Tag: Singita

Our Top Child-Friendly Lodges in Africa

Top Lists
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By Tamlin Wightman on

It can be both wonderful and difficult for a child on safari. The wonder obviously lies in the adventure and the animals, and the difficulty lies in keeping quiet and fidget-free for long periods. This is why it’s so important to know the best child-friendly lodges when planning a family safari in Africa.

I remember being ordered to sit silently in a hide next to a waterhole in Zimbabwe when I was twelve, and it was one of the most challenging things I had ever done, or, according to my parents, didn’t do. It is for such reasons that many of the luxury lodges in Africa don’t cater for children under age 16. But there are several that do.

And they do it remarkably well! Think bushwalks, junior ranger training, butterfly/fish/insect catch-and-release, arts, crafts, games and special game drives.

“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.” –  Richard L. Evans

Our Top Child-Friendly Lodges in Africa

Here are our favourite child-friendly lodges in Africa that will welcome your little ones with open arms. They have several facilities and activities tailored to keep the rascals busy and inspired until they pass out in their cosy safari beds for the night. There are also several malaria-free safari destinations such Madikwe and the Garden Route/Eastern Cape.

1. Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Children enjoy fishing activities at Londolozi - one of the best child-friendly lodges in South Africa
Image credit: Londolozi Founders Camp

Hosted at Londolozi Private Game Reserve, the Londolozi Cubs programme packs in a bunch of fun and fascinating activities to give your kids more than just an understanding of their role in managing and conserving Africa’s incredible biodiversity. Here, children learn about themselves, other people and cultures, about building friendships and trust, and about survival in the wilderness. It’s ideal for wannabe young rangers. The Cub’s Den is equipped with fish ponds to splash around in, Land Rovers to pretend-drive, camp-out tents and an educational centre focusing on wildlife. Your kids can go on bushveld excursions, guided by the Cub Coach, a dedicated and expert naturalist, who oversees all the children’s activities. Please note, it is recommended that Londolozi be notified beforehand if you’re coming with kids.

Accommodation: Varty Camp and Founders Camp at Londolozi both accommodate children between the ages of 4 and 16 years old.

Activities: Game drives (children of 6 years and older); paper mache; candle making; baking; spoor identification; bird watching; bug catching; African dance; bead making; singing and drumming; gumboot dancing; dung spitting; fishing; and more.

2. Sanbona Gondwana Lodge

The children's playroom at Sanbona, a family-friendly safari lodge in South Africa
Image credit: Sanbona Gondwana Lodge

The Sanbona Gondwana lodge hosts a special “Kids on Safari” programme with plenty to keep the little ones active.

Accommodation: Only 3 hours from Cape Town, the Gondwana lodge in the Sanbona Game Reserve is the perfect family lodge offering numerous facilities and activities geared specifically for a family safari. There are 12 large suites and a children’s playroom with TV.

Activities: A range of outdoor activities are available to children of all ages, including an interpretive trail through the garden of Gondwana learning about animals that occur on the reserve as well as tracks and important plants. Visit the sites where the San people left their legacy on the rock faces at Sanbona, where the ranger will interpret the scene so that the children can create their own ‘rock’ art. Children can partake in various social, sporting and art activities such as bead making, clay making activities, face painting and star gazing. There is also a wide selection of indoor activities including art with scrapbooks, paper, scissors, glue crayons, pencils & paints. Puzzles of varying sizes and difficulties covering a broad age range. Documentary DVD’s on various conservation topics and animals, animated movies. A selection of entertaining and educational children’s books and fun board games.

3. Royal Chundu

Look! I caught a fish at Royal Chundu
Image credit: Royal Chundu

The child-friendly lodge Royal Chundu hosts the Chundu Children’s Club, a bespoke kids on safari programme aimed to entertain and accommodate your little ones. There are several activities offered by trained staff, subject to length of stay and guide availability.

Accommodation: Royal Chundu offers accommodation at either the Royal Chundu River Lodge or Katombora Island Lodge, both incredibly positioned on a piece of untamed Africa with rapids protecting it up and downstream, granting guests 15kms of unspoilt, safe and private river usage.

Activities: These include a treasure hunt, a frogging safari, butterfly and insect capture and release, fishing tag and release, cosmic safari, birding, cooking lessons with the Chundu Chefs, and much more. Children under the age of 2 will be cared for at the lodge. Royal Chundu, as a top child-friendly lodge, provides trained child minders, so parents can peacefully enjoy Sunset Cruises.

Watch Royal Chundu Children’s Club Video for an inside look:

4. Tintswalo Manor House

Tintswalo guide teaches a boy about plants
Image credit: Tintswalo Manor House

Tintswalo Manor House is a comfortable, exclusive-use and child-friendly lodge for larger families and friends with a fenced garden and children’s rooms close to parents.

Accommodation: This luxury exclusive-use villa in the Manyeleti Game Reserve has three en suite bedrooms, one with an interconnecting children’s room and another the palatial master bedroom.

Activities: Children are allowed on game drives at the discretion of the guide, but not on game walks. Tintswalo’s special children’s programme offers a fun, educational bush experience in the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve where the Big 5 as well as plenty of plains game roam.

5. Madikwe Safari Lodge

Child-friendly lodges in Africa: A child learns about the African bush in Madikwe Game Reserve
Image credit: Madikwe Safari Lodge

Madikwe Safari Lodge is very family-friendly, many of the staff have kids of our own, so they know what an unforgettable experience it is for children to be in the bush. They encourage parents to bring their children with on safari and cover all the bases, from child-friendly food to a full range of activities. Added bonus: Madikwe doesn’t charge for kids six years old or younger. They also don’t charge additional costs for any of the activities. Madikwe is a malaria-free safari destination and their child-friendly lodges are very popular – booking early is essential!

Accommodation: There are two large family suites in Lelapa Lodge (Lelapa is Tswana for family) which are perfect for families with up to two children, ten years old and under. Each suite has twin beds and a comfortable sleeper-couch.

Activities: Adult safari drives are available to all children who are 6 years and older while family safari drives are available to all children between 2 and 6 years old. Although the family drives don’t approach or go into lion or elephant sighting areas, for safety reasons, it is an exciting opportunity for the kids to go out with their parents into the bush and enjoy seeing so many incredible animals. There is bush orientation, bug CSI, dung tracking, animal track moulding, painting, drawing, baking, soccer, star-gazing lessons and even more.

6. Machaba Camp

Children watch an elephant nearby
Image credit: Machaba Camp

Machaba Camp is located in the game rich Khwai area of the Okavango Delta and caters for children as well as to the seasoned safari traveller. Children aged five years and younger stay free and children 6-11 pay standard child rate, which is 50% of the adult sharing rate.

Accommodation: Machaba has 10 luxury tents overlooking the famous Moremi Game Reserve. Two of these tents cater specifically for families. The family luxury tents allow for two children under 12 years of age two adults. There can be space made for additional children upon request.

Activities: There is a swimming pool for the children to swim and play in and game drives, nature walks, mokoro rides are also available. No children under 12, however, are allowed to participate in mokoro and game walk activities.

