The luxury magazine for world travelers Bespoke Special edition Ker & Downey Magazine Best in Africa The top hotels & top countries

A Southern Paradise Grootbos Luxury Lodge

Liz biden & the Royal collection The Finer Things of South Africa 12 Days on Wonders Of Tanzania

Inside: Tanzania South Africa Botswana Namibia More

Bespoke Contents Special edition contents

adventure itinerary rest & relaxation Namibia: The Great Wonders of Tanzania Haven on the Bay Adventure The world of wildlife is no Grootbos Private Nature From sand to sea, Na- better than in Tanzania. Reserve is making quite mibia offers unforgettable Explore the “wonders” of a splash with its opportu- adventure in this remote this East African country nity for luxury travelers to corner of Southern Africa. through this amazing experience adventure and itinerary we have outlined relaxation from the same Pg. 44 for you. destination. Pg. 10 Pg. 50

www.kerdowney.com www.kerdowney.com special edition // contents facebook.com/keranddowney Contents

expert guiding Hotels Well-Guided The Royal Portfolio “Flying along the stark Skeleton Coast Safari The talented Liz Biden or over the red dune sea of Sossusvlei can hardly Ker & Downey catches shares her story behind up with our favorite the creation of the ultra- be described in words...” Botswana guide, Doug luxurious Royal Portfolio. Namibia: the great adventure / Page 44 Wright. Pg. 38 Pg. 8

The travelogue Creditscredits

Special Africa Edition All pricing that has been notated in this Our World A comprehensive map of our destinations. pg.5 Executive Editor: Andrew Littmann magazine has been listed based on double Contributing Editors: Becky Bader, David Jones occupancy. Prices may vary depending on Writers: Katy Heerssen, Gary Walther, Scott Goetz the time of year as well as other variable Design: Andrew Littmann, Brittan Pittman factors. Letter from the President David Marek shares his thoughts on For future advertising consideration: why Africa is still a special place to visit time and time again pg.6 Contact Andrew Littmann - 281.371.2500 © 2012 Ker & Downey [email protected] *This magazine is a publication of Ker & Photography credits include: Downey. The views and opinions expressed Andy Anderson, Mike Meyers & Wilderness Safaris, in this magazine belong to contributors and Matemwe, Asilia Africa, David Marek, Thinkstock Photos, writers and may not reflect the views and Uncharted Africa, Zarafa Camp, Shinde, Dook, The Royal opinions of Ker & Downey. Portfolio, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

On the Cover: A quintessential image of the culture and beauty of Africa. This issue is entirely dedicated to the great continent of Africa and all its diversity. Talk to one of our Africa specialists or learn more about our unique journeys, luxury properties, or about Africa in general at www.kerdowney.com.

For travel agents: Reservations or questions can be handled by calling us at 800.423.4236.

4 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey www.kerdowney.com

facebook.com/keranddowney Special edition // our world Our World

Bespoke Thinking The real heartbeat of Ker & Downey traveling lies in our dedication to creating hand-crafted journeys that will change your life. The experience you gain, the adventure you have, the people you meet - all of these are the benchmarks of a truly life-changing journey. So step into the world of Our Global Destinations Ker & Downey with boldness. With any of our excursions, mix and match a world of destinations East Africa Brazil Southern Africa and luxury properties for your very own, unique Chile trip of a lifetime. Kenya Botswana Ecuador & Rwanda Mauritius The Galapagos Seychelles Mozambique Peru Tanzania Namibia Uganda South Africa Asia Featured in this issue Zambia Bhutan North Africa & Zimbabwe the Middle East India Nepal Southern Africa Egypt Laos Botswana Israel Cambodia Namibia Jordan Thailand South Africa Oman Vietnam Qatar Turkey East Africa South Pacific Morocco Tanzania United Arab Emirates Australia New Zealand French Polynesia South America Argentina

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 5 www.kerdowney.com special edition // letter from the president facebook.com/keranddowney Africa, Again & Again

I recently spoke at a gathering of 25 safari participants, of which only two had ever been on safari previously. A familiar question always asked by first-timers came up and it is, “what is your favorite place in Africa to visit”? As someone who gets asked this question all the time, one would think I have a standard reply. But I don’t. I am as fascinated and perplexed by Africa today as I was when I took my first trip there in 1978. Listen to someone who has been to Africa two or three times speak and he or she will have strong opinions about the places you have to go, or stay, or shop. But once Africa gets into your blood and you visit it many more times, the answer to the question becomes more complicated.

Everyone has seen the Serengeti on the Discovery Channel and has been awed by the rugged beauty of the spectacle, but how about the Okavango Delta’s reputation as the predator capitol of the world? Or maybe you’ve been to South Africa’s Sabi Sands reserve and experienced the up-close encounters with leopards that this area is known for? Or Namibia and its Skeleton Coast, or Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, or hiked Uganda’s Impenetrable Forest, or maybe you’ve seen the Marine “Big 5” from South Africa’s coast… there’s so much to see and experience!

We’ve highlighted some of the best in Africa in this issue of BESPOKE, but this is just a sample of what’s there. Africa simply gets under your skin. Take a trip with us to our Africa and let us design a journey especially for you and the way you like to travel. Whether your interests are wildlife and adventure, culture and philanthropy, cuisine, golfing, or a little of everything, it’s all there waiting for you.

So go with us and form your own opinions about your favorite places in Africa. Trust me... just go!

David Marek President ker & downey

Lioness A timeless image of Africa captured by Ker & Downey’s own president, David Marek, on his latest trip to Kenya.

Philanthropy: Learn how to get involved with Ker & Downey’s philanthropy projects while traveling at www.kerdowney.com/philanthropy.

For travel agents: Reservations or questions can be handled by calling us at 800.423.4236.

6 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey

www.kerdowney.com special edition // Well Guided Safari facebook.com/keranddowney

Well-Guided Safari Ker & Downey catches up with Doug Wright, our long-standing favorite guide in Botswana.

