Tag: kruger park

The Best Treehouses in Africa

Posted on by James

Counting sheep is one way to try and fall asleep.

Why not go one better though? Try to count a billion stars, have a lion roaring in the distance as a lullaby, and feel the cool night breeze of Africa on your face as it sussurates through the mosquito net… That’s the way to do it.

More and more safari lodges across Africa are offering a romantic sleep-out as an option, and their stunning treehouses are as opulent as one could desire.
No simple matress-and-sleeping-bag combinations are to be found here; instead guests are greeted by soft mattresses, expansive duvets, the warm glow of kerosene lanterns, and more than likely the subtle accompaniment of nightbirds trilling nearby.

Although the idea of a sleep-out can be intimidating to the inexperienced safari-goer, treehouse locations are as safe as any luxury lodge, and are an incredible way to experience raw nature. You will never sleep as deeply as you will when the night sounds of Africa are your personal bedtime story.

Here then are three of our favourite safari sleep-out offerings:

Wilderness Linkwasha, Zimbabwe

Tucked in the south-east corner of the Hwange National Park, the Linkwasha Concession plays host to four stunning lodges in the Wilderness portfolio: Linkwasha, Davison’s, Maokolo and Little Makololo. The area boasts a stunning variety of wildlife, and is particularly productive in the dry season when animals are entirely dependent on the few remaining surface water points.

It is next to one of these pans – which is kept topped up by the National Park – that the Linkwasha Sleepout platform is situated.
Tucked up against an ancient Leadwood tree, the treehouse enjoys stunning panoramic views over the surrounding plains, with prime viewing over the waterhole and whatever might be coming down to slake its thirst.
In the dry season one can be assured of a constant parade of elephants doen below, whose splashing and gurgling will be a gentle accompaniment to your snores through the night, and the grasslands will almost certainly reverberate to the call of a big cat during the evening.
Open skies all around mean that the star-gazing will be unsurpassed!

Xigera Lodge, Botswana

In the heart of the Okavango Delta – about as close to a wildlife eden as you can get on earth – Xigera Lodge offers unmatched opulence in the safari industry. Stunning architecture in a remote location with some of the best game viewing on the sub-continent really makes this destination hard to beat.

Throw in a treehouse built to resemble one of Africa’s most iconic trees – the baobab – and you have just about one of the most romantic sleep-out venues on the planet.

The sheer imagination used to design such a stunning creation will take your breath away; something like a treehouse standing by itself could be potentially incongruous, but the Xigera offering just fits.

A night out here will be one you will never forget…

Lion Sands, South Africa

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is one of the best places to view predators in Africa, and Lion Sands ticks this box brilliantly.
Apart from boasting some of the most luxurious lodges and one of the densest leopard populations on the continent, they have three stunning treehouses to choose from if a sleep-out under the stars is what you’re after. Each of the Chalkley, Tinyeleti and Kingston treehouses has their own unique charm, but all have much in common at the same time – comfort, beauty, and a sense of place, almost as if the treehouses were always there.
The feeling you want from an experience like this is one of belonging, as if you are actually part of the environment. And you get that feeling in droves at the Lion Sands treehouses…

As rustic as they may sound, the treehouses on offer at the higher-end lodges are anything but. Bathroom facilities, their own dining experience, 24-hour communication with the lodge via radio, and a whole host of other make them incredibly comfortable, safe, and as user-friendly as one could wish.

A treehouse sleep-out is just about as authentic an experience that one can find in the African bush…

If this is the kind of adventurous night you’d be interested in, get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start looking for a treehouse for you…

 

 

Iconic Africa’s Favourite Escapes #3

Posted on by James

Continuing our series of our travel consultant’s favourite escapes, this month we feature Mary Hensman and her podium of destinations in the safari world. These three lodges are among our favourites and receive consistently amazing reviews and feedback from our guests, so it’s no wonder they are some of Mary’s top picks…

The Outpost 

The Outpost has become one of my personal favourite places to visit to experience the extraordinary biodiversity, scenic splendour and history for which the Pafuri region is renowned.
The lodge is perched high above the Luhvuvu River, and is the perfect place from which to explore this spectacular corner of South Africa. The birdlife is stunning, the baobabs are magnificent, the leopards rasping during the night will send tingles up your spine, and everywhere you look you are simply blown away! 