7. Victoria Falls River Lodge

A guide shows children scats - Victoria Falls River Lodge, one of the top child-friendly lodges in Africa

Victoria Falls River Lodge has a great ‘Junior Explorers’ programme. The idea is for the children to embrace the outdoors like a true African Explorer. This way, they can learn all about the fascinating flora and fauna of the wild surrounds. There are also bushwalks, fables by firelight and a range of games to keep the kids busy.

Accommodation: There are family suites on offer which have an adjoining tented room to the main ‘tent’, with one single (3/4 sized) bed and one bunk bed, where up to three sharing children (younger than 17 years old) can sleep comfortably; allowing their parents a bit more privacy.

Activities: Kids can join their guide on a game drive to learn all about the animals and plants. These are aimed at children aged from 4-7 and should be accompanied by at least one parent. There are guided walks within the camp surrounds and riverbanks immediately in front of the lodge. This is geared for children of ages 4-11 years. At the end of the day, there are stories around the fire of traditional African tales and if the weather is not agreeable there are a range of games for indoor entertainment.

Other great child-friendly lodges in Africa include:

Should you like to find out more about our favourite child-friendly lodges mentioned or discuss things further with one of our Travel Experts, contact us and we’ll help tailor-make your perfect family safari in Africa.

Rhino Africa’s Top 10 off-the-beaten-track destinations in Africa

Destinations,The Bucket List
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By Tamlin Wightman on

Our selection of off the beaten track destinations

As African experts, we’ve selected our 10 best “off-the-beaten-track” destinations for you. The destinations and properties we’ve chosen are the ones that have stuck with us from our travels over the years, whether for their sustainable approach, level of luxury or sheer beauty and remoteness. We hope you’ll enjoy exploring these unique off-the-beaten-track African destinations as much as we have.

Here they are, in no particular order:

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-zebras
The Great Migration contains over 2 million animals, including 300,000 zebras and a whole assortment of antelope

Destination #1: Serengeti

Why? The Serengeti plays host to the greatest mammal migration on earth with Big 5 sightings in bounds. See it from above in a hot air balloon as well as on a game drive.

Stay: Singita Explore Mobile Tented Camp in the Grumeti Game Reserve – it’s Singita’s latest, mobile, luxury-tented property and ideal because it moves with the migration so you can see this animal spectacle in full glory. It’s also eco-friendly and designed to keep environmental impact at a minimum.

Tour: Our Tanzania Safari and Beach Tour

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-mozambique-bazaruto
Incredible views from the island of Bazaruto, Mozambique.

Destination #2: Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique

Why? The Quirimbas Archipelago in Mozambique is one of southern Africa’s premier beach destinations and contains its own collection of over 30 islands off the coast of Pemba. It is more private, exclusive, and off the beaten track than Bazaruto as it is harder to reach and there are therefore fewer tourists. Couple it with mangroves, coral reefs, and palms in abundance, and Robinson Crusoe himself would turn palm green with envy.

Stay: Medjumbe Private Island Resort – This luxurious hotel is located on a private island in the Quirimbas Archipelago a 40-minute flight from Pemba.

Tour: Sian’s Mozambican Escape

Baines’ Camp ao pôr do Sol
Baines’ Camp at sunset, Photo credit: Baines’ Camp

Destination #3: Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta

Why? The Okavango Delta is a must for African enthusiasts and absolutely had to be in our top 3 of the best off the beaten track destinations. We recommend exploring it from the Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi offers both, water- and land-based safari activities. Moreover, the game and birdlife viewing here is second to none.

Stay: Xakanaxa Camp, on the banks of the Khwai River and Xakanaxa Lagoon in the heart of the Reserve. It offers all activities, including Mokoro trips.

Tour: Okavango – Chobe – Vic Falls

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-damaraland
Dunes and dry grassland with mountains in the background in Namibian Damaraland

Destination #4: Damaraland and Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Why? Firstly, Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast in Namibia are spectacular self-drive destinations with several highlights and unique geology. Secondly, Damaraland is also the scene of our own Challange4ACause cycle, an annual event to raise funds to help protect the endangered desert-adapted black rhino, indigenous to the region.

Stay: In Damaraland – Mowani Mountain Camp – a luxury safari lodge built into and around the rocky mountainside that lays claim to the best view in Namibia. In Skeleton Coast – Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. An honourable mention must go to Serra Cafema, which is on the Kunene River, on the edge of the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast Park.

Tour: Self-Drive Tour Through Namibia and Botswana

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-thornybush-game-lodge
A pool with a view of the bush, photo: Thornybush Game Lodge

Destination #5: Thornybush Game Reserve

Why? Most people think of the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve when it comes to South African safaris, but Thornybush Game Reserve is lesser known and therefore unique in its own way. It lies adjacent to the Kruger National Park. The game rangers and trackers here are among the best qualified and experienced in South Africa and it is one of the few places you can still see black rhino in South Africa.

Stay: Royal Malewane – this is an über exclusive luxury lodge with a spectacular spa

Tour: Cape Town – Kruger – Vic Falls. We can replace any of the Kruger properties with Royal Malewane.

off-the-beaten-tracks-destinations-madagascar
Sunset on Madagascar Baobabs

Destination #6: Nosy Iranja, Madagascar

Why? Nosy Iranja in Madagascar consists of two idyllic islands some 30 miles south of Nosy Be. The island is famous for its turtle population and you can see babies hatching and scurrying across the sand. In addition, you can also watch lemurs playing. They can be seen further afield off Nosy Iranja at the Lemur sanctuary on Nosy Komba, and further east and south in the island’s lush forests.

Stay: Constance Tsarabanjina – located on an unspoilt private island.

Tour: Luxury Madagascar Island Holiday

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-mnemba-island
Dolce vita, a must-do in Zanzibar. Photo credit: Mnemba Island

Destination #7: Mnemba Island, Zanzibar

Why? Mnemba is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world with some of the world’s most beautiful dive sites. It is an exclusive island just 4.5 kilometres off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.

Stay: Mnemba Island Lodge offers rustic luxury surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs and boasts some of Africa’s most wonderful dive sites.

Tour: Serengeti – Ngorongoro – Zanzibar

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-kalahari-desert
Sunset on the Kalahari Desert

Destination #8: Tswalu Kalahari

Why? For the simple reason that the Kalahari always promises things you can never see elsewhere. This is why it’s one of our favourite off-the-beaten-track destinations in South Africa. Moreover, Tswalu Kalahari is malaria free and a great Big 5 safari destination. Additionally, it is also the largest private Game Reserve in South Africa. Watch out for meerkats, a family of these adorable little creatures may all of a sudden appear during your visit.

Stay: Tswalu Motse Lodge, the epitome of African safari chic.

Tour: Luxury Southern Africa Safari Experience

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-whales-route
Whales on the Whale Route, South Africa

Destination #9: Whale Route on South Africa’s Garden Route

Why? Because the Whale Route runs from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas and offers malaria-free safaris, not to mention the Marine 5 spotting. If you’ve seen the Big 5, it’s time to add the Marine 5 to the bucket list too!

Stay: Grootbos Nature Reserve. Go whale-watching and on Marine 5 safaris, dive with great white sharks, go on guided horseback tours, and coupled it with walks and 4×4 tours through the reserve. Stay in either the Garden Lodge, Forest Lodge, or Villa.

