CONNOISSEUR SAFARI PORTFOLIO - "Private" Cape to Kenya Safari - The Suite Collection

Expert tips:

DAYS 1 - 4: ELLERMAN HOUSE, CAPE TOWN

Ellerman House Private Chauffeur will meet you at Cape Town International Airport. An easy transfer to the hotel will allow you time to absorb the beauty of the city that is sheltered by the majestic Table Mountain. Once checked in you can enjoy a light lunch on the Terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Ellerman House is Cape Town’s most luxurious grand hotel. Situated in the prestigious Cape Town suburb of Bantry Bay (only 10min from the bustling city centre), this Cape Edwardian mansion demands your attention with its terraced lawns, outstanding art collection, unparalleled service and unique experiences. For over a quarter century, Ellerman House has been at the forefront of hospitality innovation while embracing the classic elegance of the regal building. Prepare to be immersed in the rich South African culture while enjoying a leading South African art collection, tasting local flavours, enjoying the sounds of local musicians in one of country’s most exclusive addresses.

With only 11 rooms, 2 suites and 2 three-bedroom villas, the property boasts two lounges, library, bar, dining room, three dining terraces, pantry, spa, fitness centre, heated swimming pool, brandy lounge, Wine Gallery, Contemporary Art Gallery and Champagne cellar – all exclusive to its guests.

Villa One is defined by its contemporary architecture and breathtaking private location, offering all the benefits of hotel living with the advantage of complete exclusivity, flexibility and highly personalised service. Built on multiple levels, Villa One offers spacious entertainment and relaxation areas that come with a private chef and host, en-suite bedrooms with private terraces and a private infinity pool with the best ocean views Cape Town has to offer.

Included:

Inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers to and from Cape Town International Airport, drinks (excluding wine and Champagne), minibar, pantry, laundry, shoe cleaning, sunset cocktails and canapes, WiFi, wine tastings and art tours, Zeitz MOCAA access, Private transfers from and to Cape Town Airport.

Expert tips:

DAYS 4 - 6: DUBA PLAINS CAMP, OKAVANGO DELTA

Duba Plains Camp is a wildlife connoisseur’s getaway to the Okavango Delta. Built on a wooded island, connected to the prolific wildlife area by an elaborate set of bridges, the camp is the base of many famous wildlife documentaries by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

Duba Plains Suite is a private, exquisite two-bedroom tented villa located on the 33,000 hectare private Duba Plains Reserve. Tucked into pristine Okavango Delta wildlife habitat with views across floodplains filled with iconic African wildlife species, there is simply no other safari experience like this in the Okavango Delta.

The perfect partner to the Zarafa Dhow Suite, the Duba Plains Suite is raised on recycled railway- sleeper decking and offers guests amazing views and a steady stream of wildlife parading past.
The heart of the Suite is an indoor lounge and dining area. Each of the two large bedrooms have their own private verandah complete with plunge pool and shaded outdoor sala. Each bedroom room is beautifully appointed with en-suite facilities including indoor and outdoor showers and a luxurious bath. Ceiling fans, an environmentally friendly air-conditioning system over the guests bed, and careful tent design maintain a comfortable climate. Guests of the Duba Plains Suite automatically enjoy the services of a private vehicle and guide as well as a host and chef. The Duba Plains Suite has a luxurious yet clearly African feel and has no equal in its environmental credentials and careful appointments.

Included:

Private Air Charter from Cape Town International to Maun Airport.

Fully inclusive of accommodation, Great Plains’ conservation levy, scheduled wildlife activities, meals, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brand spirits and champagne), Privately guided and hosted.

Private Air Charter from Maun Airport to Duba Plains Camp.

Expert tips:

Game drives (day & night) take place in some of Botswana’s best adapted vehicles. Duba Plain’s Toyota Land Cruisers are aptly named ‘Swamp Vehicles’ due to their extra-high suspension and absolutely huge tyres uniquely designed to traverse the floodplains for us. These are, of course, open-sided, canopied and customised for photographers (fold-down screens, raised roofs, photographic bars, multi-plug inverters). Seating only four to six guests on each vehicle, the Cruisers are fully stocked with drinks and snacks.

