With Covid protocols being rapidly lifted across Africa, newly-unveiled safari lodges await their first expectant guests and it’s time for wildlife enthusiasts to get reacquainted with their old favourite safari camps again too, keenly aware that their travels will bolster local communities recovering from the pandemic.
For a flavour of some of the newest safari accommodation being offered here are some of the most eye-catching openings across the African plains:
Usanga Expedition Camp is Asila Africa’s new four-tented camp in Ruaha national park’s remote Usangu wetlands, opening in June. It is the area’s first tourism entry.
https://www.asiliaafrica.com/camps-lodges/usangu-expedition-camp/
Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania has transformed its Grumeti Reserve property into a 9-suite tented safari experience, featuring spectacular Serengeti waterhole views.
https://singita.com/lodge/singita-sabora-tented-camp
Ngala Beach Lodge is set on Lake Malawi’s northern shore. It has literally risen from the ashes having burned to the ground 2 years ago in a devastating fire.
www.ngalabeach.com
Sanctuary Tambarare, Kenya is nestled in Laikipia’s game-rich Ol Pejeta Conservancy and is opening from 1st June, featuring 10 luxurious tents.
https://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/kenya-camps-tambarare
Lolabezi Lodge in Zambia is another 1st June debut. It’s African Bush Camps’ second Zambia property, located in Lower Zambezi national park and accommodates up to 16 guests enjoying an extensive Zambezi River frontage, infinity pool and ‘circle of light’ canopy viewing platform.
2 new tours and one old favourite
KE Adventures have launched a new 15-day ‘Wild Trans-Kalahari Expedition’, taking in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This unique safari takes just 8 travellers on a 2-week adventure to some remote and truly wild game reserves.
o Visit the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a vast wilderness spanning across South Africa and Botswana
o See desert-adapted African wildlife, including black-maned Kalahari Lions in the Khutse and Central Kalahari Game Reserves
o Wild-camp in unfenced parkland under star-filled African night skies
o Overnight at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana
The trip runs 3 September – 17 September 2022 with just 8 places available.
From £2,695 per person land only
Meanwhile, tour operators keen to offer conservation work alongside great wildlife viewing include Premier Holidays, where new offerings include its week-long ‘Volunteers Experience’ in South Africa’s Amakhala Game Reserve. This gives the opportunity to volunteer for the day at a Cheetah sanctuary and spending a day with ‘Betty’s Tour’ of community projects in Cape St Francis.
7 nights from £1299 per person land only.
As ever, organised tours offer an effortless way to harness highlights in tight timeframes, as on Exodus ‘Cape Town to Victoria Falls’ trip. This long-established overland favourite allows travellers to journey from the coast of Cape Town via some of Africa’s top wildlife spots having the chance of spotting the Big Five to the epic finale of Victoria Falls.
20 days from £2599 per person based on twin-share.
Flying high
Light aircraft trips above the Okavango and balloon rides over the Serengeti have long been popular and now in Rwanda’s Akagera national park, visitors can also take to the skies in two new hot-air balloons with Royal Balloon Rwanda.
Meanwhile in northern Kenya, ‘Cheli & Peacock’ has added a Lake Turkana helicopter safari adventure, overnighting at Koros Camp.
SkySafari’s new 13-day East Africa itinerary is another standout, featuring Elewana properties in Kenya and Tanzania and a private Cessna aircraft. From approx. £12,000 per person full-board, including domestic flights, game drives and other bush activities.
Cape Town & the Garden Route
Classic Collection Holidays are offering a great value self-drive holiday that gives an excellent introduction to Cape Town and the extraordinary beauty of South Africa’s Garden Route, from Mossel Bay across to Storms River on the Eastern Cape.
Fly in to Cape Town and spend a few days here before picking up your hire car and starting your journey to Mossel Bay and onwards along the celebrated Garden Route, stopping at the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn and the oyster box of South Africa, Knysna, before reaching the Storms River and the end of your trip.
10 days | Prices from £1525 per person
Including international return flights with British Airways, private transfers, car hire and all accommodation on bed & breakfast basis
Talk with Rob, Abbie or Fran about these trips or destinations – we have all travelled in Africa and will be happy to discuss your plans with you.
Happy travels!
The Nomads