Four new properties open in Southern and East Africa

It’s a new year, and we are excited about four new properties which have just opened in Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana.  

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp is a private campsite, located on the crater rim in Tanzania’s pristine Ngorongoro National Park. Each of the 10 luxury safari tents offer an en-suite bathroom with indoor bucket shower, a room safe, hairdryer and mosquito nets. The camp is well positioned close to the access road into the crater and offers spectacular views of the crater and surrounds.

Angama Mara, pictured above, was developed by renowned lodge expert, Nicky Fitzgerald. Angama sits high on an escarpment offering wonderful views over the Maasai Mara, Kenya. The lodge consists of two intimate and completely separate camps, each comprising fifteen tented suites. In this location some of the most romantic ‘Ngong Hills’ scenes were filmed for the movie Out of Africa. 

A private hardtop airfield, just five minutes’ drive from the lodge, provides easy access from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.

The new Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, offers a sophisticated retreat in the new Upper Hill central business district. Located a mere 20 minute drive from the airport, the hotel boasts 271 guest rooms, including 13 suites and 1 presidential suite. Conference facilities are available and 12 meeting rooms have been set aside for this purpose.

The new &beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Sandibe offers exclusive traversing over 270 km² (104 square miles) of wilderness adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. Here eight guest cottages spread out under a cool forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees. Walls are airy screens, which let through the gentle and refreshing Delta breezes while al fresco showers bring you even closer to the natural surroundings. Access is by charter flight from Maun or Kasane.

"Tucked Away Places" - Malindi, Kenya

Our second “Tucked Away Places” feature is Malindi, a town on Malindi Bay at the mouth of the Galana River, lying on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is 120 kilometres northeast of Mombasa. Access is via a scheduled flight from Nairobi direct to Malindi on Kenya Airways, or via Mombasa.

Our top hotel in the area is without a doubt Hemingways Watamu.

Maybe it’s the location - right in the middle of the pristine white sand beach of Watamu; perhaps it’s the big game fishing - one of the top destinations in the world for this sport, or maybe it is the nine miles of alabaster sand which extends in front of the 76 bedrooms - every one with a view of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

This sophisticated beach resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The outdoor restaurant is the ultimate setting for savouring the freshest seafood.

There’s plenty to do here - relax at the poolside bar of the resort working your way through the extensive cocktail menu; play a round of golf on the nearby world class course, Vipingo Ridge; learn to kite-surf; get your PADI certificate or take a sunset dhow cruise on Mida Creek. We often get asked for a beach & bush combination and this area combines ideally with a safari in Tsavo East Game Reserve, just two hour’s drive away.