Tour: The Ultimate Garden Route Self-Drive Adventure                 

off-the-beaten-track-destinations-volcanoes-national-park
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Photo: Bisate Lodge

Destination #10: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Why? The Volcanoes National Park is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. Moreover, this is where you’ll be able to track gorillas on a safari through the forests.

Stay: The eco-friendly Virunga Lodge boasts one of the most stunning locations anywhere in Africa. Since it is just an hour from the Volcanoes National Park entrance, where all gorilla trekking activities leave from, you can easily include this destination in your Rwanda itinerary.

Tour: Rwanda – Kenya – Tanzania

For more information or to book your stay at any of these off-the-beaten-track destinations, simply contact us. Our passionate team of Travel Experts is standing by to tailor-make your dream African holiday.

Rhino Africa Visits Singita Grumeti

Great Migration,Tanzania,Traveller's tales
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By Matthew Sterne on

Ensconced alongside the Serengeti’s Western Corridor in Northern Tanzania, Singita Grumeti is more than just a game reserve, it offers a glimpse into the untamed, untouched and unfenced wilderness, where creature comforts are a mere stone’s throw from the creatures themselves.

David and Ryan were lucky enough to spend a week sampling the best of these comforts at Singita’s Grumeti lodges. Here are some of the photos from their trip, but watch this space for Ryan’s video coming soon!

Our dynamic duo found themselves swaddled in the lap of luxury as they spent their first two nights at Sasakwa Lodge which is crafted in the style of an Edwardian Manor House. Settled on the great Sasakwa Hill, Sasakwa’s panoramic scope stretches over the moody plains offering up some of the most spectacular views imaginable. With no doors in the main lodge and a clear view of the endless expanse, setting foot in the lodge is like stepping out onto the Serengeti plains themselves.

 

 

The next stop was Faru Faru Lodge. Greeted with vast open expanses, and views that truly epitomise the “Endless Plains”, Faru Faru boasts dazzling modern decor and every luxury one can hope for, from viewing decks to spas and even a Colonial Trading Post. The surrounding wildlife is bustling and ever-active, as one would expect from a lodge located right on the Grumeti river. Ryan recalls the breathtaking sight of elephants drinking at a watering hole, just meters below the plunge pool where he was sitting.

 

 

Sabora Tented Camp was next up. One could easily imagine Joseph Conrad’s famed character, Marlowe, making his way through darkest Africa only to find this oasis of old world nostalgia nestled in the untouched out-there. A flawless blend of antique opulence and modern comforts, the lodge is steeped in a kind of rugged romanticism – silver trays topped with glasses of port, Persian rugs, mahogany travel chests and brass binoculars, this was an experience neither Ryan or David is soon to forget. According to Ryan, “This is what a safari should look like!”

 

 

Singita Explore is the final piece in the Grumeti jigsaw and offers an intimate encounter with the African wilderness. This mobile camp takes you into the very heart of the Serengeti. With a maximum of twelve guests and only eight tents (two of them mess), this is a really personal safari experience. Though each of the Singita lodges offers exclusivity and a promise of seclusion from the masses, Explore is truly the ivory tower of safaris. Experience the plains with your own private game vehicle and an experienced guide.  This is the final frontier of Tanzania – to go where no man has gone before. In a pith helmet.

 

It was a week of adventure, discovery and lasting impressions. And our inspired travellers have the pictures to prove it. “It was definitely not your average safari experience!” gushes Ryan, those awe-inspiring vistas still clouding his head.

East Africa is a magical destination where you can chase the rains and catch the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra as they move into the grassy plains of the Serengeti. Contact one of our discerning and experienced consultants today and let’s start planning! Africa awaits.

Are You The Next Wildlife Photographer Of The Year?

Photography & Videos,Safari
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By Tamlin Wightman on

Been there, done that, got the Big 5 T-Shirt?

Even if it’s not your first time in Africa on the back of a game-viewing vehicle, photographic safaris offer a unique way to encounter the bush – through the lens of a camera.

No matter what your level of photographic prowess, a luxury safari to Africa will provide you with countless opportunities to capture the perfect photograph. There are many luxury lodges that offer specialist photographic safaris for amateurs and professionals alike.

Leopard through the lens

At Rhino Africa we can plan the perfect experience for you. Simply contact one of our photographic safari experts today and visit our website for more information.

Specialised Safari Vehicles

Londolozi has custom built a completely unique, specialised photography vehicle. A standard Land Rover was modified and fitted with adjustable bucket seats that can swivel 180 degrees, allowing guests maximum flexibility to achieve unusual camera angles and to create exceptional images.

Photographic safari at Londolozi

Equipment for personal guest use includes:

  • stills and video camera
  • camera support arms and tripods
  • night vision goggles
  • individual scorpion torches
  • e-reference book (loaded with over six reference books including birds, trees, mammals and stars)
  • star laser pointer
  • “sound safari” equipment designed to amplify the sounds of the African bush

This is a complete experience, backed up by highly trained rangers and some of the best big cat viewing in Africa.

Londolozi Private Game Reserve

  • Cheetah Plains in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve has also created a specially-designed vehicle with swiveling seats and control arms, custom-built into a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser. In addition, you’ll be accompanied by an on-site professional photographer to give you all the instruction and help you need.

Highly Trained Guides

Private Game Reserves and safari lodges such as Londolozi, Singita, Lion Sands and Royale Malewane employ some of the most highly skilled rangers and trackers in the world. Many of the rangers take a special interest in photography and their skills are of invaluable assistance on your photographic safari. A ranger who knows how to get the best shot will make the effort to place you in the perfect position to get your back-lit portrait of a leopard. The neighbours are going to be very impressed!

  • Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is Sir Richard Branson’s private reserve and offers Photographic Safari packages that include a professional photographer’s assistance and guidance.

Why not hire a private guide for the duration of your safari? Read more about using a private guide here.

Videographer Barend getting a young hyena on camera
Don't try this at home!

Hide & Seek

Often the best way to get the photograph you’re looking for is to lie in wait. Many lodges throughout Africa have magnificent waterholes where animals congregate. These are often viewable from your private deck, or even from your plunge pool! Quite a few have gone the extra step and built hidden hides where you can sit comfortably and wait for the action to happen right in front of you.

  • In Botswana, the bird watching is unsurpassed. There are many lodges here that are particularly recommended for bird watchers, such as Duma Tau, Xigera and Jao Camp. Duma Tau has an amazing hide particularly known for its close up elephant sightings.
Birdwatching in Lion Sands
Birdwatching in Lion Sands
Birdwatching at Lion Sands
Birdwatching in Lion Sands

On the Water

In the Okavango Delta, Botswana, traditional dug-out canoes called mokoros allow you to silently glide close to animals on the bank (and in the water). Bird watching from the mokoro is particularly good and the slow, steady movement of the boat is conducive to taking great photographs.

In the Chobe National Park and along the Chobe River, motorised boats are the preferred method of travel and allow you get to up close to elephants, hippo, crocodiles and much more. Many of these boats have built-in camera arms to stabilise your equipment and take the weight off your arms.

