Skiing on the snowiest mountains in the Alps; summer holidays in St Barth’s; surmounting the mighty Mount Everest; sweating it out with the Big 5 on different luxury African safaris; binging on the headiest wines in France; getting fat on culinary delights in Italy; snorkelling in the Mediterranean; luxury road trips across North America: at this point, you’ve literally run out of ideas and while you’re in dire need of a vacation, no destination or activity appeals to you.

Unless you’re trying Kalmar Beyond Adventure Trans-Africa Porsche expedition.

When Jan Kalmar started Beyond Adventure back in 2007, his goal was simple: get passionate petrolheads together and embark on daring adventures fueled by camaraderie and an intense love for racing, powered by Porsche autos specially re-engineered by Kalmar for the most extreme off-road situations.

15+ years and dozens of trips after, Kalmar is ready to take on southern Africa. The Kalmar Beyond Adventure Trans-Africa is a 19-day, 5,500km ride that would see drivers race through five African countries in the south, from Namibia to Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe before finally stopping in Botswana. The itinerary also includes shorter trips to places like Lapland and Morocco.

Like all Kalmar Beyond Adventure ‘Trans’ drives, participants can expect this to be an experience like no other. Driving through southern Africa would mean some safari, especially as the ‘rally’ is scheduled to take place in June, which is the month when the wildebeest migration takes place. (However, this only happens in Tanzania and Kenya, countries not included in the 2025 Trans-Africa adventure. The wildebeest migration also takes place in Zambia but in mid-July.)

It would also mean running into tricky situations, like encountering difficult terrains, unexpected stops and unplanned detours. Still, all these are exactly what an adventure is about, and, as stated on their website, “rest assured, the entire Beyond Adventure team will always be there from start to finish.”

Kalmar says guests will rest in “superb accommodation,” including some of southern Africa’s finest lodges and villas. Drivers will also get to choose from the Kalmar range of Porsches, or bring their own which would have to be inspected first. Halfway into the journey, participants who want to can swap their vehicles for another, making for an even more interesting and unpredictable experience.

The Trans-Africa adventure starts from €66,900 (roughly $71,600) plus taxes, but here’s the kicker: participation is by invitation only. Want to know if you’d qualify for a vacation experience like no other? Visit Kalmar Beyond Adventure for more information.

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Accommodation at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

From its name, it is easy to guess the lodge is situated in no other place than the famous Kenyan Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the leading animal and wilderness conservation areas on the African continent.

Located strategically close to the Talek River, each of the 20 available lodges is a big, spacious, luxurious tent so that campers get to be constantly immersed in nature even indoors.

Of the 20 lodges, one is a honeymoon suite equipped with a plunge pool, while two are interconnecting king and twin suites perfect for families with kids over the age of six (the minimum age of guests at the lodge). Each of the tents comes with private outdoor jacuzzi tubs and decks.

Activities at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

Observing animals, whether it is during the annual great wildebeest migration or in quieter months, can get old quickly if it is the only activity available on a safari. To spice things up, JW Marriott has included activities geared towards mental and physical stimulation, as well as others focused on fostering relationships.

There is the Adventure Lodge that doubles as a library and the place for younger people to connect; there is also The Spa by JW which combines local methods, herbs and therapies for a truly relaxing session; the Cultural Deck has a nice fire pit around which guests can gather and bond with board or card games if they so wish and the fitness centre for those who do not want to pack on extra calories during their vacation.

Meals at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

Guests can expect to do more than dine in a restaurant or in their tents. However, the onsite Sarabi restaurant, with its indoor and outdoor options and a menu based on local ingredients grown in the lodge’s garden, promises to provide a truly unique epicurean experience that it would come as no surprise if visitors choose to dine there exclusively for the length of their stay.

For more options, however, visitors can look to the JW Garden which hosts events every day, such as live cooking, interactive drink-making, and chef-led talks. There, they can also spend time learning about home-grown, organic ingredients like the lodge’s signature rosemary.

Guests craving a more safari-like dining experience can go into the reserve with guides from the camp to enjoy a freshly made “Bush Breakfast” or “Bush Dinner” while sipping sundowners and taking in the stunning views of the savannah. If they would rather skip meals or just want to relax with drinks in between, the bar at the Fig Lounge, with its great view of the surrounding plains, is on hand to serve refreshing cocktails and mocktails made with ingredients from the lodge’s garden.

