rw before your departure and a printed copy of the results brought with you upon entry into Rwanda.
*Upon arrival to Rwanda, visitors will be taken to the designated quarantine hotel of their choice at the cost of the traveller. They will be required to quarantine in their hotel room until they receive a negative COVID-19 result.
*A test will be done upon arrival. The results should be available after 8 hours. Plus another test 48 hours after arrival, both at the cost of the traveller.
*Any traveller who has their negative-PCR test in hand, and is showing no symptoms, will not have to quarantine upon arrival into Rwanda.
*Re-Testing may be done before going on in-country tours or treks.

Popular parks such as Volcanos National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park have all reopened to international tourists, but some protocols need to be followed.

KENYA
Kenya is an Approved and recognised user of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safety Stamp. Kenya promises the very best game viewing, hospitality and endless breathtaking landscapes, the origin and epitome of the true safari experience. It is without a doubt the ultimate safari destination. Exquisite luxury lodges and magical tented camps are aplenty, easily accessible and waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Your choice for luxury 5-star accommodation is endless. Take your pick between Giraffe Manor, Mara Expeditions, Ol Donyo, Bateleur Camp, Mara Plains and Angama Mara.

Rules for entry:
*Entry into Kenya is permitted if the passenger does not have a body temperature above 37.5°C (99.5°F); does not have a persistent cough, difficulty breathing or other flu-like symptoms, and has a negative PCR-based COVID-19 test conducted within 96 hours of arrival.
*All passengers arriving on international flights are required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility or at their Kenyan residence.
*If there is a reported case of COVID-19 on a flight or if the above symptoms are detected, all passengers within two rows of the passenger with the symptoms will be quarantined for testing. If the test results are negative, they will be allowed to leave the facility.
*It is mandatory for all passengers arriving in Kenya to complete the Travelers Health Surveillance Form by the Ministry of Health. The form must be completed online prior to disembarkation. Passengers will receive a QR code after completing the form and will be required to display it to a Port Health Official to proceed through immigration.
*Health screening procedures are in place at airports and other ports of entry.
*The Government of Kenya established an online portal to extend visitor and resident visas.
*Testing is available at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, and Kenyatta National Hospital. The charge for the test is approximately USD 100 at private health facilities and USD 50 at government hospitals. Test results are available within 48 – 96 hours.
*Commercial flights and public transportation are operating.

ZAMBIA
Here in the warm heart of Africa lies one of the continent’s greatest secrets, the birthplace of the walking safari, Zambia! Sitting on a sprawling plateau, this little gem boasts the Zambezi, Kafue and Luangwa rivers, and shares one of the largest waterfalls in the world, the Victoria Falls with neighbouring Zimbabwe.

There is no better way to get up-close-and-personal with the African bush, and its wildlife, than to go on a walking safari. It is, without a doubt, the best way to fully experience and appreciate the magical intricacies that make up a regular day out in the bush. Even if you’ve had many safari experiences in the past, this iconic adventure will, no doubt, take your breath away.

Zambia boasts magical accommodations from South Luangwa National Park to Liuwa Plains and Lower Zambezi Valley. Mchenja Bush Camp, King Lewanika and Chongwe are surrounded by unspeakable beauty and luxury.

Zambia is open to foreign nationals and issuing visitor visas upon entry into the country. Limited domestic flight schedules are operating twice-weekly between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and Mfuwe International Airport, and between Kenneth Kaunda and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone.

Rules for entry:
*All international visitors are screened on arrival. If you show any signs of COVID-19, you will have to quarantine for 14 days.
*All arriving passengers must have a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test that has been conducted within 3 days of arriving in Zambia.
*Visitors will be expected to adhere to COVID-19 regulations like physical distancing, wearing face masks, and personal hygiene. They will also need to monitor themselves daily for 10 days for symptoms of the virus and report any occurrence to the nearest health facility.

Strict control measures have been implemented in these countries and have to be followed: social distancing, good hand hygiene, and the wearing of masks remain mandatory. Contact us HERE for more information on your next African safari adventure!

Book your 2022 safari NOW!

