Luxury honeymoons – well, this is one of the moments in life which should be treasured – and – how better to do this than with a luxurious honeymoon? Most people would agree that the lead up to their wedding is nothing short of traumatic – exciting of course and the highlight is your special day – but then, you need to be rewarded for all that hard work in making your day such a success!

luxury honeymoons at Sasaab with AfricanExplorations.com

If choosing the continent of Africa – quite where does one start? Most people need a break right at the beginning – somewhere to acclimatise and simply let the entire magnificent experience sink in! Then, once you have regained your breath, so to speak, move on to a wonderful safari – where it can be just the two of you in a vehicle, or on foot, savouring the moments together. Perhaps you might like to start in Kenya, staying somewhere romantic at the beginning, with infinite views, a little riding for those that do, picnic lunches and bush breakfasts set up as a surprise, after a walk. Flycamp for a night, where you sleep beneath the stars, an entire camp erected just for the two of you…. or walk, ride or take a camel to a treehouse where you will sleep for the night! Then move off to the Masai Mara or Samburu (or we suggest both!) and sleep in an enormous tent, bedouin style, with persian carpets and lots of big cushions and day beds, either overlooking a river or the plains. Have sundowners on a large rock, with miles of savannah plains and wildlife sprawling out in front of you. End up on the coast, either the Kenyan coast, where there are some gorgeous, romantic boutique hotels, who arrange dining in a different place each night for you. Perhaps in a cave one night, lit with lanterns,  or on the beach, or around a swimming pool or on your own verandah? The Tanzanian coast is especially good for those that dive, or if a large, opulent hotel is more your style, then combine it with Mauritius or the Seychelles.

luxury honeymoon at Zarafa Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

Namibia is another amazing country, with beautiful deserts and one can spend time in a beautiful lodge which is open sided, with views of sand dunes surrounding one, or perhaps a skylight so one can view the stars. The piece de resistance is taking a hot air balloon ride over the dunes at dawn as the dunes change hue!

Luxury Namibia with AfricanExplorations.com

South Africa also offers some amazing designer style lodges, where comfort is the keyword and then one can move on to either Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar or the Seychelles from there!

In Tanzania, stay in a gorgeous, luxurious lodge or camp in the Serengeti, followed by a stay in the Ngorongoro Crater, where fresh roses are flown in daily for you and placed next to your bath that your butler has run for you, a glass of wine on the side, and views of the Crater from your bath!

Botswana is fabulous too, one can walk with elephants, learning all about these magnificent pachyderms, and stay on a gorgeous island, with just a handful of luxurious tents, and a lagoon surrounding you, so that you fall asleep to the gentle snort of the hippos. Or even spend time riding an elephant and staying at a luxurious lodge with fabulous views of the Okavango Delta.

Luxury Banyan Tree Seychelles with AfricanExplorations.com

There are so many dreamy places that one could spend months – let alone days – with your treasured partner – you simply wont want to leave! Remember though, that to spend longer at a place is better, as it means you dont have to undertake the early morning game drives, but rather participate on them as you wish – remember, this is all about fun and relaxation – in equal measures!

Luxury Safari in Africa- There can be few dreams realised like a luxury safari in Africa. This, surely, must be the ultimate holiday that anybody could ever dream of going on!

Luxury comes in many guises and as the famous HSBC advert that one sees plastered all over airport walls in Africa and Europe alike, aludes to, is that each person’s idea of heaven and hell come in equal quantities and have different meanings!

Beho Beho with AfricanExplorations.com

For some, an idea of heaven, is having the most amazing wildlife viewing perhaps in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and then returning to a hugely luxurious lodge, where fresh roses are flown in daily to be placed next to your bath, which has views over the Crater floor, a chandelier above your head and a butler who waits upon you, even filling your bath so you can simply step into it when returning from your safari.

Abu's Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

For others, it is having a private camp erected just for the two of you, or perhaps even your family in the middle of the Serengeti or the Masai Mara, during the wildebeest migration, with millions of animals around you. Or going one step further, perhaps in the Katavi National Park, where you have a flycamp erected for just the two of you and your guide and staff, sleeping beneath the stars at night and showering beneath the southern cross!

Again, for others, it might well be having a truly sensational private guide to accompany you throughout your safari, explaining every detail to you and perhaps even be flying you in their own private aircraft, which means that no time is wasted and you can do some wonderful game spotting on a low level flight!

