Property Updates

Sand River Mara Updated

With reports of "exceptional" game viewing from this year's wildebeest and zebra migration, and a recent refurbishment, Sand River camp in Kenya's Maasai Mara is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding plains year-round.

Located on the banks of the Sand River from which the property takes its name, Sand River Mara is a charming property, reflecting the look & feel of tented camps of the 1920's. With sixteen tented rooms in a secluded area of the National Reserve, guests enjoy a truly exclusive safari feel.

Thanks to its position on the migration route, guests are often fortunate to be able to watch wildebeest and zebra crossing the river from the comfort of their tent's veranda. Game drives throughout the Maasai Mara are always productive, thanks to the over 95 species of mammals and 570 recorded species of birds that call this national reserve home.

Sand River recently completed updates to its communal lounge, bar and dining area with new furniture and rugs. Several rooms have also been updated with new tents, furnishings, and upgraded showers. And, reception has a new look, ready to warmly welcome guests.

Cape Grace Spa Opens

Following the remarkable transformation of the Cape Grace Hotel, Fairmont Spa has been unveiled - a sanctuary in the heart of the city, where calm and luxury converge to offer an unforgettable experience. Embrace the natural beauty of South Africa's coastline through its bespoke spa treatments and products. Here the enchanting fragrance of fynbos and the healing properties of marine elements blend to encourage a deep internal connection to mind, body and spirit. 

Signature massages, skincare rituals, body treatments and a salt inhalation room add to the restorative sensory experience. Notable treatments include a full body massage with cupping therapy, warm mud and a facial massage; a cleansing facial with Gua Sha massage and facial steam; and a comprehensive "Top-to-Toe" experience featuring a body massage, aloe facial with oxygen therapy, and hand and foot treatments.

Also at the Cape Grace, Bascule Bar has reopened. Experience more than 500 premium whiskeys, locally inspired cocktails, food that is art and art that is food for the soul - at the best location in the Waterfront. In addition, afternoon tea at the Cape Grace has been introduced. Enjoy a fantasia of sweet and savory delights amidst the cries of wild Atlantic gulls, the rhythmic clink of yacht masts and majestic views over the waterfront.

Rekero Redesigned

Rekero, one of the oldest camps in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, has stood proudly in the spot it currently occupies for over 20 years! It boasts an incredible proximity to the Great Migration and excellent year-round game viewing. Earlier this year both the tents and the main areas were completely redesigned with the goal to retain its well-known charm, while offering a more luxurious experience for guests.

Family tents have been redesigned to highlight space and comfort, especially for families travelling with older children. The main en suite bedroom, similar to a standard tent, is joined by a communal living area, with a second room adjoining that. This second room also has its own en suite bathroom, allowing for more privacy than the previous design, and is configured with twin beds but can also be turned into a double or a triple room.

Windows throughout offer a wonderfully light and airy feel, which brings the beautiful riverine forest into the rooms. Likewise, furnishings have been created from light mango wood, contributing to the brighter ambiance.

Explore the newly rebuilt Desert Rhino Camp

From humble beginnings as a field station dedicated to helping protect Namibia's last remaining wild black rhinos, to a thriving community partnership, Desert Rhino Camp located in one of the most untouched places on Earth, and home of some of the world's rarest animals.

With just six exclusive tented suites (including one family tent), Desert Rhino Camp offers an exclusive desert experience. Inspired by the palette, textures and wildlife of Damaraland's extraordinary vistas, its newly constructed accommodations offer a sheltered sanctuary within this breathtaking landscape.

Days are spent in search of elusive desert wildlife, while evenings pass slowly by the fire. Savor an unforgettable bush dinner as local traditions and stories are shared. Then drift into quiet contemplation from your private stargazing deck under the bountiful Namibian sky.

Venture out with a Save the Rhino Trust tracker in search of rhino, against the backdrop of dramatic flat-topped mountains, wind-sculpted sandstone cliffs, and dry riverbeds. Here, for 21 years and counting, a pioneering partnership with three community conservancies and the Save the Rhino Trust has ensured the ongoing conservation of one of the last free-roaming populations of black rhino on the planet. You will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of these rare mammals and other remarkable desert-adapted species, observing them in one of the oldest deserts on Earth. It is not only a unique travel experience, but helps ensure rhinos continue to populate this ancient landscape for years to come.

Bisate Reserve now Open

Rwanda's Bisate Reserve officially opened on September 1^st, a place where nature, culture, and luxury come together – to create the grandest way to experience Rwanda's mountain gorillas. This is the brand-new sister camp to multi-award-winning Bisate Camp.

Overlooking Volcanoes National Park, four regal en-suite villas, each with expansive living areas, viewing decks, and private hot tubs, conjure the elegance of royal Rwanda. The interiors, along with the exclusive Bisate Kwanda day lounge, tastefully reflect the rich art and traditions of Rwandan culture.

Chichele Presidential Lodge, Opening Soon

The historic Chichele Presidential Lodge in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park is set to open before the end of the year.

Located at the South Luangua's prime vantage point with 360-degree views, the renovated property celebrates contemporary design with throwbacks to its rich history, established for those guests expecting luxury as well as an exceptional wildlife experience.

The design opens up and enhances Chichele Presidential's panoramic views over a seemingly constant procession of wildlife, moving across open plains and through palm groves, while blending in with its hill-top setting.

No detail has been left out, and the renovation has been executed in a unique and thoughtful way. A diverse team of architects, designers, builders and local artisans has collaborated with the owners and Chiawa Safaris to bring to Zambia and the South Luangwa a safari lodge that is unique, yet authentic and hospitable.

Reinvigorated Tubu Tree Camp and Little Tubu Tree Camp

Botswana's Tubu Camps are treetop havens, nestled in a grove of jackalberry and marula trees, overlooking palm-dotted floodplains, lush riverine forests, a wild island brimming with wildlife. The Jao Reserve's pristine Hunda Island is unlike any other in the Okavango Delta. One of the largest areas of dry land in the area, game concentrates on this pristine tract of land, followed closely by an abundance of predators.

While honoring their exquisite natural surrounds, the newly rebuilt Tubu Tree and Little Tubu camps feature elegant upgrades that reflect the island's natural beauty. Guest rooms offer expansive horizon-wide views, enhanced by wall panels for improved comfort and insulation. Centered around a gigantic termite mound, the main area is cleverly built into the trees, featuring a palette of earthy greys and beiges, accented with splashes of green. Beautiful saligna hardwood flooring completes the transformation.

Inspired by the indigenous trees on the island, the camps blend seamlessly with nature, providing exquisite views and adventures within and beyond their boundaries.