The safari business has evolved over the past half century just as all businesses have evolved. In the days of Hemingway, a safari was a several monthlong production with porters, cooks, gun-bearers, and trackers with the Professional Hunter heading up the whole affair. The job of the Professional Hunter in those days was not only to locate big game for his clients, but also to entertain and educate his clients on anything from the cherished ritual of manhood for young Masaai males to the annual flood cycle of the Okavango Delta. He old Chevy and the fact that he did not reach hospital for four days was an educator and a protector, the guru who knew the telltale impressed upon him the necessity to treat dangerous animals with signs that indicated when one could approach these elephants or the utmost respect. Doug still thinks the iodine bath administered to those on foot. At the end of the day, he could entertain with him by his mother upon reaching home hurt far worse than the stories of the bush around a campfire and a G and T. mauling. Today’s safari guide is much the same. He should be someone who Doug hunted professionally in Botswana until 1990 when he left the has spent a lifetime in the bush, knowing and understanding all business, deciding instead to concentrate on providing the best pho- things flora and fauna. Within hours of meeting his clients, a safari tographic and adventure safaris. Since then Doug has been General guide should be able to determine his clients’ fitness level in the Manager of Ker & Downey Botswana and Chairman of the Hotel case of trekking for gorillas or know when the clients prefer to do a and Tourism Association of Botswana, and he was also appointed to walking safari. He will have a wonderful ability to get children and a seat on the Tourism Board. teenagers involved and away from their smartphone. In short, to- day’s private safari guide is someone who will make this experience While a shareholder and director of Ker & Downey Botswana, Doug special for every member of the group regardless of age or gender. focused on the development of new adventure programs using the skills that served him so well as a professional hunter. The “Young One such safari guide is Doug Wright. Explorers” program was developed because Doug saw a need to introduce the increasing numbers of young American families going Doug was born in Maun, Botswana in 1941. His father came to on safari to some of the bushcraft he learned as a young boy. Chil- Botswana in 1918 to establish a business trading in a wide variety dren as young as seven learn to track and identify game, fish, pole of goods. Doug refers to his “University Education” in safari terms, a mokoro, safely shoot a pellet gun, build a fire, identify constella- beginning when he was sixteen and hunting lion. The lion in ques- tions, drive a Land Rover, and much more. tion charged, was fatally shot in the process, yet had plenty of life left to give Doug a severe mauling. The horrific drive home in an Doug also developed the Mokoro Safari where clients have the op- portunity to get up close to one of the most elusive antelope on the planet, the sitatunga. This is done the old-fashioned way with native polers silently poling the mekoro through the reeds while reading doug wright Above, Doug on a walking safari in Bots; Below, Doug arranges an up-close encounter with an elephant by his expert skills in the “signs” the sitatunga have left behind. reading the elephant’s behavior Some of the best times with Doug are spent walking in the bush, reading the signs of nature and exploring whatever they reveal that day. If you want to walk up to elephants or lions, under the right conditions, Doug will escort you with his trusty 458 rifle by his side. But he’ll also tell you when it’s not right because the elephants are in musth and aggressive, or because this is a family herd and the matriarch looks a bit “goosey.”

Doug continues to escape to the bush on a safari whenever it is pos- sible. He can look back on over 40 years of exciting days spent with intriguing guests. Many famous people have been on safari with him and he continues to have lasting friendships with many of them. He is happiest in the bush and even today continues to enjoy sharing his love of nature and the many skills he has with young and old.

For more information on arranging a specialized, private guide throughout your entire K&D journey, contact your Travel Professional or Ker & Downey at 800.423.4236 - www.kerdowney.com.

8 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey PHOTO BY: RUCKOMECHI CAMP A tree climbing lion at Lake Manyara National Park.

10 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey The comfortable beach set-up at Matemwe in Zanzibar.

Sun and sand take center stage in this island paradise, showcasing a heritage steeped in spices and Indian ocean

- Featuring Wonders of Tanzania / A Ker & Downey Itinerary - Wonders of tanzania

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 11 ,Sayari impala, Camp Tent elephant,at Dusk. hippo and wildebeest are all common sights on safari throughout Tanzania.

1258 winterSPECIAL 2010 EDITION| Ker & Downey| Ker & Downey The main tent at Oliver’s Camp.

Discover Tanzania, an East African nation where the majesty of the serengeti meets the temperate shores of the Indian Ocean.

Ker & Downey presents this region as a vintage safari with a twist, meandering through diverse landscape and seeing ample undisturbed wildlife before finally indulging in beach- side luxury.

The Tanzanian journey begins in Arusha, an area famous for The luxurious tents at Sayari provide spectacular views of the wonders of its robust coffee crops. Arusha Coffee Lodge occupies a corner Tazania for those who want the of the Burka coffee estate, a fully-operational coffee plantation ultimate adventure. with roasters and fermentation facilities on site. Guests can indulge in the blends and observe the roasting process before traveling onward to the Tarangire National Park and Oliver’s Camp. This camp is a fitting introduction to the Tanzanian wild with just the right balance of bush luxury and classic safari grit. In the distance Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and the Great Rift Valley are visible from camp, all anticipated bullet points on the itinerary.

Slow down first at Oliver’s Camp whose seasoned camp at- tendants include wildlife wizards. Guides and rangers excel at distinguishing between the specific families of lion and sorting out individual pride members from the throng, their characteristics and personalities memorized. Game drives will net sightings of elephant, hyena and several different big cats. Oliver’s is best known for walking safaris, an activity that not long ago was forbidden by the park authorities. Set En route to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, keep watch off on foot, flanked by a skilled guide and ranger, to stealthily in the surrounding branches for the famous tree-climbing observe the Tarangire’s inhabitants in their natural surround- lions. With a constant water supply and varied terrain, the ings. Extend the experiential safari and include a fly camping area around the stunning Ngorongoro Crater remains rich and excursion, turning a few hours’ walk into an unforgettable diverse in game year-round. A Dutch colonial-chic personality day of up-close game viewing and sleeping in the solitude defines The Manor at Ngorongoro with whitewashed cottages of the wilderness. Tents at camp are well-appointed with an standing stark and crisp against the green of the impeccable incredible outdoor shower with a view and plush furnishings gardens. Soak in views of the Tanzanian bush from the manor inside. Stroll the lantern-lit grounds and dine at the banquet and journey by off-road vehicle or bike into the crater for a table with the camp family of guides, rangers and other guests, closer look at the activity on the 100-square-mile crater floor. ending the evening with conversation around the campfire Named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, the Ngorong- – an activity affectionately nicknamed “Bush TV.” The paths oro Conservation Area is heralded as one of the most spectac- that wind through the grounds are raked every evening and ular places for game viewing in all of Africa, particularly in the visitors wake to a surprise sandy tapestry of animal tracks crater. From the petite dik dik to the massive black rhinoceros, weaving throughout the area. an estimated 25,000 big game residents – the Big Five among them – are living on the plains or in the swamps. Trek to the Depart Tarangire and take in a private game drive over lunch Olduvai Gorge, located nearby on the plains of the Great Rift at the intimate and exclusive Lake Manyara National Park. Valley, where excavations have yielded important clues into Manyara’s shallow waters attract a variety of herbivores the lives of prehistoric humans. including hippos, impala, elephant, giraffe and wildebeest.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 13 The Oliver’s dining terrace at night.

