Camp Updates
News from the Bush
January 31, 2012 (last updated)
Travel news, new places, activities, refurbishments, awards, events....
ACCOLADES
The January issue of Condé Nast Traveler includes the 2012 Gold List, compiled by readers of the magazine who designate “the best places to stay in the world.” Many of our preferred camps and lodges are included:
Botswana - Jack's Camp, Mombo and Little Mombo Camps, and Little Vumbura Camp
South Africa - Cape Grace, Table Bay Hotel, Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Saxon Boutique Hotel MalaMala, Singita Lodges, Londolozi Game Reserve, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
Tanzania - Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Each year Travel + Leisure asks their readers to vote on their favorite hotels around the globe. The January 2012 issue features the results: 500 World’s Best Hotels which include some of our favorites too!
Cape Town - Cape Grace, Mount Nelson, Table Bay, One&Only, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa and LeQuartier Francais in Franschhoek
Johannesburg – The Saxon, The Westcliff
Kruger Area Private Reserves – Singita's Boulders, Ebony and Castleton ranked #1 in South Africa; others on the list include Londolozi, MalaMala, Royal Malewane, Sabi Sabi's Bush Lodge
KwaZulu-Natal - Phinda Private Game Reserve Lodges
Tanzania – Singita Grumeti Reserves ranked #1 in Africa & the Middle East
Travel + Leisure's 2011 Best Awards, announced in their August issue, has Singita Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania ranked as #1 of the World's 100 Best Hotels, and Singita Sabi Sand ranked as #2 on the coveted list. And Singita Kruger National Park was voted Best Hotel Spa in Africa & the Middle East!
Condé Nast Traveler's 2011 Hot List of new properties around the world include Solio Lodge in Kenya, and Londolozi's Pioneer Camp in South Africa. The Spa at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve was one of 40 Hot Spas included on this year's list.
The 2011 S. Pellegrino World's Best 50 Restaurants lists The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français at #36. This is the seventh consecutive year it has been included, and this year, it is the only South African restaurant in the top 50. Le Quartier Français is a luxurious Relais & Châteaux country inn situated in the French Huguenot valley of Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
RWANDA
Gorilla Permit Fee Increase
January 30, 2012 The Gorilla tracking permit fees in Rwanda will increase from $500 to $750 as of June. All new bookings will be subject to the new price. Uganda gorilla tracking permits remain at $500.
UGANDA
New Lodge Opens
December, 2011 - Kyambura Gorge Lodge sits on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park and has stunning views over the Gorge and the lush savannah of the park, with the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. The area was a coffee plantation and the main lodge building was a store which has been sensitively restored. Currently there are four spacious bandas nestled into the hillside. Each is different, but all have a covered entrance deck, breezeway, bedroom, balcony and luxury bathroom. The owners have embarked on the creation of a series of major long-term practical ecotourism initiatives on the ground, linking the lodge with conservation and the communities. A stay at Kyambura Gorge Lodge offers chimp tracking, game drives on the Mweya peninsula, birding safaris and hiking in the foothills of the Rwenzoris, the Alps of Africa.
ZAMBIA & SOUTH AFRICA
Yellow Fever Update
October 1, 2011 - South Africa will require proof of yellow fever for all travelers traveling from Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda or any other low risk countries. Those who have been in transit through a yellow fever risk country will also be required to show proof of vaccination. This new rule applies to all travelers over one year of age (unless they have a valid waiver).
TANZANIA
New Camp
July, 2011 - Lamai Serengeti Camp in the northern Serengeti is now open. The Great Wildebeest Migration comes this way to cross the Mara River from July through December.
KENYA
Visa Fees
July 1, 2011 - Tourist visas have increased to $50 for single entry, $100 for multiple entry and $20 for transit visas. Visas are required for all US citizens, adults and children.
