Safari lodges and camps with decks to take the breath away
Safari specialist Expert Africa offers a selection of lodges and camps with decks to take the breath away:
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has various outdoor decks which overlook the bowl below, ranked as one of the world’s greatest wildlife areas – so they’re not a bad place to sit and sip a G&T. The views are constant at this opulent, rim-side lodge, in fact: as well as four-poster beds, its 30 ‘manyatta’ rooms each have timber balconies perfect for watching spectacular sunsets. That vast, 100 square mile bowl below is crammed with game – including huge zebra herds, prolific lions and some of Africa’s biggest elephants – and guests can drive down into it for safaris.
Package: Expert Africa has an eight-night Avocet Safari, which takes in Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, from £3,957 pp (two sharing), including flights, transfers, meals and safari activities.
Shumba Camp, Zambia
Each room in this luxurious bushcamp, located in Kafue National Park, has its own private platform; there’s also a unique sunken deck area in the main complex where a relaxing drink can be had whilst watching the day unfold. Shumba features six tented rooms made entirely from wood and canvas and built on individual islands, creating natural vantage points from which to view the extensive Busanga Plains and perhaps a reclining lion or two beyond...
Package: Expert Africa offers a week-long trip to Kafue National Park, including Shumba, from £3,974 pp (two sharing), including flights, transfers, meals and safari activities.
Virunga Lodge, Rwanda
Virunga Lodge's spacious verandas frame one of Africa's most amazing views. Located high on a ridge, the steep drive up to reach this lodge is rewarded by 360° views, with vistas across the Virunga Mountains in one direction and over Lakes Burera and Ruhondo in the other. The lodge has outdoor decks – perfect for relaxed candlelit dinners – and the stone-walled chalets, with chunky wooden furniture, are very comfortable.
Package: Expert Africa offers a six-night trip to the Volcanoes National Park from £4,392 pp (two sharing), including flights, transfers, meals and safari activities.
Lamai Serengeti, Tanzania
In the far north of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the 12 tented rooms of the new Lamai Serengeti all nestle privately into side of a large stone kopje (a rocky hill). Each is very private, yet all have amazing views of the Serengeti’s endless grasslands, and a spectacular view of either the sunrise or sunset. The surrounding plains are particularly a hotspot for migrating herds of wildebeest between July and October, although there are excellent densities of game resident all year round.
Package: Expert Africa has a nine-night Woodpecker Safari, including the Lamai Serengeti, from £3,971 pp (two sharing), including flights, transfers, meals and safari activities.
Fish River Lodge, Namibia
The expansive outdoor deck of this lodge encompasses a swimming pool, dining area and bar – not forgetting scenic valley views. Hiking into Fish River Canyon’s a popular activity, and yet it’s tempting not to even leave the property, as striking panoramas from the property’s prime position on the rim of Fish River Canyon are available at every turn. Even the outdoor showers hold amazing views over the abyss, with baboons and black eagles appearing as you lather.
Package: Expert Africa has an 18-day Springbok Self-drive Safari which takes in Fish River Lodge and costs from £2,933 pp (two sharing), including flights, car hire and most meals.
Expert Africa (expertafrica.com) covers Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.