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.
by Editor | Apr 2, 2007 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
Dawn over the Nchendeni Hills
Photo: Josette King
Simon & Baker Travel Review Writer and Photographer Josette King visited the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia last fall. The park, according to experts, is home to some of the most intense concentration of game in Africa.
She particularly enjoyed her stay at several of the intimate luxury bush camps such as Chamilandu, Chindeni and Kuyenda, managed by the Bushcamp Company, one of only two companies operating within the 3,500 square mile wilderness of the park.
Each camp was ideally located to take advantage of the breathtaking vistas along the Luangwa River and its tributaries. The camps were the starting point for daily walking safaris and game drives. Click here to read more about Josette’s Luangwa Valley experience.
Elephants abound in the Luangwa Valley
Another property she visited in the park, Mfuwe Lodge, will be hosting a special week of “Animals in Action” November 17-24, 2007. During that week, guests will have an opportunity to join a host of internationally renowned personalities coming together at the lodge. They include Katy Payne, researcher and ground breaking expert in elephant communication from the United States); Jonathan and Angela Scott, wildlife photographers, TV presenters and authors from Kenya; Jonathan Truss, wildlife artist from the United Kingtom; and Phil Berry, world authority on giraffe from Zambia.
Derek Solomon, ornithologist and animal behavior specialist from Zambia; and Manda Chisanga, safari guide and specialist on traditional and medicinal uses of the local plants from Zambia will also be in attendance. Lodge guests that week will be able to participate in bush walks, game drives and lectures with time to interact with the guest speakers at bush breakfasts, lunches and sundowners on the banks of the river.
by Editor | Mar 5, 2007 | Accomodations, Luxury Travel
An elephant in South Africa’s famous http://simonandbaker.com/kruger
Many websites point to Simon & Baker Travel Review articles including Expedia owned TripAdvisor.com. The popular website, where visitors share their opinions about hotels and attractions, features hyperlinks to more than 70 Simon & Baker Travel Review articles in the Expert Guidebook section.
TripAdvisor.com has links to Simon & Baker articles about international destinations and properties such as Kamalame Cay in The Bahamas, Plantation Club in the Seychelles, Royal Island in the Maldives, Guanahani Hotel in St. Barths (France), and Azulik in Tulum, Mexico.
It also points to many South Africa reviews such as Deception Valley Lodge, Cape Grace and Mount Nelson hotels in Cape Town, Ten Bompas Hotel in Johannesburg, Garonga Thornybush and Singita Lebombo game lodges in the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger area.
In the U.S., TripAdvisor directs visitors to read about Cheeca Lodge Hotel in the Florida Keys, Derek and Houstonian hotels in Houston, 1801 First, Beach House Half Moon, Honor Mansion, Omni San Francisco, Inn Above Tide, and Sea Rock Inn in California.
Recent Simon & Baker articles featured luxury accommodations and attractions in Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago), Cape Town and bush camps in Zambia.
by Editor | Feb 5, 2007 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel
Investor in People Award finalist 10 Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts, Philippines
The World Travel & Tourism Council recently announced 12 finalists in four categories for the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise and promote leading examples of best practice in responsible tourism development in four categories: Destination, Conservation, Investor in People, and Global Tourism Business.
Destination Award finalist Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
The finalists were selected from 130 applications from over 40 different countries representing seven continents. The finalists for the Destination Award are Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Greenbox Trading As Responsible Tourism, Ireland and The State of Vermont, USA. For the Conservation Award, they are Aqua-Trek in the Fiji Islands and USA; the Aspen Skiing Company, USA, and the Caiman Ecological Refuge in Brazil.
Conservation Award finalist Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil
For the Investor in People Award they are 10 Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts in the Philippines; the Nihiwatu Resortin Indonesia and the Sunderbans Jungle Camp in India. For the Global Tourism Business Award, the finalists are Lindblad Expeditions in the USA and Global; Six Senses Resorts & Spas in Thailand and Global and Wilderness Safaris in South Africa.
Global Tourism Business Award finalist Lindblad Expeditions
One of our teams visited three Wilderness Safaris properties in Botswana. To read about their experiences click on the name of the property Camp Okavango, Xigera and their favorite, King’s Pool.
*Photos: 10 Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts, Australia Great Barrier Reef, Caiman Ecological Refuge, and Lindblad Expeditions.
by Editor | Nov 13, 2006 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
Tree-climbing lions of Chindeni
One of our team members recently returned from the South Luangwa Valley National Park, a ruggedly beautiful 3500-square-mile Eden of savannah and forest wedged in the north-eastern corner of Zambia. The park is recognized by experts as having one of the highest game densities in Africa. According to locals, the now famous Zambian walking safari was pioneered there over half a century ago. The tradition is upheld to this day by a few of the most reputed safari operators in the country. Josette King from the Simon & Baker Travel Review recently visited some of the intimate luxury camps, including Kuyenda, Chimalandu and Chindeni, strategically located along the Luangwa River and its tributaries, and discovered outstanding game viewing.
When she arrived, she settled in her luxury tent raised on a wooden deck overlooking a permanent lagoon at Chindeni, with expectations of abundant wildlife. What she couldn’t have anticipated was a sight so unusual that it startled even James Chabbuka, the group’s seasoned and otherwise unflappable guide. During the group’s first late afternoon excursion near the camp, they came across a pride of lions sprawled high in the branches of a huge winter thorn tree. They were obviously enjoying their nap in the refreshing breeze of the tree tops! Visit these pages and the Simon & Baker Travel Review soon for more about the wonders of South Luangwa Valley walking safaris, including the tree-climbing lions of Chindeni. Click here to read other articles on Zambia.
by Editor | Oct 9, 2006 | Accomodations, Luxury Travel, New Articles
Sugar Beach Villa
We were recently in Exuma, one of the out islands of The Bahamas, for a little rest and relaxation. This sleepy chain of small islands had been mostly undiscovered until a few years ago when luxury tourism in the form of exclusive villa communities and a Four Seasons property with a spa and casino onsite opened shop. Now they’re all the rage. And, with good reason.
The Exuma islands are a stone’s throw from South Florida making them easily accessible. It took us much less time door to door from South Florida to reach our rental villa on Little Exuma, the furthest east of the islands, than it has taken us to reach any island in the Caribbean. For more on the charms of Exuma and a fabulous rental villa go to Exuma and Sugar Beach Villa.