Posted on July 28, 2020July 29, 2020 by Lexi Hall

A 2022 East African Safari of a Lifetime

We always encourage our travellers to book at least a year in advance, and this sentiment is true now more than ever.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought local and international travel to a standstill and most travellers are reluctant to book anything at this stage – understandably.

However, it’s never too early to book the life-changing safari you’ve always dreamt of!

With all 2020 travel plans pushed over to 2021 – our destinations are filling up! So we encourage all those who are longing to touch down on African soil to make those travel plans now for 2022 while there’s still space.

Although it may seem like a long way away… it will be here before you know it and the ‘future you’ will thank you for being so organised and planning ahead!

As the entire world navigates phased re-opening, our guides, wildlife and staff are waiting for you… and cannot wait to share with you the rare magic that this continent offers.

We’re busy putting together some great offers, but here’s a sneak peek of what your next safari could be:

A luxury trip to Tanzania and Kenya on a safari package that includes visits to Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Masai Mara between June to September 2022.

Spend 9 magical nights in these magical destinations:

Gran Melia Arusha from

Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding area which includes majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. Located in the centre of Arusha, the Gran Melia Arusha is an oasis of beautifully landscaped coffee and tea plantations with views of Mount Meru. The hotel comprises an array of city and mountain facing rooms all of which are modernly designed and fully equipped with modern amenities. The hotel is home to various restaurants which include the Saba Saba all-day- dining restaurant, Yellow Chilli, Roof Top and the Ava Cafe.

Balloon Safaris Launch Iconic Africa Tanzania

Entamanu Ngorongoro from

Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Entamanu Ngorongoro is a thoughtfully designed refuge in this elemental place, from which to explore the unique highland environment. Surrounded by the soaring peaks of dormant volcanic hills and the ebb and flow of Maasai pastoralist life, this is a place to explore beyond the hustle and bustle of the tourist trail. Not only to visit the Crater, but to understand it as part of a wider environment.

One Nature Nyarusiwga from

Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. A “camp like no other” is the best way to describe this beautiful property. Uniquely located in the heart of the Serengeti and surrounded by breathtaking views of endless plains that are embraced by the Nyaruswiga Hills, this magical destination provides an almost surreal backdrop for the more than 1 million animals annually migrating through this valley.

Wildebeest crossing mara river Serengeti Safari

Mara Expeditions from

The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. Mara Expedition Camp is a magical revisiting of the past, drawing from the designs of Africa’s original explorers and designed for those who search for East Africa’s romantic safari era. Here, you will experience the best of both worlds: the intense action of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, as well as the more private 70,000-acre Mara North Conservancy.

For the full itinerary click here.

The package includes:

Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport (JRO)
VIP assistance at JRO
Transfer Gran Melia Arusha by A&H
1 night at Gran Melia Arusha on HB basis
Depart to Ngorongoro in one of our luxury safari vehicles via game drive in the Lake Manyara NP
2 nights at Nomad Entamanu on FB, including drinks
Game drive in Ngorongoro + Crater descent
Transfer to Manyara airstrip
Scheduled flight to Seronera via Auric Air
Transfer to the camp
3 nights at Nyaruswiga Camp on GP
Game drives in the Central Serengeti
Transfer to Seronera
Scheduled cross border flight to Mara via stops for immigration and customs
Transfer to the Camp
3 nights at Mara Expeditions on GP
Game drives in the Masai Mara
Transfer to OI Kiombo airstrip
Scheduled flight to Nbo Wilson
Transfer to Nbo JKIA
Depart

2020 has been a year that has deprived the tourism industry of Africa and the people and wildlife within it.

Book this incredible authentic East African Safari NOW, and let us welcome you back to this magnificent continent in 2022.

Plan, book and visit as we emerge from this uncertain time. Have something to look forward to while contributing to the preservation of this magical wilderness.

Contact one of our team members to start putting your once-in-a-lifetime itinerary together.

Mara Expeditions Camp

Help Kicheche’s Conservancy Guardians Protect our Wildlife

Posted on June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 by Lexi Hall

“…Our conservancies need you now more than ever.”

