Tag: natural selections

North Island Okavango: in the Heart of the Delta

Posted on by James

With only three spacious tents in camp, each resting on a raised wooden deck under the shady boughs of wild ebony trees, exclusivity is the name of the game at North Island, the latest amazing camp in the Natural Selections Portfolio.
Set in one of the most wildlife-rich concessions in the world heritage site that is the Okavango Delta, this is truly an African Paradise.

Each tent offers stunning views of the lagoon in front of it and a private plunge pool with a sunken sundeck for cooling off, for you to enjoy while watching the ever-present wildlife that comes into view.
After dark the local frog chorus dominates the soundscape whilst fireflies twinkle at you from the reedbeds, their reflections on the still water doubling the light display.
During the hotter summer nights, each bed comes with its very own ‘over-the-bed’ cooling system, and during the winter when cold nights are the norm, there is a cosy fireplace to relax in front of, making each tent a romantic safari experience.

 

Tents all come with sleeper couches that can accommodate children should you be travelling with the family.
En suite bathrooms are fitted with both indoor and outdoor showers, which means you can wash while being fully surrounded by nature. WiFi is available in the rooms but not in the communal areas; guests are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the experience and their surroundings, so checking social media can be left for after hours!

Delicious dinners are served in separate dining areas overlooking a hippo-filled pool; these parts of camp are connected by a wooden deck that extends outwards for stargazing around a crackling firepit one the sun has gone down. Tucked discreetly to one side lies a small, comfortable library for resting and reading and an outdoor gym for those who wish to stay fit while on safari.

North Island looks set to reinvent what the words “luxury” and “exclusive” truly mean on safari.

If you’ re interested in this spectacular destination, get hold of us on info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your safari…

Sable Alley: Lagoon Wildlife Viewing at its Finest

Posted on by James

Bordering the Moremi and Chobe National Parks – two of Botswana’s most famous – one finds the 440 000 acre Khwai Private Wildlife Reserve; one of the country’s best-kept secrets, and an area brimming with life. Elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah abound here, as well as one of Africa’s most spectacular antelope species, the sable.

Adjoining the Okavango Delta, the Reserve was established to create a meaningful bridge between the tourism industry and local villagers, ensuring significant economic income for local communities, first world environmentally-sensitive practices and a superb safari experience. And one of the best safari experiences to be had in the area is to be found at the Natural Selections Camp, Sable Alley.

Opened in 2017, Sable is a stunningly appointed tented camp on the game filled Khwai floodplains, which in the eco-conscious world of travel, ticks all the boxes in being as sustainable as it is sophisticated.
Sable Camp features twelve spacious canvas tents; 9 twins, a honeymoon tent and two family tents. All come with a mini indoor seating area, writing desk, and some lovely Afro-chic décor. Uninterrupted views of the wildlife-rich lagoon are waiting from you beyond your screen door. At the back, you’ll find two basins, and indoor shower and a flush loo. And if you fancy washing off the dust from the day in the great outdoors, no problem – there’s an outdoor shower from which you might watch a herd of elephants walk by, just beyond your deck.

Just like the bedrooms, the communal areas are designed around the spectacular vistas, with the idea of maintaining that immersed-in-nature feeling. Watch the comings and goings at the lagoon from the bar, G&T in hand, from the outdoor fire pit, or from a comfortable sofa in the lounge.
When the sun sets, dinner is served either in the indoor dining area, or alfresco on the deck, accompanied by twinkling stars and the nocturnal sounds of Africa. The camp has also added a swimming pool and sun deck, both unique spots from which to watch the hippo pods emerge from the lagoon, or simply for some chill-out time during the warmer hours of the day.

The lagoon is a favourite drinking spot for elephant and buffalo, and with hippos aplenty right in front of camp, the big game quite literally comes to you at Sable. But as much as there is that goes on right on your doorstep, game drives are a must, as Khwai offers one of Africa’s greatest and most exclusive safari experiences. The big cats feature prominently here, as a well as a myriad of other species, and the lack of other camps in the area means an exclusive game-viewing experience.

The feeling of space is one of the modern world’s hardest to come by luxuries, but at Sable you’ll find all the space you need. Reconnect by disconnecting with the trappings of the fast-paced western lives that so many of us experience, and leave a small piece of your heart in the African bush…

Iconic Africa are currently offering some unbeatable rates to Sable Alley (and other Natural Selection camps in Botswana), so don’t hesitate to get in touch to start planning your safari…