14 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey slow down first at Oliver’s camp whose seasoned camp attendants include wildlife wizards...sorting out individual pride members from the throng

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 15 1 2

3

16 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey The famed Serengeti National Park is next, existing on the Kenyan border and home to the annual mammalian spectacle known as the Great Migration. From October to April, grab a front-row seat to the Great Migration from Sayari Camp’s prominent position on the Mara River. A hippo pod at Sayari Camp Watch as herds of big game grazers – including wildebeest, making a great photo-op. and antelope – follow the rains across the Mara with predators in hot pursuit, hoping to exploit the weaker trav- elers. Sayari is a superb slice of luxury on the vast plains, featuring 15 deluxe tents with breezy verandas, en-suite facilities and the distinction of a five-star hotel experience in the wilderness -- a far cry from a typical, more rugged tented camp. Beyond the grounds, discover all the wonders and wildlife of the Serengeti. As the only permanent camp in this region of the park, Sayari remains isolated and quiet, removed from the maddening tourism traffic. Game drives will reveal the diverse inhabitants of the plains and the towering kopje rock formations, including the Simba Kopje, a landmark that is often credited as the inspiration for the fictional Pride Rock seen in the animated feature The Lion King.

the big five among them are living on the plains or in swamps.

End the Tanzanian adventure with exceptional seaside opulence on the islands of Zanzibar. Sun and sand take center stage in this island paradise, showcasing a heritage steeped in spices and warmed by the Indian Ocean. A good portion of the world’s cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper originate on these islands and guests in the region can tour the plantations and facilities where sumptuous spices are still produced. Experience the island nation from the secluded Matemwe Lodge, located on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja. Local materials and verdant gardens set off the 12 bungalows, each with its own veranda overlooking the Indian Ocean. Tanzania 1. New outdoor decks at Sayari. Aside from luxuriating in Matemwe’s oasis of sand and sea, 2. Indoor show- guests can look forward to experiencing the pristine natu- ers of Sayari Camp. 3. Stun- ral wonders of the island. The crystal-clear waters, with ning view of the impressive coral formations found on the nearby Mnemba There’s Serengeti seen Atoll, are a thrill for divers. An array of marine life can be no better on safari at place than a Sayari Camp. found as well with dolphins residing year-round and hump- back whales passing through from July to September. On a hammock in the shade at hike through the Jozani Forest, guests will spy the Zanzi- Matemwe. bar red colobus, a primate with distinctly different mark- ings and calls than those of its mainland colobus cousin. Zanzibar ends the journey with a choice of energetic activities and leisurely moments, leaving visitors with fond memories of their privileged trek.

For more information... Wonders of Tanzania by Ker & Downey is available for your own custom, departure date or work with our experiential travel consultants to customize it to feature your own, favorite Tanzania experiences. Contact your Travel Professional or Ker & Downey at 800.423.4236 - www.kerdowney.com.

Ker & Downey KerKer && Downey Downey| SPECIAL || winter winterEDITION 2010 2010 1749 49 game drives the classic Botswana game drive is as stunning as ever in our four fa- vorite camps, especially at San.

18 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Ker & Downey’s

bestof botswana It’s improbable that one country about the size of Texas could contain two of the world’s most extreme—and extremely beautiful—ecosystems. But there they are in the of northern Botswana, no more than a 90-minute plane ride apart: the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Okavango Delta.

written by: Gary Walther & SCOTT GOETZ

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 19 ...... Our ...... fav...... four...... A . . . . .l . . . oo...... k. . . . . at...... f. . . our...... o. . . .f . . . . .our ...... f . . .avorite ...... camps...... in ...... sa ...... f . . .ari ...... country......

20 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey SAN camp page 22 1. makgadikgadi pans / Remote Africa Experience

Zarafa camp page 26 2. selinda reserve / For the Conservationist

vumbura plains page 30 3. Okavango delta Safari Luxe /

4. Shinde camp page 34 Okavango delta / Classic Adventure

ZAMBIA ANGOLA

SHAKAWE Chobe National Park ZIMBABWE Zarafa camp Vumbura plains Shinde camp MAUN NAMIBIA TSAU GWETA Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve SAN camp

RAKOPS FRANCISTOWN ORAPA

GHANZI BOTSWANA

Central Kalahari MAMUNO Game Reserve SEROWE

MACHANENG

KANG

TSHANE MOLEPOLOLE MOCHUDI

Kalahari GABOROME National Park KANYE

TSHABONG

SOUTH AFRICA ...... M...... ak...... g...... adik ...... g . . . . . adi...... pan...... s ...... S ...... A ...... N...... camp...... A. . . . . remote...... Af ...... rica...... experience ......

SAN camp San Camp main dining tent at sunset.

22 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey A full moon beams with klieg light intensity onto the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest salt pan complex in the world. It’s well after sunset and while I should be concerned about the dangers haunting this barren landscape, I am too awestruck by the ethereal light reflecting off the white crusty earth and onto all that surrounds me. Night has magically turned to day and in this vast, flat emptiness the size of Switzerland, beauty is heightened by the immensity of nothingness.

