PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRIS ALLAN PHOTOGRAPHY
LIVE
Al fresco fare/romantic Africa/secrets to self-love
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We embark on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean with fresh and scrummy meals that are perfect for al fresco dining (P70), discover a few of Africa’s most idyllic romantic getaway destinations (P76) and get inspired by body-positive spokeswoman with vitiligo, Boitumelo Rametsi (P62).
Romantic
Africa
Leave the kids with the grandparents and escape to one of these glorious African destinations to rekindle romance and celebrate your love. By Lynette Botha
EDGARS CLUB FEBRUARY 2018
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CLOSE TO HOME: KARKLOOF SAFARI SPA (KZN)
If budget or time won’t allow travelling too far afield, an escape to Karkloof Safari Spa in KwaZulu-Natal will tick all the boxes where romance is concerned. Wooden walkways anchored high above trickling streams and lush forests connect the 16 luxurious and private villas to the lodge’s communal areas and spa. Villas are spacious and inviting, luxuriously furnished
and all offer incredible views of the surrounding, awe-inspiring nature. This is a place you come to truly switch off and indulge. Making the most of the exquisite spa facilities (and couples’ treatment rooms) is a no-brainer, but for those who are keen to do a little more, there is no shortage of leisurely hike and bike trails, yoga and meditation classes as well as spectacular game-viewing opportunities during the daily safari drives. Dining is an important affair
at Karkloof; expect to indulge in a range of hearty and healthy meals, created using fresh and locally-sourced produce, with all dietary requirements accounted for (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halaal). If you’re looking to relax with the one you love in serene and breathtaking surroundings, this is the place to make that dream a reality. Visit karkloofsafarispa.com to book your stay. The Karkloof Conservancy, through which the Karkloof River slowly snakes toward the uMngeni.
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MAIN: A dhow on the crystal-clear waters of Kenya’s Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort. LEFT: The resort’s poolside facilities. BELOW: Relax under beachside thatched umbrellas among the palm trees.
AFFORDABLE AFRICA: JACARANDA INDIAN OCEAN BEACH RESORT (KENYA)
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There is no shortage of beachside accommodation in Diani, one of Kenya’s best-kept secrets, with a climate and location that could rival any Indian Ocean island. One of the loveliest of these is the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort. Set on 10 hectares of tropical gardens, directly on the beach, the resort is laid-back yet modern, with Arabian influences echoing throughout the decor. The garden is alive with yellow weaverbirds while giant baobab trees and palms are dotted all over the grounds. Cheeky monkeys dangle from the trees and dart through the grass, and the sunrises are spectacular. When not relaxing on the beach, you can enjoy a romantic kayak for two, get your heart rate up with dual jet-skiing or have a go at stand-up-paddleboarding, all available directly from the beach.
EDGARS CLUB FEBRUARY 2018
One hour away lies KisiteMpunguti Marine National Park (the second largest marine park in the world after the Great Barrier Reef ), which makes for a great day trip. Dolphin sightings are virtually guaranteed (it’s known as the ‘home of the dolphin’) and the sea life is plentiful. Hire a dhow for two and spend the afternoon snorkelling and swimming in the heavenly warm water, spotting some of the most beautiful tropical fish and exploring the plentiful small coral rag forests. Book at jacarandahotels.com.
Hire a dhow for two and spend the afternoon snorkelling and swimming in the heavenly warm water
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INTO THE WILD: XOBEGA ISLAND CAMP, OKAVANGO DELTA (BOTSWANA)
Deep in the Delta lies this unfussy yet magnificent tented camp. At Xobega Island, there are no 4X4s. The preferred mode of transport for game viewing is a boat, with two four-hour boat cruises daily – one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, in time for the magnificent sunsets. Located on an unfenced private island in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, this is one of the Delta’s newest – and most affordable – accommodation offerings. Made up of only 10 Meru-style canvas tents, each with twin stretcher beds and
en-suite, open-air bathrooms, the camp is laid-back and extremely ecofriendly (from being solar powered to implementing bucket showers) and incredibly romantic. Meals are enjoyed around a long communal table and, while the food is simple, it’s tasty and there is plenty of it. When not out on the river spotting incredible animal (hippos, elephants, giraffes and more) and birdlife, two communal lounge gazebos that are sheltered and shaded by surrounding trees provide the perfect place to read, relax and enjoy a few G&Ts with the one you love. The swaying
hammocks are also an idyllic spot for an afternoon siesta. At night, the open-air boma transforms into an informal bar, lit only by the campfire and stars aplenty above; nurse an Amarula on ice while listening to lions roaring across the plains. Book your next Okavango Delta getaway at xobega.com.
