Breathing Space

| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS

Breathing space is defined as an opportunity to pause, relax or decide what to do next.

Upscale Living magazine’s Travel Editor has sourced the ultimate in places that are so off the beaten track, travelers will have no option but to pause and relax.

DEPLAR FARM

Troll Peninsula, Iceland

Escape to one of Eleven Experience’s most unique properties, the remote Icelandic lodge, Deplar Farm. The Nordic-inspired lodge, that can sleep up to 26 guests, is located on the stunning Troll Peninsula. Come winter, it is surrounded by 3,000 ft snow-dusted mountains, allowing guests to have unrivalled access to 1,500 square miles of untouched mountain terrain and to feel completely secluded.

Located on a converted sheep farm, Deplar Farm blends into the natural landscape with its black timber cladding and grass-sodded roof, and the floor-to-ceiling windows around the property embrace the surrounding peaks. Iceland’s midnight sun means long summer days and endless opportunity for outdoor activities.

Decked out in sheepskin, Moroccan wools and textured walls, Deplar Farm’s 13 bedrooms are a cozy contrast to the raw landscape outside. Grettir, the master bedroom, has a mezzanine loft with a spacious seating area. The four gallery suites all have mezzanine-style lofts with hammocks and day beds for lounging additional guests. Nature is everywhere at Deplar Farm, with natural touches, like driftwood from the nearby sea and stone from the Fljótaá River. The library features Icelandic books, and local art adorns the living areas. The spa is a standout, with a gray stone hot tub, sauna, steam room, and two Isopod flotation tanks available at an additional charge.

Guests can alternate between the Viking sauna and the cold plunge, or soak under the Northern Lights in the open-air geothermal pool. Despite the wonderful remoteness of Deplar Farm, offers a range of world-class facilities for guests looking to relax and unwind after an active day outdoors. There is also an entertainment room, conference room, terrace, built in pizza oven and a full band set up for late night jamming sessions as well as two helicopter pads.

Exercise is key to Eleven Life and guests are encouraged to make use of the freedom to choose from one of three optional start times over a one-hour period, allowing them to join when it best suits them. Slots range from 20, 40 or 60 minutes, depending on how guests feel. TheNordic inspired interiors are cozy and stylish, and guests can socialize together in the evening with cocktails mixed by the resident mixologist and feast on local Icelandic delicacies cooked by the private chef. The basic Icelandic diet hasn’t changed much since the Viking days. Arctic char, north Atlantic salmon, lamb and skyr are still staples, however, the chef prepares them with modern techniques and a dash of international flavor.

Neighboring farmers and fishermen make regular deliveries, so menus are always sourceto-table. Expect blueberry-topped pancakes, langoustine soup, and pasture-raised lamb, as well as craft beers from local brewers and wines from Deplar’s extensive cellar.

Known for its exhilarating menu of outdoor pursuits, guests can enjoy heli-skiing, sea kayaking, whale watching in the surrounding fjords, astro-touring and fat biking special trails around the valley at Deplar Farm.

Chikwenya

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Situated on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, Chikwenya enjoys a rich Wilderness Safaris history as one of the first camps in the region. A photographer’s paradise, Chikwenya overlooks the open floodplain and the broad Zambezi River, with a backdrop provided by the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment.

Chikwenya’s seven tents (including two family units) stand on low wooden decks with pine walkways linking them to the raised main area. The lounge, dining and bar area are places of hospitality and relaxation, with a pool and deck offering alternate spaces to enjoy the scenery and passing wildlife.

Game is plentiful with large concentrations of buffalo and elephant, the latter standing on their hind legs to reach for whatever is left of the albida fruits when the season comes to an end, which serve as sustenance for the pachyderms during the dry season with these protein-rich pods. Predators such as lion, African wild dog, leopard and cheetah are often sighted. In between a variety of activities, the camp’s main area offers shady spaces to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery and passing wildlife. Greater kudu, Burchell’s zebra, impala, warthog and common waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains and the grunting of hippo can be heard all day. Birdlife is superb, with numerous local specials like collared palmthrush and racket-tailed roller.