Because we focus on photographic safaris each tent has the latest Canon camera and lenses as a package for guests to use or try out. Images are downloaded and presented for them to take away at no additional charge.

While the focus remains on the most comfortable times of day (early to mid-morning and late afternoon to evening) for drives, it is very common in Duba Plains to spend full days out in the veld, having brunch delivered to the vehicles because the wildlife is so good and our focus is on finding and spending time with these extraordinary experiences.

Our schedule is flexible and guests are encouraged to create their own itinerary according to their interests. Very often, our safaris will continue into the night in search of nocturnal species. Our guides are also keen walking and birding specialists and therefore encourage guests to experience everything we have to offer. While Duba Plains offers Botswana’s best land safari as well as an Okavango Delta experience, this is truly a place to and an invigorating, yet peaceful all round set of experiences, from wildlife viewing and birding or fishing from the boat and exciting drives with knowledgeable guides and friendly hosts.

Expert tips:

DAYS 6 - 9
SELINDA CAMP, SELINDA RESERVE

Set in one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on our planet, the brand new Selinda Camp rests on the banks of the Selinda Spillway, as it enters the Linyanti River. The private 130,000 hectare Selinda Reserve boasts elephants by the thousands, regular sightings of the Selinda pack of African wild dogs as well as the famous Selinda Lion Pride recently feature in the National Geographic film “Birth of a Pride” by Dereck and Beverly Joubert. The area has a sense of remoteness, a true spirit of Africa, and is a great example of Botswana bush embodying a variety of species and rare animals.

The new Selinda Camp represents the meeting place of three cultures; European, Mokololo and Bayei and is themed to resemble that of the thatched village of Sangwali, one that used to house 3,000 warriors and sufficient enough to loan David Livingstone 200 men during his travels.

Spears, shields and an African version of Robinson Crusoe is the enduring theme through the camp, and its architectural design elements centre around Water, Air, Earth and Fire, all of which ground the design.

Selinda Camp’s design pays homage first and foremost to Water, with splashes of blue and crystal- clear swimming pools offering views over the equally immaculate Selinda Spillway to ease your arrival, usually by boat. The billowing silks, which adorn the ceilings of the lounge area, are a tribute to Air and the afternoon breezes that ripple the endless sea of nearby grasses. Earth is represented in the cornucopia of home-grown meals lovingly prepared in our kitchens, fresh from the earth, and the bright flames of our evening Fire complete the ethos of being in harmony with nature’s natural elements.

Included:

Private Air Charter from Maun Airport, to the Camps, Kasane and Victoria Falls International.

Fully inclusive of accommodation, Great Plains’ conservation levy, scheduled wildlife activities, meals, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brand spirits and champagne), Privately guided and hosted.

Expert tips:

DAYS 9 - 11
MPALA JENA CAMP, ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Mpala Jena Suite is an exquisite, exclusive, two-bedroom tented villa in a private concession within Zambezi National Park overlooking the Zambezi River and in the shade of a mixture of indigenous trees.

The camp is named for the spring-line that runs through the concession and attracts an abundance of wildlife. Mpala Jena means “white impala,” so called, according to local rangers, because of an albino impala seen in the area when Zambezi National Park was first established. Today the Park has a healthy population of wildlife including buffalo, elephant and lion and offers excellent bird-watching.

The Suite is set on raised decking under flowing canvas with views of the river and Moroccan influences throughout the decor. The Suite sleeps 4 adults sharing, or a party of 5 if there are children travelling. The two spacious bedrooms sit either side of a central lounge and dining area. Decking in front of the tent leads to a private plunge pool and campfire area with views of the river. The Mpala Jena Suite is one of the most environmentally innovative camps in Zambezi National Park; achieved through the use of recycled hardwoods and canvas and ensuring all the camp’s electricity needs come from solar power.