TOP: Meru-style tent lodgings at Xobega Island Camp in Botswana’s Okovango Delta. BELOW LEFT: An evening bonfire in the Okavango Delta at Xobega Island Camp. BELOW: Hippos around Ngindi Island near Xobega.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: LYNETTE BOTHA, EM GATLAND, CHRIS ALLAN PHOTOGRAPHY & SUPPLIED
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A PRIVATE SANCTUARY: ZANZIBAR WHITE SAND LUXURY VILLAS & SPA
In the small yet bustling town of Paje, on the southeast coast of Tanzania’s Zanzibar, between Bwejuu and Jambiani villages, is where you’ll find this paradisiacal sanctuary. Set on over four hectares of tropical gardens and 200 metres of pristine beachfront, each villa has its own private pool and spacious bedrooms, with indoor-outdoor living areas. Thanks to a constant breeze on this side of the island, Paje is a kitesurfer’s dream and the resort’s advanced on-site watersports centre has instructors who can assist those wanting to learn or improve. But couples looking to relax and reconnect will be hard-pressed to leave the comfort of their villas
EDGARS CLUB FEBRUARY 2018
Exotic plants and shrubbery perfectly enclose the deep outdoor bath; a private rooftop veranda and daybed make for a truly idyllic sunrise and sunset spot; and the open-air outdoor spa will have you sighing with delight if you indulge in a treatment for two. The nearby Jozani Forest Reserve is a must-visit for nature lovers – spot the rare red colobus monkey and cute bushbabies while surrounded by over 40 species of birds and 50 species of butterflies. The vegetation itself is incredible, with pretty much every tree or plant boasting medicinal properties. The famous The Rock restaurant is also within driving distance and is the lunch spot of many a tourist, but the food and service at White Sand make it hard to wander too far. Experience it by booking at whitesandvillas.com.
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ULTIMATE LUXURY ESCAPE: AZURA QUILALEA PRIVATE ISLAND (MOZAMBIQUE)
The beauty of Quilalea most definitely lies in the surrounding nature. Think barefoot luxury meets a Robinson Crusoeesque hideaway. The villas, all built from local stone, hardwoods and coconut palm thatch, blend in seamlessly with the natural environment and are spaced far apart to ensure maximum privacy. While every suite is luxurious, nothing feels pretentious.
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Upon arrival, expect to find a bottle of French Méthode Cap Classique on ice (from Azura owners Christopher and Stella Bettany’s vineyard in France), which is best enjoyed while chilling on the sun loungers on your villa’s deck, watching the dhows sail by in the distance. Dotted all over the island are towering baobabs that are more than a thousand years old; endangered turtles swim ashore to lay their eggs in its protected coves; the resident monitor lizards slither around at a languorous pace; and verdant mangrove forests give way to kayaks. It is also one of only two places in the whole of the archipelago where you are able to snorkel directly from the beach. Take relaxation to the next level by booking a massage at the cliffside spa – a little room built into the rocks, with large windows that
OPPOSITE: A view of the large communal pool and facilities at Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa. INSET: A resident sand lizard, likely of the genus Psammodromus, basking on a sundrenched rock. BELOW: A romantic dinner setup on the main deck at Azura Quilalea Private Island in Mozambique.
overlook the sea below and allow a balmy breeze to stream through the treatment area while you completely zone out. No one day at Quilalea is the same – the team go out of their way to surprise you and exceed expectations, from tin hot tubs filled to the brim with bubbles and local flowers set up in your room to romantic dinners beneath the stars on the beach or under the baobabs, to sunset dhow cruises complete with cocktails and snacks. Prepare to be blown away. Book your ultimate luxury escape by visiting azura-retreats.com.
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