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Africa has so much to offer when it comes to safari experiences, it can be difficult to choose where to go. Depending on what you want to see on your lifetime trip and if you are visiting as a couple, alone or as a family, we’ve narrowed down some of our favourite choices.
Why we love it?
Neighbouring the famous Kruger National Park, is the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where the historic lodge of the Kirkman’s Kamp is located, high on a ridge, overlooking one of the most prestigious wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The uniqueness of the lodge is its ideal positioning over the Sand River, where there is exclusive access to the Big Five and a variety of other incredible animal species.
The stay is one of luxury. 12 guest cottages are each surrounded with private verandas creating an inviting atmosphere. Inside old antique-styled beds seamlessly blend with new modern comforts, where you can enjoy the spectacular, unspoilt views of the landscape across the river.
Each cottage comes with a complimentary pair of binoculars, for your use throughout your stay, as well as guides featuring wildlife checklists and maps.
After a safari-filled day, you can indulge in the pleasures of a wellness treatment in the eco-friendly and holistic spa or in your room. There is also the grand swimming pool with a sparkling rim boasting fantastic views over the river.
Kirkman’s Kamp welcomes families and offers an incredible, fun-filled WILDchild experience. Activities include croquet, cricket, tennis whilst seasonal explorers find themselves bark rubbing, bug collecting, on frog safaris, ‘poo walks’, and baking with the chef. The camp ensures that the variety of children’s activities tie in with the environment, as well as the local heritage and culture of the region, bringing the magic of Africa alive.
You yourself can join a representative from the Africa Foundation for an afternoon, and gain first-hand knowledge of the various foundation projects, aimed at improving education, healthcare and access to water, as well as the development of local businesses in the area. By staying with &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp, you are indirectly contributing to various conservation initiatives across the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Anti-poaching missions and general wildlife management require ongoing financial and physical aid from the team.
Get it right :
Whilst on a family safari, children under 6 are not permitted on game drives. You can be rest assured that your children will always be safe and well cared for. Only children 6+ are permitted and the rangers discretion. The child policy applies to children participating on game drives with a private vehicle only. Children that share a vehicle with other guests not in their party, may be subject to activities only at the lodge. If you want your children to experience the game drives, then it is wise to call ahead.
Pricing : Cottages from approx. £570.00 per night.
Why we love it?
Perched dramatically on the slopes of the eroded volcanic crater, are the cocooned tree houses of Bisate Lodge, just outside Volcanoes National Park in north-west Rwanda. This is arguably one of the most thrilling safari destinations in Africa and where Gorilla trekking is the star attraction.
With six luxurious tree-top villas, each designed to express Rwanda’s rich culture. Inside you’ll by absorbed by the incredibly cosy, wooden space, warmly lit with cushioned corners inviting you to relax and beds layered with opulent throws. Here you have an unspoilt view of the habitat above tree top canopies.
From here, prepare to take to the slopes and hike through the rainforest, up to nearly 3 000 metres, where gorillas number more than 1,000 throughout the Virunga massif. You’ll be blown away, while time stands still during a time when you could encounter the most astonishing moment of your life with your temporary allocated family. Other adventures include golden monkey trekking; the Fossey hike and scaling Mount Bisoke, which are available at the nearby Volcanoes National Park.
Sustainability is at the forefront at the Bisate lodge, which uses a water filtration system to harvest rainwater and negate the use of bottled water. An on-site garden has been grown with organic waste compost donated to the community in order to reduce food transportation. Bisate also has a no plastic policy, opting for environmentally friendly bee-wax wraps and re-usable eco-coffee cups made out of bamboo as alternatives.
The lodge has an exceptional reforestation program, which plants over 100,000 seedlings per year. You too are invited to plant a tree during your stay towards Bisate’s reforestation project, helping to lure wildlife back to the area.
Get it right :
This stay is as luxury as it is rewarding with once in a lifetime cultural interaction, as well as experiencing indulgent health-conscious dining, and exuberant hospitality. If you have the budget, then this is a superior trip of a lifetime!
Pricing : From USD 1750 per person / per night in low season.
Why we love it?
Suspended mid air, the Angama Mara safari lodges are positioned high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Tented suites with floor-to-ceiling glass fronts, share the same breath-taking view – from the bed, bath, sitting area, and even the w/c, every day, the sunrise provides guests with early morning theatre as the popular hot air balloons float by.
The extraordinary views also showcase the abundance of wildlife – with prides of lion, cheetah, leopard, large elephant herds, and buffalo, all the action can be seen on deck and during those dramatic, but brief afternoon thunderstorms, guests are safely tucked behind the floor to ceiling glass doors watching the spectacle unfold.
The lodge is perfectly complemented by Angama Safari Camp, an exclusive-use mobile tented camp deep in the Mara Triangle, where you can be amidst the mega herds during the Great Migration.
The lodge’s 12-metre pool overlooks the Mara, surrounded by deck chairs, the perfect spot to enjoy some downtime, staring out over the bush or relaxing in the sun with a good book.
To limit its carbon footprint, the lodge, which is plastic free, recently established “The Shamba” (Swahili for vegetable garden).
There are no buffets here, as well as a pick your own lunch at Shamba, there are African picnics escorted by a guide or bush BBQ dinners in a lantern lit forest.
A Safari Shop on site showcases locally made and carefully curated items from jewellery and beaded belts to felt safari hats – the most unique African gifts to take home. Leading off from the shop is a creative Beading Studio where Maasai ladies from the neighbouring community come daily to create bespoke items. Here you can come and learn the incredible craft of beading.
Get it right :
If you are celebrating a special occasion, make it known, as they will arrange for you to celebrate in Massai style at the sundowner Boma. You’ll join in as Massai warriors and maidens teach you some basic Maa whilst enjoying traditional dawa (local mojito)!
Guided safaris into the Mara Triangle, and guided walking safaris on the escarpment, meals, drinks, and child-minding are included, but if you want an extra experience, you can pay for extraordinary the hot-air balloon safaris
Pricing : From USD 900 per guest per night
Why we love it?
At Ulusaba, there are two choices of accommodation - you can spend time at Rock Lodge and be flying with the eagles, or stay down with the wildlife at safari Lodge.
Rock Lodge has the best view in the Sabi Sand. Perched high on the summit of a koppie, with panoramic views over miles of bush.
There are 8 rooms at Rock Lodge, including our Master Suite. The lodges two bedroom suites are ideal for families with children of all ages who are welcome to join our Cub’s Club.
Safari Lodge is built along the banks of the dry Mabrak riverbed and some of the rooms are built ‘tree house’ style and you really get the feeling of being in the heart of life in the bush. Welcoming children over the age of 12, the tree houses provide fascinating views of the animals as they stroll past on their way to the nearby watering hole.
You’ll love the sense of adventure as you access some of the rooms by swing bridges and the treehouse viewing deck overlooking the Xikwenga Dam is a great place to get closer to the bush to see where the hippos and elephants come to bathe.
With a regularly changing menu, dining at Ulusaba brings together the best of African produce and dishes are seasonal. There are several settings for dinner, choose to join the communal tables under a star filled sky, eat on your deck or in the Boma for a traditional South African Braai barbecue.
Get it right :
Request a stargazing evening out in the bush where the resort has an observatory and enjoy a postprandial class in constellations. Being so far away from light polluting cities, the sights upwards from Ulusaba are just as thrilling.
Pricing : From approx. £1600 per night inc twice daily game safari’s
