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Tanzania’s Nduara Loliondo sits on Maasai community land, bordering the Serengeti National Park. The camp has a partnership with a small Maasai community who benefit directly from visitors to the camp and who provide many of the excellent camp crew. Safari walks with the Maasai Morani guides are a cultural highlight of the Nduara experience. Just as the Maasai tribes people of the Loliondo, Nduara’ s camp moves twice a year, spending six months in the north and six months in the south. The camps comfortably decorated 6 yurts provide the accommodation along with a central dining area and relaxing lounge with library. We recommend Nduara Loliondo to those wanting a small, intimate camp with emphasis on Maasai led walking safaris.
Bordering the Lower Zambezi NP and sitting on the banks of the Zambezi River, The Royal Zambezi Lodge is surrounded by natural beauty. Activities making the most of this breathtaking area are many and varied and include, day and night game drives, walking safaris, boat trips, photographic safaris, canoe trips and fishing. Canoe trips at the lodge are quite the experience with the possibility of getting up close and personal with hippos, crocodiles and birds. Royal Zambezi’s famous Sausage Tree Bar provides the lodge’s social hub, built on a suspended deck with the Zambezi flowing beneath it, it is the perfect place to sit, drink in hand, and watch the magical Sunset over the Lower Zambezi Valley. From here it is a short walk back to one of the 15 secluded suites, each luxuriously furnished with neutral tones and the finest cotton linens. These lavish lodgings along with the addition of Zambia’s first and only spa, makes the Royal Zambezi Lodge the perfect blend of up close wildlife viewing with uncompromising luxury.
A camp like no other, beyond the reach of any wheeled vehicle and with a journey involving aircraft, walking and finally boat, you arrive feeling as though you have earned your right to be there – but this journey is all part of the Greystoke experience and, as you approach the lodge in the camps traditional Dhow, it all just adds to the feeling of seclusion. The lodge is without question the best in the world for viewing Chimpanzee in the wild, due to its proximity to the worlds largest population of these beguiling mammals. Greystoke’s suites, or bandas, are beautifully constructed, open fronted, wooden hideaways set into the undergrowth of the nearby Mahale mountains, each is exceptionally decorated with a four poster bed, writing desk and recliners, a clever set of stairs carved out of a canoe leads the way to the top floor and the banda’s day bed, the perfect place for a relaxing drink and a good book. The heart of Greystoke lies in the open sided thatched lodge where you will find the dining room and upstairs relaxation area complete with great views over the lake. It really isn’t hard to see why Greystoke Mahale is a finalist for Best African Safari Property, you will want for nothing, except perhaps another few days with which to enjoy this remote piece of African paradise!
Saruni Samburu
The cultural experience at Saruni Samburu is truly unique, due in no small part to the strong bonds the lodge has with the local Samburu tribes people. Still semi-nomadic and very strongly connected to their traditions and culture, the Samburu are one of the most famous and interesting tribes in Kenya. Saruni’s bush walks and game drives with the knowledgable and passionate Samburu guides are experiences not to be missed. The lodge itself is of the highest standard with six large, beautifully decorated villas all with generous living areas, outdoor bathrooms and private verandas making the most of the lodge’s elevated position. Saruni Samburu is, in our opinion, Kenya’s finest safari lodge offering unique cultural experiences, but don’t take our word for it – talk to us today about experiencing this African gem for yourself!
For those looking for a cultural safari experience that is a little off beat and hands on, Tassia is perfect. Managed by Martin Wheeler and Antonia Hall whose vision back in 2007 was that of a Eco-conscious, culturally sensitive lodge, co-existing with the local communities which surround it. 8 years on and together they have a very special lodge achieving exactly that. Activities on offer at Tassia include, camel safaris, bush camping, Martins own bird of prey rehabilitation centre and visits to the local Maasai community where Antonia’s beading project, A business involving 160 women from the local villages, is based. Here guests have the opportunity to join in and learn a new skill as well as the option to buy crafts direct. At Tassia guests can involve themselves in as much or little as they please. With just six rooms Tassia has an intimate feel, each room, decorated with local textiles and furniture, is unique but all are completely open sided giving a wonderful sense of airiness whilst retaining the feeling of privacy. For those amongst us who like to feel as though they are giving a little back when they travel, we wholly recommend Tassia.