Elephants have always been a massive part of my life and sensational interactions with them in the bush always hold a special place with me, especially if they come gently into your space.
One of my most incredible experiences with elephant – that left all of us a little awestruck – happened while visiting Lion Sands River Lodge, and that sentimental association means the lodge will always remain dear to my heart.
The game viewing is nothing short of spectacular and the decor of the lodge is amazing!

A dream destination; not anywhere I have been before (the camp is very new) but it’s on my bucket list!
Why? Since having kids there has been a shift in me in which I want to share everything unique in this world with them and to open their eyes to the beauty out there. Tswalu is a completely unique and untouched area that has the potential for wildly different sightings; pangolin, bat eared fox, brown hyena and the majestic Kalahari lion. There is also not one thing that they have not thought of in creating a luxury bespoke experience.
Loapi – “Space under the Clouds” – caters to families or couples, where you have a space and unspoiled views all to yourself. If that isn’t enough, you also have a private chef, butler and guide and tracker team to make your stay completely personal.

 

If these destinations appeal to you – and they should! – get in touch now through info@iconicafrica.com to find out about rates and availability…

 

Londolozi: Unveiling the NEW Founders Camp

Posted on by James

Over the years the ripple effect created by Londolozi’s alumni has spread their ethos far and wide across the African continent, and beyond.
Some are heading up their own portfolio of lodges. Others have been put in charge of the full scope of Kruger National Park anti-poaching units. World-authorities on the Okavango Delta, internationally lauded motivational speakers, heads of lodge design in some of the largest groups on the continent… you name it.
Londolozi Alumni have done it and are still doing it.

Founders Camp honours these wild, early characters – past staff and guests who have contributed to building Londolozi. It is their efforts that have distilled the legacy of the past 50 years into the creation of the essence of safari spirit.

At Founders Camp, classic meets modern. This Londolozi signature camp is clean and uncomplicated and really comfortable, leaving nothing forgotten. You will get the feeling of all the comforts of a stylish African home that is ideally situated to provide an insider’s view of the secrets of river life. Classy, grounded and timeless – Londolozi’s Founders Camp represents a safari style that is inviting and restful.

Reminiscent of the ancient ‘wattle and daub’ methodology of building, this earthy design celebrates the natural raw elements of nature. Rock, fire, wood and earth.

Ten bespoke and varied superior chalets repose in the shade of ancient Ebony and Matumi trees along the banks of the Sand River. Spacious and light, they flow seamlessly from interior to beautiful wooded deck space…

Founders Camp is about simple sophistication with clean lines. The simplicity of layered textures creates depth and a sensory experience wherever you go. This fusion of elemental design is completely soothing to the nervous system, allowing for deep rest and relaxation.

Muted and calming within yet vibrant and alive, with connection to the wilderness, without.
Those who have sat around the boma fire at night and listened to the call of the hyenas out there beyond the fire’s glow, or gazed down in awe at a herd of elephants feeding below the deck, barely more than an arm’s length away, will understand.

Founders has always been one of our favourite camps, and with its latest refurbishment, it just got a whole lot better.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your Londolozi safari…

Monwana Game Lodge: Experience Exceptional

Posted on by James

The More Family Collection has long been associated with outstanding safari experiences.

Their lodges, boutique hotels and private residences are found in Southern Africa’s best leisure destinations, and combine to offer you the classic Southern African experience, with the More Family Collection’s signature ‘golden thread’ running through them.

Monwana Game Lodge in Thornybush Nature Reserve embodies the spirit of homecoming, and encourages a deep connection to nature.

Thornybush is part of the Greater Kruger National Park, and is unfenced from the 20 000 square kilometre wilderness.

The 14 000ha although concession upon which the lodge is found is literally teeming with wildlife. Elephants parade past the lodge’s waterhole, leopards rasp from the riverbed at night, and from the deck of your suite or the comfort of the main lodge area, you can watch the best of Africa passing by throughout the day.

Four spacious suites accommodate two guests each, and all offer beautiful views from their private shaded decks. Birdwatch from the comfort of a lounger whilst the sun is high, or cool off in your plunge pool (which is heated to beat the coldest months of winter).
Underfloor heating within the rooms themselves and heated towel rails take the edge of the crispness of winter, and the high quality of linen, dressing gowns and towels will leave you feeling exquisitely pampered.