Luxury Safari in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Perhaps it is taking a hot air balloon across the Namib Desert at first light, watching the colours change hue before you, the silence simply deafening! Or even taking a flying safari up the Skeleton Coast in Namibia which is about the best thing you can ever do in this country!

Chada Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

For others again, perhaps in Kenya, to have your own private villa in Laikipia and finish off with a private villa in Lamu. Or take Prince William’s route, of staying at a rustic log cabin at the foothills of Mount Kenya, accessible only by helicopter.

Travel on horseback through the Okavango Delta, or even on an  elephant back safari in Botswana. Whatever your idea of luxury is, we have the expertise and the passion to fulfil your dreams!

Luxury Safari in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Kenya Safari- Kenya is still overall my favourite East African country. Its the sort of country that when you land at the airstrip, your feet touch the soil, you feel that wave of heat on your skin, you smell that wonderful air, that magical vibrant atmosphere and you can’t help but think – yes, I have arrived. I am home, or words to that effect! Interestingly enough, most people I have spoken to who have absolutely no connection with the country at all, always feel as though they have come ‘home’.  But that’s what this country does to you. Its the warmth of the people, that amazing welcome, those huge smiles.

Elephant Watch Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

Add to that the most gloriously romantic tented camps and lodges that you have ever come across, the sort of places where you could simply fall in love with someone all over again, all bedouin styled with persian rugs and sublime views that you simply drink in!

Shompole with AfricanExplorations.com

Then you have the wildlife – and oh, what wildlife! Not only does one have an astonishing array of both animals and birdlife and vegetation, but add to that the extraordinary, widely covered wildebeest migration, which traverses from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti in their quest for water.1.5 million wildebeest, 500 000 zebra and a multitude of predators – a sheer wildlife phenomenon!

Kenya Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Add to that the incredibly rich and colourful culture and wide array of tribes, from the nomadic Samburu to the Maasai, the Turkana, the Rendille, The Luos, the Kikuyu and so on. The list is endless and especially for family safaris, one can learn all about them, spend time with them, and find out what is entailed in becoming a warrior. There is nothing contrived here!

For the adventurous, Kenya offers everything – apart from world class wildlife, there is trout and big game fishing, both fly and rod, horse riding, camel trekking, walking and climbing Mount Kenya.

There is a beautiful coastline, where you can take an Arab Dhow and sail to islands or parts of the mainland, or snorkel and dive off a catamaran, or perhaps stay at a wonderful Robinson Crusoe Lodge with no windows or doors and dine on the freshest lobster, crab and fish, with hand made pasta and gorgeous wine or stay at a private villa which is beautifully designed in Moorish architecture. Perhaps stay at a state of the art spa overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Kenya Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Whatever your fancy, Kenya can meet your challenge – and surpass it! This will truly be a holiday of a lifetime!

Luxury African Safaris – These are the sort of safaris that we arrange extremely well. But what is the definition of luxury? Well, to some, it is to have a large tented camp, with en suite bathroom facilities, complete with hot water from a bucket shower beneath the stars. To others, it is enjoying a chilled glass of wine for sundowners, whilst looking out over a lake filled with hippos cavorting and grunting.

Shompole with AfricanExplorations.com

Jacks Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

To others, it is the more definite sense of the word, staying in a design inspired lodge with the finest Frette linen, perhaps a private plunge pool, on call butler service so that when you return from a game drive, your steaming bath already awaits you. For others still, it is not being blighted by other people  and therefore having your own private air charter to whisk you to each place, your own private 4 x 4 vehicle and specialist guide. Definitely having a pristine game viewing experience all to yourself must also be categorised as luxury!

Luxury African Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

Whatever your idea of luxury may be, let us at African Explorations realise your dreams for you – the only  limit is the realm of your imagination!

African Safari Holidays – The very best kind of holiday imaginable! I spoke about African safaris in my last blog, dated 02nd November, so do have a look at that, as it really covers exactly how one feels when travelling on an African safari and why I think its the best holiday that anyone can ever travel upon! What I didn’t go into, however, was the sort of accommodation that one can choose whilst on safari, or the various ways in terms of guiding, that one can undertake. In some countries, i have friends of mine who are some of the most amazing guides, who have their own aircraft and are ace pilots. They will both guide and fly you to each of your camps. This is particularly good if travelling to far flung camps. Your guide will arrive at camp with you and guide you in the open 4 x 4 vehicles when you are on safari.

Sand Rivers Selous with AfricanExplorations.com

A lot of our clients are really interested in photography these days. We can arrange for anything from joining a dedicated photographic safari where much time and information is dedicated to the technical aspects (as well as the artistry) of taking an excellent photograph. This is wonderful as it is a skill you will keep for life! There are even art safaris where you can join artists and paint or draw and the same principle applies. Having a private guide when there is a party of four or more often makes a lot of sense. Firstly, you are having the finest knowledge shared with you, you develop a rapport with your guide and invariably become firm friends! In addition, there is continuity – so no sharing a vehicle with other people and having to come back to the camp or lodge because of meals and no having to pander to other peoples interests (lovely if you share them, not so great if you don’t!) . There is flexibility and the continuity I mention comes from travelling to each place, knowing what you have seen before and comparing notes, rather than being asked the same questions or being given the same information many times over. Tedious even for the most ardent wildlife enthusiast! Yes, it costs more money, but safaris as never cheap and you may as well do it properly the first time around! There is also no value that one can place on the difference of having a good safari and a truly sublime safari!

African Safari Holidays with AfricanExplorations.com

Richard's Camp Masai Mara with AfricanExplorations.com

Lastly, one can either stay in a tented camp or a designer lodge, depending upon one’s comfort and taste (and budget!), OR – and again for parties of four or more, have a private camp erected just for you. This really is the ultimate and can be done as plainly or as stylishly as your budget will allow! However, we dont compromise on the guides and a basic level of comfort! Here a camp is set up in the best wildlife viewing areas – particularly important in all countries, but especially at the time of the wildebeest migration, which occurs in Kenya and Tanzania, when 1.5 million wildebeest and 500 000 zebra and a multitude of predators congregate on the plains of the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem! But, best of all, talk to us! We all come from Africa, have a passion for the continent, its wildlife and its people – and to be honest, nobody knows it like we do!

Wolwedans Dune Lodge with AfricanExplorations.com

It is very easy these days to have a luxury Safari in Kenya, as there are just so many lodges and beautifully appointed tented camps to choose from. As any African afficionado knows, tents have moved on a long way in the last twenty years! Forget about pup tents, (unless one is flycamping), and any negative thoughts on boy scout camping should be banished! No, we are talking about lovely, spacious, sexy tents (yes, they can be!), as large as most apartments, with 360 degree views should one wish, persian rugs scattered on the floor and big cushions. Fantastic views and some with their own plunge pool! The most gorgeous tent I recently stayed in was at Sasaab, in Kenya. Sadly I was on my own, but this was somewhere to be shared with your partner – it was romance and bliss personified!

Luxury Kenya Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

The tents are set in the bush and one watches pairs of dik diks pronking through the trees. During the day, the tent is open fronted and open to the side, where the plunge pool is situated, overlooking the river. The front has equal views over the river with a couple of sun loungers placed on the grass. In the bedroom is a large sitting area with lots of cushions and bird and mammal books for perusing. There is even a yoga mat and plenty of places to practice yoga! There is a large bathroom with sliding tented doors with an inside shower and twin basin unit.  You also have your dedicated room steward.  If you feel like having more of a workout in a proper swimming pool,  then one can walk up to a mezzanine area outside with lots of large chairs and cushions  for relaxing and having a glass of wine, overlooking the swimming pool. There is also a spa.  Apart from game viewing in Samburu National Park, which is superb and excellent for elephant specifically (as well as having five different species which only occur north of the equator), they also offer camel walking and riding,  as well as walks, visits to the local community and the school. There are so many other lovely properties – in Lake Naivasha, we have a folly, which one takes over – and one can go for walks, visit Lake Nakuru  and take a boat around the lake whilst birdwatching.

Luxury Kenya safari with AfricanExplorations.com

There are umpteen gorgeous houses in Laikipia where one can stay – my favourite being a homestead which has been decorated by an Argentinian interior decorator – called the Italian cottage. Here one can ride, track wild dog, game view and walk and the wildlife is superb. Or perhaps take a private cottage in Laikipia with infinite views across the escarpment. On the coast, in Lamu, take a private villa – complete with your own skipper and boat for the day! Dine on lobster, crab and fresh fish each night! At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, there is a gorgeous lodge called Ol Donyo Wuas. This is the perfect place to acclimatise to Africa – sleep outside in your sala for a night or two, beneath the stars! They have elephants with the largest tusks here.  Go for wonderful walks, horse ride, have lovely picnic lunches and breakfasts laid out for you on a walk – the opportunities are endless, as are the views, luxury safari Kenya at its best!

Luxury Safari Kenya with AfricanExplorations.com