Community building and sustainability at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

Marriott isn’t just concerned about its guests: the hospitality giant is also dedicated to the communities its businesses operate in. It is why it has chosen to donate a percentage of the nightly rate per person to The Maa Trust, an organisation empowering local people by promoting small business start-ups. The lodge also gives crafters a place to sell their Maa Beadwork and other goods while encouraging guests to visit the organisation to meet local artists and get to know the people in the area better.

Beyond a partnership with The Maa Trust, an apprenticeship program has been put in place at the lodge for young women in the community looking to kickstart a career in the hospitality industry. Interested persons can enrol for an opportunity to gather the requisite experience.

To avoid over-disturbing the environment, the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge was built on land that was already set aside for a tourism project using building materials from sustainable sources.

Recycling and reducing waste are core parts of its daily activities with the lodge’s water treatment plant providing recycled and sanitised water while food waste goes to its compost site. Water wells have been provided all over the lodge for animals to drink from as needed.

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ROAR Africa is famous for its unique luxury safaris. In 2020, it launched the Emirates Executive Private Jet Safari that saw it become the first travel company to design the interior of any Emirates aircraft. As this special safari experience winds to a close – the last trip is scheduled for September this year – ROAR Africa has once again put together a travel package that offers deeply profound experiences for the price of one.

Into the Wild with David Whyte is a safari vacation with renowned poet and author, David Whyte. For six nights, guests would be guided through a journey of self-exploration, discovery and transformation using the elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether – and themed poetry, as a roadmap.

Designed for 12 couples or 24 guests, this special experience is scheduled for the 22^nd to the 28^th of February, 2023, and will hold at Kenya’s Segera Retreat located in the heart of Laikipia Plateau.

“I’m sure in our evolutionary pasts, the dynamic of meditation came from watching animals quietly if you were hunting or watching a landscape quietly if you were picking berries. And in that silence, we found ourselves being touched by the suchness of everything we witnessed and saw,” says Whyte.

“What makes the natural world so healing to human beings is that it’s just itself; the cloud is the cloud, the tree is the tree. And yet us humans are really quite extraordinary in that we can refuse to just be ourselves. We can get afraid of the way we are and temporarily put a mask over our face and present to be something or someone else. But by understanding that the essence of our identity is always being at this crossroads is the foundational miracle of human incarnation – the ability to experience and hold them together at one and the same time,” he adds.

Into the Wild with David Whyte is more than just poetry and a connection to the natural elements. There would be daily game drives and nature walks; a visit to Segera’s canine unit; a Swahili interactive cooking experience; drumming (the ancient form of African celebration and healing), and storytelling with the likes of author and writer, Alexandra Fuller.

To find out more about this safari package and how you can register, visit ROAR Africa today.

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Marriott International has recently announced that it would be adding a safari package to its portfolio following an agreement with Baraka Lodges LTD. The new safari, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, will be located within the Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife conservation and wilderness regions, and is set to welcome guests in 2023.

“As a brand rooted in mindfulness, we cannot think of a more perfect retreat for the mind, body, and soul than the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya,” says Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will offer guests a luxurious backdrop to make once-in-a-lifetime memories as they connect with nature and wildlife as never before. We are thrilled that the JW Marriott brand will be welcoming adventure travellers, including families, to this breath-taking part of the world.”

Overlooking the famed banks of the River Talek and on the edge of the reserve, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge’s prime location will offer guests a distinctively elevated camp from which to discover the Masai Mara National Reserve, its stunning vistas, abundant wildlife, and endless plains. They will get to observe the “Big Five” that Masai Mara is home to: lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros and elephants. And between June and September, the annual great wildebeest migration, when more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.

The lodge has been designed to house 20 private tents, including one presidential canvas-topped pavilion and two interconnecting canopied suites, ideal for families, each with a private terrace overlooking the river. Shared spaces will include a restaurant, lounge bar, spa, and a large outdoor terrace with fire pits that will play host to traditional Masai dance performances in the evening.

JW Marriott Masai Mara promises to put conservation of the land and its inhabitants at the core of its business. The safari lodge aims to employ up to 50 locals from the Masai community and will offer robust learning opportunities for guests looking to immerse themselves in the destination.

A nod to the captivating surroundings, guests can expect an authentic sense of place through artful design and architecture. Sophisticated interiors will be led by Kristina Zanic. The location and surrounding landscape will be reflected at every turn, creating harmony with the natural world and drawing inspiration from the elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Warm touches of neutrals and natural materials will lend to a warm ambience, while an earth tone colour palette promises to sit in harmony with the landscape, inviting guests to connect with nature and focus on their wellbeing.

