Tag Archives: Singita Lodge

Singita Faru Faru. Serengeti, Tanzania

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My heart is pounding, my eyes are peeled and the lens of my camera is shaking as the guide looks back at me with a smile, while the lioness pants to cool off after a kill.
Apparently I am lucky to witness this, but am I really? I am pancaked to the back of my seat and just happy I am not that baby warthog.

We had just landed at Singita’s private landing strip 10 minutes before. We were greeted by Adas (our guide for what will be the most exotic week of my life), got in our private Land Rover Puma and started driving to our first stop, Faru Faru Lodge.

Not even 5 minutes into the drive we saw a wildebeest, elephants, zebras, lions, cheetahs and giraffes. It was quite the introduction to the African wildlife I should say.

Grumeti, the private conservation of Singita in the Serengeti, spans some 450,000 acres of untouched wilderness. It is world famous for its annual wildebeest migration, and the best part? Only Singita vehicles have access to it, so say goodbye to crowded safaris and say hello to your own personal spectacle.
Faru Faru Lodge is tucked away on the banks of the Grumeti River. It is barefoot luxury at its best, with the style and ambiance of Zanzibar island with patches of sand, umbrellas, sunbeds and swimming pools.

The lodge is conveniently located on a hill with a waterhole in front where elephants, zebras, lions, water bucks, zebras and giraffes drink and play out of. Needless to say, the view is spectacular.
The lodge has 6 identical tents scattered around the hill. The rooms have a whimsical mix of contemporary organic style with the traditional feel of an African camp. The room has a glass wall overlooking the waterhole that opens up with the press of a button, and allows you to become part of the wildlife.

The amenities are creative and chic. My favorite one was a sketch book with watercolors and colored pencils located on a desk overlooking the Serengeti. I am not creative, but I have to say I had the best time sketching zebras and elephants standing right outside my glass wall.

My daily routine was biscuits and coffee, early game drive, a hearty breakfast, pool time, a glass of rose, lunch in the tree house, nap, afternoon drive, long bath, outdoor shower, wine by the fire, a feast for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

No, I never want to leave.

Singita Sweni Lodge. South Africa

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Aside from the luxury that is truly apparent at this lodge, Singita orchestrates an interdependent relationship between communities, wildlife, and tourism that ensures true sustainability therefore blazing a trail that is rarely achieved anywhere else. Located on 33,000 acres of tranquil and private ground, Singita Sweni Lodge is nestled in the trees of Kruger National Park. This Lodge was designed to be intimate and luxurious while also keeping the African culture alive in every aspect of the Lodge.

There are six one-bedroom suites, each with locally handcrafted art and furniture. The Lodge is modern yet rustic, everything is open-air to give you the feeling that you are connected with the wildlife and that any adventure is possible. One of the most amazing aspects of Singita Sweni Lodge is their spa. They have a holistic and healing approach to their treatments, which can be enjoyed on your private deck or at the spa. Do not miss their two signature treatments Monkey Orange and Ndzi Lorhe Africa, which translates into “I Dreamed of Africa”.

One of the key components of Singita is their collection of wine, including some of the continent’s most sought-after private reserves. Their wine list encompasses approximately 222 labels and 20,000 bottles in the Singita cellars alone. This is an amazing thing for anyone who decides to stay at any of the Singita Lodges because they are all-inclusive (i.e. wine all-day, every-day).

At Singita, there is a never-ending list of activities. One of the most rewarding activities would be visiting The Singita School of Cooking. It is a unique community development program where guests can go and cook traditional dishes taught by local young men and women. Their stargazing safaris are also one-of-a-kind. There is perhaps no more inspiring experience than looking up at a full sky of sparkling stars while being surrounded by wildlife. The must-do activity, of course, is the Game Drives. While nighttime drives reveal the elusive magic of nocturnal Africa, daytime game drives provide the perfect opportunity to get up close to Africa’s incredible animals. During your stay at Singita Kruger National Park, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife including elephant, leopard, famously large prides of lion, white and black rhino, buffalo, hippopotamus, cheetah and sable.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.