In addition to the four suites, two family suites which can accommodate up to five guests are available. These are ideal for families with older children (reserve policy stipulates a minimum age of ten), as the secondary bedroom features twin beds, and an extra one can easily be added.

The Private safari vehicle that comes with each family suite ensures that your bush adventures flow with your own rhythm. Come back later if needs be or head out earlier in the afternoon to maximise your bush time…
It’ll just be you on board, so spend as long as you want admiring all of nature’s aspects, without the pressure of fitting in with the needs of others.

In an industry already flush with exceptional safari experiences, Monwana is truly special. You will instantly feel at home there, and there are few places that will have you getting that in touch with nature that quickly.

Email us on info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about this wonderful destination, and let’s start planning YOUR safari…

Lion Sands River Lodge

Posted on by James

It’s hard to say enough good things about Lion Sands.
For years one of our favourite lodges in the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Lion Sands has been wowing guests from all over the world with their incredible wildlife sightings and close attention to detail on the guest service front. The sheer amount of repeat business speaks for itself.

Lion Sands River Lodge is, as the name suggests, situated on beautiful river frontage. The Sabi River separates the reserve from the Kruger National Park, but being unfenced, still allows for free movement of wildlife. Elephants wade across the current, leopards leap between the rocks, and in the winter months the water levels are generally low enough to allow most creatures to cross without too much trouble.
The life-giving water attracts creatures great and small during the winter months in particular, when surface water is scarce across the reserve, and the density of game along the river banks is as high as could be wished for.

And then there’s the lodge itself…

The lodge’s style has a wonderful sense of brightness and space, yet remains understated. Wooden walkways lead off to a spa, gym and pool, and back to the main lodge, where the deck’s connected water features give the impression of floating on the river. Whether you enjoy your time together socially or quietly, the running theme here is simple and natural luxury living.

The lodge’s eight Luxury Rooms, six Superior Luxury Rooms and four River Suites are spaced along a path to reveal splendid river views and make for a very personal stay while on a luxury African safari stay. This is where couples, families and friends come together to reconnect with one another and Mother Nature.

The River Suites, each fronted by a plunge pool and set further away from the main lodge, are the most spacious and private – and also include a Family Suite for a relaxed family safari. It’s for you to choose which accommodation best suits you – but the extraordinary view comes standard. Relax at the guest pool or in the spa, get active in the gym, or browse the MORE Gallery. Turn your wildlife photography into artful souvenirs in the Creative Lab.

Bright, airy and contemporary are the three words that immediately hit you as you arrive at the lodge, and the feeling of deep well-being remains with you as you head out on safari to track down a leopard or to sit with a magnificent herd of elephants.

Lion Sands is in high demand amongst our guests from both Africa and overseas, so if you are interested in a stay, don’t wait to get in touch.

Mail us on info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your safari…

Mala Mala Winter Madness

Posted on by James

Winter is almost upon the South African Lowveld, which encompasses the Kruger National Park and its adjacent private reserves like the Timbavati, the Sabi Sands, and more relevant to this particular post, Mala Mala.

One of the original photographic safari lodges in the country, Mala Mala has had its doors open to wildlife aficionados since the late 60s, and although the camps have been upgraded since then, the menu has been refined and the experience developed somewhat, the thing that has remained unchanged over all those years is what makes the place part of the epicentre of Big 5 viewing in the region; the wildlife.

Attracted by the perennial Sand River (along which Mala Mala enjoys 20km of frontage), the wildlife flocks in in droves during the winter months – the dry season in this region – when surface water is scarce but the river remains constant.
Lions lounge on the high banks, waiting for the buffalo herds to descend down the dead-end sandy culverts. Leopards slink through the Phragmites reeds, sneaking up on unsuspecting bushbuck, and the ever-present elephant herds march between their feeding grounds and the steady trickle of water that sustains life throughout these cold harsh months of the middle of the year.

And above it all, ever-present and inviting, lies Mala Mala Camp (formerly known as Main Camp).
A haven of understated luxury, combining warm comfort and superb service with unrivalled views of the Sand River and surrounding bushveld, it is truly a place of legends, where rare photographs, old maps and extraordinary mementos rub shoulders with the works of renowned contemporary wildlife artists.The camp is an unfenced oasis in the middle of the bush.

