Kenya & Tanzania
In Kenya, Great Plains Conservation has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of Mara Toto Tree Camp. Nestled in a secluded area of the Maasai Mara, this camp opened in July 2024, part of the Réserve-Collection, offering four tents elevated among the trees, providing guests with unparalleled views of the savannah and the Ntiakitiak River.The camp’s design emphasizes sustainability and luxury, ensuring an immersive experience in harmony with nature. It is one of only six Relais & Châteaux properties in Kenya.
Image: Mara Toto – Great Plains Conservation
Elewana continues to develop its Explorer properties in Tanzania – these lodges are aimed at the mid-market and are considerably larger than the established Elewana camps/properties, such as The Manor at Ngorongoro (18 suites), or Tarangire Treetops (20 tree-house style suites).
Serengeti Explorer opened in 2024 in the Nyaboro Hills, with Ngorongoro Explorer (on the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge site, right on the crater rim) due to open in 2025, followed by Tarangire Explorer.
Ngorongoro will also see Lemala Osonjoi open in the eastern section in 2025. Set back from the rim but with excellent access to the crater floor before the crowds arrive, the new property will have 20 suites and complete a Lemala circuit from Arusha through Tarangire and the Crater into the Serengeti.
Singita follows up the opening of Singita Milele in June 2024, a five-bed villa on Sasakwa Hill in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti, with Singita Kilima – also part of the Private Villa Collection, accommodating ten guests and accessed via Singita Grumeti’s private landing strip just a 10-minute drive away.
Botswana & Zambia
Watch out for Singita Elele – due to open in Botswana’s OKavango Delta in 2026!
Turning our attention to 2025, Natural Selection has announced the opening of Mbamba Camp in the northern Okavango in April, while Machaba Safaris Monachira Camp is set to open in May in the north-eastern section of Moremi.
Ker & Downey’s Maxa Camp is due to open in March. This much-anticipated new camp in the northeastern reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, at the source of the Selinda Spillway overlooks the permanent Maxa Lagoon, frequented by hippos and other wildlife. There will be six tents – one will be a family tent. Maxa joins a strong K&D Botswana portfolio including Dinaka, Okuti and Shinde.
Maxa will be accessed via helicopter transfer.
It’s a big year for Ker & Downey, who will also take over management of King Lewanika Camp in Zambia’s Liuwa Plain National Park (previously managed by Time & Tide). The newly refurbished camp will also open in March 2025.
North Luangwa will see the opening of Kutandala Camp, joining a strong line up of properties in this under-explored region of Zambia – great for walking and perfect n combination with South Luangwa.
Image: Maxa Camp – Ker & Downey Botswana
Image at top: Singita Milele – Singita
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