As a travel writer and African expert, I am often asked what are my favorite places. When I say Uncharted Africa’s Jack’s and San Camps in Botswana, I know to expect the dreaded ‘why?’ The desert is not what most people think of when dreaming of the ultimate African experience surely, but that ‘why’ is a very difficult question to answer. For no matter which anecdote I elaborate or how clearly I explain my feelings, I fail to convey the profound power of this place - a

continued on pg. 25

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 23 SAN CAMP From left to right: San Camp portrays the vintage safari style through its rustic decor and authentic campaign furniture.

24 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey san camp / Best of Botswana

“What instills the solid connection to the place is the legendary Bousfield passion for Africa...” Best of Botswana: power that most everyone who ventures history with botanical wonder; a The scoop here discovers. full-throttle quad ride affords a thrilling understanding of the pans Accommodation I recently returned to Makgadikgadi, limitlessness; a field trip interacting A maximum of 12 guests are accommodated in six large walk-in white canvas tents on ecstatic to be one of the first to experience with meerkats, sparks thoughts on slightly elevated wooden platforms with pri- the new San Camp, and this time I had social communication; a walk with the vate facilities. The tents have running water brought award-winning filmmaker Michael Bushmen presents the oldest living and flush toilets, plus a bucket shower. These Southard, to shoot a web series that takes culture on the planet and allows for an facilities are private but are approximately nine to thirteen feet from the tent. viewers on Africa’s Ultimate Journeys. We ancestral connection that goes back as land. There it is ahead of me. The seemingly far as ape turning to man. Discovery Activities to look for dead and lifeless crusty earth. Oh no, upon discovery, the pieces stack up * Game drives, both day and night seemingly dead? How do we visually capture with a collective intensity. * Quad bike safaris something so alive if it looks seemingly * Meerkat adventures dead on film? I couldn’t define what it is in It didn’t take long before Michael * San Bushmen experiences * Star gazing a description. Strapped into the plane seat, succumbs to the wide-eyed wonder I * Birding during wet season I freeze and wonder if the reason was that… first experienced when I came here. * Bush walks well…maybe it wasn’t that great? Was I a Suddenly, it’s clear. What instills the * Kubu Island quad bike activities fool to love this lunar no-man’s land for all solid connection to the place is the these years? This place…Over all the other legendary Bousfield passion for Africa, How to get there fantastic possibilities in Africa? I unbuckle a family legacy, handed down through Start planning by calling your Travel Professional or reaching us at: my seat, dangling on the edge of terror. six generations, that finds home in the heart of all who come here. Every email: [email protected] Over the three day stay, excursions lead moment is a desert passion play, phone: 800.423.4236 us into the various aspects of life in the Africa’s version of a Hollywood movie Makgadikgadi, each reveling another premiere and San Camp, luminous in fragment of this area’s ancient puzzle: a her tented elegance, is Botswana’s new Scott Goetz regularly writes for Robb Report and Elite Traveler. His multi-episode series on San Camp will trip to a 3,500 year old Baobab tree couples leading lady. be the first of many journeys appearing the Fierce Traveler channel (www.fiercetraveler.com).

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 25 ...... Selinda...... re ...... s . . . . erve...... Zarafa...... camp ...... For ...... the...... conservationist......

The full moon has spread a smoky sheen across the Zibandianja Lagoon, making it look as if it were filled with dry ice. Out there—and not very far out there—the pod of hippos that bivouac right offshore is providing a little night music, belching, bickering, grunting, and snorting their way toward sunrise. They’re the lagoon’s Beta House.

Whereas in here, a 1,000-square-foot tent, all is refined artifice--scroll-arm button-tufted couch, leather planter’s chairs, claw-foot copper tub, and a savannah of Persian carpet. It’s a safari- drawing-room-under-canvas, one of the four that make up Zarafa, built just two years ago and easily among the most luxurious camps in the Delta today.

The camp’s creators, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, are wildlife photographers and filmmakers by trade and environ-mentalists by passion. The camp sits on the first place the Jouberts ever camped together, “so we’re in love with the location,” says Dereck. The duo has won all the big awards in their field (five Emmys, a Peabody, and a Wildscreen Panda), and most recently they garnered a Best Achievement in Science, Nature and Technology Emmy for their film “Eye of the Leopard.” Their latest project, in conjunction with National Geographic, is the Big Cat Initiative, which aims to halt the drastic decline in the

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26 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Natural sunlight Morning light fills the tent at Zarafa camp - the best part of waking up.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 27 Zarafa camp / Best of Botswana numbers of lion, leopard, and chee- ibis rise from the reeds and vec- tah. (You can sign up at www.nation- tor off to their feeding grounds. algeographic.com/bigcats.) Vervet monkeys splash down onto “The camp runs the low branches above the camp’s The Jouberts envision Zarafa as a dining area. One day at lunch, 14 completely on green beacon, proof that sybaritic elephants congregate on the lagoon solar power, courtesy of 136 sanyo panels that provide electricity 24 hours a day.”