Ten luxury suites, eight luxury rooms and one luxury single suite comprise this unique slice of Africa that is sure to fill up your memory cards faster than the

The spacious and unbelievably comfortable rooms all feature the following:

  • Private decks or verandah with a view over the Sand River or a waterhole
  • En-suite bathroom with private toilet – the suites have both a bath and a shower whilst the luxury rooms only have a shower
  • 24-hour temperature control – air-conditioning, heating and overhead fan
  • Direct dial telephones
  • A mini-bar
  • Tea and coffee making facilities
  • A mini-safe
  • Bathroom amenities, insect repellent and hairdryers

It’a good all year, but winter is the time when Mala Mala truly comes alive.

Thankfully there are a number of different accommodation options available, as competition is fierce to get a booking during the peak of the game viewing months. Rattray’s and Sable Camps offer just as – if not more – luxurious stays, whilst still providing access to just as incredible game viewing experiences.

Get in touch NOW (info@iconicafrica.com) to start planning your Mala Mala safari. This is one you don’t want to miss…

The Outpost: Perched on the Rim of the World

Posted on by James

The northern corner of the world-famous Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most breathtaking areas. Elephant herds wander through ageless fever tree forests, hundreds of buffalo spread like oil across the Limpopo floodplain, and through it all runs the Luvhuvu River, the lifeblood of the region.

Perched on a hill high above the Luvhuvu riverbed, with indescribable views of the African bushveld, sits The Outpost, your gateway into one of the most biodiverse regions in Southern Africa.

The Outpost operates within the 26 500ha Makuleke concession, a unique partnership in the Kruger Park in that the land is owned by the Makuleke people, and the lodges within the concession are staffed almost exclusively by the tribe.
Warm smiles greet visitors to this spectacular corner of Africa (which boasts over 80% of the Kruger National Park’s biodiversity), and guests can explore the bush through guided drives conducted by experienced rangers, or – even better – through immersive bush walks. This is truly the best way to experience the magic of the African wild, as one can get a far greater appreciation for the minutiae of the wilderness by fully grounding oneself on foot.

The Outpost accommodates 24 guests in 12 open plan, en-suite luxury spaces cantilevered on a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River. The private, free standing spaces are inter-connected to each other and the central lodge area by 500 metres of Zimbabwean teak walkway. Contemporary architecture makes use of concrete and steel with state-of the-art retractable, remote-controlled screens offering 180º of uninterrupted views.

Ultimately, at The Outpost you are looking at the top lodge in the most spectacular region of South Africa’s most famous national park. The combination is ideal for almost anyone and everyone, from the adventurous to the birders, the walkers or the romantic honeymooners.

There is no one who won’t feel utterly enchanted both with this unique section of South Africa’s greatest wilderness, and this stunning hilltop lodge within it.

Get hold of us through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your safari…

Serondella: at Home in the African Bush

Posted on by James

It’s rare to find a lodge where every luxurious comfort is available to you, yet you feel as completely at ease as though it were your own home. That is the overwhelming feeling you get when staying at Serondella Lodge in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve.
It’s the heart of Big 5 country – which is probably completely unlike home – but warm smiles greet you whichever way you turn, all your needs are more than met, and the relaxed atmosphere of the place somehow makes it feel as though you’ve been there for years.

And the game-viewing!

The Thornybush Reserve in which Serondella is situated borders on the world-famous Kruger Park, so there is no shortage of wildlife. Elephants rumble past the lodge at all hours of the day, the roar of a lion is an almost constant serenade from dusk until dawn, and all manner of other creatures abound in this diverse landscape of over 14000 ha.

Open-topped safari vehicles offer visitors an almost unrivalled wildlife-experience, as the animals in the reserve have become completely accustomed to their presence, and go about their business as if the vehicles were not even there.

Serondella is an intimate lodge, providing two private suites and two family suites with lounges, viewing decks & plunge pools. Each suite is air-conditioned and has WiFi, and a convenient Nespresso machine in each will provide you with that early morning caffeine boost needed when the alarm goes off for the dawn game drive.

