WILDLIFE SAFARIS & NATURE HIDEAWAYS andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

How They Dazzle Us

In terms of African Safari’s the Serengeti is probably the location that is most talked about, but in terms of game viewing majesty and a bona fide African experience it is the Ngorongoro Crater that is really the crown jewels. The crater, which was formed millions of years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself, is home to an astounding abundance of animals and birds. What is left is now the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and yes, it is positively teeming with animals. Almost a kilometre deep, the floor of the crater is approximately 260 square kilometres. It is an astounding place and this incredible Landing is perched on the crater’s rim, affording guests panoramic views all around and the easiest access possible to the crater itself. It is a truly remarkable place.

Why We Love Them

Described by some as the game lodge at the top of the world, this sumptuous Landing is part Maasai, part Versailles. If Heston Blumenthal was an architect this is the type of place he would create. Given the amount of game available to view it is hard to believe that the

Their Sustainable Superpower

Given its presence on the rim of one of the most ecologically and socially sensitive places on the planet this incredible Landing is forced by legislation and compelled by a genuine desire to do good in the world to be as sustainable and environmentally sensitive as possible. The team here seek to create real experiences that will ensure that the legacy that has been built will be carried through for future generations. Walking tours, encounters with the local herdsmen who live amongst the wild animals, and a compelling educational programme for younger visitors, means that the work carried out at this lodge is beneficial to the whole area.

Landings architecture is actually what we love most, but this is indeed the case. Designed to enhance the incredible views, furnished to perfection with a blend of African whimsy and Victorian class and staffed by world class butlers, the dramatic interior of each suite blends perfectly with the tilted thatch architecture. This Landing is positively out of this world.

COASTAL, BEACH & ISLAND GETAWAYS

Elewana Kilindi

How They Dazzle Us

Set in lush tropical gardens, fronting the incredible beaches of Zanzibar, this Landing offers a sense of history and fairy-tale coupled with romantic intimacy and environmental wonder. It probably goes without saying that it is unique in its atmosphere and that it’s a very special place to spend time - it is no wonder that the owners proudly proclaim that ‘any stay at Kilindi will not only become a memory of a lifetime, but also the standard to surpass in the future.’ Bold words indeed, but rest assured they go all out to ensure that these are lived experiences and not empty promises. This Landing was built for music superstar Benny Andersson of ABBA and Chess fame, which means it brings with it a blend of rock star glamour and Scandinavian minimalism. Add to this the natural influences of Zanzibar’s overt Middle Eastern heritage and you have a Landing that feels truly unique, in a location that is world class.

Why We Love Them

Kilindi’s open-to-nature approach provides the true essence to any stay and it crafts a private, intimate and ‘barefoot’ appeal that so many crave. In short, if you love nature and the ocean then you will adore Kilindi. From the tropical forests to the colourful fishes and corals that can be viewed in abundance just meters

Their Sustainable Superpower

A stay at Kilindi is a delight for the senses. Visually it is incredible, but it is so much more than that. Each of the Landing’s suites feature white wood-slatted shutters that embrace wide-arched, glassless windows, each affording spectacular views over the Indian Ocean. This same openness allows the gentle ocean breeze to waft throughout each of the rooms and to carry with it the delightful soundtrack of Kilindi’s colourful birdlife. Spending time here is akin to exploring a perfume factory as ocean smells mix with spice island scents to create an invigorating fragrance that screams holiday and relaxation.

from the shore, this is a natural paradise. And yes, the owners go all out to preserve the environment and to manage waste and resources properly. It should probably go without saying, but Landings on tropical islands tend to have heightened awareness of phenomena like rising sea levels and their causes and they act consciously to curb this.

WILDLIFE SAFARIS & NATURE HIDEAWAYS