Douglas Rogers
The thoroughbred horses in the equestrian center are saddled up and ready to go. The tennis coach is hitting balls on the courts nearby, and the masseuses in the cliff-edge spa are preparing your hot stone therapy rub. But wait: Through telescopes on the edge of the lush green front lawn, someone’s spotted a lion stalking a gazelle on the plains below. Get the helicopter ready to buzz down and see if she catches her prey...
The thoroughbred horses in the equestrian center are saddled up and ready to go. The tennis coach is hitting balls on the courts nearby, and the masseuses in the cliff-edge spa are preparing your hot stone therapy rub. But wait: Through telescopes on the edge of the lush green front lawn, someone’s spotted a lion stalking a gazelle on the plains below. Get the helicopter ready to buzz down and see if she catches her prey...
Douglas Rogers The thoroughbred horses in the equestrian center are saddled up and ready to go. The tennis coach is hitting balls on the courts nearby, an... more
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Score (all time) 7261.00
Created 06/01/08
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1
Singita Grumeti Reserves
Serengeti, Tanzania
A committed conservationist, billionaire hedge fund trader Paul Tudor Jones paid the Tanzania government for literally every head of animal estimated to be on the 340,000-acre concession. Lucky guests get to see the animals while staying at either Sabora Plains Tented Camp, Faru Faru lodge or the sprawling East African-style ranch house Sasakwa, the flagship property set atop a high plateau with views fit for a Bond film. Sasakwa has an equestrian center, tennis courts, a cliff-edge spa, a fine-dining restaurant, several libraries, and in-room telephones with direct connections to the U.S. For more information: www.grumetireserves.com
2
Ulusaba, Sabi Sands Game Reserve
South Africa
Maverick Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has his island resort Necker and his Moroccan Kasbah Tamadot, so it seems only right he should also own 10,000 hectares of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve astride the Kruger National Park. The two properties on the reserve are seven-suite Rock Lodge, set on the slopes of a granite-strewn hill, and the dramatic Safari Lodge, with 10 treehouse-style rooms built in an ancient forest on a dry riverbed. Classical "Out of Africa" decor is complemented by Hollywood-in-the-bush touches such as the Aroma Boma spa and beauty center, and gourmet dining. For more information: www.ulusaba.com
3
Getty Lodge, Phinda Private Game Reserve
South Africa
The four-suite private safari villa of Tara and Jessica Getty is part of the sextet of chic CC Africa designer lodges in exclusive Phinda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu Natal. The Gettys stay in the lodge when they visit, but it’s open to private hire when they’re not around and comes with personal butler, private chef and infinity pool. You get to gaze out at the animals while sipping cocktails from a sun lounger. For more information: www.phinda.com
4
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
South Africa
Diamond boss Nicky Oppenheimer acquired this 100,000-hectare reserve in South Africa’s rugged thorn-draped Kalahari Desert in 1999 to “help restore the desert to its natural state.” Now a maximum of 32 guests get to see lion, cheetah, black rhino and Bushmen paintings on daily drives in between spending time around the pool or taking to the skies in a hot-air balloon. Motse’s eight stand-alone clay and thatch legaes (houses), each with en-suite baths and pillow-draped sun decks, are modeled on a traditional Tswana village -- albeit one that has clearly won the lottery. For more information: www.tswalu.com
5
Ol Pejeta Ranch House
Sweetwaters Sanctuary, Kenya
The history of this rambling six-suite colonial ranch house in the foothills of Mount Kenya reads like a Hollywood script. Built in the early 1900s by Lord Delamare, one of Kenya’s first white settlers, subsequent owners include Henri Roussel, billionaire father-in-law of Christina Onassis, and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, who used it as a private hideaway before (legend has it), losing it in a gambling debt to Lonrho head honcho Tiny Rowland. Khashoggi’s room overlooks a private swimming pool; a second pool is on the lawns next to the tennis courts. After falling into some disrepair, the house has been restored to former glory and is now managed by Serena Hotel group of the Aga Khan. For more information: www.serenahotels.com
6
Kirawira Camp
Western Serengeti, Tanzania
Founder of the Aga Khan Development Network and no stranger to glamour (his father was married to Rita Hayworth), the current Aga Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, owns the Serena Hotels group which has no less than 12 luxury safari lodges and camps in Africa. The most gorgeous of these is Kirawira, a stunning 25-tent camp in the Western Serengeti furnished in classical 1920s Edwardian style with vintage chairs, Persian rugs and wind-up phonograms. We suspect Ms. Hayworth would approve. For more information: www.serenahotels.com
7
Lugenda Bush Camp
Mozambique
Saudi soft-drink tycoon Adel Aujan’s development company, Rani Resorts, has done much to put Mozambique on the tourist map, opening three chic island lodges and a beach hotel there. His newest property is Lugenda, an intimate eight-tent bush camp done in a traditional East African style, on a riverbank in the sprawling lion- and elephant-rich Niassa Reserve in the far north of Mozambique. The camp is below the mountain range where the famous World War I German General Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck holed up during in his undefeated East African Campaign against the allies. For more information: www.raniresorts.com
8
Mount Kenya Safari Club
Kenya
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud, the world’s fifth richest man, is the latest owner of this exclusive country club resort in the foothills of Mount Kenya through his Fairmont Hotel group. Its past owners include Hollywood actor William Holden, whose foundation funds the 1,000-acre game reserve attached to the property. Comprising 115 rooms, two restaurants and four bars, it’s currently undergoing major renovation, but the genteel colonial ambience that attracted the likes of Winston Churchill, Bob Hope and countless kings and presidents is sure to remain. For more information: www.fairmont.com
9
Loisaba Lodge
Kenya
Jim DeNooyer made a fortune in car dealerships in the U.S. before relocating with his wife to the rugged Northern Frontier District of Kenya, where they own Loisaba, a cattle ranch and eco-resort high on the Laikipia plateau. The reserve is geared to adventure, with mountain biking and rafting, along with camel- and horse-back safaris, often with the local Masai and Samburu guides who work closely with the owners in running the project. Apart from the seven-room stone and thatch main lodge with its stunning views of Mt. Kenya, there’s a handsome sole-use Loisaba House for private hire, Star Bed platforms on which to sleep under the skies and a spa. Beats selling Buicks. For more information: www.loisaba.com
10
Pezula
Knysna, South Africa
It’s more a luxury beach, spa, golf and residence resort than a safari lodge, but leopards and antelope roam the dense fynbos around Pezula, and the fabled Knysna elephants lurk somewhere in the forest surrounding it. A sprawling 78-suite Balinese-style resort set on majestic cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean on South Africa’s Garden Route, Pezula is the brainchild of Keith Stewart, a Zimbabwean-raised tycoon who made a fortune in the U.S. creating a part for a fax machine. Nice work if you can get it. Returning to his African roots, he’s now channeling his millions into a Pezula lifestyle concept, building a sports complex to go with the state-of-the-art hotel, spa and golf course, and selling residences to sports stars such as Roger Federer. A second Pezula is planned for the Seychelles. For more information: www.pezularesorthotel.com
[source: https://www.forbestraveler.com/resorts-hotels/safari-lodges-story.html ]
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