by Editor | Jan 14, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
Article and photos by Josette King
Chongwe River Camp where the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers meet
After an exciting visit to the South Luangwa National Park in the fall of 2006, I returned to Zambia last year. In the Luangwa Valley, particularly lush in 2007 after experiencing intense seasonal flooding in January and February, I especially enjoyed Nkwali, the flagship camp of Robin Pope Safaris.
Hippos enjoyed the morning sun by their waterhole near Nkwali
Located on a prime vantage point on the east bank of the Luangwa River, Nkwali coupled the casual atmosphere and intimate proximity to wildlife that only a bush camp can provide with the indulgent amenities of the best safari lodges. From there, I traveled deep into the park to Luwi. This remote seasonal camp of reed and thatch huts offered a rare opportunity to experience one of the last traditional bush camps as envisioned by the renowned late conservationist and guide Norman Carr.
Cape buffalos throve in the Lower Zambezi National Park
I went on to explore the Lower Zambezi National Park. Established in 1983, it is the most recent of country’s national parks. Although still relatively underdeveloped, this stretch of wilderness is wedged between the Zambezi River and the Zambezi Escarpment; a privileged location that offers remarkably picturesque scenery and an amazing concentration of wildlife along its 120 kilometers of river frontage.
An elephant emerged from the Zambezi at Sausage Tree Camp
The river bank is home to several highly reputed wilderness camps and lodges, including the Chongwe River Camp, with its panoramic view of the confluence of the Chongwe River and the Zambezi rivers; the Chiawa Camp blended so unobtrusively into its surroundings that elephants and buffalos routinely paraded within feet of the tents on their way to the river; and the whimsical Sausage Tree Camp with its pristine conical Bedouin tents peering through the riverine forest canopy at the scenic entrance of the Chifungulu Channel.
A lioness
My journey concluded with a visit around Victoria Falls, where I experienced first-hand the award-winning accommodations and hospitality of Tongabezi, as well as the stunning architecture and sweeping vistas of the recently opened Stanley Safari Lodge.
Are you thinking of traveling to Zambia? Click on the following hyperlinks to read dedicated articles on Zambia destinations and properties visited by Simon & Baker travel teams Zambia, Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Chiawa Camp, Chongwe River Camp, Luwi, Nkwali, Sausage Tree Camp, Stanley Safari Lodge and Tongabezi.
by Editor | Nov 5, 2007 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
An elephant at Rattray’s*
Thanks to its location adjacent to the world famous http://simonandbaker.com/kruger in South Africa, the Mala Mala Reserve is ideally situated for Big Five game viewing. Perched on the edge of the larger Sabi Sand Reserve, Mala Mala shares a long fenceless border with the park through which prey and predator alike cross at will. This alone makes Mala Mala noteworthy because this area of Kruger is known for its outstanding game viewing.
Home of a popular lodge, Mala Mala Main Camp, the Reserve also houses the new and exclusive Rattray’s lodge. Where the Mala Mala Main Camp is a good buy for families and game viewing enthusiasts willing to share space with a few fellow travelers; Rattray’s is adult oriented and intimate.
During their stay at Mala Mala, our team appreciated the property’s Big Five orientation and friendly staff. The family owned Rattray’s lodge became a South Africa favorite. Small, intimate and structured to show off its animal guests, Rattray’s offered a fine safari experience. A young university trained game viewing guide doubled as a round the clock staff person assigned to each party of up to four guests for the duration of their stay.
The suites, each in a self contained building, were seductively elegant, comfortable and private. In addition to two full bathrooms, WiFi, and a laptop computer there was a private plunge pool. In the event a guest chose not to go on the early morning or sunset drive, the suite was a perfect place to lounge.
*Photo Elena del Valle
by Editor | Oct 1, 2007 | Accomodations, New Articles
Crown Court 44A – Sajo’s Reef waterfront view
When our travel team members visited Bonaire earlier this year they stayed at Crown Court 44A – Sajo’s Reef, a waterfront luxury rental villa, for a week. Read all about their visit, in the articles we published on the island including Crown Court 44A (see below for more on the villa); Harbour Beach Village Club, the island’s premier resort; and a couple of the top dive operators, Great Adventures Dive & Water Sports Bonaire at Harbour Beach Village Club and Buddy Dive at the Buddy Dive Resort.