and sustainable can go hand-in- shore, about 100 yards away. Lining hand. “Zarafa,” says Dereck, is “a up nose to tail, they wade in and laboratory for conservation tourism, proceed to bathe, horse around, a showcase.” Thus, the camp runs and devour lagoon grass by furling completely on solar power, courtesy it with their trunks as deftly as an of 136 Sanyo panels that provide Italian twirls linguine onto a fork. electricity 24 hours a day. “I had to In the evening, red lechwe gather browbeat the designers into that in the shallows, their russet coats one,” recalls Dereck. “Now we fire up burnished by the sun’s slant rays. Of the generator once a month just to course, twice a day you go farther see if it works.” All of the construc- afield on game drives, armed with Best of Botswana: tion materials were chosen through a Canon 40D digital camera and a an environmental audit. The floors, pair of telephoto lenses supplied by The scoop decking, and headboards (designed the camp. Is that a cool amenity or by Dereck) are made of disused teak what? Accommodation railroad ties from South Africa. He The camp is designed with exclusivity and also designed the furniture, sleek At Zarafa, you get the luxury of privacy at its core. Each tent is positioned renditions of classic safari pieces, space—a three-room expanse to on the forest’s edge, rimming the shores of and had them made in the Philip- live in, not just a place to kill time the floodplains and savannas and far from a neighbor. There are only four tents at the pines out of Indonesian mahogany between game drives. The staff and luxurious Zarafa Camp, with unobstructed uprooted by the 2004 tsunami. The food are first rate, and the loca- view across the Zibandianja Lagoon and land rovers are powered by cooking tion is an orchestra seat on all the earthy construction. Each of the tents is oil, the glassware is manufactured in goings-on out in the lagoon. But the decorated with custom-made furniture, leathers, and handcrafted recycled woods. Swaziland out of recycled Coca-Cola bottom line is that by staying here bottles, and the sewage system uses you’re underwriting a vision. Activities to look for bacteria to do the dirty work. It’s in- * Traditional game drives geniously green. * Elevated hides * Bush walks The Zibandianja Lagoon teems with life. It’s astonishing how many How to get there species can be seen from the tent or Start planning by calling your Travel main deck of the common area. Just Professional or reaching us at: after dawn, heralded by the madcap email: [email protected] call of Red-billed Francolins, sacred phone: 800.423.4236

28 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Rustic yet clean from left to right: the 136 Sanyo panels that provide electricity and power for the camp 24 hours a day; rustic elegance is the theme of your bathroom at Zarafa, complete with clawfoot tub; view over the Selinda Reserve at sunrise.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 29 ...... Okavan...... go ...... D...... elta...... V...... umbura...... plai...... ns...... S . . a. . . .f . . .ari ...... l. . . uxe......

Vumbura plains Closer encounters with a cheetah on a game drive at Vumbura.

30 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey What’s in a name? In Vumbura’s case, there isn’t nearly enough. To convey the diversity of its 160,618-acre concession, the lodge would have to be called Vumbura Plains, Savannahs, Swamps, Acacia Belt, and Teak Woodlands. Granted, every game lodge has a variety of landscape, but Vumbura’s location, in the north astride the Linyanti and Okavango systems, gives it a wider habitat spectrum than most lodges. For proof, you need only look at the antelope on view: from the swamp dwelling sitatunga to the teak woodland-loving sable, to name the extremes. In between there are tessebe and zebra on the floodplains, kudu and impala in the acacias, and

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Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 31 steenbok and roan in the mopane materials (rag rugs, beaded beanbag “The Delicate forests. The lodge offers a variety chairs), shapes (fiberglass coffee of activities—drives, walks, mokoro tables that resemble giant pebbles), Palette of soft and motor boat excursions, and and architectural elements (built- helicopter flights—so guests can in couches and beds and blond, greens, blues, take it all in. Vumbura breaks sandblasted pine planking as the mold when it comes to the primary building material) taupe, grays, and accommodation, too, eschewing the might make you think of northern traditional game lodge vocabulary California. Elephant-hide (hut, thatch, hardwood) in favor of very clean, geometric pavilions The architecture perfectly suits browns subtly bedded between grand wild fig the camp’s location on the edge of and jackalberry trees. The delicate the Kaparota Lagoon. The chalets Reflect the palette palette of soft greens, blues, have been designed to minimize taupe, grays, and elephant-hide the divide between out and in, with of the landscape.” browns subtly reflect the palette mosquito-net paneling and sliding of the landscape. The bold play of panels of shade cloth used for walls.

32 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Vumbura plains / Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana: The scoop

Accommodation Vumbura Plains Camp comprises two sepa- rate seven-roomed satellite camps, each with its own raised dining, lounge and bar area tucked beneath a canopy of cool, shady, in- digenous trees. Magnificent vistas across the Okavango Delta floodplains are a feature. A in the delta star-gazing deck with comfortable cushions clockwise from left to right: private protrudes into the floodplain, a place to gaze deck and plunge pool in your suite; upwards, or a convivial camp fire setting. common area; evening cocktails on the terrace; Delta sable. Activities to look for * Traditional game drives * Night drives * Bush walks * Mokoro Excursions

How to get there Start planning by calling your Travel Professional or reaching us at: email: [email protected] phone: 800.423.4236

Game drives Clockwise: Inside the suites at Vumbura; the Delta’s flooded terrain makes for an adventurous drive. This lends the living and bedrooms a kind of IMAX-theatre-on-the- lagoon feel. You experience the ultimate lazy man’s birdwatching by propping yourself up on a pillow in bed at dawn and waiting for the avian day to get underway. Each of the seven chalets has a plunge pool and spacious adjoining relaxation area, a sala (a thatched, outdoor pavilion furnished with daybeds), and outdoor shower (in addition to the full en-suite bathroom).

Vumbura is the lodge for those who want a more modern approach to staying in the bush while seeing a sterling cross-section of habitat and wildlife.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 33 ...... Okavan ...... go...... D ...... elta ...... Shi...... n...... de ...... camp...... Cl ...... assic...... adventure ......

Shinde camp Shinde Camp’s authentic feel makes it popular among safari enthusiasts and great for repeat and first-time Botswana visitors.

34 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey The vast savannahs surrounding Shinde are touchy blacksmith plovers, and all at once six car- a great stage for wildlife. They reveal the dynamic of the mine bee-eaters splashed color all over a leafless Delta, as you see how various species have carved out a mopane tree. particular niche and you watch them interact with other types of game. And then, as if a director shouted “action,” a troupe of baboon entered, stage left, and proceeded to cross That became clear to me the morning we pulled up at the the standing water. They kept coming and coming- edge of a plain that still contained a fair amount of water, -there were perhaps 50 of them, mothers carrying although the dry season was well along. Nearby, a herd babies on their backs and big males keeping the of red lechwe, the most common antelope in the Delta, young ones in line. Our guide Paul said they were grazed placidly, quite happy to ignore us. skittish because they don’t like getting wet—indeed, some hopscotched through the pool on their hind Farther back, a flight of 30 or so open-billed storks light- legs--and because they were worried that the water ly dropped to the ground like a squadron of black-clad harbored crocodiles. parachutists. The air was filled with the tink-tink-tink of continued on pg. 37

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 35 True Botswana from left to right: lions resting after an elephant kill; patio at the Shinde Enclave; dining under tented canvas

36 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Shinde camp / Best of Botswana

“And then, as if a director shouted ‘action,’ a troupe of baboon entered stage left and proceeded to cross the standing water.”

