Villas & Retreats
Luxury villas are synonymous with privacy and are quintessential for a more intimate and personal journey of discovery in the chosen destination
We can’t think of a better way to revive one’s soul than choosing a completely private experience that brings wellness, wilderness and wildlife together. Here are a few chosen properties that we feel do just that by defining the essence of privacy, design and wellbeing.
Discover Kisawa Sanctuary in Mozambique
Kisawa Sanctuary is 300-hectares of beachfront calm and coastal forest on Benguerra Island, Mozambique. The Sanctuary offers guests utmost privacy, blending itself across 5 kilometres of coastline. Founder, Nina Flohr, created Kisawa to bring together nature, culture and service thus creating a destination for reconnection and wellbeing. Kisawa offers an array of bespoke adventures, experiences and activities allowing guests to craft their own ideal stay from sunrise to sunset. Their personal approach to service allows guests to feel looked after in a way that is relaxed and precise. Suitable for couples, friends, honeymooners or families, with its combination of either one, two or three bungalow residences – Kisawa is able to care for everyone.
With care in mind, their Natural Wellness Centre is focused purely on achieving wellbeing through unity of mind, body and spirit. They offer treatments and rituals rooted in the natural elements of Air, Fire, Water, Space and Earth and are practised by specialists in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic offerings.
And as if that were not enough, Kisawa is the first property globally to open in tandem with its own marine research centre – Africa’s first permanent ocean observatory!
Did you know?
Kisawa hopes to spark interest in how African craft can be extrapolated from its original uses and applied in new ways. One notable example is the commission of a local weaving style, a time-consuming process practised only by Benguerra Island’s women and traditionally used for the production of household objects, that has been utilised on a much larger scale within the interiors of every guest bungalow at Kisawa.
Cheetah Plains offers an individualistic approach to family Safaris, incorporating wellness, an immersive safari experience and all round comfort for the soul. Situated in the Sabi Sands in South Africa, with only three luxury villas accommodating a maximum of 8 guests each, Cheetah Plains provides a luxurious safari sojourn and bushveld retreat.
We love the fact that the Villas are each named after notable feline characters from the Cheetah Plains Reserve. Honouring their memory and the lasting impression they left on those that were fortunate enough to see them.
Mapogo House is named after a legendary, fierce coalition of lion brothers. Karula House honours a lone leopard of queenly stature.
Mvula House after a dominant male leopard with a regal quality unseen ever before.
Did you know?
Cheetah Plains is one of the first lodges in the Sabi Sands to offer twice-daily game drives, led by a safari guide and tracker in Electric Land Cruiser Safari Vehicles. They also generate all of their own power and are completely off the grid. A commendable advance toward zero-emission game viewing and a sustainable safari experience.
Arijiju is a 5 bedroom “home”, a retreat and a sanctuary for adventure. It is situated in Laikipia in the game-rich, malaria-free, Kenyan Highlands offering truly rare and wild luxuries. Arijiju was designed and positioned to fully appreciate what the architect described as the holy trinity of views: Sunrise, Sunset and Mount Kenya. Even more, interestingly, the owner of Arijiju used to own a record label in Nigeria. With his appreciation for the nature of acoustics, he built Arijiju low down in the cross of two valleys. As a result, the sounds of the wild reverberate down the valley and amplify as they reach the house. The bedrooms all face east so the dawn chorus of birdsong floods through the huge arched windows with the sunrise creating the likes of a “bush symphony”!
Did you know?
Phillip, the owner of Arijiju was born in Lagos in Nigeria, went to Harvard in the US, married a Norwegian, and now lives in Notting Hill, London. He built Arijiju to ensure his children connect to their heritage in Africa and learn to embrace and protect nature. Phillip has always been a conservationist and a philanthropist.
Catherine, Prayer and I recently visited the sexy Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg. Raymond Wilson was the perfect host whilst delighting in showing us the Villas that recently reopened and the incredible artwork adorning the hotel. The Saxon was alive and humming and looking like her usual beautiful self. Her lawns were impeccable, the flower arrangements were eye catching and of course, we had to take the obligatory picture in front of the famous wall of woven baskets! We managed to see the Presidential Suite, snap a few pics of artwork designed in honour of our beloved Madiba and enjoy a high tea with delicious pastries. The Saxon Hotel remains one of our preferred Johannesburg hotels recommended to travellers who are art, wine and epicurean enthusiasts.
Secret tip: If you are known to suffer from insomnia, jetlag or general stress and anxiety, we recommend trying the Sleep Therapy treatment at the Saxon Spa. This 30-minute sleep therapy treatment is the equivalent of four hours of undisturbed sleep!!!
Please contact our Safari Designers for any information on our preferred partners.
Keeping the dream alive,
Eluisa Di Benedetto | Product Manager
