FROM NAMIBIA’S REMOTE KHADUM NATIONAL PARK TO THE UNVISITED NOSY ANKAO IN MADAGASCAR, SCOTT DUNN REVEALS WHY 2016 IS ALL ABOUT AFRICA

NAMIBIA

XAUDUM INTRODUCES NAMIBIA’S NORTHERN CORNER TO THE ADVENTUROUS - Launching April 2016
Located in a remote corner of Northern Namibia, to the west of the Caprivi Strip and untouched by mainstream tourism, Khaudum National Park boasts vast and impressive landscapes, which are teaming with wildlife. This winter, the new luxury lodge Xaudum will open up this little known corner of Namibia, offering guests the opportunity to stay somewhere truly unique. Sitting atop a prehistoric sand dune, Xaudum has just nine rooms, each with an en-suite and private balcony benefitting from stunning uninterrupted views across the vast plains of the Kalahari Desert. Traditional Namibian roof thatching and clever architecture seamlessly blend the property into its surroundings preventing disruptions to the breathtaking beauty of Khaudum National Park. Taking advantage of its wild location, Xaudum will also enable guests to explore on expertly guided game drives, enjoy unrivalled star gazing opportunities and a chance to delve into Namibian culture, meeting one of the world’s most renowned, well documented and oldest tribes, the San bushmen.
HOW: Scott Dunn offers luxury tailor-made trips to Namibia from £3,275 per person for 10 days, based on two people travelling. www.scottdunn.com / 0208 682 5070

BRAND NEW LODGE OMATENDEKA TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO FASCINATING DESERT ADAPTED WILDLIFE AND THE NOMADIC HIMBA TRIBE – Launching April 2016
Set to open this winter in Northern Damaraland, Omatendeka is a new nine-room luxury lodge, which sits at the headwaters of the Hoanib River, the local area’s source of life. Offering incredible views of the surrounding contrasting scenery of lush natural springs and arid desert terrain, Omatendeka boasts friendly hospitality and provides guests with a stylish base in which to explore the region’s unique wildlife. With an open plan design that blends into the surrounding scenery, the main area offers a lounge, bar and dining space for guests to relax or the swimming pool and deck provides the perfect spot for sunbathing. Days can be spent on guided game drives photographing desert-adapted wildlife, on nature walks uncovering local flora and fauna or on cultural trips to visit the nomadic Himba tribe, who famously cover their skin and hair in thick red clay.
HOW: Scott Dunn offers luxury trips to Namibia from £3,275 per person for 10 days, based on two people travelling. www.scottdunn.com / 0208 682 5070

MADAGASCAR

DISCOVER NORTHERN MADAGASCAR WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW LUXURY MIAVANA LODGE – Opening October 2016
Madagascar is renowned for having the world’s most unique and diverse wildlife and in October 2016 it will prove its unique hotel credentials too, with the launch of Miavana. Located on the private island of Nosy Ankao, an unspoiled wildlife haven off the northeast coast of Madagascar, Miavana is a new ultra luxurious lodge boasting 14 one, two and three bedroom villas, which are dotted along the western shore. Designed by Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, who were behind the award-winning North Island in the Seychelles, the villas are vast and boast outdoor and indoor living space. The main lodge features a French garden, wine cellar dining areas, a Chamber of Curiosities filled with items found on the island and a swimming pool set on the sand surrounded by lush green vegetation. Combining a powder soft sand beach, which guests step on to from their villa and some of the most unique safari and wildlife adventures in the world, Miavana is bringing a new level of luxury to Madagascar. The island itself is surrounded by a pristine reef, which offers unforgettable snorkelling and diving opportunities as well as turtle, dolphin and whale watching, which can be experienced on Miavana’s ‘Blue Safari’. Accessed by helicopter from Diego Suarez, it is also possible to enjoy forest walks and lemur treks on the mainland.
HOW: Scott Dunn offers luxury tailor-made trips to North West Madagascar staying at luxurious properties from £5,679 per person for 14 days, based on two people travelling. www.scottdunn.com / 0208 682 5070

ETHIOPIA

ETHIOPIA CHANGES ITS GAME WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW LUXURY LIMALIMO LODGE IN THE SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – January 2016
This January, Scott Dunn will add to its recently unveiled Ethiopia portfolio with the launch of the luxury Limalimo Lodge. Located at the edge of an escarpment in northern Ethiopia, the new 14-room lodge will sit on 10 hectares of land in the Simien Mountains National Park, one of UNESCO’s Outstanding Places of Natural Beauty. Built by local community members with environmental conservation at its heart the lodge boasts superb eco-credentials and has been constructed using sustainable building techniques and materials including rammed earth walls, thatch and wood sourced from surrounding areas that blend seamlessly into the scenery. Each of the 14 simple yet elegant rooms will be scattered throughout the lush grounds, providing guests with total seclusion and the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views out across the mountains from the private terraces. Set in a prime position, the lodge will offer a host of activities to enjoy the beauty and wildlife found in the Simien Mountains National Park. The location will provide a fantastic spot from which to bird watch whilst a selection of treks through the highlands and lowlands will offer guests the chance to get up-close and personal with local wildlife including the Gelada monkey.
HOW: Scott Dunn incorporates a two night stay at Limalimo Lodge with the “Uncover Ethiopia’s Classic Northern Circuit” itinerary from £4,740 per person based on 12 nights full board. www.scottdunn.com / 020 8 682 5070

TANZANIA

SUNRISE OVER THE CRATER RIM AND SUNSET OVER THE SERENGETI – NOMAD TANZANIA TO LAUNCH A NEW LODGE IN NGORONGORO – Summer 2016
Nomad Tanzania has announced it will be opening a brand new 8-bedroom luxury lodge in June 2016 in the famed conservation area of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. One of only a handful of reputable operators to be selected to build within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nomad Tanzania has been allocated a spectacular area of land on a quiet and unobtrusive section of the Crater rim.  Within 20 minutes of the Seneto Descent Road, the new lodge will have a unique aspect with views both south towards the Crater itself and northwest towards the Serengeti plains. Offering game drives, cultural activities and guided walks – with the expert guiding which Nomad Tanzania is renowned for – guests will be able to enjoy sundowners whilst taking in the unparalleled beauty of one of the world’s most unique wildlife habitats. www.scottdunn.com / 0208 682 5070