And we didn’t have to do a thing but sit in the they’ve touched with their front ones. land rover and take it all in. Then he gave us the formula for calcu- Best of Botswana: lating the height of an elephant from its Shinde also has a watery side, sitting right print: the circumference times two. on Shinde Lagoon as labyrinthine as Venice. The scoop It has broad boulevards and enormous piaz- We also got a lesson in identifying game zas of water, and by-ways a little wider than a by their droppings. Giraffe leave hard Accommodation rowboat, with tiny aqueous alleyways jutting little pellets; zebra dung is mostly grass, Shinde is nestled on a lush palm-dotted off them into the expanses of papyrus. The la- good for starting a campfire; and the island in the heart of the northern Okavango hippo drops a tight, light ball that can be Delta. Located at the edge of a lagoon, it is goon takes on a special atmosphere at sunset surrounded by clear waterways, which flow with the sky shot with the setting sun and the used for a pickup game of soccer. over yellow sands and past palm-fringed is- papyrus growing dusky. lands teeming with birdlife and game. Delight Shinde is one of the older camps in the in the best game viewing and bird watching Delta. The fact that the common areas in some of the most luxurious surroundings This is the time of day when you might get in the Delta. very lucky and see one of the Delta’s shyest are raised above the ground and con- species, the sitatunga. A tiny antelope, the nected by boardwalks gives the place a sitatunga has evolved to live in the half-land treehouse feel. The eight tents are tradi- Activities to look for tional in layout, much more rustic than * Mokoro glides in the delta and half-water world of the Delta. It has a wa- * Fishing terproof coat, and is actually better at walk- luxe—a more old-time Africa. And isn’t * 4x4 game drives ing on squishy terrain than dry land. One of that one of the things you come all this * Bush walks the best things to do at Shinde is take a game way to discover? * Bird watching walk. “Doing a game drive is like watching a movie of nature,” said Paul, “whereas do- How to get there ing a walk is like reading a book of nature.” Start planning by calling your Travel And he proceeded to do just that, becoming Professional or reaching us at: a Sherlock Holmes of the Delta, looking at a email: [email protected] patch of ground and reading a story from it. phone: 800.423.4236 “What’s unusual about these elephant prints?” he asked. When we’re stumped, he points out that there are only two prints because el- ephants plant their rear feet right on the spot

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 37 There’s No Place Like HOME The Liz Biden Collection

38 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey The Liz Biden Collection

Courtyard of Birkenhead House at night.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 39 iz Biden is someone who un- derstands that there’s nothing quite like the comfort of being at home. The seclusion, the privacy,L and the quiet make a home the ultimate sanctuary from life’s familiar course. Realizing the captivating feeling a home can inspire, Liz Biden has grabbed the attention of the luxury travel industry by opening her opulent homes as private escapes to welcome South African adven- turers.

In the late nineties, Liz and her husband, Phil, sold their shares of Jenni Button and left the South African fashion industry to turn one of their holiday homes into their first hotel, Royal Malewane.

“It was a fit of madness,” recalls Liz. “I didn’t know anything about how to create

or run hotels.” And yet, since January of received incredible reviews including 2000, Liz Biden and this bushveld hide- Birkenhead’s appearance on Condé Nas away have experienced fabulous recogni- Traveler’s Hotlist in 2003 and La Resi- tion with awards like “Top 101 Best Spas in dence’s recent “Hideaway of the Year” the World” from Tatler Spa Guide, a “Best award from Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Destinations” award from Forbes Maga- Report in 2009. zine, and one of the “Top 57 Hot Spots in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler. Each of the Royal Portfolio properties is known for its own individual identity. Liz With so much confidence from Royal has stayed away from joining group hotels Malewane, Liz promptly turned her beach and has spent a large amount of time in the Clockwise from top: Suite house into her second hotel, Birkenhead unique and eclectic decor of her homes. “I interior at Birkenhead House; Courtyard at La House, and her wine farm into her third have traveled all over the world and so I Residence; Main deck at hotel, La Residence. Similar to Royal put together all the things that I have loved Royal Malewane. Malewane, both of these hotels have also and enjoyed in other places,” says Liz.

40 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey BIRKENHEAD HOUSE IS A RARE SIGHT,

seated on the cliffs of Hermanus overlooking

the Atlantic Ocean.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 41 Grand entrance at La Residence; Opposite: Marble spa at Royal Malewane; Herd of buffalo crossing a game vehicle; One of the private villas at La Residence.

Liz’s Birkenhead House is a rare sight, elegance of rich deckwood, Ralph-Lauren Liz has loved every minute of her seated on the cliffs of Hermanus overlook- linens, and spillway pool waters. As there role in creating the Royal Portfolio. ing the Atlantic Ocean. A unique collection are only six suites at Royal Malewane, “It has been such a joy to pour my of inspired artwork, elegant chandeliers, these luxurious accommodations also offer heart into them and it has been even and ocean view vistas are just a few of the incomparable solitude. Additionally, Liz more rewarding to see the wonderful marvels at this waterfront property. Her has one of only two scouts in the country customers enjoy them so much.” wine estate, La Residence, is known for its on her staff, along with the only working spectacular Tuscany villa feel, with ornate master tracker, who helps guests to find To experience the world-class hospitality mirrors, lighting, artworks, and dressers. some of the most spectacular wildlife in of the Royal Portfolio hotels in K&D Set in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, La South Africa. She furnished her latest style, contact your Travel Professional or Residence offers mountain vineyard vistas addition at Royal Malewane, Africa House, Ker & Downey at 800.423.4236 - www. and nothing short of spectacular mountain with 20 tables, windows, and even carved kerdowney.com. views, beautiful sunsets, and estate-like teak beds from Mombasa and Lamu. grandeur. The exquisite Royal Malewane “When I see fabulous pieces, I buy them getaway lies among the untamed African and we build the place around them.” bush and offers the sophistication and

42 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 43 Walking one of the large sand dunes in Sossusvlei.

