Paradise is a tree-house with Somak Holidays

Cosying up among the branches and sipping champagne with your loved one, surrounded by nature. What could be more romantic than a stay in a private tree-house? Independent, luxury tour operator, Somak Holidays, recommends its favourite tree-top havens from Kenya to Kerala.

New from Somak Holidays for 2007 is The Cove Luxury Tree House located right on the beach in Kenya. The Cove comprises six tree-houses built in the Baobab trees each with partially-open bathroom with private shower, air-conditioned bedroom, four-poster bed, Jacuzzi and 180 degree sea view plus the services of a private butler. Somak Holidays offers a 14-night all inclusive package to the 5* Cove Luxury Tree House from £2,111 per person.

The package includes return flights with Kenya Airways from London Heathrow plus a complimentary one night stay at the Sable Valley Tree Houses. The complimentary stay at Sable Valley Tree Houses also includes return transfers, sanctuary entrance fee and a morning bush walk. Please note that the day for this stay will be advised locally upon arrival.

For the ultimate in breathtaking views combined with luxury accommodation, Somak Holidays’ Sussi Lodge in Zambia cannot be beaten. This elegant, secluded retreat consists of ten luxury tree-houses, built into the living canopy of giant ebony trees. Each tree-house has a private view of the Zambezi from its own deck among the branches.

The main lodge building features a spectacular raised lounge deck with a bar and open-air dining area. Guests can also relax by the private swimming pool and lawns which sweep down to the water’s edge. Resident wildlife, including hippopotamus and elephant, can be spotted wandering through the lodge grounds and that’s before visitors have embarked on their game drive!

Somak Holidays offers tailor-made holidays to Sussi Lodge as well as ‘once in a lifetime’ packages such as “Wings Over Zambia”, a six-night itinerary that incorporates Victoria Falls, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa.

Prices start from £1,399 per person and include two nights at Sussi Lodge, two nights at Kulefu Tented Camp, two nights at Puku Ridge Tented Camp, most meals, game drives, private charter flights to Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa and international return flights from London.

To experience a slice of history and really be at one with nature, Somak Holidays recommends the world-famous Treetops Lodge, an impressive tree-house construction located above a floodlit watering-hole in the heart of Aberdares National Park, Kenya.

Treetops holds a special place in history as it was the place where Princess Elizabeth was staying when she discovered that she was to become Queen. The 50-room lodge rises straight out of the ground on stilts and has four decks and a rooftop-viewing platform where guests can spot elephants, buffalo and rhinos.

Somak Holidays offers tailor-made holidays to Treetops Lodge as well as packages such as “Samburu Safari”, a seven-night itinerary that incorporates Nairobi, Saburu, Aberdares, Lake Nakuru or Lake Elementaita and the Masai Mara.

Prices start from £1,331 per person and include one night at the Holiday Inn, Nairobi, two nights at the Saburu Game Lodge, one night at Treetops Lodge, one night at either Lake Nakuru Lodge or Lake Elementaita Lodge and two nights at Keekorok Lodge, most meals, game drives, internal transfers and international return flights from London Heathrow with Kenya Airways.

Tsala Treetop Lodge, just off South Africa’s famous Garden Route is an intimate tree-top retreat overlooking the vast sweep of the Tsitsikamma forest. The soaring roof, exposed beams, chunky pillars and rough stonework of the main lodge is dramatic. Guests reach their secluded tree-house suite by winding wooden walkways that meander through the forest canopy.

Each of the ten tree-houses has a private deck with infinity pool, and inside a living room with a roaring log fire, a bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous bathroom with a free-standing stone tub. A candelabra-laden dining area juts out on a platform so guests can enjoy romantic alfresco meals.

Somak Holidays offers a seven-night package to Tsala Treetop Lodge from £1,659.00 per person (in August and September) including return flights with South Africa Airlines, based on two people sharing on a bed and breakfast basis.

Moving away from Africa, Somak Holidays also offers tree-house retreats in India. The Carmelia Haven Plantation Resort in Kerala is an enchanting 26-room resort with a choice of accommodation ranging from cottages and deluxe rooms to tree-houses.

There is even one ‘cave room’ for guests looking for complete underground seclusion. The plantation resort, located in Vandanmedu near Thekkady, Kerala, has a swimming pool, open-air restaurant, tennis courts and children’s park. Wellness-enthusiasts can also take advantage of the Ayurveda centre.

The selection of Ayurvedhic treatments and packages available is extensive, ranging from ‘Rejuvenate and Detox’, to ‘Stress Management’ and an ‘Anti-obesity Programme’.

Guests can choose to stay in a standard or deluxe tree-house. The tree-top wood cabins have attached bathrooms and surrounding balconies, providing scenic beauty and a sense of being ‘at one’ with nature.

Somak Holidays offers a seven-night package to the Carmelia Haven Plantation resort from £909, per person including flights and bed and breakfast accommodation in a standard tree-house.

For reservations, visit Somak.co.uk.