ACCOMMODATION
Game lodges are rustic, yet comfortable permanent dwellings situated in or close to national parks and reserves. Built using natural, local materials, like stone and timber, they are designed to blend harmoniously with the local environment.
Lodge accommodations can vary, some have all the modern conveniences – glazed windows, air-conditioning, satellite TV and mini-bars in every room – others are simple Banda’s surrounding a central dining room and bar area.
The very top end 5-star lodges combine the finest of everything and could be best described as ‘authentic bush chic’ having luxurious comfort levels and impeccable service.
All lodges have private en-suite facilities, a majority has swimming pools and some even overlook floodlit water holes perfect for nocturnal game viewing. Select lodges also have spas and massage treatments available.
To experience Africa’s nature at close quarters, a few nights under canvas in a luxury tented camp is a must.
Contrary to popular belief, safari camps don’t mean ‘outward bound’, but in fact offer luxurious standards of comfort and exceptional personal service. Walk-in tents are permanent, spacious, and insect-proof with king size beds, fresh linens, hot and cold running water, flush toilets and ‘campaign’ furniture.
Three course meals are freshly cooked every day, wines are imported and more often your hosts themselves are professional guides conversant with the area and its natural history.
One will also find full dining and bar facilities under a central tent or attractive open buildings.
Most safari camps are located within prime wilderness areas and offer an intimacy with the surrounding bush incomparable to any other form of accommodation.
East Africa presents an impressive range of hotels to suit every taste. These accommodations range from boutique style, 5-star hotels that cater to the more discerning traveler to the more affordable, medium-range family hotels.
Culinary standards are of a universally high standard ranging from an eclectic smorgasbord of local fare to mouth watering buffet lunches, four course dinners under the stars to specialty nouvelle cuisine.
In most hotels the architecture is contemporary; rooms are air-conditioned with color television and room service. Some city hotels are steeped in old colonial history. Those at the coast lean towards Arabic architecture, incorporating attractively-woven coconut palm fronds used to thatch roofs (Makuti) which makes for cool, spacious accommodations on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast.
With professional guides, luxury mobile tented camp safaris can be organized for small exclusive groups of families and friends (usually 8-20 max.) for the ultimate bush experience. These safaris typically consist of 7-14 days of visiting three or more locations.
Each private tented camp, complete with en-suite bathrooms and separate dining tents, is erected in secluded sites chosen for their views, privacy and proximity to wildlife. Your exclusive tented camp, staffed by a highly efficient, dedicated professional crew, is moved from one location to the next without you even noticing.
In between guests stay at smaller luxury lodges for a day or two while the camp is relocated. Comfort, safety and exclusivity are the key ingredients.
Private ranch homesteads have entirely different characteristics to any other form of safari accommodation.
Accommodations are always within a privately hosted home and very often the owners are your hosts and guides. These range from the upcountry game ranches and farms to elegant beach or lakeside villas. Experiencing conservation practices first hand and interacting with the local communities allows you to see the wilderness from an entirely different perspective.