Abu Camp is luxurious remote place offering three-night stays and elephant-back safaris. Guests arrive and depart together to appreciate, at the same peace, the diversity of flora and fauna found there in the open savannas. Bedfellows stay in custom-made tents set on raised decks adjacent to their own private, natural lagoon. All tents in the camp are equipped with four-poster beds and come complete with full baths and private bathrooms.

Each tent has own private deck, and separate outdoor layered teak deck and viewing platform built around matured sycamore and ebony trees that can double as a dinning area, with fine wine and gourmet cuisine prepared by Abu Camp’s experienced safari chef. A newly built villa across the lagoon sleeps up to four people and comes with its own chef, butler and private pool.

Abu Camp is named after former resident celebrity elephant Abu. The camp’s elephants grant unprecedented and unfettered access to resident herd of zebra, antelope, giraffe, and buffalo. Sunrise and sunsets rides are offered daily, as well as extended daylong safaris that transplant you into the midst of the wildlife.

Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photos by: Drive South Africa

This multi-award-winning retreat exudes luxury emphasizes contact with the African bush. Gusts sleep in tents – but know as you know them. They have wood paneling, roll-top bathtubs, and showers both indoor and out. A perfect retreat for those willing to be much closer to the nature. The restaurants serves ”Afro-Euro fusion” food on the camp’s own deck, in the middle of the bush, or even on a boat floating peacefully down the Zambezi River. Photo by: Bushtracks

Chiawa is famous for its canoeing safaris to see hippo, buffalo, and elephant. It is also acclaimed for its fishing, especially of tiger fish and vundu catfish. The camp offers game drives, both in the day and at night, and bush walks, which are slower paced and highlight conservation issues. Photo by: Bushtracks

If your tent is too luxurious or you just desire an-in-depth exploration of your wild side, Chiawa Camp offers alternative accommodation at Old Mondoro Bushcamp. Accommodating only eight guests, this is a comfortably retreat with an open-air, back-to-nature vibe. Paraffin lanterns provide evening light, and fresh bread is cooked each day in the camp’s oven. Location: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Photo by: mar10cc

When Shompole opened in 2001, its coolly stylish interiors – free-flowering white concrete, rough-hewn figwood, smooth, round river stones and plunge pools under thatch-sent shivers up the spines of regular safari goers. Yet the hotel, which clings to southern Kenya’s Nguruman escapement views over the Rift Valley, is also here to benefit the wildlife and local Maasai people.

Since the conservancy was established, the number of lions on the previously overgrazed, overpoached land has increased tenfold, and elephants have come back down from the Lolita Hills – exhilarating night drives also reveal glimpses of civets, beat-eared foxes, and aardwolves. Game drives are a big part of a stay there, as is watching flamingos on Lake Natron. 

The community has also used its conservation fee to pay for rangers, teachers, nurses, and secondary school bursaries, and helped to build and run the six-bedroom lodge. This has evolved to include a two-suite annex with a long thin lap pool (Little Shompole), an intimate, family house with lawns and fountains (Shompole House), and another private unit, 360, practically tumbling down the escarpment , with a dumbbell-shaped pool and a helipad for flying to Ol Donyo Lengai, an active volcano across the Tanzanian border. There is also a shop selling unique pieces of African jewelry and a modest spa, which offers treatments incorporating the muds of lake Natron. 

Even without leaving the lodge, guests can enjoy the astonishing sunsets over Shompole Mounatain, and a feeling of utter peace. 

Photos by: Furyk

The Africa World Travel Awards have voted Sabi Sabi Africa’s leading safari lodge. Tavel-Leisure magazine calls it one of the top ten hotels of the world. One of four luxury lodges that lie nestled within the 160,620 acres of this private game reserve in the southwestern corner of Kruger National Park, Earth Lodge is a retreat that blends seamlessly with the land around it. From afar, it can scarcely be seen at all.

