safari

Glamping, the combination of glamour and camping, is really catching on and for good reason: who wouldn't enjoy all the adventure and fun of camping without the 'roughing it' factor?

Far and Away Adventures specializes in high-end luxury wilderness vacations along Idaho's Salmon River and they're offering a customizable glamping and whitewater rafting package called American Safari that includes stand-up tents with interior tent rugs, comfy elevated beds, exterior solar lights, steamed hand towels and showers. Dining is organic, gourmet, and done by candlelight on white tablecloths and fine china by the riverside complete with a personal wine sommelier. Other available amenities include riverside massage therapy, personal concierge service, and your pick of activities and adventures. The American Safari packages run for 6 days and 5 nights and are meant invoke feelings of old-time African safari expeditions, with rates dependent on how you personalize your trip. Get more info/book your adventure here.

In recent months we've written about the resurgence of luxury expeditions to Africa and the New Safari Style. Now newly-minted British design firm Frosdick of London is launching its first line of bespoke, vintage-inspired safari-style boots called the "Out of Africa" collection. Taking design cues from the British Colonial "great white hunter's" classic attire, the boots are made entirely by hand in Northamptonshire, UK, using only the finest leather from Italian tanneries combined with pure cotton 20-ounce canvas woven in Scotland's Dundee. The boots, available for both men and women, are lined with the softest calf leather for comfort and durability and trimmed with elegant, Italian solid brass buckle fastenings. The canvas uppers can also be finished in genuine Burchell's zebra skin and ostrich leather, both ethically sourced in Africa.

In addition the firm is offering a range of made-to-order ladies' bags finished in exotic Kudu and Springbok hides. The authentic skins feature the natural markings that only a life in the wilds of Africa can bestow. One of the longest-horned antelopes, greater Kudu can have impressive spiral horns measuring six feet long. Each bag is lined with brightly colored pure linen and features a useful choice of straps and finest quality Italian brass fittings. The bespoke products will be available starting this summer with prices expected to begin at about $6,000 for boots and $4,000 for bags. Other items can be custom made and are limited only by your imagination. Contact davfro@btinternet.com for more info.

The Zambezi Queen recently set sail for its debut voyage in Botswana and made history in the process as Africa's first luxury river safari and first eco-friendly floating luxury hotel. The Zambezi Queen takes two and three night voyages down the great Chobe river, where its sleek contemporary design contrasts with the lush and wild African landscape. The ship features 14 suites with private balconies for enjoying the view, a dining room overseen by top South African chef Pete Goff-Wood, a library filled with documentaries on African history and wildlife, internet access, a bar with a stylish lounge area and wood-burning fireplace, a shaded deck, and an outdoor pool. To promote conservation and sustainable tourism state-of-the-art technology was used to make the ship as eco-friendly as possible, including a special jet-propulsion system that reduces damage to the river bed and a low-emission power system for on-board electricity needs like lighting and refrigeration.

Safaris have always seemed a bit scary but this seems like a relatively safe way to experience the African wilderness -- from the luxurious viewpoint of a floating private balcony. Rates vary depending on season.

First we had Cat Burglar Barbie, now we have Dolly Forever Barbie, and who only knows what might be coming next (Trapeze Barbie maybe?). Christian Louboutin has truly found his muse in Barbie, "dolling" her up this time in a safari-inspired ensemble featuring a very bright pair of pink fringed knee-high boots, a khaki tunic dress, and darling little pink glasses. Plus of course 3 other pairs of miniature red-soled shoe designs.

She's not available for another couple weeks (look for her to go on sale at Net-a-Porter on March 3rd) and pricing should be right around $150.

The Luxist Awards' Readers' Choice nominees for the Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation include a luxurious family safari in Kenya where you'll see the wilds up close. The second nominee is a family trip to the Rockies in Colorado where just about every winter sport can be enjoyed. The third nominee is a paradise for families located in a picture-perfect stretch of beach on the Big Island's Kona Coast. The fourth nominee offers a once-in-a-lifetime educational cruise to the Galápagos Islands. The final nominee is nestled in a rugged 2,500 acres of native forest on the edge of the Mamaku Plateau in New Zealand; it boasts a game reserve, seven trout streams, four lakes and more than 70 kilometers of hiking trails.

Abercrombie & Kent Family Safari in Kenya, Africa
For families with a thirst for adventure, a safari trip to Africa may be the ideal cure to the winter blues. Leave the planning to Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury travel company that's been at it for half a century, now nominated for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation category.

Founded in 1962 by a British family living in East Africa, Abercrombie & Kent offers an unparalleled family safari in Kenya. The 11-day itinerary starts with a flight to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and cultural, economic and political hub of East Africa. Once there, you'll start your journey with a visit to Daphne Sheldrick's Baby Elephant Orphanage, where keepers sometimes sleep with lonely animals at night. Proceed to the Giraffe Center, where you'll feed long-necked beauties from the palm of your hand.

