Ker & Downey Africa > Journal > The Little Black Book of New Luxury Lodges in Africa 2022
Our team of LuxVenture® experts is here to share some exciting new additions to the luxury lodges in Africa.
Our exclusive Little Black Book is a personal hotlist of the best camps, lodges, and hotels across the continent. This treasury of secrets holds the key to some of the finest luxury lodges in the land, and we’ve decided to share some exciting new additions with you.
Our Little Black Book of new luxury lodges in Africa for 2022 is a collection of the finest new properties, hand-picked by us for you – the discerning adventurer.
Are you ready?
Opening in June 2022, Kiri Camp is the newest addition to the Machaba Safaris portfolio, offering a truly superb and exclusive safari experience in one of the most pristine regions of Africa. Located on a private island on the banks of the Kiri Channel in the Gomoti region of the Okavango Delta, the camp is laid out under a canopy of Jackalberry and ebony trees. 10 luxurious tents (including 2 family tents) have been thoughtfully designed to incorporate natural elements like wood and reeds in a stylish ode to the breath-taking nature that surrounds the camp. Like its well-known sister camps, Machaba Camp, Little Machaba, and Gomoti Plains Camp, Kiri strives to make minimal impact on the pristine environment it inhabits.
Based on a private concession, the camp offers both water activities and game drives with exclusive access to its surroundings. This means guests will have exclusive access to some of the more remote, undiscovered regions of the Delta. Night drives, guided bush walks, catch-and-release fishing are on offer and, during peak flood seasons, mokoro and motorboat safaris are also available. The wildlife in this region is second to none with plentiful elephant, lion, and buffalo interactions, as well as high numbers of rare wild dogs.
The latest addition to the renowned African Bush Camps family is Lolebezi – an exciting new sustainable luxury safari lodge located right on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. This exquisite property is set within the pristine wilds of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia – a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to some hefty elephant herds and leopards in abundance. The lodge epitomizes clean, contemporary luxury with emphasis placed on the beauty of the protected wilderness it inhabits. This is where the real ‘luxury’ lies according to African Bush Camps Founder, Beks Ndlovu. Each suite at Lolebezi has a wooden deck and private plunge pool overlooking the great river as it flows slowly past.
Known to have some of the best wildlife sightings on the planet, the Lower Zambezi National Park is an untamed paradise. Like all African Bush Camps properties, Lolebezi places a huge emphasis on the safari guide as part of the guest experience and offers guided walking safaris, game drives, river cruises, and more through this breathtaking location. A walking safari with an experienced guide is a real highlight and one of the best ways to connect to your surroundings. Walking along the banks of the great Zambezi or under towering acacia forests to search for some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife is an unforgettable adventure.
The Usanga Expedition Camp is an exciting new Asilia property set to open on the banks of the Usanga Wetlands within the Ruaha National Park in June 2022. Nestled under the shade of the Miombo woodlands forest, carefully positioned as close to the high-water mark of the wetlands as possible, the camp offers guests a safari experience like no other in Tanzania. With just four tents in total, guests can enjoy an intimate and truly exclusive safari in a largely unexplored wilderness area that stretches over 6,000 km2. All of the tents are positioned on raised wooden decks with magnificent views of the wetlands and passing wildlife.
The Ihefu Swamp is a permanent water source in the center of the Usanga Wetland. This offers water all year round and is best enjoyed when the rains subside during the hot and dry months. The camp is closed during the rainy season – December to May – due to road networks becoming water-logged and the rising floodplains limiting land-based activities. From June to November, guests can enjoy both water and land-based activities including boat and canoe safaris through the waterways, game drives (day and night), and incredible walking safaris across the wide, open grasslands. A highlight at Usanga Expedition Camp is their Trails Camp experience where guests can set out on a walking safari in the afternoon and spend a night fly-camping under an enormous canopy of African stars.
The breathtaking private island of Ilha Caldeira can be found 11km off the coast of Mozambique in the fascinating Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago – a chain of 10 sparsely inhabited barrier islands and two coral reef complexes in the Indian Ocean. It is here that the renowned Bayan Tree will be opening its first luxury beach resort in June 2023. The stunning 5-star Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira will offer 40 exclusive villas, each with a private pool and extraordinary views of the lush tropical surroundings and the Indian Ocean. Guests at the resort will also be able to enjoy a range of amenities including the impressive ocean-view fish market restaurant (one of three on the island), award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, and a Marine Conservation Center.
The island provides the perfect playground for those wanting to explore both above and below the sparkling waters. Kayaking, fishing, surfing, sailing, snorkeling, whale watching and more are some of the activities on offer to guests at Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira. Scuba diving tours to nearby islands and ancient shipwrecks are also an exhilarating way to explore the underwater world around the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago. And if this isn’t enough to impress, the entire resort at Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira is 100% powered by solar with all water desalinated on the island.
Sungani Lodge and Kulandila Camp are two new family-owned luxury safari lodges opening in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia in May 2022. Owned and run by the Davy Family, who share a collective passion for Africa, the two lodges showcase deep respect and reverence for nature in both their design and sustainable functionality. The area of the South Luangwa National Park where both lodges reside has been completely transformed from a previous state of neglect to something quite magical.
Sungani Lodge is located close to the Luangwa River looking out over a vast lagoon with seven luxury tents, each with a private deck, plunge pool and extraordinary views. Further upstream, you will find Kulandila Camp, located between the Luangwa River and backing onto a beautiful lagoon. Kulandila comprises just four exclusive tents, each with a private deck, outdoor bath and opulent daybed. Both camps exude luxury and exclusivity while still upholding a truly traditional safari experience where nature is the main attraction. Guests can enjoy morning and evening game drives, guided bush walks exploring the meandering river and historical floodplains, photographic hides, bush meals, boating (during the green season), and more.
Elevated on the banks of an active waterhole in the game-rich Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Waterside is the newest addition to the exceptional Royal Malewane portfolio. A waterside sanctuary, the new luxury safari lodge offers guests a truly immersive safari experience, personalized service, and unrivaled game viewing. Bold African designs are brought to life in the thatch, glass and steel architecture that is a blend of effortless elegance and modern creativity.
Spacious luxury suites boast private plunge pools and sweeping views of the waterhole and the animals that frequent it. Guests can enjoy this pristine setting between thrilling safari activities that are, quite simply, unparalleled. Often referred to as the ‘Harvard of the Bush’, Royal Malewane is synonymous in the industry for its exceptional team of guides who hold the highest professional qualifications. Game drives, photographic safaris and walking safaris with this accomplished team are thrilling, providing fascinating insights into the complex ecosystems of the bush and its inhabitants.
The luxury offerings in Africa are constantly evolving and these are no exception. Don’t miss out on experiencing these extraordinary properties for yourself. Get in touch with a LuxVenture® Designer today and start planning! We’ve got your back all the way.
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Ker & Downey® Africa is compliant with COVID-19 Industry Protocols.
