Sunshine Safari

Ever dreamt about watching the sunset over a waterhole surrounded by elephant and buffalo on the African savannah?

So many of my luxury travel clients are requesting exactly this as they look to make up for lost time by planning those bucket list trips for 2023 and 2024. African safari adventures are proving to be the most popular currently especially with requests for smaller eco lodges that look to support local communities and offer more of a personalised one to one service.

I have pulled together a few of my favourite lodges to share with you –

Singita Lebombo Lodge

A dramatic clifftop sanctuary suspended aloft the N’wanetsi River inside Kruger National Park whose design was inspired by eagle nests on the cliff side. Besides the sumptuous private suite spaces, the lodge offers a wine studio, library and rooftop terrace, an interactive kitchen, an espresso bar and help-yourself deli, with an additional 25-metre lap pool.

Sophisticated and contemporary, the glass-walled suites are romantic hideaways leading outdoors onto elevated wooden viewing decks where guests may sleep out with nothing more than mosquito netting between them and the stars.

It’s not only about luxury though here as at Singita, conservation is the passion and purpose. Over the past three decades, its far-reaching commitment to safeguarding the continent’s wildlife populations and wilderness areas – as well as creating economic independence within communities living alongside them – has seen them implement strategic partnerships with non-profit Funds & Trusts such as Singita Lowveld Trust – working towards a sustainable future for precious species, fragile habitats and vulnerable communities through long-term conservation projects such as the Singita Community Culinary School at Lebombo. Graduates emerge with a world-class chef qualification and a future in luxury hospitality.

Sarah Stephens is a PR and marketing expert, a travel concierge, entrepreneur champion and an advocate for life after child loss

Sarah launched a travel concierge and luxury travel business three years ago, organising holidays for busy people so the only thing they need to worry about when away is having the time of their lives. Work with her and only worry about enjoying your precious time away. She will find you the perfect escape.

Sarah has over 15 years’ experience working in the travel industry Whether it is spending Christmas in New York, having a dream trip to the Maldives, Northern Lights in Iceland or taking the kids to Lapland to meet the big man himself. Sarah can help to make those bucket list dreams come true. She specialises in large groups, the Nordics and honeymoon trips.

Sarah Stephens Escapes www.sarahstephensescapes.com

Umzolozolo Private Safari Lodge

Situated in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, this Malaria free area provides an unrivalled safari experience with the opportunity to view Africa’s Big 5, including cheetah, under African skies.

The lodge is an intimate, privately owned, luxury game lodge where you will be able to enjoy the biodiversity of the reserve in near solitude. Experienced, enthusiastic game rangers will accompany you on game drives in open topped 4×4 game viewers, tracking the Big 5 and sharing their vast knowledge of the surrounding wildlife. At Umzolozolo, the emphasis is on personal service.

All the lodges on the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, including Umzolozolo, receive a Rhino Conservation levy from their guests as part of their package, these funds help fund the anti-poaching team, to help preserve and protect the Rhinos. There is also a Nambiti Conservation Trust, which has been established to raise funds to support our rhino conservation efforts. The rhino are de-horned to protect them and they are also monitored 24 hours a day by our armed on the ground anti-poaching unit.

Phinda Homestead

Tucked into the edge of a dappled forest in the north of Phinda Private Game Reserve, lies Phinda Homestead, a gracious soleuse safari villa, complete with a dedicated ranger, tracker, butler and chef.

Phinda Private Game Reserve is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 436 bird species.

Blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings, and designed like a contemporary bush farmhouse, Phinda Homestead is an elegant and homely sole-use villa, ideal for both families and small groups. Four private bedrooms and spacious bathrooms fuse harmoniously with the cool, expansive, and inviting guest spaces. An interactive kitchen brings the lodge’s private chef into the centre of the guest experience, while a fully equipped private gym and spa allow for relaxation between safaris. Game drive times, as well as meals, are tailored completely to the guests’ preference to create a fully personalised safari.

It was at Phinda that parent company &Beyond’s Care of the Land, Wildlife and People impact vision was tested and shaped. Here 73 800 acres of farmland was reclaimed for wildlife, including 790 hectares of critically endangered ancient sand forest. Cheetah, rhino and pangolin are actively protected here for over 30 years. The reserve also works closely with neighbouring communities, employing locally and investing in community education and welfare.

These three safari options are all very different which one would you choose?

If you are planning to head off on safari remember you can combine it with other places and activities such as a trip to the garden route, maybe wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area or horse riding on the beach. Most clients also spend a few days in Cape Town seeing the sights and visiting the adorable penguins too.

Is a safari on your bucket list? If I can help you with this or with another exciting trip please drop me a line on 07919 886488 or www.instagram.com/ sarahstephensescapes

Set in the Edwardian baroque splendour of this listed building, once the city’s financial hub, the Stock Market Grill will be at the heart of the Stock Exchange Hotel, a luxurious, warm, inviting place to unwind and entertain.

Named among the World’s Best New Luxury Hotels in 2019 by Luxury Travel Intelligence and Leading Hotel of the Year at the This is MCR Awards, 2022, Stock Exchange Hotel features forty rooms, suites and a fully serviced residence, private spaces and a subterranean bar, STERLING — serving cocktails, rare wines and live music, all overseen by the Schofield and Brandwood team. Stock Market Grill joins this roster in the spectacular setting of what was the trading floor, nestled under its ornate domed ceiling.