The lodge is all about families, and the family suites emphasise comfort and convenience for both parents and children. Two bedrooms, a shared living area, a private kitchen, an outside deck, and a plunge pool offer a place for loved ones to feel at home together.

A rim-flow pool sunk into the main viewing deck provides the perfect place from which to view the wildlife drinking at the busy waterhole below camp, whilst a boma and fire pit with their attending bar allow one to enjoy dinner and drinks under the stars, weather-permitting of course…

Willem’s Den is another accommodation option; a self-contained suite for larger families offering space, privacy, and comfort with three bedrooms and bathrooms, a kitchen, lounge, private garden, verandah, boma and plunge pool. This is the perfect place to accommodate different generations in a home-like environment.

Serondella is the perfect lodge for smaller groups or a family on safari.

Get in touch through justin@iconicafrica.com or terri@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your safari…

Tanda Tula Plains Camp: True Magic in the Timbavati

Posted on by James

“Tanda Tula” means to enjoy the quiet, and if there is a place where serenity lives, Tanda Tula Plains Camp is it.

With spectacular views of the northern reaches of the Drakensberg Mountains to the west, a spectacular open grassland in front of the camp, and wildlife in constant attendance, this is a place where you can disconnect from the rush of modern living and reconnect with yourself and loved ones.

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is one of a contiguous series of wildlife areas that lie up against the western border of the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s – and indeed one of the world’s – most iconic. The lack of fences between the reserves allows for the free movement of wildlife, and the extended protected area is roughly 6 million hectares in size – larger than some small European countries!

Tanda Tula Safari Camp was previously the centrepiece of the Tanda Tula experience, but with an upgrade in progress to create a more ecologically sensitive camp with a lighter footprint in the wake of 2020 and 2021, Plains Camp has now arisen as the new hottest camp in the area.
With 6 luxury suites for up to 12 guests and 2 family suites which sleep 4 each, air-conditioners and fans in each room, as well as private plunge pools, the camp is well equipped to handle any weather conditions in any season.

Some of the Timbavati’s most experienced guides are based here, who are well versed in the natural history of the area, its cultural significance, wildlife photography, and pretty much anything related to the bush.

The best safari camps have a family feel to them, and Tanda Tula Plains Camp falls firmly into this category. As soon as you arrive you feel as if you are returning to a place that is completely familiar, whether you’ve actually been here or not. The welcoming smiles and warm demeanour of all who work here will make you incredibly sad to leave when that time eventually rolls around.

The Tanda Tula family has a passion for wildlife conservation, for the community of which they are a part, and for creating magical experiences. And a magical experience is what Tanda Tula is.

Game Drives are filled with some of the best wildlife in Southern Africa, and close encounters with the Big 5 almost come standard.

Plains Camp is about so much more than just the wildlife. It’s a true example of a lodge that has got it right. It is a place that understands that safari is about people – both guests and staff -just as much as it is about wildlife.

We are currently running specials to this wonderful little corner of Africa, so get in touch to find out more…

 

Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

Posted on by James

Named after a nineteenth century chieftaness of the local Shangaan tribe, Shalati was one of the most anticipated lodges coming out of the Kruger Park region. Comprised of a series of train carriages permanently situated on an old railway bridge of the Selati railway line, the lodge’s concept is itself more than enough to pique the visitor’s interest. Combine this with some of the most spectacular opulence to be found in the Kruger National Park, a dining experience to compare to any of the country’s top restaurants, and a superb game viewing offering tailor-made by seasoned guides, and you have a recipe for enormous success.

Perched high above the Sabi River just downstream from Skukuza Restcamp, Shalati offers uninterrupted views over the splendour of the African bush. Leopards slink through the riparian vegetation and hippos snort from their pools in the river below, whilst you sip a cool gin and tonic from your vantage point amongst the swallows, fish eagles, and other avian species that flit or soar above the majesty of the river.

The site of the lodge marks the spot at which the first visitors to the Kruger Park would spend the night. Pulling the train onto the bridge, they would carouse around a fire on the riverbank before retreating to the safety of the train to sleep, and then continue with their journey the next day.

The bridge stood practically unused for many years after the railway line through the park was dismantled, and it wasn’t until 2016 that a tender process was announced for interested parties to bid their proposals for tourism use of the Selati Bridge and Station.