Guests can try their hand at catch-and-release fishing – imagine hooking a tigerfish as you drift down the Zambezi. Enjoy a walk in the woods, while experiencing Africa on foot – along the Zambezi River, amongst the riverine vegetation and under the shady trees. Delight in a sunset cruise in the safe confines of a boat while watching the sun setting over Africa. Boating is a wonderful way of seeing a large number of waterbirds and wildlife attracted to the river and seasonal pans at Chikwenya. Dog Conservation (PDC), helping to drive the conservation of this Endangered species in the Mana Pools National Park and surrounds. As part of initiative, Chikwenya has built bomas to host wild dogs that have been relocated from Hwange National Park in order to boost the population in Mana Pools.

Another great purpose at Chikwenya is through their partnership, both financially and logistically with renowned NGO, Painted https://wilderness-safaris.com/our-camps/ camps/chikwenya

Predominantly due to habitat loss, the African wild dog has been under pressure for many years, with an estimated 7 000 left on the continent. The initiative looks into the population status of wild dog in Zimbabwe as well as the threats of human-wild dog conflict. Its mission is to protect and increase the range and number of wild dog through research, education and community involvement. As part of this initiative, they have introduced the concept of “guest science”, where both guides and guests are able to assist PDC by taking photos, and noting dates and times of each sighting.

fregate island private Seychelles

Four degrees south of the Equator lies Fregate Island Private, a natural outstanding beauty with peaceful settings of verdant, tropical interiors and abundant nature fringed by seven fairytale beaches. The white powdery sand sweeps around the edge of sentinelled giant, iconic granite boulders.

Fregate Island Private is approximately 2.19 square kilometers in size and its apex is Mont Signal, rising at 125m above sea level. Fregate Island Private is one of a kind destination, where guests can experience the ultimate offer to Seychelles luxury with an exclusive 5-star experience and team genuinely committed to conservation.

The restoration and perception of its unique flora and fauna has always been, and will continue to be a fundamental raison d’être for years ahead. The precious Seychelles Island is covered in lush forest, fringed by coral reefs and a sanctuary to some of the world’s rarest plants, reptiles, insects and birds. the Indian Ocean, about 55km east of the main island, Mahé. Luxury helicopter transfers merely 15 minutes one way or a sea voyage by boat averaging 1.5 hours.

Private pools in each of the 16 luxury Villas and an exclusive ‘Banyan Hill Private Estate’ provides tranquility and a laid-back hideaway. Either as a couple for a romantic escape or a family getaway, the choice of 13 Private Pool Villas, 3 Private Pool Twin Villas and the Banyan Hill Private Estate, designed with 3 detached Villas will suit perfectly for all guests’ travel arrangements.

All villas offer dedicated and luxurious bedrooms and living areas, both with air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The bedroom provides a king-sized bed, a large open bathroom with ‘his and hers’ face basins, indoor and outdoor showers with rain shower heads and a bathtub. A large closet with windows and a personal safe is to be found inside. The living room can be transformed into a second bedroom for up to three children. The main restaurant is located in the open Fregate House and is characterized by a plantation style and casual elegance. It’s a fine à la carte restaurant where you can dine while admiring the beautiful scenery of the clear blue ocean and the islands of Praslin and La Digue on the horizon.

Back in the day, Plantation House was the home of the former plantation owner before the island became the unique paradise it is today, so it is just the perfect venue for the weekly ‘Creole Night’. Everyone comes together to enjoy the local cuisine while listening to traditional Creole music.

On Fregate Island Private, it is all about unique island dining experiences nearly anywhere and anytime you like. If it’s breakfast up high in the Banyan Tree House, surrounded by singing Fairy Terns or a sunset cocktail on Mont Signal, each occasion is personally tailored and arranged by your personal assistant.

https://www.fregate.com/

kwessi dunes

NamibRand Reserve, Namibia

Natural Selection opened their latest Namibian property, Kwessi Dunes, on the 1st March 2020. The new property is set in the vast 531,000 acre NamibRand Nature Reserve, with easy access to Sossusvlei’s iconic rusty red sand dunes and the photogenic Deadvlei.

