In South Africa, Kenya and Botswana, new, secluded camps, with elegant design and five-star service, invite guests to experience wildlife in privileged conditions.
Masiya's Camp in South Africa
The most eccentric
The newest lodge under the Royal Malewane brand, located like the others in the legendary Kruger National Park, is the first to offer luxury tents. This was the vision of Liz Biden, the charismatic founder of the parent company, The Royal Portfolio, who also designed the interior: a bold mix and match Silky fabrics and fine materials, craftsmanship and art, exuberant patterns and vibrant colors. Each of the six tents at Masiya's Camp, covered in pink canvas, spans 230 square meters. They all boast a spacious terrace, a private pool, an indoor-outdoor shower… An exceptional level of comfort for lovers of unspoiled nature, eager to set off in search of… Big five at dawn or dusk to increase the chances of spotting them, but also to witness surprising activities, such as the work of an anti-poaching unit. In the evening, they gather for dinner in the privacy of their tent or together on the lantern-lit terrace, sharing a meal prepared with braai (the traditional barbecue) before settling around a wood fire to admire the starry sky.
Theroyalportfolio.com/royal-malewane/accommodation/masiyas-camp
Ishara in Kenya
The most zen
Just three years after opening, this already iconic address in the Masai Mara National Reserve has unveiled several new features: an open-air lounge, a wine cellar, and above all, a larger spa with a variety of wellness facilities (sauna, jacuzzi, cold plunge pool, swimming pool) and a terrace for yoga and meditation sessions, all accompanied by breathtaking panoramic views. Among its 15 accommodations, all nestled in nature, the seven River Suites have been relocated to blend seamlessly into the trees, and the more secluded Villa Suite now boasts an infinity pool. The Starbed platform, with its open-air bed, allows guests to sleep under the stars: the promise of complete immersion and absolute privacy. Ishara remains an unfenced property, and its artificial waterhole continues to attract giraffes, hippos, elephants, and other wildlife. Deeply committed to environmental protection, the lodge has expanded its aeroponic farm, which now produces an average of 200 kilos of organic fruits and vegetables per month. Finally, through a partnership with Canon, it hosts professional photographers in residence who organize photo safaris and workshops on wildlife photography and equipment use, available to both guests and local guides.
Mbamba in Botswana
The most vintage
In the local language, "Mbamba" means "hello": a name that evokes the art of hospitality at this camp, inaugurated last spring by Natural Selection, a specialist in high-end safaris. Its location was also carefully chosen: near the Moremi Game Reserve, in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, one of the most lush areas, where wildlife observation—buffalo, elephants, lions, and thousands of birds—is easiest, amidst grasslands and forests, canals and palm-covered islands. Like a boutique bush hotel, Mbamba has only 12 accommodations: spacious canvas tents on stilts, two of which are suitable for families, each with a wooden deck. The interiors embrace a retro-chic style with mahogany furniture, Persian rugs, four-poster beds, and magnificent fabrics in vibrant red. There are also two lounges, a library, and a dining room. The swimming pool is much appreciated after returning from a canoe or 4x4 safari, a fishing session or an excursion to the hills of Tsodilo, an archaeological site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rock paintings, more than 4,000, which have earned it the nickname "Louvre of the desert".
Naturalselection.travel/camps/mbamba-okavango-delta