Finally in 2020 Kruger Shalati reignited the experiencing of sleeping in a train on this bridge filled with a wealth of history.

Each room is a refitted carriage which makes the most brilliant use of the space available to it. From the outside the carriages appear limited in size, but upon entering you will be greeted by the most surprisingly large panorama out over the African bush; swallows swoop out from under the bridge and the chances are high that an elephant herd will be slaking their thirst somewhere down below.

Shalati offers 31 rooms – 24 Train Carriage Suites and 7 Bridge House Suites – all of which are tailored for immersive comfort. The utterly unique positioning of the train places the visitor on a constant plane of awe.

Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure, an enthralling break or to simply unwind while surrounded by earth’s finest creations, Kruger Shalati looks forward to welcoming you on a journey of discovery with nature in the most extraordinary way imaginable.

Get in touch to find out about pricing and availability, and let us help you plan the safari of a lifetime…

 

Rhino Dehorning: the Latest in the War on Poaching

Posted on by James

Over the last decade, over ten thousand rhinos have been lost to poaching across Africa.

With both white and black rhinoceroses already endangered, these catastrophic losses have pushed both species even closer to extinction.

In South Africa alone, 451 rhinos were lost during 2021. Although the general trend over the last few years has been a decrease in numbers lost each year, which looks positive (although 2021 was the first time in 6 years that the number went up again), the harsh reality is that these numbers may just as equally reflect the much lower numbers of rhinos left to poach as they do the increase in anti-poaching efforts across the continent.

With increasing pressure on declining rhino populations that are being squeezed into smaller and smaller areas, the focus of poaching has seen a dramatic spike in private reserves over the last year. Although well-trained, well-armed anti-poaching teams are operational on most private reserves in the region that boast rhino numbers, the staggering and ever-increasing value of rhino horn on the international market has meant that no deterrents seem too great, and rhinos continue to be lost.

More and more lodges and reserves are falling back on the last-resort solution of dehorning their rhinos. By removing the very thing the poachers are after, the hope is that rhinos lives will be spared.
This tactic has proved successful in many areas, although some conservationists hesitate before implementing it as a practical solution because of its potential impact on the rhinos themselves. Although the removal of the horn doesn’t cause the individual rhino any harm (it will grow back after a few years), it is still a functional part of their anatomy, and it is still unsure what long-term repercussions might be felt in dehorned populations with males left without their main weapon that they use to defend territories.

The problem with dehorning in the private reserve sector (or solution, depending on which way you look at it) is that it’s becoming more and more of an all-or-nothing affair, in that every reserve needs to buy in, or none. Since effective conservation is largely a function of space, many operators have dropped fences between them and their neighbours to create larger contiguous ecosystems for wildlife, but the free-roaming nature of rhino populations in reserves like these means that de-horning operations need to be reserve-wide.

If one reserve opts to dehorn their rhinos but its neighbours don’t, the population with horns intact will naturally become the target for poachers; all reserves/lodges therefore need to be in agreement.

The three-reserve system of the Sabi Sand, Sabie Game Reserve and Mala Mala, near the Kruger Park, are the latest high profile group of reserves to dehorn their rhinos, with an extensive period of a 25 days being allotted to the operation.

The entire reserve’s population was dehorned as well as ear-notched, which not only dramatically reduces the poaching threat but through the notching will allow closer monitoring of individual rhinos. The decision to dehorn was not an easy one for the reserves to take, but with over 400% increase in poaching across the protected area in the last two years, reserve management and lodge owners alike felt that it was the best step to take.

Despite the dehorning hopefully buying a reprieve for the area’s beleaguered rhinos, all three reserves continue to increase their security efforts through added technology and inter-reserve communication.

Let us hope that the dehorning initiative will prove as effective in this, one of South Africa’s flagship conservation areas, as it has been in other parts of the country.

An African House all of Your Own

Posted on by James

The Royal Portfolio has long been held in high esteem as an industry-leading brand of luxury hotels across South Africa.

From La Residence in Franschoek, the benchmark for opulent accommodation in wine country, to Birkenhead House in Hermanus, from where you can watch breeding pods of migrating Southern Right Whales literally a stone’s throw from your room, the selection of properties in the portfolio truly has something for everyone.