Flying along the stark Skeleton Coast or over the red “dune sea of Sossusvlei cannot really be described in words... – Martin Benadie – Wilderness Safaris”

44 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Namibia THE GREAT ADVENTURE

The arid land of Namibia, a forgotten country when it comes to safari, has emerged from oblivion into the forefront of adventure travel, catching the eyes of explorers, culturalists, and luxury travelers along the way. Take an extraordinary journey with Ker & Downey to find out what has made it so popular.

he arid land of Namibia, a forgotten country when it comes to safari, Thas emerged from oblivion into the forefront of adventure travel, catching the eyes of explorers, culturists, luxury travel- ers, and even Matt Lauer of NBC’s Today Show along the way. Take an extraordinary journey with Ker & Downey to find out what has made it so popular.

The country of Namibia, named after the vast Namib desert (the oldest on the planet), is celebrated for its wide open landscapes - a perfect place to breathe deeply while taking in the infinite supply of blue skies, sun-drenched weather, and cool starry nights. The diversity of nature, from red sand dunes to blue ocean water, creates an interesting juxtaposition as it surrounds the outlying cities.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 45 National parks and game reserves only add to the collage of wildlife as giraffes saunter across the white Etosha Pan, gemsbok traverse up and down the dunes of Sossusvlei, and seals congre- gate on the western shores at Skeleton Coast.

Ker & Downey’s Discover Namibia is a great way to explore it all. With plenty of activity from safari to relaxation, this journey encompasses wildlife, beautiful landscapes, preserved culture, and ultimate style.

The Namibian adventure includes trips to Sossusvlei, Damara- land, the Skeleton Coast, and the great white Etosha Pan. If you saw “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” on the Today Show in November 2011, you saw Lauer slaloming down the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei to kick off his tenth annual five-day The scene from the main deck of Kulala Desert Lodge is impres- whirlwind jaunt around the world. sive, comprised of unobstructed views of the vast sand sea and a watering hole attracting gemsbok, , ostrich, and jackal. Home to the impressive red sand dunes and the Namib Naukluft The individual tents are elevated canvas and thatch “kulalas” – National Park, Sossusvlei is a must-see destination for photog- meaning “to sleep” in Oshiwambo – and sleep you will, either in raphers and adrenaline junkies. “The geography of the place is the breezy open-air bedroom or on the rooftop bedroll beneath simply astounding,” says David Jones, Ker & Downey vice presi- the thousands of glittering pinpricks in the Namibian sky. Bal- dent. The Namib is considered the world’s oldest living desert, a looning is one of the best ways guests can take in the expanse of precarious place for life to thrive. Salty Atlantic seas are not fit to the dunes. Embark early to watch the region come to life and the drink, but plants and desert-adapted animals are sustained by the sands change color as the sun rises. mist that drifts in from the turbulent coast, using each droplet of moisture to its fullest. The infamous Skeleton Coast is known for its scattered remains

46 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Romantic ending to a day on safari at Damaraland Camp; Opposite: Expansive deck at Onga- va Lodge overlooking the plains. Excursions to see the Himba are part of the unique experiences of a Ker & Downey journey to Namibia.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 47 48 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey of shipwrecks and thousands of Cape fur seals. sidered Namibia’s premier wildlife destination. When the first European explorers landed on this Adapted elephant, wildebeest, springbok, and unforgiving coast, they dubbed it “The Sands of gemsbok, along with 340 species of bird, gather at Hell.” Many mariners of old lived through a wreck the outlying springs and waterholes. This is one of in the treacherous waters only to perish in the the few places in Africa where visitors can also see desert beyond. Even with modern technologies black rhino and white rhino living together in the and safety precautions, ships today can still find same region. Stay within Etosha’s confines at the themselves caught in the impenetrable fog and incredibly exclusive Little Ongava, a retreat with constant surge of waves, tossing them into one of only three suites, a private plunge pool and private the many jagged offshore rocks or shifting sand decks for each suite. bars. Wrecked and rusted hulls pepper the coast, constantly weathered by the salty winds, standing Not only does Namibia have unique geography, half buried and waiting to eventually become one it also has a one-of-a-kind culture. The Himba with the sand as dust. Faded ships aren’t the only people of the northwest are one of the last semi- skeletons you’ll find here – the massive bleached nomadic peoples on earth. Leading pastoral bones of whales stand as painful reminders of lifestyles, the Himba tend goats and cattle and the days of mass whaling. Built 12 miles from the have remained unaffected by westernization due coast on an island in the dry Khumib riverbed, to their isolation. The Himba women are known the Skeleton Coast Camp comprises Meru-style for their intricate hairstyles and beautiful jewelry. en-suite tents and provides a luxurious refuge to Most Himba wear little clothing and use a fragrant the visitors of the Skeleton Coast. This beautifully mixture of red ochre and fat rubbed on their bod- desolate region can be seen by taking drives in ies, giving them a distinct red appearance. 4x4 vehicles, darting in and out of the windswept A great confluence of opposites, the forgotten plains, towering canyons, and wide salt pans.

Damaraland lies in the northwestern region of Na- mibia, folded in by mountain ranges and cut through by rivers, including the north- ern Kuene. The mountains of Damaraland are home to some of Africa’s best rock etchings, with UNESCO World Heritage Site Twyfel- fontein comprising a host of over 2,000 animal and human figures carved and painted across the rock. Situated in the Huab River Valley, Damaraland Camp is a contemporary eco-friendly destination of elevated thatch-roofed abodes with private decks and endless vistas over the rocky desert. Though animals do not congregate close to camp year round, skilled guides and trackers ferry guests Opposite: Plant life is minimal in the harsh desert of Sossusvlei; Above: Close up of an el- throughout the gravel plains ephant at Skeleton Coast; Sunrise on the dunes at Kulala Desert Lodge. that are home to Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, black rhino, and the truly unique desert-adapted country of Namibia has much to offer for adven- elephants. Though no different genetically from turers, culturists, and travelers alike. their cousins elsewhere in Africa, these desert dwellers can travel much greater distance on less sustenance to be able to survive in the harsh To take Ker & Downey’s Discover Namibia journey or customize conditions. your own trip to Namibia, contact your Travel Professional or visit our website at www.kerdowney.com. is a rare sight of large salt pans and slight depressions carved by the power- ful winds. Although life here is harsh, the area is one of Africa’s largest game reserves and is con-

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 49 Poolside at the new Grootbos Villa.