During their stay, guests will enjoy the immersive, holistic approach to wellness while being mindful of the environment and their impact on the land.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Marriott International to debut this stunning luxury lodge and their first Safari offering in the Masai Mara,” says Mr Shivan Patel of Baraka Lodges LTD.

This latest addition is coming on the heels of the almost 300 properties Marriott Homes and Villas added to its portfolio in February.

Source: APO Group

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The post Marriott International enters the Safari Space with its Luxe Masai Mara Lodge appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Set in the woodlands of central Serengeti, the eight-unit luxury safari camp — complete with four-poster beds, lavish bathrooms, in-room Wi-Fi, and gourmet food — employs only women, from the chefs and guides to the managers and housekeepers. Some are mothers and wives, while others are young and single. Most importantly, they are fearless. Working in the bush isn’t easy, but the Dunia Angels, as they call themselves, make it seem effortless. They are equipped with a steadfast determination and a sisterhood that bonds them in the African wilderness. And they want other women to follow suit and guests to have a distinct safari experience.

Braving the wild

Central Serengeti is famous for its rhino, leopard, lion, and wildebeest sightings. At Dunia and similar semi-permanent camps, the fear of encountering wild animals is always present: structures are situated within the national park without fences, each guest tent surrounded by long savanna grasses. But the women of Dunia see the beauty, rather than the danger. “It’s breathtaking, being so close to nature and the animals,” says Doris Moshi, a 26-year-old who started out as a trainee and became a waitress at Dunia this year. “Everybody is dying to be here and I feel lucky.”

Doris, like the rest of the staff, works eight weeks straight and gets two weeks off to visit family. She uses this time away to encourage other women to work in the bush. “I go out and tell them that you get to see wild animals and mingle with guests from different countries. You learn many things.”

Forming a sisterhood

Females in the safari industry face many challenges, chief among which is feeling homesick, says Siyaeli (Elly) Moshi, manager of Dunia. “We are remote, of course. Everything is far away from everyone. Most of us are mothers. We leave our kids at home and miss our families,” she says. Since she’s not alone in feeling this way, the women of Dunia formed a sisterhood, and she considers them her second family. “We share so much and we have fun together. We are really, really close. We make it happen as a team,” says Siyaeli.

Doris (no relation), agrees. “We are sisters, we are relatives. We are the only people we mingle with. If I am in any trouble, or in any need, they are the ones first attending to me.”

The strong bond they share and their joy of working in the Serengeti is obvious. From the moment guests arrive to the last wave of tutaonana baadaye (‘goodbye for now’ in Swahili), they become part of the Dunia family. The women join in song and dance to celebrate the comings and goings, milestones, and life itself around the evening fire, at the dinner table, and by the entrance. There’s a spring in their step and a sense of pride that comes with being accepted and rewarded for their contributions, and one can’t help but feel elated to witness it.

Providing a world-class safari experience

Serengeti National Park is one of the most remarkable, wildlife-rich places on Earth. On game drives, Dunia visitors can witness everything from the Great Migration to lions, hippos, elephants, and a plethora of stunning birds in the scenic Moru Kopjes and Seronera regions. For an unforgettable Serengeti safari, it’s important to have a knowledgeable and passionate guide.

In the past, being a guide was considered a man’s job because of the work involved: long hours, navigating muddy roads, changing tires, and protecting guests in the event of wild encounters. But Grace Matemba is just 26 years old and already considered one of the top guides of Asilia Africa. “A good guide needs to be confident, compassionate, patient, and knowledgeable,” says Matemba, with a beaming smile and eyes scanning the tree canopies for a hanging leopard tail.

There are currently only an estimated 20 female guides in the country. Thanks to companies like Asilia Africa, women are empowered to not only take on jobs as waitresses, guides, chefs, and managers but also to excel in them.

Before coming to work at Dunia, Matemba recalls not even being able to drive her own vehicle during her freelancing days. “When I got to Asilia, as they like to empower women, they taught me everything: how to jack up a car, how to change a tire, and how to handle anything that we may come across. I go by myself now,” she says.

A worry-free vacation

Even before your vehicle arrives at Dunia, you can hear and see the entire staff dancing and drumming to their welcome song, “Jambo Jambo.” This jubilant melody invites guests to have a Hakuna Matata experience, with no worries during their stay. The camp itself, set in a tranquil corner of the Serengeti amid an open woodland, affords expansive views of the bush. Each spacious tent includes a bathroom with a hot shower, in-room Wi-Fi, a safe, desk, and a luxurious bed. Plus, it comes with a large veranda to take in the views.