Crown Court 44A – Sajo’s Reef
We were delighted to discover the southern Caribbean island of Bonaire offered many accommodation options, including luxury rental villas. After a few email exchanges with Sunrentals, one of the largest rental agencies on the island, we were rewarded with last minute space in Crown Court 44A, one of their most popular rental homes and one of very few waterfront homes with WiFi. The roomy three bedroom waterfront $2 million villa was in Bonaire’s most luxurious residential neighborhood.
Click here to read more about Crown Court 44A Sajo’s Reef
by Editor | Sep 10, 2007 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
Ivory Lodge, a family built owned and managed lodge on the banks of the Sabie River, offered first class Big Five game viewing, luxury accommodations, appetizing meals and the kind of personal service only a small property can provide. Among its many distinctions was fronting the Sabie River for which the Sabi Sand Reserve was named. It offered eco-friendly game viewing following strict policies to protect the land. The Lion Sands Reserve on which the property was located, employed a full-time ecologist to manage and oversee the care of the land. Click here to read about Ivory Lodge at Lion Sands
by Editor | Aug 13, 2007 | Accomodations, Ecotourism
Lions enjoy some relief from the midday heat
Photos: Josette King
Star of Africa sold several of its properties in Zambia, including three properties Chester and Joni visited and wrote about in the Simon & Baker Travel Review. They are Sussi Lodge in Livingstone and Puku Ridge Tented Camp and Chichele Presidential Lodge in the South Luangwa National Park. The new owners are renovating the three properties. Although Sussi Lodge will remain open during the renovations, Chichele and Puku Ridge are closed for now.
Elephants enjoy a cooling late afternoon wade
After her exciting visit to the South Luangwa National Park last fall, where she enjoyed outstanding game viewing on daily walking safaris and game drives, Simon & Baker Travel Review Writer and Photographer Josette King was delighted to return to Zambia in July 2007.
In addition to the Luangwa Valley, especially lush this year after experiencing intense seasonal flooding in January and February, Josette explored the Lower Zambezi National Park. Established in 1983, it is the most recent of Zambia’s national parks. Although still relatively underdeveloped, this stretch of wilderness is wedged between the Zambezi River and the Muchinga escarpment; a privileged location that offers exceptionally picturesque scenery and an amazing concentration of wildlife along its 120 kilometers of river frontage. The river bank is also home to several highly reputed wilderness camps and lodges.
A carefree zebra colt scampers as we go by
Josette concluded her journey with a visit around Victoria Falls and Livingstone. Check these pages and the Simon & Baker Travel Review in the coming months for more about Zambia. Meanwhile click on the hyperlinks to read about Zambia and the Luangwa Valley: Chamilandu, Chindeni, Kuyenda, Mfuwe Lodge, and Songwe Village.
by Editor | May 14, 2007 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
A shy animal peeked at us from the safety of a tree
One of our teams was in the Sabi Sand Reserve near Kruger National Park recently and discovered several luxury safari lodges worth a visit. In addition to Big Five game viewing, the properties offered extraordinary accommodations, fine meals and wines, and massages in exclusive private lands dedicated to pampering guests and showing off South Africa’s wildlife.
Our team visited popular lodges like the Mala Mala Main Camp. They also went to the River Lodge at Exeter Reserve, Forest Health Spa at Cybele (near Sabi Sand Reserve), Singita Boulders, Rattray’s and Ivory Lodge at Lion Sands. Singita Boulders had two newly built connecting beautiful family suites with private plunge pools. Boulders guests had access to an onsite wine cellar, a well stocked gift shop and an onsite spa.
One of our team’s favorites was Rattray’s, owned by the same family that owns the famous Mala Mala Main Camp. Guests at the exclusive property could take advantage of in suite massages, private plunge pools and game viewing for a maximum of four guests per vehicle. We loved the unexepected surprise laptop computers in suite with WiFi connectivity. Ivory Lodge at Lion Sands stood out for its striking suites with private plunge pools, in suite massages and ecotourism orientation.