Earth Lodge has thirteen suites, each with uniquely designed furniture, a private plunge pool, and butler service. Queen of them all is the Amber Presidential Suite, which comes with its own Land Rover, as well as a cocooning, egg-shaped bathtub, private exercise room, steam room, study and kitchen. The lodge also has an outdoor boma and a dining area overlooking awaterhole. The wine cellar holds 6,000 bottles. If that does not leave you feeling woozy, try hanging out in the Zen meditation garden, or taking a trip to the spa, where treatments include hydrotherapy and phytotherapy, which uses plants and seaweed.

Visitors are encouraged to absorb the atmosphere of the South African walking safaris. Sabi Sabi is a home of lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, cheetahs, wild dog, and a further 200 indigenous animal species. There are also 350 different species of bird. According to the Sabi Sabi guides, this means that someone visiting from the northern landscape may see more bird species on a single summer’s day at Sabi Sabi than in an entire lifetime spent back at home.

Photos by: Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

The experience starts early at Lion Sands River Lodge. The first game drive of the day powers off at 5:30 a.m. Rangers and guests regularly spot the ”big five” – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. They stop en route for coffee, then return to the lodge for a robust breakfast at 9:00 a.m., after which the morning activities might include bush walks, lunch and child out time in the spa or on the River Deck, perhaps the evening game drive at 4 p.m., followed by drinks and dinner. The resort is devoted to its environment; it has its own ecologist, responsible for ensuring the wilderness is left undamaged by visitors.

Eighteen thatched bedrooms have their own deck and indoor and outdoor shower, and are connected to each other by wooden walkways. There are also two swimming pools, a bird hide, and indoor and outdoor bars and dining areas. Plucky guests can spend a night in one of two tree houses that lie fifteen minutes form the main lodge. Photo by: jennyandnehal

Jackalberry Treehouse overlooks the dry bed of the Msutu River, and Chalkley Treehouse look out over open plain, offering breathtaking sunset views of the bushveld. Tree dwellers do not have to rough in: These rooms under the stars, have proper mattresses, linen, and mosquito nets. For those who wish, the kitchen will pack a picnic dinner.

Location: Kruger National Park, South Africa. Photo by: Drive South Africa

It is the place where the Orange River cascades down the 60 m in a spectacular waterfall and then continues its path through an 18 km abyss of the Orange River Gorge. The sight and sound of the power of the water will not be easily forgotten. Located in the Cape Province, South Africa, “Augrabies” actually means the place of the Great Noise.
 

Walking to the summit will give one of the best views of the park and its surroundings. The 28 000 hectares on both the northern and southern sides of the Orange River provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest birds to springbok and the endangered black rhino.

The summers are hot and nights cold during winter. Take cool or light clothing for summer and warm for winter – area prone to sudden weather changes. March and October are the most pleasant months in the park, but January to April is the rainy season.

Its situated on the banks of Gajner lake about 30Km from Bikaner. It stretches over a sprawling terrain of 6000 acres. The Palace is situated amongst lush-green environment. The famous Gajner Palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner and is located at a real beautiful place. Close to it is a lake and wooded area that attracts lots of migratory birds during winter.

In the early decades of the twentieth century it was a sprawling summer palace of Sir Ganga Singhji, one of the greatest Maharajas of Bikaner. Hotel Gajner Palace was used as a royal retreat by the Maharajas to entertain the visiting local rulers and the Britishers as the place was also home to a favorite hunting ground more commonly used by the royals and the elites of Rajputana.

Hotel Gajner Palace has 44 rooms to offer that include 13 Historic Suites along with 31 Deluxe Rooms. Suites are large with views across the lake.

 Amenities: Business Center, High-speed Internet, Parking, Restaurant, Room Service.

There are Cycling, Billiards, Camel safaris, Jeep safaris, Lawn tennis, sight seeing tours, cultural programs, Boat rides, Bird watching and visits to the Gajner wildlife sanctuary.