Okavango Delta
Game viewing in the Okavango Delta

Use Your Feet

Sometimes the best way to get close to an animal is on foot. Many lodges in Africa allow you to get out of the vehicle and walk right up to the wildlife. At Sanbona in the Western Cape, you can get near to cheetah and rhino on foot.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

At most of the private game lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, your ranger can take you on a bush walk. While on foot you’ll be presented with entirely different photographic opportunities and you will see things you wouldn’t be able to see from the back of a vehicle.

Zambia is one of the best countries to go on a walking safari and nowhere is more suited to a walking safari than the South Luangwa National Park. Here you can spend nights in luxury at five star lodges and in the day you will travel by foot to the next lodge for the following evening’s rest. Along the way you can expect close up encounters with elephant, giraffe and other African wildlife. You will be clicking away at every opportunity!

South Luangwa National Park
Walking safari in South Luangwa National Park

The best way to get started is to speak to one of our African safari experts for free, no-obligation advice. Who knows, you might be the next wildlife photographer of the year!

Go Glamping – Mobile Tented Safaris

Great Migration,Safari
3 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Ready for a truly wild adventure?

We know you are! The answer, dear Explorer, is mobile tented safaris…

Mobile Camps allow you to experience real Africa. Imagine camping in the bush among wild animals in their natural environment. Instead of staying at permanent lodges, the mobile tented safari allows you to move around to experience the best game viewing at different times of the year. Get up close and personal with the African wilderness!

The mobile tented safari is a great option if the Great Migration is what you’re after. Depending on the seasons, the wildlife on show changes – the Great Wildebeest and Zebra Migration is probably the best example, but there are many more. Africa has a whole selection of the finest mobile camps. Each offers supreme luxury in the heart of the bush – not the kind of camping most people imagine. It’s ‘glamping’ – camping in a glamorous way. Relax in your private tent, wine and dine on gourmet cuisine under the stars and fall asleep to the sounds of the African night.

Here’s how…

Enjoy the view at Singita Explore

What To Do On a Mobile Tented Safari

  • Follow the Great Migration across the Serengeti
  • Savour a walking safari in South Luangwa Park
  • Learn how to track wild animals in the wilderness
  • See plains game and predators in the heart of bush
  • Sleep under the stars in a luxury tented camp

Here is a list of our favourite mobile tented safaris in Africa.

Explore Gorongosa

Location: Explore Gorongosa is an exclusive camp in the Gorongosa National Park, near Beira in central Mozambique. It can be reached by charter flight from Vilanculos or Beira, or by road from Beira.

About: It is the only operator offering private safaris in the untouched wilderness that is Gorongosa. It is essentially a series of migratory camps offering guests either walking or river-based safaris. During Dry Season (1 May – 15 Dec), guests will walk through the bush with an expert guide before setting up camp. In the Wet Season (15 Feb – 30 April), drift down rivers and waterways on canoes, taking in exceptional game and bird viewing. Enjoy game drives in an open Land Cruiser, with significant populations of plains game, predators (especially lion), elephant, hippos, crocodiles and birdlife. This is Africa at its most untouched.

Explore Gorongosa

Accommodation: 4 canvas tents cater for a max of 8 guests. Each tent is the epitome of luxury with twin singles or a double bed, mosquito nets, a clothes rack, suitcase stand, vanity table and stool and side tables – not exactly hard camping. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with open-air hot bucket shower and toilet and there is a private verandah for you to kick back on during the day.

Chobe Under Canvas

Location: The camp is situated on the banks of the Chobe River in the world-famous Chobe National Park in Botswana.

About: Chobe Under Canvas is a migratory camp that occupies different positions on the Chobe River, a haven for wildlife in the Chobe National Park. This camp moves every five or six days, following the animals and bringing you the best game viewing possible! The tents are usually set in an evergreen forest, providing shade and solitude, while wild beasts wander around at will. At the end of a day filled with game drives and bush walks, wine and dine under the stars and enjoy a drink around a roaring log fire.

Chobe under Canvas

Accommodation: There are six en-suite safari tents catering for a max of 12 guests. This may be the bush but the tents are luxurious with king-size beds, down duvets, fresh linen, bedside lamps and all the creature comforts you would expect at a five-star lodge! There are en-suite bathrooms and al fresco hot bucket showers – so you need not worry about the bush toilets. And if you need anything at all, a private butler will be at hand 24 hours a day.

Chobe under Canvas

Serengeti Migration Camp

Location: Serengeti Migration Camp is in the far north of the Serengeti National Park in the far north of Tanzania, bordering on Kenya‘s Masai Mara.

About: Tucked away in the vast plains, the Serengeti Migration Camp is in a veritable pit-stop for the millions of wildebeest and zebra that traipse past in June/July and October/November and is the starting point of the Great Migration. To witness one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth is a privilege. To witness that spectacle in luxury and isolation makes the privileged look positively serf-like. The lodge is in a river valley overlooking the ‘siringet’. Game-viewing is high on the agenda here and the region is rife with lion and leopard and East Africa‘s plains game.

Enjoy sitting around the campfire with sundowners at Serengeti Migration Camp

Accommodation: There are 20 large, elevated canvas pavilions, with hard-wood floors, rain showers and luxurious furnishings. This is a perfect example of old world style, mixed with contemporary luxury. Each room has its own private deck with a 360º view of the Serengeti. Facilities include a split level lounge, cigar bar, a sun deck and swimming pool all perched among the rocky outcrops overlooking the vast and rugged landscapes.

The tented bedrooms of the Serengeti Migration Camp

Experience the wildebeest migration

Singita Explore

Location: Singita Explore is situated inside a massive private game reserve with an unfenced border along the northern boundary of the famous Serengeti National Park. The private reserve offers exclusive game viewing and the Grumeti River is the scene of amazing Great Migration action as thousands of wildebeest and zebra pour across the croc-infested water to face lions on the other side.

Singita Explore

About: Considered Africa’s most exclusive mobile-tented safari experience, it is situated in over 340,000 acres of private use concession in the Serengeti National Park. From here explore remote locations in the Singita Grumeti Reserves. This back-to-basics camp ensures you get up close and personal with the wildlife and untouched landscapes. Visit it alone or include it in an itinerary that visits the other camps in the Singita Grumeti Reserves – such as Sasakwa, Faru Faru and Sabora Tented Camp.

Meal times are interactive with chefs frying eggs right in front of you. Food is prepared in true camp style – over coals. Expect potjies, barbecues, pot breads and full cooked breakfasts; high teas, banana walnut loaves, warm apple crumble with vanilla custard; full dinner feasts of pork chops, lamb mishkaki, potato bake, butternut chakalaka and salad. You’ll get your own private game vehicle and guide and a tailor-made itinerary of activities at the camp, such as mountain biking, archery and walking.

Singita Explore

Accommodation: This mobile camp is designed to keep environmental impact at a minimum, treading lightly on the land and sold on an exclusive use basis only, year round. A maximum of 12 guests can stay at the camp at one time, ensuring the utmost in personal attention and privacy.  It comprises six tents and two mess tents and is placed in remote parts of the reserve and is hosted by a private guide, camp host, chef and camp staff.

