Safari in Style > Lodges

Lodges

Luxury Lodges

Although there is a huge variety of lodges, those we recommend are usually small and are situated in outstanding locations.

In the last decade Africa has become endowed with increasingly more truly luxurious lodges. These epitomize the word "luxury" and cater to every imaginable wish. The standards encountered in the classiest of these match those of the finest hotels in the world. For this reason they are the accommodation of choice for groups where luxury and comfort is the prime consideration. These are rarely situated in as wild and remote areas as the mobile camps, but they are often placed in strategic locations with amazing panoramas, and offer superb views. For a look into some of the luxury lodges we frequent, see the list at the bottom of this page.

Lodges generally are built of locally sourced rock and stone, or in some highland areas, of timber. They usually, though not always, accommodate more guests than camps. We might recommend a lodge over a camp in colder areas (such as at Ngorongoro Crater or in Namibia in their winter season) as the rooms are warmer, and may have heating, hot tubs, and other facilities. When you are staying on a farm or in a town, you are more likely to stay in a lodge than a camp. All have modern plumbing, shower and toilet facilities and running water. Often (although not always) they have a communication centre. Many have a swimming pool and spa and massage facilities, and a few even have a small gym.

Sometimes we stay in lodges that provide enough comfort, but are primarily stepping stones to a unique experience, such as in areas where gorilla tracking is offered, or in the ancient historical cities of Ethiopia.

While we frequent many other lodges and areas, here are some sample lodges we like and information about them:

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - Tanzania

Nestled on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, this luxurious lodge offers outstanding views of the 180 km² (100 miles²) caldera below. It is one of the finest lodges in Tanzania and is undoubtedly the most luxurious lodge in the vicinity of Ngorongoro Crater.

The design of the lodge with its curved walls and round rooms reflects the traditional architecture of the resident Maasai tribe, while the interiors with the carved wooden window-frames and plush furnishings is evocative of Zanzibari and 19th century colonial styles.

The lodge has 30 suites in three "camps". Each camp has its own dining room. The rooms are built off the ground on wooden stilts, offering protection from wild animals (buffalo and zebra are often seen grazing in between the rooms, and other animals are known to pass by in the night).

Each room has a large king-sized bed (two singles are available when requested before arrival), with electric blankets for warmth on cold nights, a cosy fireplace, writing desk, and en suite bathroom with spacious shower and old-fashioned ceramic bathtub, and separate loo.

Other facilities available are a massage service, limited internet, land-line telephone from the reception only, cellphone coverage, and fantastic views. There is no gym or swimming pool (at 7,000 ft a.s.l. few guests would yearn for a dip in a pool here!).

Faru Faru Lodge - Tanzania

Faru Faru is one of the three most luxurious lodges in Tanzania. The other two, Sabora and Sasakwa, are on the same property!

Faru Faru is nestled in a valley in a secluded corner of the Grumeti Reserves concession overlooking a waterhole, where wildlife congregates as the day heats up. The lodge, built of local stone, blends so well that it is hardly discernible from its surroundings. The centre of the lodge comprises a stone library, dining area, and bar lounge, beside a terrace and heated swimming pool, overlooking the waterhole. Aside from fascinating reference books, the library has a computer with internet access, satellite television, DVD player and a selection of DVDs.

There are eight air conditioned suites, each with en suite bath and outdoor shower, plus a family suite and the Villa Suite. The total capacity of the lodge is 22 guests. The suites, a blend of canvas and stone, are spacious and well adorned. Huge plate-glass windows edge one side of the rooms offering panoramic views into the valley. In some rooms a large mirror divides the bathroom and main quarters. They all have personal bar and fridge, electronic safes, overhead fans, hairdryers, direct dial telephones with USA phone lines, and wireless internet access. The family suite is suitable for a family of four.

The Villa Suite comprises two identical double bedrooms with a large shared open space including lounge/dining area and a plunge pool. The bedrooms are en-suite with a bath outdoor shower. This is a stunning place to stay in the early dry season months when the migration passes through, and is a wonderful place to relax, enjoy the luxury, and the privacy it offers in the late dry season and early green seasons.

Kiba Point - Tanzania

While in the Selous we can do various boat and walking safaris as well as game drives. Sometimes we will join the other guests at the camp for meals or by the pool, at other times we might go for a walk and have a picnic lunch on our own. We may head off along a lake or the Rufiji River in a small, motored boat in search of crocodile and hippo. The river is large and its banks are dotted with doum palms and tamarind trees. We could game drive to some freshwater springs for a bathe. Or, after an early breakfast, we may leave the lodge on foot for a day’s walk - we could even walk barefoot up one of the large great sand river tributaries. This gives us the opportunity to really experience the sights and sounds of the African bush. We can pause to examine tracks, spot birds, watch giraffe, or perhaps waterbuck.

Mnemba island – Tanzania

Mnemba must be the nearest one can get to paradise! The island is completely private and once there one’s only job is to relax! The style of this lodge is undoubtedly ‘barefoot luxury’ - with ten cottages made of banana leaf and thatch roofs spaced around its sandy shores. There is an open dining area and separate lounge area for relaxing. The food is excellent and the bar is fully stocked. The coral reefs around Mnemba are some of the best in the area for snorkeling and scuba diving. Activities offered free of charge include snorkeling, wind surfing, and scuba diving for qualified divers. Game fishing and scuba instruction are available at an extra cost.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge – Rwanda

Sabyinyo Silverback lodge is nestled into the slopes of the Virunga Mountains – home of the rare Mountain gorilla. Built of local stone with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, the lodge only has five double cottages, two suites and one family suite, all tucked into the hillside with beautiful views of the volcanoes. The rooms are spacious with large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster, a dressing room and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water.
The main lodge building comprises a reception, sitting room with snug lounging area, dining room, community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all the rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding farmland. This is a perfect place to be based while tracking these giant apes.

Little Kulala, Namibia

This is one of the most stylish lodges in Namibia's extraordinary Sossusvlei area, which has the added advantage of being close to the towering sand dunes.

The acclaimed desert retreat has climate-controlled villas and an elegant entertainment area that includes al fresco fine dining as a highlight. The 11 stylish thatched villas merge impeccably into the desert landscape, with exquisite fittings and fixtures and innovative bleached decks, each with a private plunge pool. The extensive use of neutral colours, gorgeous textures and natural light reproduce the soothing pastel tones of the desert. Each villa has a rooftop ‘sky bed’ for romantic stargazing, with both indoor and outdoor showers.

While here we enjoy nature drives into the desert in 4x4 vehicles, walking trails in the private 37 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve, including the Black Mountain Trial, hikes in the Namib Naukluft National Park such as down Sesriem Canyon, and most spectacular of all - a visit to the red dunes of Sossusvlei, perhaps the most renowned natural place in Namibia.

Okonjima's Luxury Bush Suite - Namibia

Okonjima, a luxury lodge and home to The AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organisation, committed to long-term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. A visit to Okonjima will give you an opportunity to witness some of AfriCat's work. Okonjima is halfway between Windhoek and Etosha National Park. There are four separate lodges at Okonjima. Our favourite with small groups is the Okonjima Bush Suite, which is an attractive bush cottage that blends harmoniously with the environment, overlooking its own waterhole. It has its own private kitchen and chef, a lounge and dining room, pool, and two en-suite bedrooms. For larger groups the Exclusive Villa, which has four suites in total, accommodates up to twelve guests.