Kaziranga National Park is a home of the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros and a shelter to a variety of wild lives. Kaziranga National Park get inscribed in the World Heritage Site List in 1985. The Kaziranga National Park is situated in the two districts of the river Assam (India) – Golaghat and Nagaon. The park covers an area of approximately 430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass. Photo by: gozef

Beside the Indian Rhino, the other major wild attractions include a large population of Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, etc. Photo by: arunchs

Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. Some of them are the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. Large numbers of migratory birds descend on the parks lakes and marshy areas during winters, including Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller. Photo by: spo0nman

When to go: Kaziranga is best for a visit from mid-November to early April months. Sub-Tropical Monsoon with average rainfall of 1320 mm and  temperature ranging from 8° C in Winter to 38° C in Summer. Photo by: shankygup

Small intimate lodge, with excellent service, Stanley Safari Lodge is a uniquely designed resort offers couples a luxury safari experience. Bordering the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Victoria Falls (that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), Stanley Safari Lodge is an ideal spot for a couple to begin exploring Africa.

Stanley Safari Lodge has just 10 private African-style cottages, each with its own plunge pool. It is able to give you an unmatched level of entirely personalized service. You can feel the breeze when you wake up in the mahogany bed or relax in your private stone hot tub – best way to make your stay a memorable one. You can dine outdoors under the stars, in the privacy of your suite, in the wine cellar or even in the infinity pool.

Stanley Lodge is a perfect starting point to discover the nature with your own African safari. The Victoria Falls and its surroundings offer a wide variety of activities. From bungee jumping, jet boating, safari, canoeing, fishing, photography birding, and day tours to elephant back rides or walking with lions. The Zambezi offers some of the best Rafting in the world. A lunch cruise or a sunset cruise is a more relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of the mighty Zambezi River. And most importantly – the helicopter flight over the breathtaking gorges of Victoria Falls – don’t forget the camera.

The nearby Chobe National Park is home to the world’s largest elephant population, which represents a third of all African elephants. Only very few places in the world offer you the possibility to ride on the back of an African elephant, offers a unique way to interact with the largest mammals on earth.

 
 Price Range  -  per person per night from $330 to $590.

It is a luxury tented wilderness camp near Ranthambhore National Park, India. Its name means peace (“aman” in Sanskrit) and special (“khas” in Hindi).  Set in an incredible natural setting, remote and secluded, Aman-i-Khas is a true haven of tranquility, offering its guests exceptional comfort in a pristine wilderness setting. The camp is open between October and April, which is the best time to visit the park.

There are luxurious and comfortable 13 tents, of which10 are for guests. The remaining 3 are a tent each for lounging, spa treatments and dining, which serves Indian and Western cuisine made from ingredients grown in the resort’s organic gardens. Each tent is huge covering a 108 sq m area. They are the genuine articles, made with thick, water-proof canvas and divided into three separate sections for eating, bathing and dressing. Laundry, doctor on call, foreign exchange, and travel desk are some of the other services that are provided by the resort.

The Aman-I-Khas camp offers morning and afternoon safaris in open top jeeps within Ranthambhore as well as camel treks and nature walks in the surrounding villages and countryside. For more info: www.amanresorts.com/amanikhas/

Mchenja Bush Camp is a seasonal luxurious bush camp on the banks of the Luangwa River, Zambia. Mchenja means ebony tree and is definitely one of the perfect destinations to enjoy a walking safari. The camp has combined stays at the true safari experience with the ultimate in luxury. Set amongst massive ebony tress with lovely views of the river the Luangwa Valley has been regarded as one of Africa finest wildlife reserves.

Mchenja consists of five stylishly designed tents on raised platforms under thatch. The central area is focused around a large plunge pool, looking over the Luangwa River, which houses the bar and lounge. The rooms are incredibly luxurious, with free standings baths, outdoor en suite shower and inside bath. 

The setting of the camp is incredibly spacious offering guests the opportunity to stroll around camp or simply relax under the shade of a tree, right on the banks of the Luangwa. Game drives and walking tours safaris are offered. Days are punctuated by succulent lunches and dinners as well as tea just before the evening safari. They are generally lasting between 3 and 5 hours and are led by a fully qualified guide. Then unwind with some South African wines, or even some of the rarest champagnes.

