Tuesday 16 May 2023

South Africa: Bundox River Lodge - Your Stylish Riverside Retreat in the Balule

NEW: Bundox River Lodge from R6750,00

Your Stylish Riverside Retreat in the Balule

The secret’s out…the stylish Bundox River Lodge in the Balule Nature Reserve has joined the Sun Destinations portfolio! We look forward to many years of success with this elegant addition to our portfolio.

With its superior architecture and exquisite furnishings, this well-appointed lodge adds an elevated sense of comfort. Bundox’s position on the banks of the burgeoning Olifants River is a huge selling point. Coupled with its spacious Meru style tented accommodation, Bundox has certainly set a new standard for mid-range safari lodges.

Bundox River Lodge is different from other Kruger Camps. It has an iconic Okavango Delta camp atmosphere and feel. Maybe it’s the river, the tents, or the presence of the wildlife on the banks - but that feeling of “Okavango Delta” is always there.

With a rate of R6750,00 per night, luxury has never been this attainable.

Here are 5 FAST FACTS about Bundox River Lodge

- Right on the banks of the perennial Olifants River

- Located in the Big 5 Balule Nature Reserve

- Two daily game drives on a 5000 hectare traverse with 8 km of riverfront

- 5 spacious rooms on raised wooden platforms

- Pool and wooden deck area

Bundox River Lodge is ideally located on the banks of the burgeoning Olifants River in the northern reaches of the Balule Nature Reserve. Bundox sets a new standard of luxury with its glamorous river facing Meru style tents, each built on raised wooden platforms overlooking the bend in the river below.

Bundox River Lodge's pride of place on the water's edge combined with its luxury canvas suites, exudes that iconic Okavango Delta camp atmosphere, making it unique to the Kruger. In keeping with the understated sophistication of the Bundox brand, this camp marries light wood with classic canvas to create a lodge in harmony with its environment. Only the finest linen, textiles and fixtures are used throughout.

The 5 tented suites are spacious and designed perfectly to let in streams of natural light. The beautifully appointed tents each have en-suite bathrooms with outdoor showers, private viewing decks, King size beds and standing fans. Interiors are plush and modern, with bushveld hues and accents of colour scattered throughout. Expect oversized scatters, explorer style furniture and curated pieces designed to reflect the bushveld beyond.

The main area offers a tranquil hideaway beneath a canopy of trees. A sprawling relaxation area elevated above the flowing waters offers a lounge area with oversized couches, dining and bar area, and swimming pool with deck. The boma area and small viewing decks also provide a perfect place to connect.

There's a true sense of flow to this lodge, with one space effortlessly flowing into the next. The winding wooden walkways from the main lodge to the suites mirror the curve of the river, ensuring a sense of interrelation between the lodge and its wild surroundings. Activities include two game drives per day that take place in 5000 hectares of exclusive wilderness that includes and 8 kilometre stretch of the Olifants River.

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Wednesday 10 May 2023

South Africa: Walkers Plains Camp joins the Inspirational Places

Walkers Plains Camp, Greater Kruger joins the Inspirational Places Portfolio

Inspirational Places is thrilled to introduce the newest addition to our portfolio, the eight room, family-run and owned safari camp in Timbavati, Walkers Plains Camp.

Opening on 25 June 2023, this camp promises to offer an unparalleled game experience.

The lodge is managed jointly by the much respected and experienced twin brothers, Steve Walker as general manager, and James Walker as operations manager, both of whom are qualified guides. They are committed to ensuring that every guest has a unique and unforgettable experience during their stay at the camp.

Located in the heart of the Timbavati, alongside the world-famous Kruger National Park, the camp is perfectly positioned for easy access.

With a strong focus on conservation and the protection of endangered species in those areas, your experience is a holistic one.

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Friday 5 May 2023

Namibia: Etosha Heights Private Reserve - An Exceptional Wildlife Experience

Natural Selection

An Exceptional Wildlife Experience... Without the Crowds

If Etosha is on your Namibia wish list, then we suggest you make a beeline for Etosha Heights Private Reserve. The reserve shares a 65-kilometre boundary with the famous Etosha National Park and, at 60 000 hectares in size, it is one of the largest private reserves in Namibia.

Over the past 7 years this reserve has transitioned from an agricultural and hunting area to what is now a conservation success story. The result has been a significant increase in both variety and density of wildlife to the point where the wildlife populations are now an extension to the adjacent Etosha National Park and the game watching opportunities for visitors are exceptional.

This thriving wildlife area, already famous for both black and white rhino, now also has healthy populations of other threatened or endangered species including over 150 elephant (elephant previously did not use this reserve), 200 locally endemic black-faced impala, 60 sable antelope and over 30 lions. Etosha Heights also provides an important roost and bathing area for 2 of Namibia’s vulnerable vulture species; the white-backed and lappet-faced vulture. Being at the intersection of desert animals and savannah species, visitors can expect to encounter leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, oryx, wildebeest, eland, as well as some smaller species of jackal, bat-eared fox, the elusive honey badger and so much more.

