As travel and tourism start to revive it has been heartening to see a number of lodges flinging open BRAND NEW doors. Some old favourites have undergone complete make-overs, providing a great excuse to return (or visit for the first time). These lodges have been steadfast in their commitment – not only are they more beautiful than ever before, but we have seen the bar lifted for excellence in sustainability with new state of the art Tesla energy systems and other positive changes.
Contact us if you would like to see first-hand what we are raving about.
Warm regards from Jen, Simon and the Bellingham team.
KHWAI LEADWOOD
Beks Ndlovu, African Bush Camps founder, has a longstanding relationship with the Basarwa people from the Khwai community. His team have identified enthusiastic community members and upskilled them to become part of the new camp. Khwai Leadwood is fully sustainable with a solar farm and a bio-rock system. The decor celebrates local heritage with various basket works and inspiration from traditional homesteads. The mammalian carnivore diversity is remarkable and leopard, lion, wild dog and hyena are all prevalent in this secluded area of the Khwai concession. Activities include night drives, boating and scenic helicopter rides. African Bush Camps is an affiliate member of THE LONG RUN.
OPENED: March 2021.
RATES FROM $518 per person.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OKAVANGO DELTA
TARKUNI HOMESTEAD
Tswalu’s freshly refurbished exclusive-use retreat, Tarkuni, is perfect for a multi-generational family or friends reunion. It is brighter, lighter and airier but refashioning some of the older pieces has ensured authenticity and been minimally consumptive. The new pool is smaller and more water wise, aligning with Tswalu’s sustainability journey – Tswalu joined THE LONG RUN in 2020 and is aspiring to even higher levels of sustainability. The homestead has five suites with a private hospitality and guiding team. Take long drives or walks, track elusive and iconic species, marvel at ancient rock art, join researchers in the field and linger with habituated meerkats. We highly recommend a longer stay to experience all these activities, while also taking time to relax and enjoy the superb hospitality.
OPENED: March 2021.
RATES FROM $1614 per person.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TSWALU KALAHARI
TEMBO PLAINS CAMP
After four years of protecting this large concession (over 200,000 acres) and restoring the wildlife (the area was previously hunted), Great Plains have commenced the build of Tembo Plains camp. The camp has views of the mighty Zambezi River, arguably the most beautiful river in Africa with swimming elephants and hippos. But Tembo Plains is not about ticking the wildlife boxes, it is supporting the entire conservation area, fueling an economic system that allows underprivileged communities to benefit, helping them find peace and prosperity in living with wildlife and in nature.
OPENED: August 2021.
RATES FROM $1160 per person.
LITTLE KULALA
We are delighted that Little Kulala (Wilderness Safaris’ retreat in Namibia’s Sossusvlei area) has re-opened following an extensive refurbishment. We have always loved this lodge, set in the dunes, for its luxury of space and solitude in the Namib Desert (and private access to Sossusvlei dunes!). Maintaining a light footprint, Little Kulala features an all-new 100% solar energy system. Its 11 desert suites have been expanded featuring a spacious deck, sala and plunge pool. Each room’s rooftop area is perfect for sundowners, private dinners and stargazing. The sala has a roll-out bed for siestas or for sleep-outs under the stars. Wilderness Safaris is a fellow LONG RUN partner and forms part of a collection of the world’s most sustainable, nature-based travel destinations.
OPENED: December 2020.
RATES FROM $768 per person
JACK'S CAMP
This has always been an icon and we are eager to view the new changes. The new Jack’s retains the old-world glamour it has always been adored for. Maintaining the much-loved 1940s style, five generations of the Bousfield family have collected antiques and artefacts from around the world, each one telling a story and adding to Jack’s distinctive design character. Each tent, with private deck and pool is now an impressive 270sqm under canvas. With the lodge run on solar and wi-fi free, the true luxury at Jack’s is switching-off to enjoy the pristine desert silence.
OPENED: February 2021.
RATES FROM $1795 per person
LEARN MORE ABOUT MAKGADIKGADI SALT PANS
DUMA TAU AND LITTLE DUMA TAU
Duma Tau has always been a favourite for its superb location between two elephant corridors. The camp has re-opened with expansive guest rooms doubled in size, replete 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 Duma Tau – 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 has just four tented guest rooms for an exclusive experience. The camps are part of the Wilderness Safaris collection, a fellow LONG RUN partner.
OPENED: April 2021.
RATES FROM $1762 per person.
XIGERA
This is a legacy project for the Tollman family and represents the biggest investment into a safari lodge of this size in Africa. The lodge is resplendent, a “living gallery”, with bespoke works commissioned exclusively for the property by some of Africa’s hottest young artists. Life-changing experiences include: sleep-outs in a three-story steel baobab tree, game drives, glass-bottom mokoro and motorboat excursions, and ‘feet-in-the-water’ sundowners. The lodge takes sustainability very seriously, is plastic free, and powered with Tesla solar-hybrid energy technology; we would not expect any less for a new lodge with such a privileged location in the heart of Botswana’s precious Okavango Delta.
OPENED: March 2021.
RATES FROM $2630 per person.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OKAVANGO DELTA
SINGITA SABORA TENTED CAMP
Celebrating Africa’s cultural heritage, creativity and craftsmanship, the work of local artisans feature throughout the freshly refurbished camp. Canvas walls with sections of full-length glazing allow for uninterrupted views of Sabora’s two waterholes where game regularly gather to drink. The suites include private meditation decks, outdoor salas with daybeds, private fitness areas and perfectly curated in-room pantries and dining spaces.
OPENED: November 2020.
RATES FROM $1700 per person.
COTTAR'S 1920'S CAMP
Located on an exclusive 6000 acre private conservancy just outside the Mara, Cottar’s 1920s Camp has undergone a fabulous refurbishment. Cottar’s is a LONG RUN certified Global Ecosphere Retreat®, this is one of the most rigorous sustainability standards in tourism. As a LONG RUN member we work in partnership with Global Ecosphere Retreats® in using travel as a force for good. The Cottar family have three places to stay in the Maasai Mara: Cottar’s 1920s Camp, Cottar’s Bush Villa and Cottar’s Conservation Camp.
OPENED: December 2020.
RATES FROM $963 per person.
ANGAMA SAFARI CAMP
This is a brand new treasure Nicky Fitzgerald and her Angama team have opened in the private south west corner of the Mara Triangle – the middle of absolutely nowhere. The exclusive use camp gives guests a feeling of ‘this is all mine’ especially considering how few other safari vehicles venture down to this secluded corner of the Reserve. As Nikki says “stare at the fire, listen to the birds, read, take a nap, relax in the red rocker, watch the sun set, cook over the coals; breathe the fresh air, try and count the stars, and share many stories.”
OPENED: September 2020 per person.
RATES FROM $1238 per person.
Bellingham Safaris and THE LONG RUN are partners in using tourism as a force for good. Our alliance allows us to pool our resources to provide guests with meaningful travel that makes a positive difference globally. When you travel to Long Run Properties through Bellingham Safaris, you join us as a force for change in travel that supports the protection of our planet.