Guests can experience two game drives, or a full-day drive, in the endless plains daily. A gourmet breakfast and lunch are available at the camp or in the bush. In the evenings before dinner, everyone congregates by the campfire for drinks and “bush TV.” The entertainment is the roaring fire, impressive sunset, and vivacious singing and dancing of the Dunia women.

Asilia is taking precautions to keep everyone safe and worry-free during the COVID-19 pandemic, with improved hygiene protocols and extra care at the camps. Staff members get tested prior to returning to the camps after their time off. There is a dedicated team working with each guest to limit interactions and meals are offered separately.

Guests wishing to stay at Asilia’s Dunia Camp will have to go through its partner tour operators. These will help to plan their entire safari and other activities like fly camping, hot-air balloon rides, and stays at additional camps. The tour operator also assists with arranging COVID-19 testing to move between countries and provides a comprehensive list of the forms needed to travel seamlessly.

Source: Travel+Leisure

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“Namibia is an enigmatic country of contrasts, vast open spaces, and breathtaking scenery. It is a great safari destination for an adventurous traveller who has visited Africa before, or honeymooners looking for a romantic escape away from the crowds,” says Lisa Nel, group head of product and marketing at Ker & Downey.

The trip, which will bring guests to one of only six International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, starts with a private fly-in that delivers them straight to carefully-selected luxury lodges chosen to maximize their celestial safari adventure. As part of the trip, guests will get to stargaze alongside astronomers in state-of-the-art observatories, enjoy an open-air desert cinema experience, and spend a night atop a custom-built Land Cruiser in Namibia’s pristine wilderness.

The itinerary comprises five destinations by private charter including Zannier Private Reserve, Onguma Game Reserve, Damaraland, Sossusvlei, and the Namib Desert. First off is a stay at the ultra-luxurious Omaanda in Zannier Reserve where guests can take part in a bespoke safari activity matched to their personal interests.

The journey continues to Etosha National Park where visitors can participate in both day and night safaris, as well as a unique sleepout experience on Onguma’s Dream Cruiser, a custom-built Land Cruiser with two levels that sleeps two people.

Then, guests will fly to Damaraland, a region renowned for its impressive rock formations, ancient river terraces, and desert-adapted wildlife, where they will check into Onduli Ridge. Next stop is at Sossusvlei, which is home to some of the tallest sand dunes and dramatic desert landscapes in the world. Here, visitors will sleep at the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, a secluded retreat on the border of an International Dark Sky Reserve, where they are guaranteed a stargazing night unlike any other.

At the lodge, guests can visit its world-class observatory, complete with a Celestron CPC 1100 GPS computerized telescope so they can look up to the stars above with the lodge’s resident astronomer and learn a thing or two about outer space.

The final leg of the trip takes them to the exclusive Sonop camp at the southernmost part of the ancient Namib Desert where they will enjoy a few more nature drives, a horseback excursion in the desert, and even guided desert walks.

Pricing for the 12-day Stargazing Desert Safari in Namibia starts from $12,019 per person and is available year-round. Visit the company’s website for the full itinerary and to book now.

Source: Travel + Leisure

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The post This Holiday, go on a ‘Celestial Safari’ that Combines Animal Spotting with Stargazing appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The event? It is none other than the ROAR AFRICA Emirates Executive Private Jet Safari.

African safaris are not new, but what makes this one special is all the extra perks that have been added to create a truly luxurious experience for guests. As explained by Deborah Calmeyer, CEO of ROAR AFRICA, “The impetus for this trip was driven by the fact that there is nothing else like it… In creating “the greatest safari on earth”, we’re giving luxury travellers an opportunity to visit Africa’s four most iconic destinations in 12 days without the headache of multiple flights and excessive travel.”

The ROAR AFRICA Emirates Executive Private Jet Safari is a special travel package originally designed to run for three years. The first took place in 2020; the second has already happened this year, and the last is scheduled for September next year. So, if you want to be a part of this environmentally and socially conscious luxury travel package, now is the best time to make a booking.

What would you be getting out of this trip?

A private and comfortable journey abroad the Emirates A319 Jet

For the first time ever, Emirates gave a travel company the choice to design its aircraft. Consequently, ROAR AFRICA has transformed the plane into a vehicle of 10 private suites, complete with a private shower spa and powder room. It also comes with an expansive lounge that functions as a communal gathering space or dining area.