Savute Under Canvas

Location: Savute Under Canvas is situated in the wild Savute Reserve, an untouched corner of the teeming Chobe National Park of Botswana.

About: Savute Under Canvas comprises a series of camps that move every 5 or 6 days, ensuring a unique setting and wildlife experience every week. The camps are usually set up beside waterholes, providing great armchair game viewing as animals meet to quench their thirst. There is a main area and open-air boma so you can wine and dine under the stars and gather round a roaring fire in the evening.

&Beyond Savute Under Canvas

Accommodation: There are 6 en-suite safari tents, but this ain’t roll mats and hard pillows. Think king-size beds, down duvets, clean linen and all the creature comforts you could imagine! Each tent has an en-suite bathroom and water will be boiled for your early morning bucket shower. Relax on your shaded verandah and appreciate the sights and sounds of the African bush. If you need anything else, a private butler will be available at any time of day or night.

&Beyond Savute Under Canvas

Other great mobile tented safari camps include:

At Rhino Africa we tailor-make all our tours to meet your needs. So whether you’d like to combine Cape Town with a walking safari in South Luangwa or to follow the Great Migration at Singita Explore, we’ll put together the holiday of your dreams. Contact us now to start planning your mobile tented safari experience!

Exploring East Africa with Singita – Part 3

Safari,Tanzania
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

[Have you read Part 1 and 2? Do it!]

Before heading to our final destination, Faru Faru Lodge, we popped into the site of Singita’s most recent mobile safari, Singita Explore. This is their exclusive-use mobile tented camp that operates all year round for a minimum of two nights and is always private to those who have booked the experience. As perhaps with Sabora, I struggle to call this sort of accommodation “tents” – as they are so superbly decked out, appointed with desk and chairs, and with comfortable looking beds, mosquito netting, proper-flushing toilets and shower – not the type of camping we all did when we were young, not by a long shot.

Sunsets

This is the type of experience you would be interested in if you want to feel like the only person alive, surrounded by wild animals and open spaces, vast unpolluted skies, with a small unobtrusive team available to tend to your every whim. In my opinion, I would best advise my clients to combine this Explore Mobile Safari with time at one of the other fabulous lodges to start and end a trip – ideal!

Our final port of call was the beautiful Faru Faru Lodge. Again, another completely unique lodge, which makes combining all 3 of Singita’s lodges very easy as they each offer something completely different. Faru Faru, hosted by the unflappable Anja, is a mix of contemporary pieces with laid back luxury in the form of two rim flow pools, a “beach in the bush” sun deck, and beautiful views of a watering hole in front of the lodge.

Faru Faru Loge

Faru Faru Lodge

The lodge houses a spa, which I dutifully had to sample, and thanks to my therapist Pili, I am still relaxed! There is also a gym, which together with the spa has incredible views of the riverine forest; and a shop, kitted out with all that is local, handmade and glamorous. The suites here are among my favourites in the entire Singita collection. They are very contemporary, with neutrals prevailing to not vie for your attention.

The Suites allow the outside to feature as the main attraction as each room is sided completely by floor-to-ceiling glass so that the great outdoors can entertain the senses. And entertain me it did as I enjoyed watching Colobus monkeys play outside my room and Vervet monkeys look on whilst I utilised the suite and its massive outside shower. I decided to sit out on one game drive just to enjoy the comfort of this suite and get the most out of it for my last night at Singita.

Cheetah in the wild

Our last morning was spent enjoying a few stolen hours for a late morning wake up, a leisurely breakfast and bidding sad goodbyes before we headed on the game drive transfer to the airstrip for what turned into being a long day of flying.

A Final Word

When I sit down and read what I have already written, I am starkly aware that it has too many adjectives, but words cannot describe my experience. I am totally 100% enamoured and cannot fault a thing. You need to get there, even if you must move heaven and earth to make it happen, as this is an experience I feel should be on everyone’s bucket list, and as I have slowly come to realise, will surely be impossible for me to top personally.

Wildlife viewing

About Singita

Located in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa, Singita Game Reserves set the bench-mark for opulent safari holidays. We have been working closely with Singita for years and we can’t wait for you to see the magic of these spectacular lodges. Singita (“place of miracles”) has notched up virtually every hotel and travel award since its inception in the mid-90’s. Nine bench-mark setting lodges make up the Singita portfolio. There are five in South Africa, three in Tanzania and one in Zimbabwe. In this blog we’ve focused on the untouched wilderness of the Singita Grumeti Reserve in northern Tanzania, which forms part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, on the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park – Africa’s No.1 World Heritage Site.

We can help you plan an African trip of a lifetime – including Singita properties in Tanzania, Zimbabwe or South Africa, with excellent activities and other added extras. You deserve no less! Contact us and we’ll make it happen!

Exploring East Africa with Singita – Part 2

Safari,Tanzania
2 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

Into the wild…

[Have you read Part 1? Do it!]

After a hearty breakfast it was onwards to our next port of call – Sabora Tented Camp – that we headed, via a game drive en route. Again I emphasise the scenery is unmatched elsewhere and I can now fully understand and appreciate why movies like “Out of Africa” et al did so much for East Africa travel.

Driving up to Singita‘s Sabora, with beige canvas tents dotted in a line out across the plains, we realised this was going to be a completely different experience to that of Sasakwa – read the blog here.

Drive up to Sabora for your tented camp stay

Where at Sasakwa you looked down to the rest of the wildlife below, at Sabora you are one with it all. The terrain is flat, vast and interspersed with a few trees, frequented by buffalo and zebra who call Sabora home. The tents, reminiscent of a bygone era, are filed with antique chests, artefacts, Persian rugs and are very comforting. Even though the entire camp is made with canvas tents on slightly raised wooden platforms, they still offer the creature comforts of a gym, shop, spa (which I thoroughly enjoyed thanks to the fluid hands of the resident spa therapist Judy) and even their own tennis court, which was enjoyed one evening during a particular resplendent sundown as a drinks stop after a game drive.

Play tennis in the wild

Spot wildlife from camp

We were here for two nights, so were able to fully enjoy the surrounds and relax in between meals and game drives (and spa treatments). Sadik and Rachel were our hosts here and did a fine job, but were, perhaps, overshadowed by our supremely efficient butler Moses. What a wonderful man, who grew to know each and every person’s specific foibles and how they liked their eggs, and he pre-empted their tipples of choice before dinner. He was so friendly and smiley… he personified the ubiquitous “Karibu” completely.

We dined in splendour here too. One of the nights we enjoyed dinner under the stars outside on the plains after a superb performance of drumming, singing and dancing by the lodge’s staff, while another we had a formal affair with starched white table cloths, crystal and finery coming into its own.

Hear the sound of Africa outside your tent

Dine with views out over the plains

Other than being woken in the middle of the night by a resident buffalo scratching his back on my room’s decking, the stay was incredibly peaceful and our minds had now fully wound down enough to take in all that was on offer. There is a little feature of Sabora that I grew to love above all others… They have antique styled wrought iron beds and mattresses set up under an umbrella a few metres out on the plains outside each tent. There is no better place in this world to have an afternoon snooze after a great lunch. Zebras all around, the quietness of the Serengeti, the slow breeze cooling you down during the heat of the day… Sheer bliss!

