Timbuktu Travel, the revolutionary African safari company, is gearing up for a bumper 2018, with a host of brilliant lodges set to open across the continent throughout the year. Each offering a clever twist on the norm, and a dash of the unexpected, 2018 is the year to plan an African adventure. Timbuktu’s clever interactive website allows travellers to plan their dream trip online, while top tips from the Timbuktu team – including the head’s up on these new openings – ensure the dream becomes a reality.
February 2018: La Clé Country Lodge, Cape Winelands, South Africa
La Clé Country Lodge will be a five-bedroom boutique lodge, set amongst the dramatic Hawequas foothills in South Africa’s Cape Winelands. The lodge will work as the perfect escape for those seeking a dose of calm and relaxation with a backdrop of the most picturesque scenery. Stays can be booked by the room, or the property can be taken exclusively – ideal for families seeking a private house experience. Set on a working wine farm, this is a true taste of South Africa.
Timbuktu Travel will offer stays at La Clé from £230 per person per night based on two sharing. To book: www.timbuktutravel.com/lodge/la-cle-country-lodge
April 2018: Sossus Under Canvas, Namib Desert, Namibia
Ultimate Safari’s Sossus Under Canvas will be a semi-permanent tented camp set in the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib area in the Neuhof Nature Reserve. The camp will be open between April and November each year, bookable only on an exclusive basis; this promises one of the most private, unique experiences in Namibia for 2018. The camp will have eight Meru tents, each with an open-air bathroom, with comfortable accommodation: this is about a real wilderness experience, rather than a high level of luxury. Powered by solar power, with
minimal environmental impact, this will be one of the most eco-friendly camps in the country. Guests will enjoy game drives and nature walks as well as stargazing and desert pool experiences.
Timbuktu Travel will offer stays at Sossus Under Canvas from £215 per person per night based on two sharing. www.timbuktutravel.com/lodge/sossus-under-canvas
May 2018: Zuri Zanzibar, Zanzibar
Zuri Zanzibar is set on the north-west shores of Zanzibar, with the most beautiful of white-sand beaches on its doorstep. 55 bungalows, suites and villas will overlook the beach and Indian Ocean. The design combines contemporary touches with curated locally made furniture and African artwork, giving a unique sense of place. The villas have their own stretch of private beach and a Jacuzzi, creating a private paradise. Zuri means ‘beautiful’ in Swahili; this is the philosophy on which the resort is built, combining the beach and a miraculous garden to create the most beautiful of properties.
Timbuktu Travel will offer stays at Zuri Zanzibar from £265 per person per night based on two sharing. www.timbuktutravel.com/lodge/zuri-zanzibar
June 2018: Shipwreck Lodge, Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Set to open in June 2018, Shipwreck Lodge will offer a completely unique place to stay amid the sweeping dunes of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. Shipwreck Lodge is the very first lodge to be built in the Skeleton Coast Central Concession Area, creating a gateway for desert adventures and brilliant alternative safaris. All rooms are designed to look like shipwrecks, in a completely unique architectural plan, while brilliant family rooms make it a great choice for those travelling with children.
To enquire: www.timbuktutravel.com/lodge/skeleton-coast-shipwreck-lodge
June 2018: Hoanib Valley Camp, Namibia
Hoanib Valley Camp will sit in the Hoanib River valley, in Namibia’s arid Kunene Region. With a brilliant location for exploring this starkly beautiful landscape, the camp will focus on the desert-adapted wildlife that makes its home here. The stars of the show will be the hardy desert elephants, while the camp will also host a fascinating giraffe research project with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. The camp will also provide access to nearby Himba communities, allowing for interaction with these remarkable desert people.
Timbuktu Travel will offer stays at Hoanib Desert Camp from £535 per person per night based on two sharing. To book: www.timbuktutravel.com/lodge/hoanib-valley-camp
Summer 2018: Mogundala Private Island, Mozambique
Mogundala Private island is possible the most beautiful island in the Quirimbas Archipelago; a tiny tropical idyll fringed by white sand beaches and surrounded by turquoise waters. There will be just five villas and a castaway vibe – no WiFi, no TV, and very few people. Villas have mini splash pools, sunny loungers and big hammocks. Guests can discover secluded coves, private tree houses and secret spots of beach… or snorkel off the sand, dive on the reef and keep eyes peeled for whales on sunset dhow cruises.
For all enquiries contact [email protected] / +44 (0)207 193 1326 / www.timbuktutravel.com