2009 Rates: $600 – $700
2010 Rates: $580 – $650
Closed 10 Nov to 31 Jan & 1 Apr to 20 May

The Tsingy de Bemaraha is among the best National Park to visit in Madagascar. Situated 60-80 km inland from the west coast in the northern sector of the Antsingy region of the Bemaraha Plateau, north of the Manambolo River Gorge.

The Reserve comprises of karstic landscapes and highly dissected limestone peaks. You’ll discover some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth, to the world of forest canyons, caves, karren and mangrove that lies beneath, to the interesting animals.

Located 70 km from Diego Suarez, not far from the Reserve of Analamera, Red Tsingy are the result of erosion, which over time carved these coloured forms, which are unique to Madagascar.

Less well known about the Tsingy is the vast cave network beneath it. This network of underground caves,streams and rivers is part of the reason for the Tsingy in the first place.

There are plants, insects, reptiles and mammals which have adapted themselves to life in the Tsingy. So far recorded are 53 species of bird, eight of reptile and six of lemur.

This national Park came under the auspices of Madagascar’s National Association for the Management of Protected Areas (ANGAP) and is classified a Natural World Heritage by UNESCO!

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort is located in Costa Rica’s Northern region. At the foot of Arenal volcano, Tabacon Resort is a great place. This 114-room resort next to Volcan Arenal has natural hot springs of steaming water that are channeled into numerous private pools.

The Grand Spa covers 35,000 square meters, and offers the treatments in 11 open-air bungalows located in the middle of the rain-forest.

All rooms are quite spacious, with heavy, dark-stained wooden furniture. Most come with a private terrace or balcony with a table and a couple of chairs.
 

The hotel offers Yoga Center, Wet Bar, Tour Desk, Swimming Pool, Spa, Restaurant, Parking, Gym, Gift Shop, Concierge, Bar, 24-hour Room Service.

Its distinctive spa, The Grand Spa, capitalizes on its unique hot mineral springs location, with treatments and therapies including Temazcal .

You can finish all this with a hot-stone treatment or mud wrap in the spa, or by having lunch in the spa’s open-air restaurant overlooking the pool and, beyond that, the lush rain forest.

Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; large pool w/swim-up bar; exercise room; extensive hot springs and spa facilities; Jacuzzi; tour desk; in-room massage; laundry service.

Attraction: Safari Float,Rafting, Hot Springs, Hiking, Hanging Bridges, Canopying, Boat Tour.

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa, also emerged as Nyasaland. Behind the shores of lake Malawi known for boutique eco-resorts and rich international tourists is another Malawi with green hills, tea plantations, high mountains and game parks free of safari jeep traffic jams. The country covering about 400 miles in total and every traveler will find an extraordinary experience.

Despite of the fact the roads could sometimes be rough, in general the country provides an easy trip. The widly spoken language is English. The other language is Chichewa. The main point in Malawi is Blantyre. Blantyre is like Malawi’s New York. It’s a centre of finance and commerce and is the second largest city. During daytime in Blantyre you will bump into vendors hawk, avocados, bananas and cellphones card ending up to the window of your car; traffic police try to stop wild drivers.

As well as Blantyre boast several ”Out of Africa” restaurants, where you can sit on an open -air terrace and sip a late afternoon Malawi style gin and tonic.

Then from Blantyre, lies the Thyolo region about 25 miles southeast though winding road. Everywhere in Malawi is recommended to hire a car and driver (for about $30 a day). So Thyolo is a home to tea plantations, reminds very much of Sri Lanka. The roads there have winds and meanders up through rich green hills. Several of the plantations like Satemwa Tea Estate welcome overnight visitors offering them traditional planters’ bungalows.

But if you going north from Blantyre in a trip you will come across the biggest attraction of the country: the famous lake and Liwonde National Park. The park is very wild and animals have become almost conditioned to seeing tourists. If you are not on a paid safari tour, the best way to explore the park is to take a boat, provided by Mvuu Camp, the main lodge in the park, along the Shire River.

Just 80 miles north of Liwonde you will come to lake Malawi, which has the widest diversity of fish in the world and shore with its rocky outcroppings reminds of the Indian Ocean beach.