BLACKBOOK A GLOBAL GUIDE FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER Alfresco dining amid the arched cloisters of Arijiju villa in Kenya ON THE PULSE n 2016, the growth rate in time for the opening of tourism in Africa was of the Zeitz Museum of higher than anywhere African Contemporary else, according to the Art (zeitzmocaa.museum) in World Travel & Tourism September – the majority AFRICANA host of eco-lodges, cutting-edgeOUTBACK hotels and Council.I So it is no surprise have been constructed in that smart new properties wild, remote spots, from dramatic safari camps ushers in a new continue to open across the islands to wildlife reserves generation of the continent’s hospitality, DOOK continent. While a handful and riverine forests. says LISA GRAINGER have sprung up in cities – Of the latest openings, PHOTO including in Cape Town, the most hotly awaited CONTACT CENTURION SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM 27 BLACKBOOK ON THE PULSE Rwanda to see gorillas in the A Duba nearby Volcanoes National Plains Camp tented Park. And this month his bathroom cutting-edge, ecofriendly Jabali Ridge (asiliaafrica.com) camp will be launched in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, with its large clusters of giant baobabs and great herds of elephant. Not all experiences in Africa are wildlife-centric, though. Journeys By Design (journeysbydesign.com) now Dining by the pool at takes intrepid guests fly- Duba Plains Camp camping in remote areas of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, to meet and Norman Carr Safaris has little-visited tribes and witness created – again, with Rech and their way of life, hours from Carstens – the slickly designed Western civilisation. Though King Lewanika Lodge ( there are no roads in the area timeandtideafrica.com) in the and transport will be by foot, Duba Plains Camp Liuwa Plain National Park. boat and helicopter, that is not nestled in the watery There’s expansion in East likely to diminish interest for landscape of the Okavango Delta, Africa, too. In Laikipia, Kenya, those intent on experiencing northern Botswana the serene Arijiju villa (arijiju. a continent that continues to com) has recently been opened entice. to private groups who wish has been Miavana ( In South Africa and a two-bedroom suite from to explore a 40,000ha wildlife timeandtideafrica.com), off Botswana, &Beyond has which to safari into their conservation area in their Madagascar’s northeast completely refurbished its private concession, while the own time, with private guides coast. Conceived by Silvio Phinda Rock Lodge – first intimate six-suite Feline Fields and staff; plus, a couple of Rech and Lesley Carstens, the opened two decades ago – and bushcamp (felinefields.com) has hours’ drive away, there’s the design duo responsible for Nxabega Okavango Tented been erected in the Kalahari new Loisaba Tented Camp the glamorous North Island Camp (andbeyond.com), opening Desert, for adventurers who (elewanacollection.com), with and Chinzombo interiors, the up bedrooms, living areas and want to venture into the sands AIR TROPIC far-reaching views of wildlife- © 14-villa island retreat is sleek pool decks to the wilderness. In with Bushman guides. rich grasslands from its clifftop and contemporary – and just addition, the respected National Farther north, in Zambia, swimming pool. And, in a 30-minute helicopter flight Geographic filmmakers Dereck Beks Ndlovu’s respected Tanzania, Asilia Africa’s Roho from the mainland. Although and Beverly Joubert have totally African Bush Camps has bought ya Selous (asiliaafrica.com) camp its design is a key attraction, rebuilt Duba Plains Camp and refurbished Thorntree will open in the vast wilderness TAKE TO it also has rarely visited reefs ( greatplainsconservation.com), River Lodge (africanbushcamps. of Africa’s biggest park, Selous. THE SKIES nearby, as well as warm seas creating five luxe tents and com) beside the Zambezi, This year has proved to be This year sees the first through which whales migrate. a particularly exciting one for three-day Explorations On the mainland, several the architect Nick Plewman. In Company heli-safari into northern Kenya. new safari camps have June his innovative, nest-like Each day, the helicopter also opened in formerly structures at Bisate Lodge ( will traverse extremely inaccessible areas. A new wilderness-safaris.com) hosted different terrain: one circuit of four lodges by their first guests, visiting Journeying into the Kalahari‘s harsh environment is a draw of Botswana‘s Feline Fields camp day, the plains of Sirikoi, Namibia Exclusive (namibia- to see black rhino; the next the Matthews exclusive.com) now allows Range, to hike in travellers to explore remote THE LODGE AT FELINE FIELDS, DOOK (2), PETER & BEVERLY PICKFORD BEVERLY & PETER (2), DOOK FIELDS, FELINE AT LODGE THE ancient forests; and the desert dunes, the wildlife of © DOING WHAT COMES NATURALLY When four key African conservationists create a company, there’s bound to be a frisson – particularly final day the Chalbi the little visited Khaudum when one per cent of profits is given to conservation. Natural Selection – cofounded by Colin Bell, Desert, before settling National Park and to near Lake Turkana Dave van Smeerdijk, Dr Jennifer Lalley and James Ramsay – intends not only to bring together owner- FROM TOP: TOP: FROM to witness humanoid spend time with Owambo DOOK/TIME+TIDE, AND JACKSON, CROOKES DOOK, TOP: FROM CLOCKWISE operated lodges, but to build new ones across southern Africa. The first, Sable Alley, opened in May, with six more planned next year. naturalselection.travel fossil-hunters at work. communities who live side by The sleek Miavana, off Madagascar, a much-anticipated opening; PHOTOS explorationscompany.com side with the wildlife of Etosha. rhinos await when exploring the terrain around Arijiju PHOTOS 28 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM FOR MORE UPDATES ON AFRICA GO TO: CONTACT CENTURION SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM 29 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM.