African Experiences

Mankind's ancestral home

Sub-Saharan Africa is at something of a watershed: many of its countries are just now finally emerging from colonialism, dictatorship, or great poverty; national revenues are dramatically increasing due to soaring raw material costs as the Chinese compete for vital resources; and—perhaps most important of all—game preservation is beginning to be seen as vital culturally as well as an important source of pride and local income.

In parts of Africa, wealthy eco philanthropists have been buying up vast tracts of land with little interest in commercial gain.

Their aim is to rescue Africa’s wildlife by creating game reserves with very high quality lodges where a privileged few can be truly exhilarated by an awesome wilderness experience. In the luxury they have grown used to.

Better still, in the process, they’ve not just created a playground for the wealthy—they’ve created jobs and educational scholarships.

We offer some of most seriously luxurious safari lodges and camps: our guests can have the experience of a lifetime along with the satisfaction of knowing that they have—albeit in a small way—contributed to this noble effort.

At Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, Ulusaba in South Africa, romantics and thrill seekers alike can use the 18 luxury suites and rooms in Rock Lodge or Safari Lodge as a base.

During twice daily game drives and safari walks, they can observe the “the Big Five” up close—that’s lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards and rhinos.

Guests will enjoy swimming pools, a gym, spas, a very respectable wine cellar, a bush observatory, tennis courts, and the Cubs Club for kids. And much more.

Wall Street fund manager and his African partner Like Bailles have made a major investment in the 346 000-acre Singita Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania to create one of the most sensationally luxurious safari destinations in Africa.

For around $1 000-$1500 (about £500-£750) per person a night, guests have a guide and vehicle to themselves but get to share a vast area of Africa with only about 50 other people housed in three widely separated Boyd Ferguson-designed lodges.

Think “Out-of-Africa” blended with Armani interiors: four-posters, African artifacts, Murano glass chandeliers, and swimming pools.

From the lodges, guests can look down through a telescope and see a lion stalking its prey; they can eat breakfast under a tree with wildebeest and zebra teeming in front of their eyes; and they can observe animals come to drink at a nearby water hole.

Also, in Zimbabwe, Tudor Jones has created the Pamushana Lodge in 130 000 acres of wild country: an exclusive wildlife destination with only six villas for the privileged few: deeper pockets required.

Up in Kenya, the 65 000-acre Oldonyo Laro estate comprises beautiful and varied land perched at the edge of the Rift Valley—the birthplace of mankind—from the desert-like floor of the valley, up through deep gorges and unique vegetation, and on to virgin rainforest in the Nguruman escarpment.

Wildlife abounds, and this venue is ideal for celebrities as well as those just seeking privacy and discretion.

Five or six times a year, a group of up to 16—friends and family—have the privilege of renting the entire estate—that’s with luxury rooms, guides, a helicopter, and a Cessna—for around $250 000 (£125 000).

Down in Mozambique, another American, Greg Carr, has saved Gorongosa—once one of the great glories of Africa with 1 455 square miles of vast savannas and green wetlands—from overgrazing and poaching after the war.

The nearest airport is Beira about three hours from the park: the accommodation comprises nine clean and serviceable cabanas; the food is simple, fresh, and inexpensive; the guides are good and the buffalo awesome.

Now is the time to go on a reasonable budget: a plush tented camp is planned for the near future, and the well-heeled will be able to land their Cessnas.

In addition to these great experiences, we work with affiliate specialist operators to give our clients access to a wider portfolio of African adventures including gorilla encounters in Uganda.

The animals, the guides, gorgeous rooms, swimming pools, chefs, helicopters, pilots, and unforgettable views are all awaiting the financially intrepid.

We invite you to take the first step—come to Africa for the experience of a lifetime—and, when you return, it is likely you will want to be a small part of saving the wildlife in what is all of mankind’s ancestral home.