Royal Malewane, adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park, is seen by many as the jewel in the Royal Portfolio crown. This is their wildlife offering, and is viewed by many as the place that sets the guiding standard across the industry.
While the royal and luxury suites at the main lodge do an exceptional job of providing excellent safari options for couples and smaller groups, it is Africa House that is helping break new ground in the exclusive-use department.

Royal Malawane Safari Lodge. Client: The Royal Portfolio. Marketing director: Ross Bowers. Stylist: Nathalie Williams.

More and more we are seeing exclusive-use options popping up across the safari industry, and there is an ever-growing list of world-class lodges that have added this type of stay to their offering.
Camps of this nature are designed for larger groups and families, and being self-contained and with no other guests to worry about, offer complete flexibility when it comes to your personalised safari.
Head out on drive when you want, sleep in, meal-times when you are hungry… and all of this with only your close travelling companions. Although there are certainly hours of the day in which game drives are recommended (based on animal activity, weather and comfort levels), you can essentially do what you want, when you want in an exclusive-use camp.

Africa house offers two rate options; one for slightly smaller groups of 1-8 guests, that will have one guide, tracker and game drive vehicle assigned to them, and another for larger groups of 9-12 that will have two vehicles assigned.

The House itself features six vibrant and eclectic en-suite rooms, each leading onto a central courtyard, and each enjoying its own outside shower and deck.
In front of the villa sits an extensive main deck with a swimming pool, from which guests can enjoy spectacular open-air immersion into the African bush, watching the wildlife passing by and listening to ever-present birdsong from the overhanging woodland trees.

Africa House combines all the best elements of safari; superb wildlife sightings, experienced staff, opulent accommodation and fine dining, but the best part of it is you have it all to yourself, with not a care in the world, no set timetable, and the only decision to be made being how deep into the experience you truly want to go…

Mala Mala Magic

Posted on by James

When you abut the Sabi Sand Reserve – one of the most wildlife-rich areas on the planet – and your hashtag is still #itsallaboutthewildlife, there is probably something special going on.

Mala Mala, one of the first photographic safari destinations in South Africa, has long been revered for its incredible sightings, of the big cats in particular.
20 kilometres of pristine Sand River frontage offer guests unrivalled viewing opportunities, especially during the dry winter months when water is scarce and a plethora of game makes a daily pilgrimage down to the river to drink.
Although other reserves in the area boast similar wildlife densities, it is Mala Mala’s terrain that sets it apart, with the open sandy riverbed making any animal moving around just that much easier to spot, while also allowing for unobstructed photographic opportunities.

It is not just the game drives in which the wildlife features prominently; the camps themselves are constantly alive with nyala, baboons and monkeys, and views through the ancient jackalberry trees down to Sand River allow guests to sit on the verandahs of their suites and enjoy the march past of Africa’s greatest show. Elephants visit the camp almost daily, lions are regularly sighted from the decks, and scarcely does a day go by when the bark of a bushbuck or the chattering of monkeys isn’t heard from the treetops, indicating the presence of a leopard.

The rooms themselves are a wonderful blend of contemporary luxury and nostalgic decor that throws back to the early safari days. Guests have a choice not only of rooms (different size options are available), but camps as well, with three Mala Mala camps offering something slightly different to the discerning visitor.

Mala Mala Camp (formerly known as Main Camp) is the largest of the three, with ten luxury suites, eight luxury rooms and one luxury single suite. A pool, wifi area and library mean guests can stay connected if they really need to access emails and the outside world during off times from bush excursions.
Sable Camp, just next door, is a slightly smaller, more intimate version of MalaMala Camp and is ideal for those seeking a more private and secluded safari experience. This camp boasts seven suites, some of which can accommodate three guests sharing. The camp can be exclusively booked for between fourteen and twenty people.

The final jewel in the Mala Mala crown is Rattray’s Camp, sited a few kilometres downstream along the Sand River. Rattray’s is the most exclusive of the three camps, tucked away by itself, and only allowing a maximum of four guests per game drive vehicle. Flexible game drive times discussed with your ranger allow for all-day excursions to fully soak up the magic of the African bush.

In the context of modern safari, luxury is about far more than a simple thread count or what’s available behind the bar. It’s about time in nature, feeling like there’s no one else on earth, totally immersed in the experience.

