HIDE AND CHIC

HIDE AND CHIC

The hottest trend in travel in Africa is the emergence of a growing collection of wild and remote retreats where families can seek private and luxurious escapes.

Uncharted Outposts, a high end Safari & Travel Company that specializes in custom designed private journeys, has a highly qualified and experienced team who are wholly dedicated to the planning and booking of these types of dream vacations.

According to Company owner Sandy Cunningham, they have seen a significant increase in families and groups of friends travelling together who are seeking a more private and personal experience with friends and family. Cunningham says, "our travelers are looking to spend less time travelling between multiple locations and more time immersed in one destination with their loved ones with activities and services tailored to suit their own wishes."

These incredible lodges and camps offer an intimate and almost clandestine experience, far from any crowds, and an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends in a relaxed and sheltered setting. Each property is set in breathtaking locations. These private lodges and luxury camps are booked on an exclusive basis.

Uncharted Outposts (formerly known as Bush Homes of East Africa) offers a "home away from home experience" with sublime comforts. Private camps or lodges include gourmet chefs and private guides, stunning infinity pools perch on cliff tops overlooking rivers and waterholes and each property offers total immersion in the wild with every activity you could possibly want!

Uncharted Outposts Safari & Travel Company choose their top picks for 2008

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille – Laikipia Plateau-Kenya

• Rates from $22,200 for a three night stay (3-night minimum stay is required and based on 16 guests sharing)

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is one of Kenya’s newest lodges – the Lodge offers luxurious amenities which include four stunning, fully staffed houses, each individually decorated and surrounded by a courtyard, garden and lawn. You can dine on exquisite cuisine prepared by an international chef while lounging under a billowing canvas overlooking the stunning "horizon" swimming pool, or treat yourself to massage, aromatherapy or reflexology treatments at the spa. The lodge includes the very latest in "green" technology, employing solar power and solar-heated water, wastewater recycling and organic gardening. The eco-friendly houses are each decorated with a distinctive decorative theme. If you can pull yourself away from this lay of luxury, you can enjoy horseback riding, camel trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing and walking, game tracking, light aircraft and helicopter trips and 4-wheel-drive excursions. The area is home to the endangered African wild dog, greater kudu, leopards, striped and spotted hyenas and klipspringer.

Cottars' Family Camp – Masai Mara-Kenya

• Rates are from $7,000 per night based on exclusive use of the camp (8 guests sharing).

The Cottars family have designed and built a private family camp that is quintessentially safari-luxe, jam packed with style and the perfect get away for families looking to spend quality time together. Everything from the billowing café colored tents to the authentic twenties furniture and the scratchy gramophone – makes this a genuine step back in time. This camp gives you the authentic feel of that unique era when the word 'safari' became indelibly imprinted on the imagination of the adventurer, past and modern.

The camp accommodates between 8-12 clients in 2 family style tents each tent has 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a shared sitting room linking the two bedrooms. Additional beds can be placed in these oversized tents for additional children under the age of 12, thereby accomodating up to 6 per family tent.

Drawing on eighty years of Safari service, the Cottar family will provide their guests with the highest standard of personalized and professional guiding. Cottars' 1920's Family Camp is set in an unspoiled location far from the Mara crowds and with panoramic views and abundant game.

Sasaab Lodge – Samburu land-Kenya

• Rates start from $7,500 per night for exclusive use of the camp 18 guests sharing in low season) and up to $11,000 per night for exclusive use of the camp(18 guests sharing in high season).

Kenya’s newest Moroccan inspired lodge Sasaab sits perched above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and like Ol Lentille, can accommodate larger families travelling together. Sasaab has panoramic views across the culturally rich Samburu land, Laikipia plateau and Mathews Range. Located in northern Kenya, north of the equator, it has a wild beauty of its own. The descent from the lush slopes of Mount Kenya into the semi-arid desert of Kenya's the Northern Frontier District, is breathtaking.

Sasaab accommodates up to 18 guests in nine individually located rooms with magnificent views of the river and the true African wilderness. Each room is over 100 square meters and has its own plunge pool and privacy. The uniquely designed tents are ideal for game viewing and bird-watching as well as relaxing.

The novel "souk" style mess provides a warm and friendly atmosphere. Meals are prepared with the finest fresh ingredients and served in the privacy of various areas of the "souk" or can be al fresco under the stars!

Activities are complemented by knowledgeable and colorful Samburu guides, whether on camel walks, game drives, educational cultural visits or bush walks. Back at the lodge you may choose to relax by the main swimming pool, enjoy beauty treatments in the privacy of your own tent or find a corner of your own to unwind. To end your day, there can be nowhere better to enjoy sundowners, either from a rocky kopje a short walk away or the elevated terrace at the lodge.

Kiba Point – Selous Game Reserve-Tanzania

• Rates start from $5,000 per night for exclusive use of the camp (8 guests sharing in low season) and up to $7,000 per night for exclusive use of the camp (8 guests sharing in high season).

Kiba Point is the fabulous new base for your private Selous safari with family or friends. This small camp is booked on an totally exclusive basis only, including all game drives, walking safaris, boating, birding and fishing trips. it offers the chance to commune only with nature; you won't meet another soul beyond the friends or family you’ve brought with you, and your private lodge staff.

Four big, airy cottages made of stone and thatch are raised up on platforms above the river line. The interiors are cool and elegant; huge beds with softly draped mosquito nets, planters chairs and sun-beds for chilling out. The bathrooms are spacious and open; with hot and cold running water, flush toilets, and an indoor and outdoor 'rock' shower.

There are plunge pools for every room and a large swimming pool at the main mess. The mess/dining area spoils you with plump sofas, a library of books, your own bar, and lots of space to make your own. The food is fantastic, and the drinks are always cold.

Though it may be hard to drag yourself away from this intensely beautiful arena, by way of gentle persuasion you’ll have your own safari guide and four wheel drives and boats at your disposal to disappear at will on game drives, expeditions up the river, barefoot fishing. That's if you ever want to leave this private paradise, it very quickly becomes your bush home away from home.

Little Garonga – Makalali Conservation Area–South Africa

• Rates start from $3,600 per night for exclusive use of the camp (8 guests sharing in low season) and up to $4,500 per night for exclusive use of the camp (8 guests sharing in high season).

Garonga Safari Camp is delighted to announce the opening of 'Little Garonga' on 10 Decem
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