These are the new safari and beach lodges we are most excited to experience in 2020. As always they have been chosen not only for their exceptional services, celebration of wildlife and wilderness, but also for their contribution to the restoration and conservation of our beautiful planet.
We look forward to a new decade promoting conservation through responsible wildlife travel and would LOVE to have you join us in experiencing these new lodges, as one of the first guests.
MARLIN BEACH AZURA
OPENING: 15 July 2020
LOCATION: Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Forget Mauritius – think remote, authentic, pristine and making a difference. This is Azura’s newest addition and their third property in Mozambique. The hotel was previously known as Marlin Lodge and burnt down after a fire in 2012. Azura does “beach” better than anyone in Mozambique, so we are delighted that they have added this fresh and funky (and more affordable) option to their offerings.
Rates from $525 per person.
ALSO OPENING IN MOZAMBIQUE THIS YEAR: Kisawa Sanctuary
NGALA TREEHOUSE
OPENED: 10 February 2020
LOCATION: Ngala Private Game Reserve, South Africa
A treehouse in one of our favourite reserves. This brand new sleepout is totally off the grid (there is solar power). Ngala Treehouse, located 5km from Tented Camp on the Timbavati River, is an overnight wilderness experience that complements a stay at one of the reserve’s two permanent lodges. A tapas-style picnic dinner is set up in the safety of an enclosed boma beneath the stars. Guests are then left in luxurious solitude for the night, provided with a radio and mobile phone for use in case of inclement weather or other emergencies.
Rate is ZAR8500 per person for the whole of 2020.
(THE NEW) JACK'S CAMP
OPENING: 30 April 2020
LOCATION: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana
An old favourite re-imagined. The brand-new Jack’s Camp will retain its much-loved 1940s style. The guest tents will be made much larger with additions such as Natural History Museum cabinets, wood burning morso stoves, outdoor (and indoor) showers and a private plunge pool. The new mess tent and the iconic nomadic Persian tea tent and swimming pool pavilion will be re-designed with the addition of a sun deck and a dedicated spa tent. This has always been an icon and we are eager to view the new changes.
Rates from $1795 per person.
(THE NEW) DUMA TAU and LITTLE DUMA TAU
OPENING: 1 August 2020
LOCATION: Linyanti, Botswana
DumaTau has always been a favourite but the old camp has been in need of some TLC and will re-open with expansive guest rooms (they will double in size) with indoor and outdoor showers and private plunge pools. The main dining and lounge area boasts wide-angle vistas overlooking the wildlife-rich lagoon, while a new wellness centre and gym – (shared with its brand-new sister camp Little DumaTau) – includes an inviting shaded deck, a lap pool, spa and snack deli. Situated just to the north on the same lagoon frontage, Little Duma Tau will have just four spacious tented guest rooms.
Rates from $1309 per person.
ALSO OPENING IN BOTSWANA THIS YEAR: The new Xigera (June 2020), Mashatu Euphorbia Villas (June 2020), Khwai Leadwood (July 2020)
KWESSI DUNES
OPENING: March 2020
LOCATION: NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
Kwessi Dunes is located deep in the NamibRand, a vast desert wilderness of over 200,000 hectares (one of the largest private reserves in Africa). With its rolling desert plains and backdrop of craggy mountains and iconic red dunes, it’s not about chasing big game but rather soaking up the beauty of the colourful landscape and its desert adapted wildlife. Each chalet has a separate ‘star gazer’ room, completely open to the sky. There will be plenty to do with (eco-sensitive) quad biking, scenic drives and walks, hot air ballooning, helicopter flights, horse riding and day trips to Sossusvlei which lies just to the North.
Rates from ZAR6500 per person.
ALSO OPENING IN NAMIBIA THIS YEAR: The new Little Kulala (June 2020)
(THE NEW) SAYARI
OPENING: 1 June 2020
LOCATION: Northern Serengeti, Tanzania
To celebrate Asilia’s 15th birthday, they are re-inventing their luxury flagship Sayari camp in time for the annual wildebeest crossings of the Mara River. The new camp will include the world’s first solar-powered microbrewery in the bush, making beer and soft-drinks on site – perfect for safari sundowners.
Rates from $711 per person.
ANGAMA SAFARI CAMP
OPENING: 1 July 2020
LOCATION: Maasai Mara, Kenya
Nicky Fitzgerald and her Angama team are opening a brand new seasonal exclusive use mobile camp with four lovely tents in the private south west corner of the Mara Triangle – the middle of absolutely nowhere. The Camp will run from July until end of September (October on request), with views onto the plains and the heart of the mega herds of the Great Migration. The exclusive use camp will give guests a feeling of ‘this is all mine’ especially considering how few other safari vehicles venture down to this secluded corner of the Reserve.
Rates from $1988 per person.
Please contact us as we would love to start planning your dream safari with you.
Warm regards from Simon, Jen and the Bellingham team.
Photo credits: Lodge photos by suppliers.