The game viewing experience in this private reserve is further enhanced by our expert safari guides, a two-storey photographic hide overlooking a large natural waterhole for close-up encounters, and the absence of crowds at wildlife encounters. The reserve is a hotspot for bird lovers too, enjoy action packed moments like falcons hunting quelea at the waterholes.

To enjoy this remarkable Namibia experience, come and stay at Safarihoek, Safari House or Etosha Mountain Lodge. In typical Natural Selection fashion we’ve put comfort at the forefront of this safari experience and on top of the exceptional wildlife, you’ll discover that the hospitality is off the charts too. 

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Thursday 4 May 2023

Botswana: Footsteps in Africa - Oddballs’ Enclave Exclusive Use Special

Footsteps in Africa

Exclusivity At Its Best

Oddballs’ Enclave Exclusive Use Special

When booking 6 or more people at Oddballs’ Enclave guests can enjoy exclusive use of the entire camp.

Take advantage of this special by booking early. Subject to availability at the time of booking. Valid until 31st December 2023.

Situated on the south-western edge of Chiefs Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, on the western boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve. The Enclave specializes in walking safari and every two people have their own private guide. With exclusive use guests will have at least three guides, depending on the size of the party, and they will be with the guests during their entire visit.

The Okavango will come to life with the care of their dedicated guides and they will be able to focus on their special interests and plan their time as they wish. The Enclave experience is an intimate one. The camp is a small, comfortably appointed place. It accommodates a maximum of 8 guests, in four twin or double bedded mini-Meru tents, making it a comfortable, classic camp that is ideal for friends and small or multi-generational family groups travelling together. The tents are on elevated wooden decks, each with a semi-detached private bathroom with an al fresco bucket shower, and hot and cold running water.

The guest areas have a variety of comfortable seating arrangements and a raised viewing deck overlooks the sweep of the Delta – the perfect place to watch the sun or moon rise and view whatever wildlife may be visiting. The molapo that extends beyond the camp is, depending on the time of year, covered with water or entirely dry. Either way it is often filled with breeding herds of elephant, buffalo or a small family of kudu that is local to the island. Meals are enjoyed on the deck with spectacular views across the floodplains to the distant island forests and a canopy of stars every evening.

FLOOD UPDATE

It’s the time of year when we begin to share flood updates with you so that you can manage expectations for your guests visiting our Lodges of Botswana properties.

We would like to offer a little bit of background to help put things in context. The rains that fall on the Angolan Highlands take as long as six months to flow the length of the Okavango River system and to wet the furthest reaches of its inland desert delta. Each year a number of variables, definable and unpredictable, affect the outcome of the flood. Because of this, we never really know how the flood was until we can look back on it in hindsight.

This year the rains came late to the Okavango and while we did reach our average rainfall, slightly above in some areas, the delta remains dry in most areas. That is to say that the flood waters will not be coming in on top of standing water and so they will have to fill the breadth of the region alone.

We believe that we should have water in front of the Lodges of Botswana properties by mid-May and be able to begin mokoro activities at that point. We do not know how long the water will last, but will keep you updated through the course of the season. The good news is that the river is still rising in Rundu so we may get a second peak.

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Wednesday 3 May 2023

Kenya: Sanctuary Tambarare Private Villa

Privacy in the Heart of the Bush

Following the successful opening of Sanctuary Tambarare in Ol Pejeta Conservancy last year, we're delighted to announce the opening of a brand new two-bedroom Private Villa at this exceptional camp in July 2023.

Sanctuary Tambarare is located in a secluded spot in the wildlife rich 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy where the Big Five roam including the last two northern white rhino. With an abundance of wildlife on the camp's doorstep, Sanctuary Tambarare delivers the perfect balance of adventure and serenity.

Contemporary style meets characterful interiors in the villa's two en-suite bedrooms, indoor and outdoor lounge and dining area, bar, private deck and boma.

The sophisticated free-flowing space contains two bedrooms, each fully ensuite and decorated in a boutique-meets-bush design, updated with contemporary style, from teak floors to unique touches that reflect the local culture. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling cinematic views of the landscape from the super king beds.

Inside the spacious and beautifully appointed private lounge and dining area, inviting sofas and chairs encourage you to relax. With indoor and outdoor space, immerse yourself in the dramatic landscape and experience a strong connection of place. Meals are prepared by a private chef and can be served in the tented dining area or al fresco under the vast African sky.

The villa’s colours are inspired by nature, from ‘sun-bleached’ wood and wicker lampshades to intense bursts of colour in the exuberant fabrics, like wildflowers dotted around the landscape. After adventurous days tracking lions, riding horses with rhinos or spotting the Big Five from your private game drive vehicle, retire to the villa to enjoy sundowners straight from your personal, fully stocked bar.

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