Next, you'll head out into the wilds with a drive to the Sweetwaters Reserve, one of the best places to spot a rare chimpanzee or black rhino. Then delve deep into bush country with a trip to the Samburu game reserve, rife with buffalo, lion, leopard among others; meet with members of the nomadic Samburu tribe and track game, catch butterflies, or even ride a camel.

The next day, you'll spend the first of three days on the Masai Mara Game reserve, sleeping in tents near the Talek River and witnessing the vast expanse of the African savannah. Travel to a nearby village to learn about tribal culture and discover the proper way to throw a spear or light a fire with sticks. For amateur aviators, consider the optional hot air balloon safari before heading home.

Vote now for what you believe is the best international ski destination. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on February 1st.

For families with a thirst for adventure, a safari trip to Africa may be the ideal cure to the winter blues. Leave the planning to Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury travel company that's been at it for half a century, now nominated for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation category.

Founded in 1962 by a British family living in East Africa, Abercrombie & Kent offers an unparalleled family safari in Kenya. The 11-day itinerary starts with a flight to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and cultural, economic and political hub of East Africa. Once there, you'll start your journey with a visit to Daphne Sheldrick's Baby Elephant Orphanage, where keepers sometimes sleep with lonely animals at night. Proceed to the Giraffe Center, where you'll feed long-necked beauties from the palm of your hand.

Next, you'll head out into the wilds with a drive to the Sweetwaters Reserve, one of the best places to spot a rare chimpanzee or black rhino. Then delve deep into bush country with a trip to the Samburu game reserve, rife with buffalo, lion, leopard among others; meet with members of the nomadic Samburu tribe and track game, catch butterflies, or even ride a camel.

The next day, you'll spend the first of three days on the Masai Mara Game reserve, sleeping in tents near the Talek River and witnessing the vast expanse of the African savannah. Travel to a nearby village to learn about tribal culture and discover the proper way to throw a spear or light a fire with sticks. For amateur aviators, consider the optional hot air balloon safari before heading home.

Abercrombie & Kent's Kenya Family Safari is the experience of a lifetime, but these kind of memories don't come cheaply. The cost, based on double occupancy, is $5,825 per person plus airfare. For those who can afford it, there are few alternatives that can compare.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Elewana Afrika, a group of luxury camps and lodges in Northern Tanzania, has announced a new way to see all of their four properties during one seven-night adventure. The Sky Safari package uses a private nine-seat luxury Cessna aircraft to fly guests between the properties. The package includes the flights, all accommodations, all meals, all drinks, game drives, bush walks, excursions, private airport transfers and laundry.

Arusha Coffee Lodge, Tarangire Treetops Lodge, The Manor at Ngorongoro and Serengeti Migration Camp are small camps that exist in harmony with their environment: in a coffee plantation in Arusha, adjacent to the Ngorongoro Crater within the 1,500 acre Shangri-La estate, close to the baobab and marula trees of Tarangire and alongside the Grumeti River in Serengeti.

Arusha Coffee Lodge, set on the edge of the town of Arusha, is a boutique style lodge with 30 plantation-style villas. Tarangire Treetops is located within the 85,000-acre Lolkisale Conservation Area, a private reserve bordering Tarangire National Park and guests stay in 20 comfortably furnished tree houses putting them in close proximity to other tree residents, such as owls and bush babies. The Manor at Ngorongoro has 20 cottages with open fireplaces and the main building features fireplace lounges, formal dining room, dining conservatory, bar, private wine cellar, library, home theatre, snooker room, massage room and horse stables. Serengeti Migration Camp has 20 tents overlooking the Grumeti River. Both Tarangire Treetops and Serengeti Migration Camp offer dining in the bush when weather permits. Rack rates for the full-inclusive Elewana Sky Safari start at $6,000 per person.

These properties spare no luxury while also keeping you mindful of your location which is smack in the middle of wild African nature -- you're asked to never go to your room at night without a watchman, and staff will keep a watchful eye out to to make sure mischievous vervet monkeys don't snatch away your mid-day snack. (When I stayed at Singita Sweni a couple of years ago, on a visit arranged through Premier Tours, I received my most favorite answer to a question I posed to a bell man, ever: "oh yes, just last week, two lions killed an impala near the pool.")

Kensington's specially priced deal is based on double occupancy. The offer is good January 15th – May 31st, 2010 and August 1st – December 15th, 2010.

South Africa's Molori Safari Lodge is the epitome of the new luxury safari style. Situated on a 185,000-acre game reserve on the border with Botswana, the lodge features five luxe bungalows with spacious wooden decks, private infinity pools and floor-to-ceiling fully retractable glass walls. A staff of 44, including a chef serving local delicacies like pan roasted gazelle, looks after a maximum of 14 guests. Upon arrival the Lodge's butler unpacks your bags, presses your safari suit, provides a selection of Aqua di Parma toiletries and stocks each suite with an assortment of homemade cured meats and dried fruit. Up at the main lodge a well-stocked library also features a great selection of whisky, brandy and cigars, while the wine cellar is of course stocked with the finest South African vintages. There's also one of the largest private telescopes in southern Africa as well as a holistic indoor-outdoor spa.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Sanctuary Swala Camp, part of the Sanctuary Retreats collection, has just re-opened in Tanzania and combines up close encounters with wildlife with luxury amenities. Following a $1.5 million rebuild, the camp now has 12 spacious canvas pavilions, designed around an open-plan model with large living areas, king beds and en suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers. Floor to ceiling canvas windows lead onto large private lounge decks that overlook the main watering hole which regularly draws lions, leopards and resident bull elephants.

