Craft Travel

Reinventing the safari wheel: gimmicky or the real deal?

We don’t need to tell our discerning clientele that safari is so much more than spotting the Big Five on a game drive. It’s something we’ve said for years and a concept they inherently understand. You may have seen the recent viral posts from the Serengeti where hundreds of tourists inside (and even outside) their vehicles lined up along key river crossing points, blocking wildebeest from their migration routes. We can all agree that this behavior is not only highly dangerous, it’s the antithesis of what any of us want to promote or engage in.

In response to these trends, we have seen a boom of alternative safari properties that mainly emphasize two USPs: exclusivity and a different way of experiencing the bush. In theory, we love this trend. In practice, “reinventing the wheel” doesn’t always work.

has gotten it right. At 55,000 hectares, the fully private Lapalala Wilderness is almost as large as the entire Sabi Sands, yet boasts only five vehicles for a maximum of 28 people, split between the 8-bedroom exclusive use Melote House where we stayed & the equally gorgeous 5-unit Noka Camp.

The pristine reserve is one of South Africa’s most stunning, and that’s saying a lot. Is there Big Five? Yes. But the owners, who run Lepogo as a nonprofit, understand that safari enthusiasts are increasingly craving something deeper. Guests interact with their Anti-Poaching Unit, stroll on river cruises, hike some of the Waterberg’s most scenic hills and visit a Pangolarium (Netflix’s “Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey” was filmed here).

Lepogo is malaria-free and drivable from Joburg. The food is the best we can remember. Every detail has been considered.

Lepogo is not just another luxury lodge in the middle of nowhere chasing trends. There is something special here and it’s about more than wildlife. Or even just the luxury of space. It’s a place where you stop and think not only how necessary but just how beautiful -and tangible- conservation is. You partake in their efforts, and reap the benefits of their wild success.

The magic of a silver lining ✨

We had different plans for our last few nights in Puglia, but an unexpected - and highly serendipitous - development led us to Masseria Calderisi. It ultimately felt like fate: I simply cannot fathom how this gem was not previously on our radar. But this of course is the benefit of spending weeks at a time years in a row in one destination. You start to hear things. In this case, a conversation with some chic locals led us to the masseria of our dreams!

My expectations for our originally anticipated hotel had been high, but life has a funny way of redirecting us toward where we’re meant to be.