Sable Alley, Botswana

Super Sable
The totally revamped and refurbished Sable Alley, Botswana opened in May 2017. All twelve luxury tents have uninterrupted views of the resident pod of around 30 hippos  wallowing in the camp lagoon and whiling away the afternoon on your verandah gin and tonic in hand you are also likely to  see  large herds of plains game, elephant and buffalo coming to drink. Moremi Game Reserve is close by as is the massive 440,000 acre Khwai Private Reserve. This being the Okavango Delta Sable Alley also offers mokoro (traditional canoe) safaris. Nocturnal delights come in the form of spikey porcupines and honey badgers. (launched last year Natural selection brings some of Africa’s best independent  camps under its umbrella).
www.naturalselection.travel

Time + Tide Miavana 

Miavana Niavana
This was one of our Top 10 openings of 2017. The ultra-luxurious Time + Tide Miavana is on its own island, Nosy Ankao ; one of five isles in a reef-enclosed archipelago in northern Madagascar. Visitors arrive by helicopter before setting off to explore the azure waters on a ‘blue safari,’ including whale-watching. Snorkelling, swimming and all things watery also  beckon. The sun lounger beckons too You may also like to take a small boat (30 mins) to the mainland in search of lemurs or explore the Loky Manambato Protected Area in search of the rare golden-crowned sifaka.  The forest also contains beautiful butterflies, and ever-changing chameleons.  Want to explore further?  The Madagascar Classic Collection has two boutique properties, Mandrare River Camp and Manafiafy Beach,  to tempt you. www.madaclassic.com,  www.timeandtideafrica.com

Morukuru Ocean House

More from Morukuru
Morukuru Family. has a collection of exclusive-use houses in the Madikwe Game Reserve, so they know how do to private luxury. That’s why we’re looking forward to their new five bedroom lodge debuting in early 2018. The collection already has the stunning Morukuru Ocean House which, as the name suggests is Oceanside in the coastal De Hoop Nature Reserve ,  its sister property Morukuru Beach House opens next year, following the same design blueprint. Expect an eco-friendly ethos mixed with truly amazing architecture and interiors.  Morukuru is a seriously five star family, so we can’t wait for the next offering.  www.morukuru.com

Desert Delight
Natural Selection brings together some of the most luxurious independent camps in Africa. Including the legendary Jack’s Camp (soon to be revamped). Last year Natural Selection opened the Desert Elephant Camp in the Hoanib River valley, Namibia. Where you can see desert-adapted species of elephant, springbok, oryx, giraffe, and even lion. The camp will also be home to a long-running giraffe research project by Dr Julian Fennessy, the world’s foremost expert on the species. www.naturalselection.travel

Hilary Doling 19/5/17, updated 8/1/18