HotelChatter

Glamping / HotelChatter Guides / Africa Hotels / Safari Hotels / → All Tags

Places to Get Your Glamp On: Sanctuary Zebra Plains Walking Safari Camp, Zambia

Where: South Luangwa, Zambia

Last year, we told you about the hottest (and hautest) new trend in travel: glamping. That’s right, glamorous camping- that most ridiculous, and ridiculously awesome, of adventures that let travelers experience the glories of nature in five-star luxury settings (and sometimes with Campfire Butlers).

This week, we’re going to give you a little glamping update, as HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen tells us about some of the most exciting new experiences out there. So pack your limited edition hiking boots and your diamond-infused sunscreen, because we’re going glamping!

Let's start our global perambulation in the birthplace of both mankind and the luxury camping trend itself - Africa - and the newest adventure from one of our favorite safari outfitters, Sanctuary Retreats. On June 1, they're opening Sanctuary Zebra Plains Walking Safari Camp, a first-of-its-kind walking safari in the pristine wilderness of South Luangwa, Zambia. Guests will spend their days doing things like wandering along riverbanks, observing elephants at their toilette, and then canoeing over to an island where they’ll get to spy on game such as buffalo, zebras and hippos, before returning for sunset cocktails, canapés and then dinner on the Luangwa River. It's designed to be part of a larger safari experience, with a recommended three day stay. Here's the lowdown.

more ›

Glamping / Zambia Hotels / Safari Hotels / Hotel Animals / → All Tags

The Dangers of Glamping: Elephants Are Closer Than They Appear

We were slightly obsessed with the best places to go glamping earlier this year but just as we started to think that glamping was all about Louis Vuitton trunks, WiFi, free-standing deep soaking tubs and champagne, this recent incident at the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia quickly ripped the cashmere sleep mask from our eyes.

A photographer and his wife were staying at a resort within the park and while the wife conversed with the lodge's owner, a bull elephant came within three feet of their veranda. Fortunately, the guests were not harmed and the photog even managed to take a snapshot but the presence of wild animals at many of the wildlife resorts, particularly the ones located within national parks and game reserves, is not something to take lightly.

Coincidentally, this not the first time that elephants have decided to check-in to a hotel in Zambia.

more ›

Reader Reviews / Safari Hotels / Luxury Camping / Glamping / South Africa Hotels / → All Tags

Inside the Marataba Hotel in South Africa

Where: Marakele National Park, Waterberg, South Africa

Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in. Today we have a totally awesome review from a Friend of HotelChatter about one of those exotic safari hotels in South Africa. We also love our friend and her review because she gave us so many pretty pictures to look at. Enjoy.

We went on safari at the Marataba Hotel which I definitely recommend over the Krueger National Park hotels since it is a private game reserve and there are NO other groups or tours allowed on the property.

We could see elephants and giraffes from our room and warthogs hung out by the pool. At night, we had to be escorted to our tents so lions didn't attack us as the place is not fenced in.

The food is amazing, everything is scheduled perfectly and the staff is awesome.

more ›