| "> | | | | conserving as well as showcasing this invaluable |
| | | | treasure. A luxury African safari is one where all |
| A luxury African safari is perfect for those who | | | | these efforts gel and bring you, the visitor, into |
| want to experience the joy of nature in the wild, | | | | the equation, creating a perfect balance that |
| but want their own creature comforts taken care | | | | speaks well for sustainable tourism. |
| of too. Now you can view the Big Five and return | | | | The term safari means journey. Here, it's a |
| to lunch and siesta indulging in all the luxuries of | | | | journey undertaken by people in the hope of |
| five star accommodation under the big African | | | | seeing elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, |
| skies. | | | | rhinos, and buffaloes among others in their natural |
| A safari into unspoilt African landscapes to view | | | | surrounds doing what comes naturally to them. |
| the Big Five animals - elephants, lions, leopards, | | | | This can be achieved on foot, by vehicle, or even |
| rhinos and buffalo - is about more than just | | | | by hot air balloon. So game drives led by |
| big-game spotting. It is an opportunity to spend | | | | experienced rangers, who know where to find |
| time under the stars with big skies and endless | | | | the animals and how to view them safely, are the |
| horizons, it can be a luxurious retreat from | | | | main feature of early mornings and late |
| everyday reality, a time to reconnect with | | | | afternoons on safari. The middle of the day is |
| yourself and nature. It is also an invaluable part of | | | | spent in leisurely lunching and siestas, which is the |
| the conservation of the fragile natural resources | | | | time when you really appreciate the difference a |
| of the real Africa, which are perennially | | | | luxury safari can make to the experience; the |
| threatened by the economic and political instability | | | | indulgence of air conditioning and even the |
| of some of the African countries that are the | | | | swimming pools boasted by some of the luxury |
| natural habitats of so much wonderful wildlife. A | | | | game lodges, the attentive service and top class |
| luxury safari, as well as being an incredibly fulfilling | | | | food turn a safari from a rugged experience of |
| experience, supports the conservation efforts of | | | | nature to an opportunity for pampering and |
| the game reserves and is part of the sustainable | | | | relaxation.. |
| tourism trend that savvy travellers are supporting | | | | It takes a huge shift in perspective to associate |
| more and more. | | | | luxury with the interiors of a canvas tent in the |
| A luxury African safari takes you right to the | | | | wilderness. Nevertheless, it's a fact that all the |
| heart of what sets this continent apart from the | | | | luxuries associated with five-star accommodations |
| rest of the world. Simply put, there's no land | | | | can be found under canvas too. The Governor's |
| similar. There's something about Africa and its wild | | | | Camp in the Masai Mara in Kenya is one such |
| beauty that enchants while inspiring respect. It | | | | where the luxury is inescapable as in the Ritz, and |
| could be the untouched wilderness, the gorgeous | | | | the wild life is all around. Hippos and elephants visit |
| wild life, the dramatic landscapes that range from | | | | the unfenced campgrounds as a matter of |
| snow capped mountains to stunning deserts, the | | | | routine. Perhaps what's even more admirable is |
| spectacular sunsets, and unlimited space. | | | | the fact that the management firmly believes |
| If you are unacquainted with the continent it can | | | | that the local community should benefit from the |
| seem as mythical as Xanadu, and just as | | | | fruits of tourism and divert a good deal of their |
| enigmatic. But you would have to be living on the | | | | earnings into responsible tourism projects such as |
| fourth rock or beyond to not have heard of the | | | | schools and health clinics. There are plenty of |
| Masai Mara in Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania or | | | | luxury tented safaris to be found with stunning |
| the Victoria Falls and Kilimanjaro. These are but a | | | | tent accommodations that change the definition |
| few threads of Africa's tapestry of extravagant | | | | of tent for ever. |
| colours, vibrant cultures, majestic wild life, and | | | | In the Etosha National Park in Namibia, a luxury |
| unimaginable experiences that all go to make up | | | | African safari takes you to Namutoni, a camping |
| the luxury African safari experience. | | | | site which is an erstwhile German fortress. What |
| Wildlife anywhere in the world is nothing but | | | | more could you ask for in terms of safety and |
| achingly beautiful. But in their natural habitats in the | | | | luxury. A good view of the wildlife, perhaps? |
| wilderness of Africa, they take on a handsome | | | | That's taken care of just outside of camp at the |
| ruggedness that has no parallel. African countries | | | | lighted watering hole where the big cats come for |
| such as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and | | | | a drink before sneaking back into the darkness of |
| South Africa each have their own unique angle on | | | | the bush. |