by Editor | Dec 8, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
The pool area at Singita Lebombo was spacious and attractive
The guest lounge
For most of its existence Kruger National Park, one of the largest and best known game viewing parks in the world, was limited to basic camp accommodations and day visits. Eventually, the park began allowing private companies to build accommodations and luxury lodges within the confines of the park. This has expanded the game viewing opportunities for visitors and multiplied manifold the income potential that helps sustain the park and its fauna and flora treasures for generations to come.
Our team’s suite at Singita Lebombo had a stunning view of the river
The most luxurious of the park’s lodges is also one of the most remote. Singita Lebombo Lodge, a Relais & Chateax property and part of the expanding Singita portfolio, is near the Mozambique border on Kruger’s eastern boundary. A Simon and Baker team visited the property in 2004 shortly after it was first opened and again earlier this year. They were impressed with Singita’s ability to offer exclusive luxury suite accommodations, stylish decor, game viewing and fine dining in a remote bush setting within the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger. Click here to read a dedicated article about Singita Lebombo.
by Editor | Dec 1, 2008 | Accomodations, Books, Ecotourism, Restaurants, Spas
Red, White and Drunk All Over
The holiday season is upon us. For many people it’s a time of stress as well as joy and togetherness. Part of the stress comes from gift giving. Here are some gift ideas including books, gourmet dinners and exotic trips, we hope will help you narrow your choices and relieve some of the stress.
In Red, White and Drunk All Over, Natalie MacLean shares her love of wine and insights from an international wine oriented journey of discovery. The paperback edition, published last year, is 304 pages long and an easy read. At $14.95 Red, White and Drunk All Over is kind on the pocket and the well written book may be a good stocking stuffer for wine newbies and wine aficionados alike.
Cooks and cooking amateurs may appreciate the wealth of information in The Spice and Herb Bible (Robert Rose, $27.95). The exhaustive 607-page tome by Ian Hemphill includes detailed information about, well, herbs and spices.
Naughty Paris A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City
Naughty Paris A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City is for women who want to discover another side of Paris. According to the author, the City of Love offers ample opportunities for locals and visitors to indulge in the pleasures of the senses and love. In the 296-page well researched paperback book, Kristen Loop shares some of her ideas, findings and suggestions about love, romance, sexy hotels, outings, shopping, beauty options, culture, dancing, and shows in the romantic city.
A server shaves truffle bits over a dish at Ledoyen
While we’re on the subject of Paris, are you a foodie, celebrating a special occasion or just plain love dining in Paris? Do you have a healthy budget? How about a few days enjoying the best in gourmet dining available in the City of Lights? Of course you can try a neighborhood bistro but if you’re going all the way to Paris you probably want to indulge. Alain Ducasse and his Paris team at the Plaza Athenee Hotel are well known for their over the top dining. If you can’t get a table there or would rather be a tad more modest, other top tier choices include the dining rooms of: vegetable guru Alain Passard at Arpepe; Christian Le Squer at Ledoyen near the Champs Elysees, Helene Darroze at her restaurant in the Latin Quarter; Pierre Gagnaire’s Le Balzac; Pascal Barbot at L’Astrance, in the ritzy 16 arrondisement; Guy Martin’s historic Le Grand Vefour; and Guy Savoy at his eponymous establishment.
Dusk in Santa Fe
If North America is where you want to be on your next vacation, consider the Canadian Yukon, one of the last vast expanses of wilderness, for next summer; or one of the saints: San Diego and San Francisco in California or Santa Fe, New Mexico. Each one has its own charm. San Francisco, the most famous of the three, and the nearby wine country offer many options, accommodations, food and wine attractions within a short drive. San Diego, much further south and closer to the United States-Mexico border, is large and diverse with upscale and quaint seaside towns like La Jolla. Finally, Santa Fe, is a magnet for Pueblo style architecture and museum and art gallery lovers.
Male and female leopards “flirt” at Londolozi Tree Camp in South Africa
Do you long for something with a little more zest and adventure? If you are itching to travel, have the desire to see beautiful animals in their natural habitat, the patience to fly more than eight hours, and can afford world class accommodations, or as close to that as it gets in some remote areas, consider a safari trip to Africa. There are plentiful choices of destinations, properties, and game viewing options.
Many travelers in search of luxury lodge accommodations with gourmet dining, spa services and outstanding game viewing mention the Sabi Sand Reserve and the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger area in South Africa as favorites. Sabi Sand Reserve is home to Ivory Lodge and 1933 in Lion Sands, Tree Camp in Londolozi, Mala Mala Main Camp and Rattray’s in the Mala Mala Reserve, and Earth Lodge and Selati Camp in the Sabi Sabi Reserve. For a relaxing spa oriented visit our team liked the Cybele Forest Lodge and Health Spa near Kruger. The Outpost in the northern reaches of the park near the border with Zimbabwe offers game viewing in a serene off the beaten path setting.