With over 13 000ha to traverse and one of the highest wildlife concentrations in Africa, Mala Mala defines wild luxury.

 

 

Lion Sands: Where Nature and Luxury Meet

Posted on by James

Nestled on the southern edge of the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve sits Lion Sands, an exclusive lodge run by the More family, that just happens to boast some of the best game viewing in the world.
Leopard, cheetah, elephant, wild dog and of course lions… there is no shortage of high profile game in this reserve that adjoins the Kruger National Park, with only the Sand River (that gives the Sabi Sands its name) in between.

The Lion Sands offering in this part of the world has expanded in recent years however, and the brand has now extended its offering, operating a private concession within the Kruger Park itself, meaning guests have the choice of four different lodges over a much bigger traversing area.
Ivory, River, Narina and Tinga lodges all offer different yet opulent accommodation options, and all have access to a world class wildlife experience.
Whether on honeymoon, travelling as a family, as a first timer or in a big group, Lion Sands has an experience for everyone.

Although the usual safari experience of two game drives a day comes standard at Lion Sands, it is through their specialised offerings that they start to really differentiate themselves.

Sleep outs in a lantern-strewn treehouse; Fish Eagle and Hi’Nkweni villas that offer exclusive use accommodation (two bedrooms each), and a whole host of tailor-made experiences add that extra touch of magic to a safari that has guests returning time and time again.

Being in such a game-rich area, photography is a key component of safari at Lion Sands. Incredible sightings seem to fill up your memory card faster than you can download your images, with the big cats taking centre stage and an incredibly diverse supporting cast backing them up. With this in mind, Lion Sands has developed a fantastic photographic studio, in which guests can edit their safari images with their ranger or one of the in-house photographic specialists, and what’s more, print their photos on canvas to take home as a special memory.

A picture tells a thousand words…

For years now, the More brand has been amongst the leaders in the Southern African safari space, with their lodges continuing to help raise the bar of what luxury safari truly means.
The Sabi Sands is where it began for them, and their offerings in that reserve as well as the neighbouring Tinga concession of the Kruger Park are certainly their flagship locations.

The constant rave reviews we get from guests about the properties – the game-viewing, the food, the guiding, the accommodation – continue to place Lion Sands right up there in our “Must Visit” category…

 

Africa is Opening More and More

Posted on by James

It’s certainly been a rough year-and-a-half for the travel fundis, and for the industry as a whole. Confined at home for months, then confined to your home country, and even eighteen months in, many of you have been told that a mandatory two-week quarantine period will be enforced as soon as you return home from your overseas sojourn. Not appealing, we know!


But the light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter and brighter, as seemingly each week another country in Africa opens up for travel. Most of the more prominent safari destinations have fallen off international red lists, regulations are easing all over the world, vaccinations have been rolled out, and although things certainly aren’t fully back to normal, there is an air of normalcy in the air that is making us more excited than we’ve been for a long time to fully welcome international visitors to African shores once more.

Kenya was recently struck off the international red list, visitors from the UK no longer have to quarantine upon their return from South Africa, and Rwanda and its gorillas is easier to visit than it has been for a long, long time. We’ve stated it before, but want to repeat that there literally is no better time to satisfy your travel cravings than right now. Many safari operators are offering insane discounts, popular areas are still quiet, and the strict covid guidelines that have made many people reluctant to venture overseas are enforced so efficiently that being out in the wilds on safari is actually pretty much the safest place to be right now, if any lingering doubts about Covid still remain.

We currently have many guests travelling with us, and without an exception the feedback has been the wonderful tranquility, the soothing of the soul by being back in the wild after so long, and the exclusive feel of almost every lodge given the current reduced occupancies. It’s a bit of an internal dilemma; wishing for business to return to how it it was as soon as possible, but also relishing in the quiet times that are currently greeting every visitor to the bush.

If you want to experience world class game viewing, relax on a beach in a Mozambiquan archipelago, or enjoy the sights and sounds of South Africa’s Mother City Cape Town, don’t wait! The light at the end of the tunnel is certainly approaching, but for the traveller that light is likely to be accompanied by higher occupancies and back-to-normal prices.

Incredible value in safari has never been easier to come by than now.

Get in touch…