The NamibRand is a vast place of awe-inspiring beauty. One of the largest private reserves in southern Africa, it was the vision of Namibian farmer Albi Bruckner in the 1980s and was created from the integration of several livestock farms and the removal of the fences which divided the land.

The barbed wire Bruckner removed was long enough to stretch from Cape Town to Windhoek. The result was a protected wilderness area that today is a model of conservation success. For Natural Selection, it was the perfect location for their sixth Namibian property.

When Kwessi Dunes opened on the 1st March, it brought Natural Selection’s low-key style and quirkiness to southern Namibia. The twelve thatch and canvas rooms measure 948 sq ft inside and out, and feature vintage four-poster beds, striped canvas walls and a beautiful map mural feature wall. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers and a shaded, outdoor veranda. High thatched roofs and air-conditioning will keep guests cool during the hot desert days.

The rooms at Kwessi Dunes really come into their own after the sun sets. Each room has been designed with a special “star gazer” room and every night there is the option to sleep outside, under the African night sky. In 2012 the NamibRand Nature Reserve was selected by the International Dark Sky Association as an official dark sky reserve on account of its low light pollution and cloudless night skies.

It is one of the best places on earth to star gaze and enjoy spending the night under a canopy of twinkling stars. The guides at Kwessi Dunes will help guests to tell their Southern Cross from their Orion’s Belt but if that all feels like too much hard work then counting shooting stars is a wonderful way to fall asleep. The view from the lodge is spectacular and the glass windows and doors at the main area look out onto the undulating landscape that only ends when it meets the mountains, far in the distance. Inside, there’s a well-stocked bar, library area and several seating and dining areas. When the sun rises in the morning, the campfire is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea and in the heat of the day, the swimming pool is the only place to be.

As with all Natural Selection’s projects, 1.5% of turnover will go straight back to conservation projects which directly impact the area. The new lodge will also make use of the latest clean and green technology, ensuring that it leaves as light a footprint as possible on the fragile environment.

https://naturalselection.travel/camps/kwessidunes/

milaidhoo island

Baa Atool, Maldives

Maldivian-owned Milaidhoo Island Maldives opened in December 2016 and is set over 13 acres atop the Baa Atoll’s beautiful UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort is proudly rooted in the local island traditions and provides a sense of Maldivian local island living, complete with 50 villas, three restaurants and stylish, thoughtful décor designed and created by local designers and artisans using responsibly sourced materials, offering the ultimate laidback island luxury.

Each of Milaidhoo’s 50 private pool villas have been designed by a local Maldivian architect, with conservation front of mind, ensuring minimum impact on the coral reef. The thatched-roof villas were created to seamlessly fuse indoor and outdoor living and each water or beach villa opens up 180 degrees, inviting nature in, while the materials and crafts used blend effortlessly with natural elements and modern, sustainable architecture. Each is serviced by private butlers and features generous private pools, within lush tropical surroundings. Most recently, Milaidhoo has taken accommodation in the Maldives to another level, with the launch of their spectacular new Ocean Residence and Beach Residences. The 475sqm Ocean Residence comes complete with a ‘secret’ loft deck hidden inside the roof of the villa, and the completely private sundeck comes with a plush swing chair, sun loungers, huge freshwater infinity swimming pool, with steps straight into the sea.

While those who prefer dry land can opt for one of Milaidhoo’s two 490sqm Beach Residences with its 60sqm private freshwater infinity pool. They feature circular living rooms, adjoining kitchenette and huge bathrooms with indoor and outdoor rain showers and separate deep bathtub.

The culinary experience is a highlight at Milaidhoo; focusing on authentic, light food with clean flavors. Two bars and three world-class restaurants are on offer at the resort, including signature eatery Ba’theli, which is perched above the lagoon and shaped like a dhoni (traditional Maldivian sailing boat) and is the only Maldivian restaurant in the Maldives. Here, the expert local chefs take guests on an island-influenced gastronomic journey, as they discover flavors, textures and colors like never before. They can expect to find seafood and traditional local flavors reinterpreted for the modern palate.