Iconic Africa would like to invite you to help us support an incredible initiative that is doing great work for wildlife and communities in Africa. We really believe in what Kicheche is doing and encourage you to get involved if you are interested and able to.

The coronavirus pandemic has left nothing untouched. People, countries, economies, tourism and wildlife have felt the effects of this catastrophe.

Kenya’s Community Conservancies are a sustainable model of wildlife conservation. But since the global collapse of tourism, the funding of these conservancies has sharply declined and the ever-lurking menace of poaching, bushmeat hunting and encroachment is returning and growing rampantly.

Kenya’s Community Conservancies are a sustainable model of wildlife conservation and a benchmark for tourism. Many of you have appreciated the biodiversity and the variety of species supported by these protected lands first-hand, returning year after year to get your safari fix, from the hills and plains that have become your own backyard.

25% of their revenue funds the guardianship, protection and maintenance of 250,000 acres of the finest wildlife habitat in the world, but since the global collapse in tourism, that funding has sharply declined.

Without your support, the ever-lurking menace of poaching, bush-meat hunting and encroachment cannot be kept at bay. Currently, conservancies of Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Mara Naboisho and Ol Pejeta need you more than ever.

‘Nature never halts’ is a common phrase but if threatened, it just might.

The solution

Kicheche and their neighbouring communities are working tirelessly on a plan for the next year, to ensure that their conservancies remain secure and intact despite the dramatic drop in tourist arrivals.

CONSERVANCY GUARDIANS

They have initiated the Conservancy Guardians appeal, concentrating solely on covering critical conservancy costs: rangers salaries, welfare and medical, predator monitoring and patrol costs.

CREDIT THE CONSERVANCY

This scheme assists in underwriting conservancy land leases for a year, so the priceless conservancy birthright remains intact. By paying a conservation contribution of $750 (or more) now, you will receive a credit of the SAME value on your next Kicheche safari.

Kicheche has been at the vanguard of these Conservancies since inception and in this moment of need is backing them wholeheartedly.

Almost a thousand acres are now protected for a year. One camp cannot protect it all but every acre is priceless.

A message from Andrew Obaga, Kicheche Laikipia manager.

How you can help:

Protect an acre now

Contribute to the conservancies now

A Love for Africa Changes Lives

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Lexi Hall

From Traveller to Fundraiser

One of our recent travellers was so taken by her trip to Africa that she set up this incredible fundraising effort…

Iconic Africa’s Julia Fryer showed one of our travellers, Toula Cassen, what Africa is truly about – wildlife, sunsets, people and heart! It is said that people visit Africa for the first time for the animals, but they return for the people. On Toula’s trip to Africa, she did a cultural tour in the Maasai Mara, meeting the locals and engaging in their daily life. Despite their tough economic circumstances, she was touched deeply at how happy they were. On her return back to Australia she started a fundraiser, working hand-in-hand with Julia to point her in the direction of where funds were needed the most. The reality is that precious wilderness areas can only survive in the long term if the local people who call the wildness areas home are uplifted and educated. They, therefore, decided to focus their efforts on assisting a school in the Maasai Mara that has accountable and transparent mechanisms in place to ensure funds are used for the purpose intended. In consultation with the trustees, we identified where the need was greatest and Toula responded accordingly. We are delighted to announce that the girls at the local school in the Emarti village, Kenya are now receiving @hurukits with hygiene instructions, underwear, reusable/washable sanitary towels and family planning education. The funds raised were so great that they were able to spill over to other schools in Kibera, Nairobi, the biggest slum in Africa.

“Africa has the ability to reach into people’s hearts. Travellers are amazed at the sheer joy Africans exude despite their often incredibly difficult circumstances. I knew from the minute I spoke to Toula on the phone that she was a true gem. She has such a heart for people, for giving back and for leaving the world a better place. Her efforts, and the generosity of those in Australia who supported her in her fundraising initiatives will reach women in schools far and wide in Kenya. The depth of the human heart when you engage people and point them towards contributing to a fund that has transparency and accountability is incredible! I am privileged to have met Toula and to have brought her to Africa. What a remarkable woman” – Julia Fryer.

A huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Toula Cassen who kindly fundraised to donate to @houseinthewild and @Crossroads_et_al.

Here’s what they had to say:

@Crossroads_et_al: “I am thrilled to let you know that crossroads et al’s first fundraising venture has found its home! Your contributions are assisting female students in an area that has been a taboo up until recently. To all those who participated – you have made a difference.”

@houseinthewild – “An amazing visit from @hurukits to our local Emarti School today (2 March).

Delivering kits of eco-sanitary towels, made by a women’s group in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, to all of the girls. The kits will not only help our environment by being reusable but they also keep the girls in school. The team also held sessions on family planning, bringing family spacing to the conversation. I was amazed to learn that 14 girls ages 15-17 at the school were mothers. And 4 more pregnant. Population pressure around the edges of the Mara is a huge challenge for conservation, and education is key. At #houseinthewild we are so excited to be partnering with @hurukits on this initiative and it would not be possible without the amazing support from Toula Cassen and thank you to the wonderful @jules_fryer for the introduction. Each kit costs $35 and comes with hygiene instructions, underwear, reusable/washable sanitary towels and family planning education.”

For more information or to buy some kits for the girls at the neighbouring Ol Meoshi School email info@houseinthewild.com

A HUGE well done and thank you again to Toula – for making such an incredible difference in these girls’ lives.

Tips to consider when planning to climb Kilimanjaro

Posted on February 27, 2020February 27, 2020 by Lexi Hall

If witnessing the Great Migration, exploring breathtaking landscapes and sceneries or standing on the edge of a dormant volcano in Tanzania doesn’t conjure enough adrenaline to course your veins; if a heart-pumping activity is what you’re looking for and you’re ready to test your limits; why not add a Kilimanjaro trek to your Tanzanian safari…

Seeing the Great Migration, or any big game on safari is already a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will make your trip that much more unforgettable. This escapade requires you to be fit, mentally and physically and will push your boundaries like never before. But it will all be worth it as you reach the summit and look down on Africa. This add-on can be demanding, strenuous and challenging and requires weeks of physical training.

Here are 4 tips to help you start preparing to reach the level of fitness required to enjoy your Kili climb:

Physical Endurance: Depending on which route you take, you can be hiking for up to 15km a day. Prepare yourself for physical endurance so that you can train your body to maintain energy reserves for when you’re feeling tired.

Try running/jogging, brisk walking, cycling and swimming or start by just taking the stairs at work.

Cardio Exercise: This form of activity requires the body to use oxygen supplies to adequately meet energy demands. Build up your cardiovascular system with running, rowing, cycling, aerobics, jumping rope and walking to train your body to process oxygen in an efficient way while determining your target heart rate.

Hiking: A Mount Kili climb is basically one very long hike. Try doing long hikes – preferably 5-hour-long ones back-to-back and wear in your new hiking boots to avoid blisters and swollen feet on your trip.

Improve Mental Capacity: We can push our physical boundaries, but it is often the mental stamina that holds us back. Prepare yourself mentally up to 8 weeks before your trip to Tanzania as it is often your mental strength that will get you to the end of your journey. Being prepared mentally is what keeps you going and will get you to the summit. Try long-distance running twice or thrice a week two months before your departure.

When to go

Travelling to Tanzania is good year-round. Whenever you go, you will be guaranteed to see amazing wildlife and witness surreal landscapes. However, if you’re adding a Kili climb to your itinerary, taking the season and weather into consideration can greatly benefit you. For example, peak-season can get crowded on the mountain, whereas off-peak may be more wet and cold, but fewer people on the trails. The summer season from December to March has temperatures ranging from a high of 28°C and an average low of 15°C. There is little rain and you can catch the migration in the southern Serengeti. April to June is the wet season and has heavy rain. During this time, the parks are fairly empty and wildlife numbers are at their highest.

When hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro you have different climb options and four routes to choose from. Your service provider can take you on a group, private or charity climb starting from the Machame, Lemosho, Northern Circuit or Rongai route. All routes vary in the number of days you spend on the mountain and where you start and finish your climb.

Top 10 essentials for trekking Kilimanjaro

A strong (broken-in) pair of supportive, waterproof hiking boots.

Trekking poles.

Gaiters (can be hired too).

A backpack of daily essentials.

A duffle to carry 15kg (there are porters that can be hired to carry this bag).

A down sleeping bag.

Breathable, waterproof clothing and a down jacket.

Garment essentials – fleece top, hat, gloves, scarf, breathable/thermal trousers, long top, fleece socks.

Sunglasses (all seasons).

Thermal underwear

Practice walking/hiking with a packed backpack before you leave to make sure you are comfortable and can handle the load.

Make sure you pack these essentials in your backpack in an easy-to-reach compartment:

Support bandages

Sunscreen

Moisturizing lotion

Lip balm

Insect repellent

Tissues

Wet wipes

Energy bars

Water thermos and a 1L water bottle with a sucking tube

A camera, torch and headlamp

Don’t forget your money, passport, visa and other documentation.

Most sensational spas in Africa

Posted on February 27, 2020February 27, 2020 by Lexi Hall

Those travellers who have been to Africa on a luxury safari will know that the memorable moments that linger on are more than the sights and sounds of the bush, the wildlife passing by your veranda and the tantalising cuisine – it is that moment where you are pampered under the shade of a large tree or on a deck overlooking the waterhole that will remain with you when you think back to your safari.

We understand the unspoken need to be greatly pampered and only choose the most bespoke and exclusive lodges and camps with luxury spa facilities that offer some of the most indulgent treatments in the heart of the bush. Being in the bush offers travellers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reboot, recharge and reconnect with yourself, loved ones and nature. For those of you on your way to the African wilderness for the first time – we have a selection of some of our favourite spas, from outdoor massages to mud treatments and traditional hammams.

Tanzania – Mnemba Island Lodge

The private island offers exclusivity like no other place on the African coastline. It is the ideal romantic honeymoon beach getaway. The luxurious accommodation offers 10 luxurious bandas with a touch of rusticity. It is the only lodge on a private island, devoted to rest & relaxation. In between yoga and walks on the sugared-beach, book a massage on the beach before enjoying some fresh seafood. You can opt for a quiet treatment in the privacy of your room or choose a private beach sala and unwind to the sound of the ocean coming in and going out.

Kruger National Park

King’s Camp, Timbavati Spa

King’s Camp is one of the Kruger’s most discreet accommodations. The spa is tucked away and surrounded by mopane trees, a true paradise of peace and tranquillity. The spa treatments are reflective of the natural surroundings and offer a range of indulgent skin and body treatments to enjoy after a long day on game drives and walking safaris. Choose from a variety of relaxing massages or a rejuvenating beauty treatment. For ultimate privacy, you can choose to have your treatment in the comfort of your own suite.

Ivory Tree Lodge

Amani Spa at Ivory Tree Game Lodge was awarded the Safari Spa Award in 2007 and 2013 and when you book a treatment here, you’ll understand why. Choose a hydrating body polish followed by an aromatherapy massage, or a luxurious facial using Africology products after a long day under the African sun. This ultimate escape is dedicated to pure self-indulgence and offers an authentic, African-inspired experience.

Royal Malewane

The bush spa at Royal Malewane is committed to complete restoration and well-being and is fully-equipped with a gym, heated pool, steam room and African baths for treatments and relaxation. Book a spa treatment using indigenous products and relax in a beautiful natural setting where you will leave feeling calm and polished.

Cape Winelands – Delaire Graff

At Delaire Graff Spa, therapists offer a range of beauty treatments that change with the seasons. If you’re visiting us this June, step into elegant suites and unwind with the winter ritual. Treat those toes and tired eyes with a mask and facial before a signature wine tasting.

