Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Lions Bluff Lodge ( a wonderful campsite located on the top of a bluff )


Lions Bluff Lodge is a wonderful campsite located on the top of a bluff that overlooks mind-blowing views of the plains of the LUMO sanctuary and Kilimanjaro beyond them, adjacent to Tsavo West, Kenya.

Iain Leckie, his wife Helen and their family had been camping on the LUMO sanctuary for many years and had fallen in love with its great expanse of open land and the beauty that it holds. They wanted to become more involved in the community and the protection of the sanctuary itself so when the opportunity arose to take over this little community lodge with the help of the community they jumped at it.

There are only 12 semi-tented bandas at Lions Bluff which are all beautifully created, each with a fantastic view over the plains below. Each room is en suite with either a double or twin beds, and one family unit. The lodge is called Lions Bluff for a reason – the area is home to a pride of lions that can be frequently seen alongside the other big five that roam the savannahs beneath the lodge.

Ideal for everyone looking to stay in the Tsavo West area or looking for a safari near the beach. Truly the best lodge here.

Tena Tena Camp (one of the best safari camps in the whole of Zambia)


 Tena Tena Camp must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Zambia, Africa, as stated by The Times in London. This remote and small camp lies within the Nsefu sector of the Luangwa National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a wide bend of the Luangwa River.

A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom made tents and open-air bathrooms. From the dining room and large tented bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the river banks. There is a spectacular lagoon nearby called Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. Being remote and so small, you will have these scenes to yourself.

The camp can hosts up to 10 guests in tents under thatch. The honeymoon suite offers twin basins and showers, as well as a separate sitting and dining area. The bathrooms are en-suite, open-air bathrooms. The minimum age of children allowed at the camp is 12 years. Activities include walking, game drives, night drives and visits to the Kawaza Village and school. There is a small gift shop for souvenirs.

Al Ain Paradise (one of the greenest cities in the whole of Arabia)



Al Ain /meaning “spring”/ is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Dotted with almost 65 manicured gardens each having a unique style, Al Ain is one of the greenest cities in the whole of Arabia. Known as the Garden City due to its greenery, the city is the Guinness record holder, which has recognized it as the world’s largest garden. Attracting 7,000 visitors in one day, the gardens are probably the most famous attraction in the city.

The city has now become famous as a holiday resort for the people of the UAE as well as the tourists. With a size of four football pitches, this expansive park is home to approximately 10 million flowers, a 12 meter tall replica of the Eiffel Tower. The visitors had a unique experience to see millions of flowers in different colors, types, and settings – in a city known for its desert dunes.

Built on an oasis, this stunningly green city stands out like a verdant emerald in the heart of the hostile desert. The garden occupies an area of 21,000 square meters including the corridors and walkways of the internal length of 2,400 meters. The garden has 2,965 flower baskets, instead of the previous 2,500 baskets, in addition to the flower pyramids. The entrance is free.

Lakaz Chamarel(a magical place in the midst of)


Lakaz Chamarel is a magical place in the midst of nature, situated in the island of Mauritius. Being their guest you will reveal the picturesque valley of Chamarel and feel the smooth rhythm of Mauritian life in this haven of peace. Experience the exclusivity of our 20 bedrooms and suites with their open-air bathrooms. Taste the savour of an excellent, fine Mauritian cuisine. Relax at the swimming pool or during one of our essential-oil massages. Explore the surroundings or go out cycling, as your mood dictates. In all simplicity and with refinement, Lakaz Chamarel welcomes you.

Lakaz Chamarel is a small boutique hotel and concept guest house, charming and refined. Located in full nature and nestled in a small valley next to the splendid National Park of Black River, this vast property in the heart of the mountains of Chamarel is easily accessible.

Lakaz Chamarel comprises a main building with a living room, TV room, dining room, lovely verandah, and and open-plan bar and a kitchen. Features also include two swimming pools, a wooden thatch roof kiosk and a second open bar with a dining room. Scattered around the main building, the rooms are individually decorated representing the diversity of the different cultures on the island.