The property is conveniently located 16 kilometres inside the Zambezi National Park offering easy access to Victoria Falls town, but far from the hustle and bustle, allowing guests to remain immersed in their safari-experience and relax in the incredible setting and wild habitat of the Park.

Included:

Private Air Charter from  the Camps to Kasane and to Victoria Falls International.

Fully inclusive of accommodation, wildlife viewing activities, meals, daily laundry, return Victoria Falls International Airport transfers which may be a combination of road and boat transfers or purely road transfers, one return road transfer to Victoria Falls town, one entrance ticket to see the Victoria Falls per guest’s stay on a self-guided basis, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brand spirits and champagne), mandatory nightly conservation levy and park fees. Privately guided and hosted.

Expert tips:

The Zambezi National Park is located upstream from Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, separated from the Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 and is 56,000 hectares in its entirety. Most of the Park is within the eco-region of Zambezian and Mopani woodlands, whilst a small portion in the south is within the Zambezian Baikiaea Woodlands. The Park essentially has two main habitats – riverine and Chamabonda vlei.

The Park has a vast diversity of indigenous tree species. Its terrain varies between riverine woodland, dry riverbeds, rocky outcrops and spring-lines with a gradual escarpment leading towards the Kazungula road split. Soil types vary from alluvial and Kalahari sand, riverine sand and pockets of black cotton soil.

The Zambezi National Park is host to many larger mammals, including the African elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, hyena and the rare leopard sightings. Antelope and other grassland species include sable antelope, common eland, common zebra, southern giraffe, greater kudu, waterbuck, wildebeest and impala. An estimated 400 bird species can be viewed within the Zambezi National Park, including the Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmer, collared palm thrush, Lanner falcon, goliath heron, African finfoot, rock pratincole and long-toed lapwing as specialities.

Expert tips:

DAYS 11 - 14: MARA PLAINS CAMP, OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY, MAASAI MARA

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife parks. The image of acacia trees on endless wildlife filled grass plains epitomises Africa for many, add Maasai warriors and the conversation need go no further.

The greater Maasai Mara Reserve offers unparalleled game viewing opportunities; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional open game drive vehicle safaris and guided walking safaris or hot-air ballooning over the Maasai Mara plains has become almost essential.

Mara Plains Camp is a one-of-a-kind, seven tented camp located in the private 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just on the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This intimate camp blends the finest wildlife viewing with outstanding hospitality and guiding. No other camp offers the extensive traversing area of Mara Plains Camp, with access to a total of 100,000 acres of private conservancy land as well as the world-renowned Maasai Mara, home to the Great Migration.

Each of the seven tents has deep canvas canopied ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors and accents of East Africa’s rich safari history. The well-appointed en-suite facilities (including a deep copper bath) plus the extensive private verandah complete what is genuinely a stunning concept. Each guest tent has a set of professional Canon camera and lenses available for guests to use on a complimentary basis. Add in a pair of Swarovski binoculars, and it is impossible not to see and capture the region’s incredible wildlife scenes.

Included:

Private Air Charter from Victoria Falls International to Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi.

Fully inclusive of accommodation, National Park fees, scheduled wildlife activities, meals, laundry and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brands and champagne). Private Vehicle.

Private Air Charter from Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi to Mara North and back to Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi.

Expert tips:

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is reputed to have the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region, while also having the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa. There is only one guest bed per 350 acres, leaving the land unadulterated for the wildlife to roam and thrive, as nature intended. By day and night, the camp is a sanctuary for resident animals, including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark, larger mammals frequent the camp and Maasai warriors escort guests to and from their rooms. Hippos snorting and leopards barking often provide the night’s chorus.

Mara Plains also offers walking safaris and day & night game drives. Hot air ballooning is available and should be booked in advance and is subject to availability and additional cost. Departures are very early in the morning to allow time to transfer to the nearest launching point. Night drives are particularly prolific in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, and while they take patience, sightings commonly include lesser known nocturnal mammals and even lion and hyena hunts.

Included:

Private Air Charter from Mara North and back to Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi.