Tag Archives: luxury african safaris

Abu Camp. Botswana

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Your entrance to Abu Camp, which is only reachable by plane, is an experience in itself. Flying over the Okavango Delta, you soar over Buffalo, Giraffes, Rhinoceros, Cheetahs, and Elephants. This camp was created to transform the idea you had about Wilderness Collections and elephants. Guests of Abu Camp are offered a rare and exclusive experience to be hands-on with the African Elephants within the camp. This 450,000 acre private game reserve is located on the largest inland delta on the planet which means more animals and sightseeing than anywhere in the world.

Pathways link the camp’s six guest rooms and main area. Each room is open-air canvas and very spacious. Each room is decorated differently and with it’s own style. My favorite room has amazing elephant wall décor, suitcases for a table and a zebra print rug. Each room is truly chic and would satisfy anyone’s need for comfort and luxury. The camp itself sits on a lagoon and each room has a panoramic view of the delta. “Even mealtime is romantic,” said one guest Will Taylor, “each meal is different, sometimes they will set up a spectacular meal on the deck or out in the bush”.  The best meal at Abu Camp is definitely the fresh baked pizza from the pizza oven on the pool deck. This is also a great activity for kids as they can choose their own toppings and make their own pizzas, supervised by one of the Abu Camp chefs. Abu Camp even has movie nights where they set up a large outdoor screen and hand out popcorn!

The absolute most amazing experience about this camp is the Elephant herd that is in residence at Abu. It is an unparalleled chance to immerse yourself into the elephant herd. You can get to know the elephants of all ages, from playful babies, to teenagers, to the wise adults, led by the grand ol’ matriarch Cathy. Abu Camp encourages you to take walks with these beautiful creatures in the morning and experience a safari trip from the back of an elephant. If this doesn’t impress you nothing will!

Other activities include fishing in the Delta, you could catch some yummy Tilapia if you’re lucky, guided game reserve tours, and canoeing a few other options. However, if you are seeking the ultimate immersion into Abu Camp and the elephant herd, look no further than the Star Bed. On request, guests can reserve this bed for a night and sleep and a large, raised high above the ground, with an unobstructed view of the starry night sky. Below you are the elephants’ sleeping quarters and they will drift you to sleep with their melodic sounds.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Giraffe Manor. Nairobi, Kenya

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Picture this: You’re blissfully asleep in your comfy four-post bed. You hear a soft rustle and quiet thump at your window. You look up, there’s a Giraffe staring back at you from the with the expression, ”good, you’re awake, now give me a snack”. Giraffe Manor is one of the only hotels in the world where you can feed a giraffe from you window. The staff is impeccable and so nice they treat you like family. “There is no schedule for anything, because you are at home”, said Barbara Coppel.

The manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous Nairobi forest. The manor itself is made of stone with ivy growing up the sides reminding me of a grand historic 1930’s house. The manor is filled with big brass plumbing, from the shower-head to the doorknob and its beauty has been known to inspire writers from all over the world. Some rooms come with balcony that seem to stretch across the plains—the views are expansive. The giraffes feed from several of the rooms such as Betty, Daisy, Jock, Finch Hatton Suite, Kelly and Helen, however all the rooms are equally magnificent! This manor is perfect for a family safari trip. They really cater to people of all ages and their family rooms can sleep up to 5 people.

Each room boasts art deco pieces and fantastic views. Each room has it’s own distinct personality to match the Giraffe’s own individual personalities. But the most fascinating part of this hotel, aside from its grandeur, is its resident herd of Rothschild Giraffes. They often visit morning and evening during your meals in hope of a little treat before retiring back to their forest sanctuary. During your stay I recommend going to the AFEW Giraffe Centre to learn about these endangered creatures and it also features a guided walking tour.

Giraffe manor also offers sightseeing vehicles to take you on local excursions, including the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where guests can meet, feed, and even adopt (OMG!!!!) baby elephants. They even had a baby rhino last year. The best time of the year to go would be June, July, and August (their winter). Of all the safaris in the world, this is a truly unique place that must be experienced to grasp all Giraffe Manor has to offer.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.