50 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Haven on the Bay GROOTBOS PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Adrenaline-pumping adventure and beachside relaxation

Aren’t two things that typically go hand in hand;

But on South Africa’s Gansbaai shores,

Grootbos is making its mark

In luxury travel by combining the two.

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 51 Close encounters with a Southern Right whale in the Gansbaai.

52 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey Suite interior at the Forest Lodge; Below: Exterior of Grootbos Villa at sunset;

While there may be a host of places along the South African coast that claim to be private escapes, none is quite as secluded as the exclusive Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. In fact, you won’t even know it’s there until you arrive at the front door. And while Grootbos is a truly secluded getaway, it’s unique in the fact that there are adventures here unlike any other in South Africa. This Eden of fynbos and milkwood trees is the perfect accompaniment to the ebb and flow of the Gansbaai tide, which is home to much more than meets the eye.

The Gansbaai offers a vantage point for one of the most spec- tacular sights in all of Africa, the Southern right whale. As adults, large baleen whales have an average size of approximately 50 feet long, and some grow even larger, with each female producing And if whale watching isn’t adventurous enough, there’s also one calf in a three-year breeding cycle. But the best part about shark cage diving at Grootbos. As you venture out on the water their annual habits is that they migrate to the sheltered bays of with the experienced staff, your guides will throw a mixture Grootbos to have their calves. In season, typically June to No- known as “chum” overboard. This often vile potion of fish and vember, Ker & Downey guests will get to experience the whales other food sources is like candy for the sharks, attracting them to at Grootbos aboard the Whale Whisperer, a specialized sightsee- the area around the boat. Once the shark is spotted and within a ing boat setting out from Grootbos to Dyer Island. Along the way, close distance, guests can choose to enter the shark cage attached guests will have incredible photographic opportunities of not to the side of the boat where they will come face to face with only the Southern right whale, but also the Humpback whale, the most feared predator of the ocean without being in danger. Bryde’s whales, a sixty-thousand-strong Cape fur seal colony, and Those that prefer to stay dry can still spot sharks from above the African penguins. Trips are led by experienced marine guides the water as the boat provides excellent shark viewing for great who will share their knowledge, keeping a strong emphasis on photography. the welfare and conservation of the animals, a real passion and cornerstone of Grootbos’ ideology. But beyond all the adventure, what makes Grootbos such a cov-

Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 53 GROOTBOS accommodations Grootbos is renowned for lavish luxury and comfort, inspired by the grandiose beauty of nature that surrounds and sustains it. Two 5-star lodges and an exclusive villa ensure princely accommodation in this spectacular wildlife kingdom.

FOREST LODGE GARDEN LODGE GROOTBOS VILLA what what what Forest Lodge is an exquisite A luxury retreat located amongst The latest addition to the Left to Right: Private architectural marriage of modern beautiful indigenous fynbos Grootbos portfolio, this luxury sandy beaches of state-of-the-art grandeur and the gardens and superb sweeping villa is hidden in the natural Grootbos; Horseback perennial beauty of nature. views of the Atlantic Ocean. wonderland of the reserve. excursions through the highlights highlights highlights local fynbos. Intimate privacy, idyllic hide-away Horseback-riding on the beach. Private butler, chef and guide. for honeymoon couples. Superb whale-watching.

“None is quite as secluded as fynbos and other native plants into the public and private gardens on the Cape coast attracts native birds and adds effortlessly to the exclusive Grootbos Private the beautification of the region. At the school built on Grootbos’ grounds, 12 students each term learn their craft and cultivate the Nature Reserve.” plants at the attached wholesale nursery, earning course credit for themselves and funds to be reinvested in the project. Future course offerings will include ecotourism, hospitality, and nature eted destination is its fabulous intertwining with five-star luxury. conservation, seeking to further ensure the future integrity of the The two elegant eco-lodges, Garden and Forest, are an invitation region and the prosperity of its local communities. to pampering with fireplaces, airy bedrooms, and wooden decks with spectacular sea views. There are extra length beds with Ker & Downey guests may choose to get their hands dirty with down duvets and a private coffee facility and minibar. The lodge the students in the program by planting a milkwood or other na- also boasts incredible cuisine. Led by Executive Chef Duane tive tree in the Ker & Downey Forest. Whether staying at Groot- Lewis, Grootbos dining is crafted from the finest and freshest bos or not, a tree is planted here for each of our clients traveling local ingredients, drawing inspiration from the abundance of to South Africa. Since September 2010, Ker & Downey clients scents and colors in nature around them. Lewis promises magical have contributed trees to the lush landscape of the Grootbos Pri- combinations that will replenish and inspire the body and soul. vate Nature Reserve, helping to preserve its integrity for future

generation of experiential travelers to enjoy. Other activities include horseback riding or trail walking. A gal- lop or walk through the fynbos gardens may be just what’s need- ed after an adventurous day out on the water. For those who find inspiration in the lush vegetation, they will surely enjoy a trip to Green Futures, a unique project founded by the Grootbos Private To learn more about how you can take your next vacation to the Nature Reserve’s owners, the Lutzeyer family. With a vision to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, contact your Travel Professional or help people in local communities prosper self-sufficiently, Green Ker & Downey at 800.423.4236 - www.kerdowney.com. Futures was established to train ”gardeners in the making” in the art of indigenous landscaping and conservation. Incorporating

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Photography supplied by: CHELI AND PEACOCK

IT WAS, AT ONE TIME, MY PERCEPTION “THAT THE WORLD WAS FINITE... I had spent far too long traveling and touring the world’s monuments and greatest testaments, realizing I had seen only what others had seen before me. But, I have discovered, that when you stray from the paths of pioneers, you can find yourself in a whole new world where anything is possible...”

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