“An enchanting mountain retreat idyllically located near the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.”

Situated in the far northwest corner of Rwanda, the Parc National des Volcans protects the steep rainforested slopes of the magnificent Virungas mountain range. Home to the rare mountain gorilla, the Virungas volcanoes span Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the Parc National des Volcans being the Rwandese element of this ecosystem. The lush slopes of these volcanoes provide a dramatic natural setting for one of the most thrilling and memorable wildlife experiences ― seeing the mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. Roughly half of the world’s wild population of mountain gorillas is resident on the Rwandan slopes of the Virungas.

Set on a stunning hillside, the magnificent Virunga Safari Lodge boasts panoramic vistas of the Virunga Volcanoes and the beautiful lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera Rustic, but comfortable chalets include spacious bedrooms, luxurious beds, well-equipped bathrooms and private verandas with sweeping views of the breathtaking surrounds.

Guests can tuck into hearty breakfasts, delicious lunches and superb three-course dinners. Those in need of relaxation can laze around the inviting sitting room or enjoy the cosy warmth of the indoor fireplace on chilly evenings. Adventures include tracking gorillas and golden monkeys, hikes to the top of the volcanoes, scenic walks through the picturesque villages surrounding the lodge or day trips to the lively towns of Kigali or Kampala.

In the evenings, you can relax around a crackling log fire with the other guests and swap stories about your day’s adventures. Take a gentle stroll through one of the picturesque villages. Enjoy being entertained by the local Indore dance troupe.

“A luxurious semi- permanent tented camp that moves around the Serengeti year round bringing guests within range of the Great Migration.”

Famed for its vast tree-less grasslands and excellent wildlife sightings, the endless open plains of Tanzania’s magnificent Serengeti National Park boast 35 species of plains-dwelling game and prolific birdlife. The annual movement of wildebeest and other herbivores across East Africa’s Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world. Over two million animals participate in this great migration, with some 200 000 zebra ahead of and 500 000 Thomson’s gazelle behind the main players – one and a half million wildebeest. The wildebeest spend the wet season on the south eastern Tanzanian plains and the Serengeti’s dry season on the plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara. The &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas camps follow the Great Migration, bringing guests as close as possible to all the action.

&Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas reaches far beyond the bounds of the traditional Tanzanian safari – the sumptuously luxurious tented, seasonal camps move around the Serengeti year round, bringing guests within range of the Great Migration. When the Migration crosses over into Kenya, the camps remain in the remote, beautiful corners of the Serengeti, renowned for excellent resident game. The two intimate camps feature just eight ensuite safari tents each, carefully positioned in exclusive semi-permanent campsites in the Serengeti National Park. Booked on a nightly basis, each luxury ensuite mobile tent boasts a comfortable double bed, ensuite bathroom, separate w.c. and bucket shower – this is the ultimate in luxury camping. The guest areas comprise comfortable tents for dining, meeting for a pre-dinner drink, or just for whiling the time away between safaris – complete with private butler service, delicious home-baked meals, and traditional bush dinners served under the stars.

“A luxurious award-winning safari lodge perched on the edge of the Crater rim with breath-taking views out over the Crater”

The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Some maintain that before it erupted, it would have been higher than Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Today, long since having collapsed and eroded, it is an extensive highland area with the famous 600 m deep Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Endangered black rhino are protected within its rim, giant tusked elephants wander the forests, black-maned lions stalk the grasslands, and flamingos crowd the soda lakes. An estimated 25 000 large mammals are resident in this bowl of plenty, including a population of approximately 6 000 resident wildebeest, 16 highly endangered black rhino and around 70 lions. Cheetah move in and out of the Crater, while leopard are most often encountered in the spectacular Lerai Forest. &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, consistently recognised as one of the world’s most luxurious and elegant places to stay, sits right on the edge of the Crater, offering unbeatable views of one of the natural travel wonders of the world.

Perched on the edge of the Crater rim, &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s sumptuous safari suites present breath-taking views. Inspired in design by the Maasai mud and stick manyatta (homestead), this is without doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in Africa. Three separate and intimate camps are reminiscent of a bygone era totalling just 30 suites in all. Steeped in romance, each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with graceful antiques and grand chandeliers. The bedroom, sitting room and ensuite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the magnificent Crater below. Ensuite bathrooms, with a centerpiece of red roses, feature huge showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs. Personal butlers discreetly tend to guests’ every need, bringing tea in bed, stoking fireplaces and drawing luxurious baths. Described as “Maasai meets Versailles”, each camp has its own guest sitting and dining areas and viewing decks. The domed dining room, with its grand fireplace, turns every meal into a special occasion.

“A sophisticated safari lodge cradles in the boughs of ancient mahogany trees in Lake Manyara National Park”

Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania offers a wilderness experience in diverse habitats, from its Rift Valley soda lake to dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. Here, the Great Rift Valley is at its most impressive, with the escarpment dropping some 500 metres down to the lakeshore. Apart from a spectacular setting, the park is famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions and the vast elephant herds it was established to protect. The shores of the lake, encrusted with pink flamingo, attract more than 400 species of birds, many of them waterfowl or migrants. Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, Masai giraffe and impala roam the lake shores and the forested valley slopes. Troops of several hundred olive baboon appear alongside Sykes monkey and short-eared galago. Cape clawless otter, Egyptian mongoose, hippo and klipspringer are other park residents.

Set in the heart of a mahogany forest, &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only lodge in Lake Manyara National Park. The Lodge, which was designed to exert minimal impact on the environment, is situated in the remote southwestern region of the Park. Cradled in the boughs of ancient mahogany trees, ten stilted treehouse suites are a sophisticated blend of intimacy and romance, offering privacy and exclusivity. Each treehouse suite features generous decks suspended above the forest floor and large windows to invite the lush forest inside. The bathrooms have freestanding baths with a forest view and an outdoor shower. Overlooking a forest boma (outdoor dining area), guest areas are characterised by soaring spaces. An interactive kitchen allows guests to observe the preparation of delicious Pan African food that is enjoyed in the boma, on dining decks or on private viewing decks. Breakfasts and picnics are also served on the lakeshore.