JETSETREPORT

New, More-Lux African Lodges to Plan Around

November 16, 2015 05.13 PM

As the spring and summer holiday season arrives in sub-Saharan Africa, a few new openings and impressive renovations callout seasoned luxury travelers. First-time safaris are still best begin in South Africa, like Sabi Sand where Singita has been an industry stalwart known for its lavish lodges and even better sundowners. Last July, its owners revealed a full renovation of their flagship Ebony Lodge that overhauled its British Colonial interiors with a regionally inspired modern look by designers Cecil & Boyd. Other South African newcomers include Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition shaking up the Western Cape with its first full season at Mount Rochelle that's a posh 22-room hotel and vineyard in Franschhoek.

Perhaps the hottest safari lodge in Africa, Mombo Camp in Botswana's Okavango Delta will be closing from early November for an 8-month renovation through June 2016. In the meantime, more affordable Mombo Trails and Little Mombo offer one of the best deals ever to see this island reserve many consider the greatest wildlife concession on earth. Not to be left behind, former-Orient Express Safaris now known as Belmond debuts a better version of its Eagle Island Lodge this year with private plunge pools and dreamy daybeds inside each of their premium guest tents. Not to be left out, &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Lodge shows off its own award-winning design that's equal parts hummingbird nest and Frank Gehry with its grand main lodge by architect Nick Plewman with interiors by Michaelis Boyd.

Just north of Kenya's Masai Mara where Out of Africa was filmed, new Angama Mara is the prodigy of two former &Beyond principals that team-up for an architectural tented camp with grand brick pavilion housing an African art gallery and sweeping pool deck. But for those that prefer to cross the boundaries and borders of traditional luxury travel, Wilderness Safaris recently stopped management of Congo's Odzala Lodge that was their only true gorilla safari experience - at least until their new 9-room Bisate Lodge opens in burgeoning Rwanda adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park that offers one of the most convenient and soon-to-be luxurious ways to trek the lowland mountain gorilla in existence.

Written by:

Michael Martin
Editorial Review Author
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