Whilst staying at Sabora we were able to enjoy a trip a little off the beaten track to see what Singita does behind the scenes for its local communities. We were especially moved when visiting their Environmental Educational Centre. This is a non profit centre aimed at educating the most promising students from the neighbouring communities in environmental impact, recycling, and everything eco-centred. These bright little stars then take this knowledge back to their respective communities and teach it to their elders. From what we saw and heard, it is working incredibly well and to have seen first-hand how proud and enthusiastic the young students were gives us hope for tomorrow.

Take a refreshing dip in the campsite pool

We then visited the local community market, which was initially started by Singita by training the locals how to grow a vast number of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. The community members are now able to enjoy the produce themselves and, even better, sell it back to Singita, who uses it at their various lodges. A full circle indeed.

Up next was a visit to a Waisenye tribal village. It was very interesting and we were treated to examples of local customs, rituals, incredibly spirited dancing and singing, bow and arrow shooting as well as fire-starting done quite proficiently with two sticks – quicker than when one has to struggle with a lighter.

Horses are available to ride

Our stay at Sabora also featured a stop at the stables, where Singita proudly houses 19 horses from around the world and that are all in immaculate condition. The horses are available to experienced riders during their stay on the reserve as a way to experience a safari with a difference. On a game drive we actually came across three horse riders in the wild enjoying a sighting of giraffe and cantering across the plains. If I were a rider I would have been jealous, for sure!

Go horse riding in the wild

Look out for Part 3 of this Singita safari. To go on your own East African adventure and stay at Singita’s incredible properties, contact us and we’ll help you plan a trip of a lifetime!

Exploring Singita East Africa – Part 1

Tanzania
5 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

KARIBU – “Welcome”

Singita was kind enough to have invited my colleague, Dee, and me to experience their Grumeti Reserve properties in Tanzania on the western corridor of the Serengeti a couple weeks ago and all I can say is W.O.W! Being my first time to East Africa, I was so excited to get a mere glimpse into this amazing part of our continent and visiting Singita was certainly doing it in only the best way possible.

We flew from Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro (via Dar es Salaam) and spent a necessary night in Arusha to enable the early connection the following morning to Singita. Dee and I spent some time on our arrival day exploring properties in Arusha under our own steam (read the blog here).

Serengeti Plains, Tanzania

Singita put us up at the fantastic Legendary Lodge for our overnight stay. Superb! Based on a coffee plantation with beautiful gardens, great food, a tranquil setting and the most genial host in “Florida” who had in fact worked at Singita for many years prior to managing Legendary, so the continuity was perfect and it serves as the perfect base for a one night stay pre- or post-Singita. The staff here were wonderful and we were sad to leave after only the one night before we made our way to the nearby Arusha airstrip for our flight to Singita.

African Sunrise

Explore East Africa

It must be said that there was on aspect that had me rather daunted regarding this trip… The 15kg per person luggage allowance (in soft sided bags)! Ladies, in particular I am sure you can empathise, but it had to be done and I am quite proud of the fact that I managed to pack only 13kg for the entire trip, which afforded me the luxury to bring back with me 2kg worth of the fabulous Arusha coffee for a colleague!

We flew in a light plane from Arusha to Singita’s own airstrip within their reserve via short stops at Lake Manyara Airstrip and Grumeti Airstrip to pick up and drop off other safari travellers. On arrival we were met by the absolutely fantastic Arnold and Frank who were to be our guides for the entire trip. Both were knowledgeable and friendly in the way that most in Tanzania seem to be.

Take a dip in the pool at Sasakwa

Sasakwa Main Lodge

James from Singita who was our enthusiastic host for the journey welcomed us with a refreshing towel, our luggage was whisked away and we were on route to Sasakwa Lodge.

It has to be said right from the start that October is not the most popular time to visit Singita as the “migration” has usually already moved north towards Kenya by this time of year, but all I can say is that this was in no way a deterrent AT ALL! The land is teaming with ample plains game, the grass was beautifully luminous green, which caught me by surprise as I had expected the brown, sparsely vegetated plains that one conjures in one’s mind when thinking of the Serengeti and the cherry on the top is that rates are reduced. Great news all round.

Serengeti wildlife

Go on Big 5 game safaris

Sasakwa is the flagship lodge on their reserve and deservedly so in my opinion! It sits perched atop a hill with the most awe-inspiring views over the plains below. The Serengeti, which stretches as far as the eye can see, takes ones breath away. Mandy and Chris, the lodge managers, showed us around the ample grounds that accommodate the decadent and superbly decorated Edwardian manor house and the array of lodging options. You can stay in anything from one bedroom suites to the well appointed four bedroom private retreat. Of course the lodge would not be complete without a luxurious spa, curio shop, jewellery shop, gym (with a view) and even a tennis court for those who enjoy a spot of tennis whilst on safari…

Singita Sasakwa

Bedroom at Sasakwa

This was to be our base for a night and Dee and I were checked into our two bedroom suite, complete with two master suites, two en suite bathrooms fit for a king, lounge area and the piece de resistance (for me at least, being a sun-worshipper and water-baby) – our own private plunge pool, teetering on the edge of the hilltop benefiting from the expansive views of the plains down below. I joyously dumped my bag, kicked off my shoes and made full use of the pool (admittedly not before making a G&T from our in-room minibar). We relaxed until we were served a most delicious lunch and then headed off on our first game drive.

Bathroom at Sasakwa

See packs of lions

I was expecting game viewing here to be more about the landscapes, vegetation, sunsets and plains game…. which it was with aplomb, but I was honestly and pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed the most wonderful game viewing of a great spectrum of beasts. Elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard in a tree with a kill, cheetah, hyena, roan antelope, bat-eared fox, colobus monkeys, topi (hartebeest family), wildebeest, giraffe and more zebra than I have ever seen in my increasingly large safari repertoire. The numbers in single species herds was incredible and seeing hundreds of Topi or Wildebeest run uniformly across the plains in front of the safari vehicles will stay with me forever, as will its respective sounds and smells.

Go on terrific game drives

Jakkals

Dinner at Sasakwa was preceded by a wine tasting of a couple of South Africa’s boutique wine estates offerings… strange to think I had to travel to Tanzania to taste some of my own countries finest for the first time. Our first night at Singita was drawing to a close and after the most succulent meal and some more glasses of SA’s finest, we retired to our suites, excited for what was to come the following day. We slept peacefully in our massive and most comfortable beds.

Photographic Sunsets

Watch out for the next two installments of this Singita safari. To go on your own East African adventure and stay at Singita’s incredible properties, contact us and we’ll help you plan a trip of a lifetime!

And the World’s Best Hotel is…

Cape Town,Great Migration,Kenya,Kruger National Park,Tanzania
3 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

The results of this year’s US Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2011 list of Top 100 Hotels readers’ survey are in! And we’re pleased to say that Africa features highly!