The camp now also has a new infinity swimming pool and main dining and lounge areas that offer fine dining with views over the waterhole and valley beyond combining luxury with the excitement of the African bush. The camp is located in Tarangire National Park and is home to large herds of elephants as well as more unfamiliar animals like wild bat-eared foxes. To celebrate the opening of Sanctuary Swala Camp, 2009 rates will remain throughout 2010, and rates start at $440 per person/per night, all inclusive. A special launch offer includes a deal that lets you book two nights at Sanctuary Swala Camp and get your third night for free.

Following the introduction of the limited edition Leica M8 Safari we wrote about in January, the famed camera company is releasing the D-LUX 4 Safari (above). The special limited edition model will be available in August. The body of the camera features an anodized olive green surface finish which is particularly resistant to wear and guarantees long-term protection against inadvertent damage. Like all models in the Leica D-LUX 4 series, the Safari has a tough metal body manufactured exclusively from the finest materials.

The 10.1 megapixel Safari edition's technical features such as a high-performance lens and lightning-fast image processing offer versatile options for any number of photographic situations. A waterproof carrying case is included with the camera, offering ample room for optional accessories for the D-LUX 4 collection such as a handgrip, optical viewfinder or flash. Additionally, the back of the case has a compartment containing a nylon "rain cape" that can be pulled out to cover the whole case and protect it from the elements.

Yay for zebra print mixed with flirty tassels and a feminine, puffy shape. This is the Safari Pouchette by Marc Jacobs and I love Net-a-Porter's idea of pairing it with a sleek business outfit for a chic punch of energy and style (although it could also work well for a casual party). It's a pony-skin bag with a drawstring closure, accented with tassels galore on blue and bronze rope ends and snake-effect leather flower charms that dangle off the bag's front. Other features include a bright blue leather lining (unusual) with an interior zip pocket. $1,895

In April One&Only Resorts will open their latest luxury property, One&Only Cape Town in South Africa, defying the downturn with aplomb. The lavish 131 room retreat features two marquee celebrity chef restaurants, Gordon Ramsay's maze and the first African outpost of Nobu, in addition to a 6,000 bottle tri-level wine loft boasting the largest collection of South African vintages in the world. Situated on the stunning Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the resort's rooms have views of Table Mountain, a 13,000-square-foot exclusive spa island. To celebrate the opening, the hotel has partnered with South Africa's premier luxury safari lodge, Singita Game Reserves in the Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, to offer an exclusive travel package including luxe upgrades through the end of September.

If you like your fractional real estate on the exotic side here's a retreat for you. You can own a share of a game and wildlife reserve in Bostwana. The Limpopo-Lipadi Game & Wilderness Reserve is a nearly 80,000 acre reserve in eastern Botswana that is home to lions, leopards, elephants, hippos and other wildlife. Each share will give the owner to reserve a stay in one of the lodges being built on the land. No hunting is allowed and game rangers will be on site to serve as guides and instructors on wildlife topics. Once owners are certified by the rangers they can take their own self-guided trips and sleep out on tree platforms for an up close and personal safari experience if they prefer. Owners will have full access to the reserve for a certain number of days and the more shares they buy the more days they can have. Six lodges and camps are planned for the reserve as well as private lodges for those who buy five or more shares. Private lodges should be completed in late 2009. Each share costs $195,000.

[via IHT: Raising the Roof]

Two of the very last shotguns ever produced by 200-year-old London luxury goods firm Asprey were sold at Christie's in London Wednesday for over $120,000. The exceptionally exquisite firearms, included in the auction house's Fine Sporting Guns and Rifles sale, "mark the end of a tradition of impeccably executed gun craft," Christie's notes. Asprey, supplier to the aristocracy and longtime holder of Royal Warrants, closed its gunrooms for good in 1996 shortly after these final pieces were made when the company was acquired by Prince Jefri of Brunei. Prince Charles and George Bush both own Asprey shotguns similar to the ones featured in the sale.

Although Asprey guns are a thing of the past, Asprey scion William Asprey is carrying on the family's sporting tradition at his new firm, William & Son. As we reported previously, he is not allowed to use the Asprey name in trade. William opened his own gunroom at his company's Mayfair premises and is now selling equally impressive pieces. Also hammered down in the Christie's sale were a pair of 12-bore double-barreled shotguns made by Holland & Holland in 1976, for $118,000; a 1969 .375 magnum double-barreled rifle, also by Holland & Holland, for $94,000; a double-barreled 1906 sporting rifle by Purdey, for $31,000; and a modern 12-bore Beretta shotgun, $16,000, all with beautiful engraving and woodwork.