The Shoreline Grill is where guests will find barefoot informality at its best, with Chef asking what guests feel like eating and cook accordingly. This sand-floored beachfront restaurant offers a menu of fine cuts of meat, fresh local fish and seafood, simply cooked and beautifully presented, with a Teppanyaki table and wine cellar. Ocean Restaurant is the causal all-day dining restaurant, serving up an array of daily specials by day and a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian dishes by night. For an aperitif or after dinner, Compass Pool Bar offers an impressive selection of cutting-edge cocktails, while a pool bar will be open by day for fresh exotic fruit juices and snacks and by night for live music and tantalizing cocktails.

nihi sumba

SUMBA, INDONESIA

Indonesian for ‘secret’, the new Rahasia Villa offers a playground of privacy atop the resort’s coveted Spa Safari. The award-winning Nihi Sumba resort, a fifty-minute flight from Bali, has added yet another layer of romance to its collection of private accommodations, transforming its stand-alone honeymoon villa at the nearby Nihioka Spa Safari into an all-inclusive upgrade of secluded allure and flirtatious detail on the edge of wildness.

Guests are now able to reserve Villa Rahasia for one night during their regular, minimum threenight stay at the main resort. The new package combines the very best of the Nihioka Spa Safari with romantic perks for honeymooners or other couples seeking ultimate privacy and the essentials of a memorable occasion.

The only villa situated within the Spa Safari’s boundaries of rolling rice fields and cliff top views, Rahasia allows guests to feel as if they have an entire resort unto themselves. With unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean, a symphony of crashing waves, a plunge pool, several private bales for dining or spa treatments, bush-cooked meals over an open fire, colorful sunsets, and plenty of nearby hiking, Villa Rahasia is a lover’s paradise.

A remote hideaway in Indonesia, and twice the size of Bali, the island of Sumba is still totally undiscovered by mass tourism. Known as the lost-world island, it offers a magically pristine mix of beaches, tropical scenery and a fascinating tribal culture.

For those guests seeking a few nights of complete and off-grid seclusion, Villa Rahasia is the perfect place to come to. The journey to this remote villa begins with a sunrise trek across Sumba’s dramatic west coast and through rice paddies to the secluded Nihi Oka Valley. Staff await, bearing scented towels, fresh coconuts and a bush-cooked breakfast served in a tree house. The remote set-up is castaway, the villa is tropical chic and the scenery raw, wild and removed from civilization.

On arrival, guests are shown to their own private bale, which boasts expansive views of the coastline and crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. Here, guests can enjoy unlimited spa treatments, with the line-up ranging from facials with ingredients harvested from the island such as coconut oil, mint leaves, green tea and red rice to treatments such as reflexology, deep tissue massage and Indonesian ‘Lulur’ body exfoliations, which are regarded as traditional medicine.

Ultimately, the day is centered around you: your wants and your needs and whatever pace allows you to truly unwind. Guests are driven in open air vehicles as the sun sets, having experienced both adventure and serenity in equal measure.

There is a freshwater pool, a private cove and a spa sanctuary, which comes with a daybed made up with cool green and white cottons. The Sumbanese-inspired one-bedroom treehouse villa overlooks the Indian Ocean and allows guests to totally switch off for a night in the wilderness.

RUBONDO ISLAND CAMP

Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria, Tanzania

The only camp in the wild and virtually uninhabited Rubondo Island National Park, the largest island national park in Africa is Rubondo Island Camp. Overlooking the vast waters of Lake Victoria, it is a truly special place to experience.

The parkis a haven for chimpanzees — introduced as part of groundbreaking rehabilitation project in the 1960s — as well as elephants, giraffes, hippos, shysitatunga antelopes and 300 species of birds.

The pristine Rubondo Island is 75 percent forest, which guests can explore on drives and walks while learning about the animals and plants that make up this extraordinaryprotected ecosystem. Wake up to the serene lake views from your beachfront cottage and enjoy catch-andrelease-fishing the massive Nile perch and tilapia that dwell in the surrounding waters in the afternoon. Meals at Rubondo Island Camp are served al fresco on the main deckoverlooking the beach, where you can relax with your toes in the sand. Spend afternoons in a hammock, binoculars and bird guide in hand or cooling off in the pool. As the sun sets, watch hippos emerge from the water to graze on the grass around camp.