Even better is the fact that guests on this trip will have exclusive access to this private jet as they move between countries, eliminating the hassles of flying commercial and ensuring smooth and comfortable movement throughout.

An adventure-filled trip surrounded by luxury

Simply because you’re going on a safari does not mean you cannot do it in style and comfort.

The experience begins with a stay at the glittering Bulgari Hotel in Dubai. Guests then board the customized Emirates jet, along with Deborah and her expert team, including Dr Ian McCallum, renowned poet, conservationist and psychiatrist, and Dr Lucy King, a zoologist to Zimbabwe for their first activity – visiting Victoria Falls.

Here, you’ll lodge at the Matetsi Private Game Reserve where all meals are included, and each suite has a private plunge pool to refresh after a day of adventure. And by a day of adventure, ROAR AFRICA means game drives at both Matetsi and the nearby Moremi Game Reserve as well as a riverboat cruise along a private stretch of the river, which is home to the hippos, exotic birds and crocodiles.

Next, you’ll be flying to Xigera Safari Lodge, located in a quiet corner of Botswana often referred to as Africa’s “Last Eden.” Here, you’ll create and curate your own dining experience with the help of talented chefs with an “anything, anytime” approach. Whether it’s a bush breakfast or a picnic on your private deck, the chefs are always happy to oblige.

From Xigera, you’ll travel to the Angama Mara camp which is situated high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and overlooks Kenya’s Masaai Mara considered the loveliest game reserve on the continent. You can choose to drift across the Mara in a hot air balloon, take a walking safari with the local Maasai, or simply enjoy a picnic. You would also have the chance to witness a portion of the famed Great Migration.

The last part of the trip is a journey to Singita Kwitonda in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, which will allow you access to observe endangered mountain gorillas. About 600 mountain gorillas, which make up more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, live in the area of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The trek to meet the majestic beasts is considered one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences, and it is almost certain you would thoroughly enjoy yourself.

A contribution to a carbon-neutral world

ROAR AFRICA is aware that with jet travel, there would be carbon emissions, but it has put plans in place to offset them.

For starters, it partnered with Proof of Impact to analyse the emissions from the entire trip. In an earlier interview, Calmeyer explained that the emissions will be offset by a higher Co2 impact, making the vacation “beyond carbon neutral.” The offset programme will also provide “forest carbon credits and fund solar projects benefitting villages in the areas travelled to; as well as funding Rhinos without borders, tree planting, solar villages and water for 3,000 people.”

To make your booking, visit The ROAR AFRICA website. Additionally, the luxury travel company is looking to extend the experience into 2023. So, if you miss out on next year’s trip, you just may be lucky to make the 2023 edition. The ROAR AFRICA Emirates Executive Private Jet Safari costs $125,000 per guest.

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The eight-tent camp, located within the remote 3,500-square-mile park, features something no other camps in the area have: electricity. Puku Ridge has it because its nearest neighbour is Chichele Presidential Lodge. Built as a retreat for Zambian royalty, Chichele has power lines supplied with hydropower. “We could rely on solar energy like in our other camps,” says Puku Ridge’s general manager Kayla Johnstone. “But why not take advantage of the power to provide guests with an experience they normally can’t have here?”

Puku Ridge also boasts the park’s only camp with a private star bed for each tent. Guests climb an outdoor staircase leading to the roof where an alfresco sleeping area, complete with mosquito netting, awaits. At other camps, guests have to reserve the property’s lone star bed in advance, go with an armed scout as it’s usually not on site, and use the bush as the bathroom.

Every tent at Puku Ridge is en-suite with tub, double sinks, and indoor and outdoor showers. The most lavish water feature is the back deck’s private plunge pool overlooking a massive flood plain frequented by baboons, elephants, giraffes, lions, and puku — the impala’s furry cousin for which the resort is named. Much of this animal activity is the result of Puku Ridge’s popular watering hole, which fronts the elevated open-air lobby and restaurant. But the best views of the thirsty herds come from the camouflaged viewing hide below.

Most camps have hides. However, they’re usually off-site and guests can only visit them with an armed scout. Since South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of the walking safari, Puku Ridge guests can walk down a flight of stairs and find themselves eye-to-eye with a leopard cub lapping up water or a bull elephant taking a bath.

Thanks to the pandemic, the park is quiet right now. Rates at Puku Ridge start at $730 per person per night and include transfers between camp and Mfuwe, game drives, walking safaris, national park/conservation fees, and meals and drinks.

Source: Travel and Leisure

The post Zambia’s New Luxury Safari Camp Packs Modern Comforts into Natural Settings first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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