The owners are Mauritians. The husband has been the director of two of the most beautiful and well known 5 star hotels on the island for the last 30 years. The wife, Virginie who is present everyday at Lakaz, has overseen all details of architecture and decoration herself. Around them a team of 40 persons at your service! Some of them even live on the property with their families. With this property, their dream is to create a haven of peace where they can come and feel the peacefulness in harmony with the nature…and share it with others…

Seokama Lodge(the ideal getaway for nature)


Seokama Lodge is situated in the heart of the Waterberg mountains, South Africa, in one of the great wilderness areas there, an easy 2.5 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. This is the ideal getaway for nature lovers or groups of friends and families. Experienced game rangers will look after you and take you on game walks and night drives. Guests will be welcome to walk on their own and take a picnic basket to the bird hive, go mountain biking, or simply relax around the pool. Seokama is booked exclusively for one group at a time, ensuring guests’ privacy.

The lodge consists of four luxury East African-style Tents with en-suite bathrooms, and a modern comfortable thatched lodge area with an open-plan lounge and dining room leading out onto the deck with a swimming pool and stunning views of the surrounding bush and mountains. Bed and breakfast is available on request, as well as fully-catered photographic courses.

Activities on the property – Game drives, wildlife, guided walks and birding.

Getting there: From Gauteng, take the N1 North towards Bela Bela and then take the Thabazimbi/Bela Bela Road/R516 for approximately 50 km. Ignore the first Rooiberg turn-off for Zebula and Mabula Lodges, as this is a gravel road. Take the second Rooiberg turn-off to the right and head into the town of Rooiberg. Continue straight through, passing the Koekepan Pub on the right-hand side, until you come to a gravel road. Continue straight on the gravel road, past the Modimolle turn-off on the right. Continue straight and Seokama is the first gate on the right-hand side after the Modimolle turn-off.

Riad Africa (a world of legendary African explorers )

Enter Riad Africa, a world of legendary African explorers and fabled places. Indulge in luxurious and personalized hospitality, and rest in a serene retreat in the heart of ancient Marrakech, Morocco. Behind its walled façade Riad Africa is a haven of beauty and bird song. Two ancient medina houses blend into a charming small hotel of eight spacious guest rooms and suites.

 Guests can cool off in and relax around one of the largest plunge pools in the medina, while two tranquil palm-filled courtyards, a comfortable dining room, a fresh juice bar and private roof terrace offer a choice of public areas in which to unwind. A range of health and beauty treatments are also available including a massage room and hammam. High-speed wireless Internet access is also available throughout the Riad.

Decorated in earthy, exotic and vibrant shades of Africa, all guest bedrooms are equipped to a high specification with all the modern facilities expected of a first category boutique Riad. From the Congo to Timbuktu, all guest rooms are en-suite and come equipped with reversible air-conditioners and heaters, iPod docks, a local mobile phone, bath robes and slippers, a hairdryer, and personal safe. Bathrooms are very generous in size and beautifully constructed of tadelakt-finished walls and hand-made local polished brass washbasins and showers.



Kinondo Kwetu(a paradise for those wanting a more personal experience on the Kenyan coast)

 Kinondo Kwetu is a paradise for those wanting a more personal experience on the Kenyan coast. Located on a private beach south of Diani and distanced from the residential neighbours by rocky cliffs and endless beaches, Kinondo Kwetu is classified as a Kaya area. It is protected by the National Museum due to its surrounding holy forests and sacred land.

 
With various forms of accommodation options, all surrounded by shady gardens and just a few steps from the sandy beach, Kinondo Kwetu can cater for up to 38 people and is also able to facilitate exclusive use of selected parts. In addition to relaxing in the sun and swimming in the Indian Ocean, Kinondo Kwetu offers an impressive selection of exciting activities ranging from water sports such as kitesurfing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving, to land activities such as game drives, horse riding and yoga weeks.



All guest rooms have Kenyan/UK plug sockets, as well as European/Scandinavian sockets. Kinondo Kwetu’s electricity does support hairdryers. There are also spare hairdryers for guests to borrow, which can be delivered to room on request. There is a laptop computer with wireless connection available for guests in the small office near entrance hall. Guests can also use the wireless connection for their own laptops.