Zambia – Royal Zambezi Lodge

Along the Zambezi River is the perfect place to relax, unwind and reconnect with nature and recharge your mind, body and soul. Try their signature DNA Royal Special. The “Do Nothing at All” special focuses on your chance to do nothing but relax at the Royal Zambezi Bush Spa that has won multiple World Luxury Spa Awards. Let the music of the birds soothe and serenade as you get all your worries massaged away.

Cape Town

The 12 Apostles

Located on the slope of a towering mountain and overlooking the Atlantic ocean, the 12 Apostles spa leads you to total peacefulness via a glass walkway that takes you from the complimentary snack station to the treatment rooms and down into the hydrotherapy and relaxation area. Be one with nature as the treatment and relaxation areas integrate with the rugged mountain surroundings. Let the sound and smell of the ocean lull you to sleep in one of the tinted-glass gazebo treatment rooms. make a good alternative. Music is compliments of the local bird population.

The One&Only Cape Town Spa

The One&Only Spa is incomparable. Make your way to the ‘spa island’ that is a destination on its own a little way from the hotel pool area. Look up at the towering Table Mountain in the distance as you make your way to get a Bastien Gonzalez Mani-Pedi.

Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls Hotel

Choose between the quaint beauty spa’s two massage beds or relax by the pool as the therapists relieve stiff muscles. The qualified beauticians offer a range of treatments that will treat any traveller. And if you’re still exhausted from your flight, book a mani-pedi in the quiet privacy of your own room.

Botswana – Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

Enjoy being soothed by the sounds of the Okavango Delta while your therapist spoils you with a range of spa treatments. After a long game drive, stretch those muscles with a session of yoga followed by an Africology spa treatment. What better way to end off the day than with a facial, hot-stone massage and a tropical immunity-boosting body wrap.

Kalahari – Tswalu

The award-winning spa offers a welcome lounge, two beautiful therapy suites with adjacent sensation showers with a private garden. The spa is crafted from natural materials with reed ceilings and dry-stone walls in the indoor and outdoor showers. If you’re torn between pampering and safari, try the Signature Tswalu touch experience to prepare you for the day ahead. The spa also accommodates junior patrons.

Kenya – Angama Mara

Enjoy a full body massage on the tent’s deck before retreating to the infamous bright red rocking chair in the tent where you can relax and enjoy the wildlife passing by in the Mara below you.

If you have any questions or are interested in the wellness safari retreat and relaxing getaway of a lifetime please let us know.

Traveller Review – Becky Rasor

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Lexi Hall

Iconic Africa Traveller, Becky Rasor recently returned from her first time visiting Africa!

Her mum Danae Prousis took Becky, her sister Katherine and brother Greg on their first safari. This wonderful family quickly created lasting memories in the bush, met new people, and built relationships in such a short time at each location. They had an adventurous trip, visiting Arusha National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Southern Serengeti, the Masai Mara, Nairobi and Aberdare. Becky has been kind enough to chat to us about her time in Africa – here’s what she had to say:

Q: Was this your first time to Africa?

A: Yes!

Q: What was your first impression?

A: The most stunning landscapes and kindest people.

Q: What surprised you the most about it?

A: I didn’t expect to develop close relationships in such a short time with the different people I met along our journey. They are so proud of their country and make you feel like family. It’s a level of service and care that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Q: What is your favourite memory/experience at Giraffe Manor?

A: Feeding the giraffes! One of the most special experiences. I also loved that the dinners were group dinners with other guests at the manor.

Q: Where in Africa do you want to safari next and why?

A: Rwanda to see the gorillas.

Q: What did you spend most of your time doing while on safari? On game drives, cultural experiences or relaxation and self-care?

A: Most of our time was spent on game drives admiring the beautiful landscapes and animals.

Q: Describe your trip to Africa in just 5 words?

A: The trip of a lifetime.

Q: When do you think you will next visit Africa?

A: Hopefully in the next five years

Q: If there’s anything you could tell people who have never visited Africa what would it be?

A: Visiting Africa helped to bring me back to reality and put things into perspective. You have a moment where it’s just you and nature and nothing else matters. I think everyone deserves that opportunity to reconnect with themselves and the world.

Kruger National Park

Madikwe

Cape Town

Cape Winelands