The folks at Singita must be popping them Moët & Chandon Champagne bottles in the hundreds. Not only have more than one of their reserves been featured, but they took the No. 1 spot, with Singita Grumeti Reserves (including Sasakwa Lodge, Sabora Tented Camp, Faru Faru Lodge), located along the Western corridor of Tanzania’s legendary Serengeti National Park.

Faru Faru is one of the Singita lodges to come first place in the awards
Faru Faru Lodge
Singita Lebombo is a favourite among voters and it's obvious why
Lebombo Lodge

They’re at No. 2 also, with Singita Sabi Sand at Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve (Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge, Castleton Camp). And, No. 39 with Singita Kruger National Park (Lebombo Lodge, Sweni Lodge), South Africa, with its spectacular setting overlooking the N’wanetsi River. The Reserve was also voted Best Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East in the same readers’ survey for 2011.

Results were announced last night in the USA on NBC’s Today Show. Winners will be honoured in an awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Thursday, 14 July.

See more about Singita here:

Read our travel expert Samantha Myburgh’s blog about Singita: Part 1 and Part 2.

Singita is host to the Big Five and offers excellent game viewing drives

Other winners

As for the other African hotels featured, we’d like to congratulate:

 

Londolozi is one of the original pioneering Private Game Reserves of the ecotourism industry
Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Cape Town was also voted No.6 in the Best Cities of the World by readers, and No.1 city out of Africa and the Middle East in this year’s Awards.

See more about this beautiful city – which we at  Rhino Africa get to enjoy every day:

More about the competition

The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2011 are featured now on TravelandLeisure.com and will appear in the August issue of the American Travel + Leisure magazine (due out 22 July).

The survey results are based on readers’ ratings. Properties were rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being excellent, according to selected characteristics: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, and value. Hotel spas are rated on the basis of their ambience, treatments, service and value.

Keen to visit or find out more about any of these popular African destinations? Contact us for answers!

Samantha’s Singita Safari: Part II

Kruger National Park,Safari
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

[Have you read Part I? Do it!]

From Sabi Sand we were flown out on another light flight to the Satara Airstrip that is a mere 40 minute road transfer away from Singita Lebombo. How wonderful to have arrived at the airstrip after a slightly bumpy flight and be greeted with a cold towel, beverages and snack before our connecting road transfer to the lodge.

We thought it would be hard to match the Ebony experience, but we had been wrong. Nothing can quite explain what we felt when walking into the impressive “common area” of Singita Lebombo. Stefan, the lodge manager had been briefed on our penchant for a little G&T and we were welcomed with one freshly mixed and ready for our arrival. The first thing I said was that the pictures used on their website and for marketing did not quite capture the impressiveness of the whole lodge, reception and bar area of Lebombo… and the pictures are great!

The pool area that overlooks the ridge before you and the suites below is probably the best I have seen in all my years on safari. Remarkable and breathtaking.

Even though we did not want to leave the long bar lounge area, we had to make our way to the suites. And sweet they are! Amazing views of the river below, indoor and outdoor showers, modern and very contemporary features and objet d’art in the shades of pale blue and white and the Pièce de résistance is the bed that is set up on the outside deck area for romantic sleeping under the stars for the brave or for afternoon naps in the winter sun. Again the rooms are well appointed and provide all that one needs to be more than comfortable. It even offers an iPod with an array of musical choices if the sounds of the African Eagles and hippos calling are to serene for one’s taste.

Our ranger and tracker team here were Deidre and Simon. They were wonderful. Deidre is the head ranger on the concession and her personality, knowledge of all things fauna and flora and ability to track with Simon all showed why she is the top dog in the gaming department. I learnt things for the first time on many occasions and it can be a real test for a ranger to teach a guest something about the bush if the guest has been lucky enough to have enjoyed countless safaris. We saw all we wanted to see and then some.

The standout sighting by far was leopard with kill in a tree being bothered by a hyena… once in a lifetime sighting. Not to mention those smaller members of the animal kingdom who do not receive as much press as the Big 5, such as the likes of Civet, African Wild Cat, Jenet and even a Porcupine. All seen here in just two nights.

I made sure I got a chance to see their Sweni lodge which is the smaller sister to Lebombo. It’s as impressive as Lebombo, but with a completely different and more comfortable feel. Still contemporary like Lebombo, but with warm tonal browns and greens being its decor theme, it seems more down to earth. The suites are still as luxurious, yet with the differing colour palette they embody a varying personality. With only six suites here, you are more private and the lodge is perfect for small groups or families travelling together and the opportunity to have this lodge exclusively for travellers of up to 12 would be hard to beat.

The cherry on the top during our stay was our spa treatment at the Singita Spa. This was reserved for our last stay-over day and we were treated like royalty and pampered like never before by the amazing hands of Lourette and Lise. We both opted for a Head, Neck and Shoulders massage and I was in such a state of relaxation that I instantly fell into a deep snooze-like trance and had to tear myself off the massage table when Lourette whispered in my ear that we were done. After a shower and using the spa facilities, we entertained ourselves by walking around the beautiful Singita Kruger shop whilst awaiting our lift back to the lodge before our final evening game drive.

OUR VERDICT

Dane and I inevitably did comparisons throughout our stay between the four lodges. And “which was the best lodge?” you might ask… It is impossible to answer definitively. Each has its own special uniqueness and will cater to everyone’s needs depending on their preferences in style and feel, but each is wonderful, 5 star and more. None stands out as better as or worse than the other…

My best advice to you is to make your decision between the four and get yourselves there no matter what it takes. You will not be disappointed and may just, like we did, have the most memorable experience in your life……

FACTS:
Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni is a Kruger Concession lodge. The Kruger Park Concessions are large sections of land within the Kruger National Park that are leased to private operators that have created a few exclusive, luxury lodges that are managed in a similar way to the private reserves on the western boundary of the park such as Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

The advantage of the private lodges in the Kruger Park is that you can enjoy bush walks, night game drives and off road driving without the crowds and self-drive traffic of the public areas of the park. Guests at the lodges within the private concessions have free access to the main areas of the park although many of the concessions are situated in areas replete with wildlife and it will most probably prove unnecessary to venture into the crowded public areas of the Park.

Singita Lebombo is set in the Lebombo Mountains with many ridges, that main game drive routes run past and up and down. There are thus many great high points to look down over the bush from. There are different plant species, such as the unique Lebombo Euphorbia and Fever Trees.

LOOK OUT: More photos from Sam coming soon on our blog and Flickr.

QUERIES: For more information, contact us.

WATCH: Our Kruger National Park video and watch the Singita Game Reserves video below for a look at these ultimate safari destinations.

Samantha’s Singita Safari: Part I

Kruger National Park,Safari
3 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

One does not often get to return from a safari being able to say they saw the following:

5 lions stalking a giraffe
2 honey badgers in 1 sighting
Porcupine
Leopard climbing up a tree with a kill (twice)
Being charged by an Elephant Bull
300 strong Buffalo herd
Hyena trying to steal a leopard kill
… and much more!

I recently had the privilege to spend four nights at the famed Singita Lodges. I was lucky enough to spend two nights at Singita Ebony in the Sabi Sand and then two nights at Singita Lebombo in their Kruger Concession. It is not hard for me to see why they are known for offering such a truly supreme product. Even more special was that I was able to share this experience with my best friend, Dane.

