I hate the word luxury because it is an over-used term. But I use it in my subject line because it draws attention – apparently I am not the only one who thinks this way!
Luxury accommodation choices are exploding in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda! At least according to the many emails I receive every week from owners of hotels, camps, lodges and resorts who want me to support and market their properties worldwide.
The emails share one thing in common – almost every property is described as luxurious in some way! Up-market, luxury rooms, 5-star service, internationally-trained chefs, designed to be eco-friendly, intimate lounge and dining room, “home-away-from-home” 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor, etc.
As can be expected the reality is very different and I am often disappointed when I visit these “luxury” properties. Very slow check-in procedures with staff who is not trained in customer service or reservations technology, limited menus, small rooms that are sparsely decorated, loose wires are hanging from ceilings, missing light fixtures everywhere and low water pressure – to name a few.
In East Africa large chunks of money are often made available to individuals (via donations and other means) who have no concept of proper design principles, business planning and occupancy forecasting. Many still believe “if we build it tourists will come”. In the end, they build bunker-looking tourist hotels and resorts that are cheap to operate but very difficult to market and they load their brochures with buzz-words from the world of luxury!
Then they expect me to sell it to my clients, which I don’t!
Instead, I compiled a list of 7 new properties that are interesting to me and hopefully to you. Please click on the lodge names to access my photo album and location map for each. These lodges and many others are discussed in detail in my new book, “Planning your Safari – The Northern Serengeti”.
The most anticipated new lodge in 2011 in East Africa must be the Nomad’s Lamai Serengeti slated for early July. As I mentioned in a previous blog, it will be the 3rd permanent lodge in the Northern Serengeti. Its location is marked on my Northern Serengeti map. It is too early to discuss the lodge but in my opinion it has the best location of the three permanent lodges with easy access to the most interesting areas of Northern Serengeti.
Serengeti Bushtops has been open for several months but is still unknown to the North American market. You will love the large open tents, the friendly butler service, the well-stocked bar and fireplaces in the lounge. It looks luxurious and it is. It is a near-perfect place for a honeymoon or to rekindle the romance in your relationship. The hot-tubs are controversial because water is precious in the Serengeti but the choice is yours – I prefer not to take bubble-baths in the Serengeti! The camp is more than hour away from the Mara River which is a disadvantage for sure but you can use it as an excuse to skip game drives and enjoy your luxury tent!
Amara Selous is a newcomer located in the western part of the mighty Selous Game Reserve. It is truly an escape because there is only one other lodge in the area and during your stay it feels like you have the Selous to yourself. I love the tented rooms and plunge pools right on the edge of the fast-flowing Ruaha River. Selous can get very hot and pools are almost a necessity – not a luxury. Game drives are an adventure because you have no idea what you may see! This is wild territory and you guide will use his tracking skills to find lion, wild dog, leopard, hyena and many different species. Do not expect as much wildlife here as elsewhere in Selous – generally the lakes have more variety and you may want to split your stay.
Chobe Safari Lodge is not new but rather a renovation of a historic lodge from the 50’s on the eastern edge of Murchison Falls National Park. They did a great job and the lodge looks stunning on the banks of the Nile River. I recommend you splurge and get a tent instead of a standard room. The Super-Deluxe and Deluxe tents are very close to the river where hippos graze at night! The standard tents have great views. It is a big place and will probably get lots of convention/meeting business but I like it nonetheless! Service is very efficient and friendly and the staff enjoys engaging with clients. Game-drives in this area need to be developed and for now I do not recommend it for wildlife enthusiasts. But the jungle-like forest is very beautiful to drive.
Kyaninga Lodge is less than an hour’s drive from the chimpanzee trekking office in Kibale National Park. It is by far one of the most unique lodges in East Africa! Think Aspen log-home on the edge of a volcanic lake! The lodge is not for those with fear of heights or difficulties climbing stairs. It is certainly a good base for chimpanzee treks. Kyaninga is new and it needs to develop its own character as well as its position in the tourist market. At this time I do not classify it as a luxury lodge because the rooms are basic and the service is not anywhere near that of a top international hotel. But it is a very interesting place with an engaging owner who dreams big and has the means to make things happen so the lodge has tremendous potential and is well-worth a visit.
Nyungwe Forest Lodge is currently the top lodge in all of Rwanda. Or at least, it has the potential to be. Located on a tea-plantation on the western edge of Nyungwe Forest in south-west Rwanda, it is an interesting mixture of modern design and bush lodge. There is much to like about the lodge. The rooms are super comfortable with large windows overlooking the jungle where one can hear chimpanzees and other primates go about their business – loudly at times! The lounge areas are attractive and inviting with fire places and smart-lighting. However, the service is several levels below the standards one expects from a 5-star property with international clientele. The parent-company suffered financial setbacks in recent years and perhaps they are not investing in training as much as they should. Nevertheless, if you want to visit Nyungwe Forest I strongly recommend you splurge and stay at this lodge!
Soroi Serengeti Lodge took my breath away when I first arrived. It is located high on a hill in an area of the western Serengeti that was inaccessible until now and as such its approach road is a game drive in itself! The 360 degree views from the top are simply magnificent. The suite rooms are especially attractive with outside showers high above the Serengeti plains and I strongly recommend you request a suite instead of a standard room. The western Serengeti can be a temperamental in terms of wildlife and you must be willing to drive for several hours each day while staying at Soroi but if you are on honeymoon or in love you may never want to leave your splendid suite! They use golf carts to assist guests which makes Soroi is good place to visit if you do not walk well.
And there you have it! 7 interesting new places to stay in East Africa in 2011! Contact me if you need help with your safari travel arrangements!