Those seeking a wilder experience and willing to rough it, fly baby planes, stay in luxury tents and eat more modest meals can opt for other important African game destinations such as Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia depending on their interests, time and budget preferences. Botswana is known for its upscale orientation, huge elephant population and the famous Okavango Delta. Earlier this year, one of our teams enjoyed a visit to Mashatu in the Tuli Block of Botswana.
Areas to consider if visiting Tanzania include the Ruaha National Park, Selou Game Reserve, and Grumeti Game Reserve (adjacent to the Serengeti National Park). Visitors to Zambia may want to include one or more properties in Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park and Victoria Falls in their itinerary.
Whatever you do, we wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Click here to buy
Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass
Naughty Paris: A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City
The Spice and Herb Bible
by Editor | Nov 17, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
By Chester Godsy
Green Inn on the River from the outside
The lodge great room at Green Inn on the River
Our room at Green Inn on the River
During a two week trip to Canada this summer we spent a delightful three day break at the Green Inn on the River, a remote property located in the Canadian Yukon. We especially liked the opportunity to relax while enjoying a healthy organic lifestyle and excellent meals, hiking, canoeing as well as the company of our hosts and other travelers. Click here to read a dedicated article on Green Inn on the River.
by Editor | Nov 3, 2008 | Ecotourism, New Articles
By Chester Godsy
A mountain view in the Kluane National Park
Stone sheep
A native totem pole
During a recent two week trip to Canada we included a nine day visit to the Canadian Yukon. While there, we sampled local favorites like wild salmon and visited the Kluane National Park.
This park and the surrounding parks adjacent to it make up one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the world. The remote region of the Yukon boasts an extremely low human population density and pristine areas. Click here to read a dedicated article about Canada’s Yukon.
by Editor | Oct 27, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles, Products, Restaurants, Spas
The library in the main building at 1933
A family owned and managed four suite villa on the banks of the Sabie River within the large Sabi Sand Reserve and across from the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger, 1933 offered luxury accommodations including many creature comforts, appetizing home style meals, Big Five game viewing, and a dedicated team of staff for villa guests.
“In fact, 1933 is the family recreating the old camp,” said Nick More, partner and co-owner of the property, about the role of 1933 within the Lion Sands Reserve where it is located. The Lions Sands Reserve is situated within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. “The old camp which was built in 1936 by my great grandfather and was called Warthog Wallow Camp. Since the great floods of the Sabie River of 2000 our family has wanted to rebuild and rekindle those memories that we created from that camp, and that was achieved late last year, 2007. We called it 1933 in memory of the year in which Lion Sands was first purchased.”
A lioness and her cubs
A view of the main building from one of the neighboring suites
“Working at this area where the word ‘no’ does not exist exaggerates the demand of the position in ensuring that every guest in catered for. A home style menu is served daily, allowing me to draw inspiration from the environment which surrounds me, resulting in classic dishes. Lunches are light and simple offering a range of flavours, influenced by combinations to compliment to each other.
Dinner varies from night to night, from home style a la carte dinners, boma, Bush Dinners, each offering a unique feel and experience with a zest of flavours. I also enjoy working with other people as it gives me an opportunity to gain experience in all levels of cooking. It allows me to experience different cultures which I can include in the preparation of my dishes,” said Sannie Mbeva, cook at 1933.
Guests view a sleepy male lion at Lion Sands
The newly built riverside rental home provided personal service and posh bush accommodations ideal for small corporate groups, celebrities and families. 1933, ensconced within the world famous Sabi Sand Reserve, was a setting of lavish comfort in a game viewing reserve, offering guests the pleasure and space of a carefree home and exclusive access to the property for the duration of their stay. Our team’s visit was enhanced by private game drives, delicious meals and on site spa treatments. Click here to read a dedicated article about 1933.
by Editor | Sep 8, 2008 | Ecotourism, New Articles, Spas
Massage tables await us on the deck of our suite at Ivory Lodge
It is common for luxury bush properties to offer activities for guests in between the traditional early morning and late afternoon game viewing drives. Outside of meal times, guest time can be spent in suite or taking advantage of activities options on offer. In summer, guests can take a swim in the lodge pool or their suite’s private plunge pool, play a board game, work out, read a book or go for a bush walk.
The pool at River Lodge
Increasingly, luxury lodges are offering spa treatments. Lion Sands, one of the reserves within the Sabi Sand Reserve adjacent to http://simonandbaker.com/kruger has its own spa on site. Guests can enjoy a treatment at the spa, located at River Lodge, one of the reserve’s three properties. Alternatively, guests at the ultra exclusive Ivory Lodge and 1933, the beautiful new rental villa, can opt for treatments in the comfort of their expansive suite or at the villa’s open river facing deck. Click here to read a full length article about Lalamuka Spa at Lion Sands.