We flew direct from Cape Town to Kruger on the ideal SA Airlink flight and were met by the friendly Federal Air representative for our shared light charter flight direct to Singita’s landing strip. On arrival we were warmly met by our waiting ranger and tracker team of Johan and Kenneth respectively. How excited we both were to be on the ground in the bush after many weeks of anticipation.

The reception once we entered their flagship Ebony lodge took our breath away. Just a few metres from their expansive viewing deck were a herd of elephant and a couple buffalo drinking out the river as if there only to greet us. After a brief intro to the happenings and schedule of all things Ebony by the continuously gracious and faultless host in Tom, the lodge manager, we were escorted to our awaiting suite to freshen up before a fantastic lunch. Pat was our butler at Ebony – what a friendly man who was there whenever we needed him and yet not obtrusive. He had the formula just right and was of perfect service during our stay.

The suites are large, comfortable and extremely well appointed. From the large plunge pool overlooking the river and plains below to the fireplace, the most comfortable master beds and spacious bathroom, we were at home for the next two nights. We could not ask for more and the trip had yet begun.

The two nights offered us four full game drives and we were most certainly not disappointed. The knowledgeable and friendly Johan and Kenneth found us sightings that were truly unforgettable. Lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, zebra, giraffe, antelope, birds and so much more. Incredible is the understatement of the year. This is were lucky enough to view two honeybadgers in one sighting; a safari veteran will confirm this is no mean feat.

During our stay I was able to pop into the neighbouring Boulders lodge and the Singita shop and Wine Boutique. Boulders is more contemporary than Ebony, but equally luxurious and unique. The rooms offer a large sitting area, wonderful plunge pool, open plan bathroom and of course the legendary minibars that are common place with all Singita properties… rather Maxi bars if you catch my drift…. Just rightly so as these days on safari lent themselves nicely to many a gin and tonic on the numerous deck areas and fantastic well chosen and aged wines that of course fit themselves in so well with lunches and dinners.

Both lodges have their own wine cellars that are fully stocked with some of the most incredible local wines, a relaxing and ample spa area using all Dermalogica products and of course a gym, should you feel the need to work of the extra kilojoules that inevitably find themselves a suitable home for the winter, so to speak.

The Shop is more than just a shop. It houses all local crafts, linens like those in the lodges, clothes, home-wares, masks, statues, jewels and more… One experiences an explosion of the senses upon walking around the well managed and hosted shop.

Then to what I thought was the most incredible and unique offering of Singita: the Wine Boutique. One is able to spend as much or as little time with well trained members of staff to decide what wine suits their pallets and budget, chat about what wine they have already enjoyed at the lodges, or find other hidden gems amongst the hundreds of well aged and cellared wines that they are able to purchase and arrange to have delivered to their doorsteps back home. What a fantastic “added extra” on offer here as oftentimes you taste a really amazing wine at an exclusive lodge like Singita and have no chance of finding it back home. Singita has this niche taken care of with aplomb.

During our stay we were also able to experience a Boma dinner, which is an outside area, around the roaring fire where we were served a wide variety of game meats and more, offered fine wines and entertained by local singers and dancers under the African night sky… Bliss.

It must be said that our first dinner was a real fine dining affair and I tasted what was arguably the best starter I have ever had in my life (seafood ravioli with a vanilla and lime sauce), but being as fussy an eater as I have the tendency to be, I asked if something simple could be made for me that was not at all on the menu as my main meal and this was no trouble at all. It turned into possibly the best steak, mash and pepper sauce I have ever had in my life too. REALLY!

With heavy hearts and yet more anticipation for what lay ahead, we said our farewells to all at the lodge and headed to our next destination.

Read Part II now…

FACTS:
Singita Ebony and Singita Boulders is situated in 18,000 hectares in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on the western border of the Kruger National Park. Sabi Sand consists of a number of private game reserves and has no fences, allowing the game to move freely between the reserve and the Kruger National Park. The advantage of being separate to Kruger Park itself is that it affords exclusivity and rare solitude, away from the crowds. Also, in such a private reserve, rangers can go off road and lead night drives and walking safaris, so you can get as close as possible to the action.

The terrain at Sabi Sand has thicker and more bush and is flatter, with fewer ridges and mountains. It is dominated by the Sabie River and Sands River.

UPDATE: Singita Ebony has recently undergone a soft refurbishment. It has a fresh coat of paint and newly landscaped gardens.

LOOK OUT: for more photos from Sam next week on our blog and Flickr!

QUERIES: For more information, contact us.

WATCH: Our Kruger National Park video and watch the Singita Game Reserves video below for a look at these ultimate safari destinations.

New star rising – Londolozi Pioneer Camp

Kruger National Park,Safari,South Africa,Traveller's tales
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

 

Singita, Londolozi and Lion Sands no doubt set the bench mark for safari chic and indulgent luxury. Singita Boulders, Londolozi Granite, Lion Sands Ivory and Singita Lebombo have traditionally grappled like young Avatars for the title of the best of the best. After all, one man’s meat can be another man’s poison.

Of course various factors come into the equation. The quality of the game viewing and the skill and knowledge of the rangers, the design of the lodges and standard of luxury, the service, the food and the ambience.

Our intrepid leader, David, recently set off to the Sabi Sand to experience the latest offering from Londolozi – the newly rebuilt Pioneer Camp – it only opened in June 2010.

Londolozi Pioneer Camp

According to Dave Varty, “The New Pioneer Camp 1926 is a symphony of style, bushveld architecture and nature. Perhaps the most exciting and adaptable camp we have ever built at Londolozi.”

Set among the dappled shade of 500 year old ebony trees, the three luxury suites & generous bush home central area is the culmination of four decades of design experience in the safari industry. With 14,000ha of exclusive traversing, the game viewing at Londolozi is insane. David saw 7 different leopards as well as both a wild dog kill and a leopard kill! Have a look at David’s photos on the Rhino Africa Facebook Page.

Pioneer Camp is the most secluded of Londolozi’s luxury camps.  The three private suites have splendid river views and are perfect for honeymoons and private getaways. Yet this adaptable camp can also be converted into a private bush home for family groups of 6 – 14 people through breathtaking sky walkways – glass viaducts that link the family units.

Londolozi Pioneer Camp

The style is very much Ralph Lauren. Timeless, elegant and understated colonial chic. Think clean lines, modern and sophisticated decor, with floor to ceiling glass sliding panels which frame the majestic wilderness beyond.

The bathrooms are classic Victorian with modern accents in the decadent marble, chrome and mahogany finishes. Throughout the camp there is a pervading sense of history thanks to faithfully restored memorabilia of photographs, old suitcases, silver, crystal glass and gramophones.  Everything about Pioneer Camp is deeply personal and provides a romantic backdrop to the adventures of a new generation of sophisticated travellers.

Londolozi Pioneer Camp

David’s verdict – “In terms of luxury and the quality of the game viewing, I think this is possibly the best lodge in the Kruger.”

Be sure to get in touch if you’d like to experience the magic of any of these sensational lodges and decide for yourself which is the best of the best!

Londolozi Pioneer Camp

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