All ofthe food is homemade, including breads, cakes, biscuits and sorbets. Breakfast is served on the deck overlooking the lake. Lunch is a light buffet (if you are a keen cook, join the chef for a class that doubles as lunch prep). Sip sundowners around the campfire on the beach, after which guests can enjoya communal dinner under the stars. There are many things to do at Rubondo, with activities on both land and water, focused on learning about the remarkable ecosystem. Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience helping habituate the island’s chimpanzee population. As you walk through the forest tracking their progress with a knowledgeable guide, you will likelyhear them calling to each other and they’ll hear you. The more they grow accustomed to the presence of humans, the easier it will be for researchers to spend time studying them. Head out in an open vehicle to explore the forests of Rubondo, led by expert Asilia guides. You’ll learn about the flowers, shrubs and trees, and spot birds and animals that dwell in these forests. Embark on a forest walk - there is so much to see in this unspoilt forest that the guided nature walks can last anywhere from one hour to a full day.

Explore Lake Victoria and the shores of Rubondo on a boat trip. Keep an eye out for hippos, elephants, crocodiles, otters and monitor lizards. December to March is the best time for birding, when the migrants stop on Rubondo on their wayfrom Europe. At the peak of the season, there are more than 300 bird species. Assisting in safeguarding Rubondo Island is a guest conservation levy, ensuring a bright future for generations to come.

https://www.asiliaafrica.com/camps-lodges/ rubondo-island-camp/

TIME + TIDE KING LEWANIKA

Liuwa Plain Nat’l Park, Zambia

Time + Tide King Lewanika in Zambia’s west is one of Africa’s greatest secrets. Liuwa Plain National Park is a conservation success, but also hosts the second biggest wildebeest migration in Africa. Zambia’s most exclusive camp, Time + Tide King Lewanika is the only permanent camp in the Park.

This area has a long history dating back to the 1880s when it became one of the earliest protected areas under the Lozi Litunga or King. Famous lion pride, hyenas in packs of up to fifty on the hunt and extraordinary birdlife can be seen here. The plains are unspoilt and exclusive with rare game and a rich natural heritage. Here, on this broad grass canvas, the annual floodwaters host a pageant of wild beauty that throbs to the beat of the royal drums.

Despite its luxurious design, Time + Tide King Lewanika retains its safari authenticity with canvas walls, indoor and outdoor showers, decks overlooking the plains and the use of natural materials. Elements of leather, cotton and canvas complete the design. The villas offer total immersion in the vast landscape, allowing travelers to experience nature’s masterpiece in a meaningful way.

With award-winning guides and intimate safari excursions, unrivalled access and absolute exclusivity is brought to the region. Experience the magic of Liuwa Plain, which is home to magnificent birdlife, a growing cheetah population and the famed Lady Liuwa lion pride.

Built and operated by Time + Tide, the lodge was conceptualised in collaboration with designers Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, and African Parks, the non-profit that manages Liuwa Plain with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Barotse Royal Establishment.

Liuwa Plain is an area rich with stories, and one of our favourites is the legend of Mambeti and Lady Liuwa. Of the Lozi people, Mambeti lived, died and was buried near to camp. Legend has it she was reincarnated into Lady Liuwa, the matriarch of Liuwa’s lion pride. Local people believe that this explains why the famed lioness was receptive to people and spent so much time in the same woodlands once frequented by the elderly Mambeti. After 17 years and a rich life, Lady Liuwa sadly passed away in 2017.

Amid the wild bush setting, Time + Tide King Lewanika’s award-winning culinary team creates an extraordinary dining experience that blends expert culinary skills, impeccable service and artful plating. Dishes draw creativity from the rich cultural and natural heritage of Zambia by featuring vibrant flavors, produce and traditions.

By bringing together the best of Zambia with inspiration from around the world, a dining experience is created that appeals to the international clientele, while maintaining its wonderful Zambian authenticity. At the end of a lively day on safari, enjoy a sundowner, a cherished African tradition. Whatever your choice of drink, the excellent bar staff have you covered!

https://timeandtideafrica.com/camp/king-lewanika