Wild Romance. Africa's most romantic safari lodges, by Daniëlla Sibbing and Marsel van Oosten

Wild Romance. Africa's most romantic safari lodges, by Daniëlla Sibbing and Marsel van Oosten.

Wild Romance is a large-format, image-driven book featuring 46 of Africa's most sought-after safari getaways and most romantic safari lodges.

Daniëlla Sibbing  Marsel van Oosten  

Namibia: Ntwala Island Lodge, in the Caprivi Strip, is situated at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, where four countries - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana - meet. The lodge extends across a cluster of islands linked by intricate floating walkways and surrounded by wild, powerful waterways. This is a pristine destination where white sand and tall palm trees belie the fact that it is in Africa. Ntwala's isolation and breathtaking setting engender a profound sense of intimacy and a connection with Africa's mighty rivers. The four luxury suites each have a private plunge pool fringed by white sand, a viewing deck, indoor and outdoor shower and a private 'sala' with a day bed or swing chairs that extend enticingly out over the gurgling water below. Activities are mostly water-based. Game cruises through Botswana's Chobe National Park may yield sightings of elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion, puku and bushbuck.

Ntwala offers birding walks and cruises where some of Africa's rarest birds, including Rock pratincole, Pel's fishing owl, Pygmy geese and African skimmers may be spotted in the varied habitats of the islands and flood plains. Anglers can try fly- or conventional fishing for tigerfish, bream and other species. Unrestricted walks include an Afro botanical tree walk. You can also visit a traditional fishing village. Ntwala's cuisine is fusion style. You can dine on the deck of your suite, opt for a relaxed brunch or indulge in dinner by candlelight while overlooking the river. A romantic picnic, or sundowners on a sandbank, are the perfect way to watch the sun set over the majestic Zambezi. The green season is from November to April and high season is May through October. The best time to visit is from June to December, as the warm and dry weather is ideal for game viewing and fishing. The luxurious setting, enhanced by the gentle gurgle of the river, the soft white sand and the swaying palm trees, will make you feel as if you have been marooned on your personal magical island. [...]

Botswana: Kings Pool - Located in a private reserve in the Linyanti-Savuti area, on the western boundary of Chobe National Park, the camp overlooks the hippo-filled oxbow-shaped Kings Pool lagoon and the Linyanti River. Accommodation is in nine luxurious tented rooms under cool thatch. Each tent has a twin bedded sleeping area, lounge, plunge pool, sala and outdoor shower. The area is noted for its large elephant population, which peaks during the drier winter months (May to late October). An eye-level hide at one of the water holes offers a unique perspective on the animals coming to drink. Impala, lechwe, kudu, zebra, giraffe, sable, waterbuck, buffalo and the smaller antelope proliferate; lion are seen regularly and this is a good area for leopard and wild dogs. Winter is the ideal time to view plains species. Throughout the year, the reed and papyrus swamps are home to many different bird species, including Carmine Bee-eaters in summer.

Brunch, which is served after your game drive, offers both breakfast and lunch dishes. Enjoy afternoon tea before the evening game drive, then begin the night with drinks and snacks at the pub. Dinner is normally a plated starter and dessert, with a buffet-style main course. December to March offer warm to hot days, afternoon thunderstorms and lush vegetation. December is good for migrant birds, antelope births and concentrations of zebra before the herds head south. April to mid-June and November have lower rainfall, but water is still abundant in the woodlands south of the Linyanti River. Elephant concentrations are low, predators are resident, it is the start of the wild dog denning period, and the zebra return. High season is mid-June to October. It gets very dry and hot towards the end of this period and, with little water inland, elephant and other game seek out the Linyanti River and Zibadianja Lagoon. The first of the summer thundershowers may occur. The waterfront-facing rooms feature secluded plunge pools. For maximum romance, you can request a private dinner on your own pool deck. [...]

This is an excerpt from the book: Wild Romance. Africa's most romantic safari lodges, by Daniëlla Sibbing and Marsel van Oosten.

Title: Wild Romance. Africa's most romantic safari lodges
Authors: Daniëlla Sibbing; Marsel van Oosten
Publisher: Random House Struik
Imprint: Struik Lifestyle
Cape Town, South Africa 2009
ISBN: 9781770077263
Hardcover, dustjacket, 26x31 cm, 296 pages, throughout colour photographs