What better way is there to explore some of the 5,700 square miles of the Serengeti National Park than by hot air balloon? For a very reasonable $479 or $499 per person (depending on precise location), Serengeti Balloon Safaris will take you up for an hour to get a unique overview of the flora and fauna that abounds. Time it right and you might even witness the annual migration.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would YOU like to go ballooning most? Click on the comments link to let us know!
It’s that time of year once again when Travel+Leisure releases its World’s Best Awards. I haven’t had time to study them in detail just yet, but have noted that Singita Sabi Sand at Kruger has taken top spot in the World’s Best Hotels section, up one place from last year. Second is Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India, up from 11th place last year, and Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Kenya’s Masai Mara makes one of the most impressive climbs to third place (up from 48th spot in 2007).
One of the best kept secrets of Mauritius, Le Telfair, can be found on the south coast at Bel Ombre, adjoining the most pristine stretches of beach on the island. Explore the nearby Domaine de Bel Ombre nature reserve, play a round at the 18-hole golf course or experience the many forms of holistic healing, wellbeing and pampering at the beautiful Six Senses Spa.
In the Masai Mara, the migration is beginning. The first zebras - precursors of two million wildebeest - have started to pick their way across the Mara River, a sign that the 2008 migration will be starting early. Olonana is perhaps the Mara’s leading luxury camp and is ideally positioned on the edge of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Guests can follow the migration at will, with easy daytime access into the reserve. As the camp is positioned outside the park itself, guests can also take night drives, game walks and interact with local Maasai communities. The camp itself has 14 tented pavilions each with two queen-sized beds, en suites with twin basins and showers, a personal valet and large private viewing decks overlooking a hippo filled Mara River.
Kevin May is editor of Travolution, an industry-focussed magazine for online travel and division of Reed Business Information. It consists of a blog, e-news service and a physical magazine, and is a leader in its field with an advisory board that comprises some of the biggest names in the travel industry.
What is it that you do exactly?
I am responsible for all editorial content on Travolution, including our magazine, website and blog. I also produce our fortnightly podcast, The Purple Pod, and organise our conferences and other events as well as oversee the Travolution Awards. It’s a busy job!
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
The most rewarding aspect of editing Travolution is being able to track and analyse such a wonderfully diverse and innovative industry as travel and its use of the web. Equally, as a journalist at heart, when we set the record straight or uncover a scoop still gives me an incredible buzz. I’m very lucky to work with some fantastic writers and reporters.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Hanoi: easily the most fascinating city I have ever visited. My wife and I stayed there during a seven-month jaunt around Asia in 2000. We were mesmerised by the colour and smells, the French and traditional Vietnamese quarters, and - whether it exists in reality or not is another question - a sense of proud nationhood. A remarkable capital in a remarkable country.
Varanasi (Benares): This central Indian city is an assault on the senses and consciousness. Despite it being a place where many people come to die (simply because of its proximity to the holy Ganges river), life abounds everywhere. The customs associated with death, while perhaps alien and odd to some westerners, are seen as life affirming to Hindus, giving it the feeling of being a place where people actually come to celebrate life. My wife was also taken very ill here so I have the utmost respect for Indian medical staff forced to work in, er, challenging conditions.
Lake Toba, Sumatra: The most beautiful place I have had the pleasure of visiting. Once a sunken caldera (super-volcano), currently a giant lake, Toba has incredible feature, plant life and a real feeling of isolation. There are few places on earth that have had such a dramatic physical history and the laid-back attitude of the people is in absolute tune with the environment around them. An almost perfect location on many levels.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
I spent four days practically marooned on a slow boat travelling across the Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia. I ate rice every meal as - being a strict vegetarian - the boiled ’something’ didn’t appeal and there was absolutely nothing else to eat. After finally arriving in Siem Reap, I ate almost everything I could on the menu at the guesthouse - mounds of vegetables, a huge omelette, slice after slice of bread, any fruit I could get my hands on, cereal, yoghurt… everything. It might not sound like a feast for a king, but it tasted so good.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
I have been fortunate to meet many wonderful and talented people through work or when travelling, although I have a tendency to steer away from so-called celebrities, even when given the opportunity. In fact, most of the “richest” people I’ve met are probably those that have created a fantastic business and subsequently reaped the rewards for their innovation and passion for travel and the Web.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
I am currently at that stage, with a young family, where I am yearning to return to places I have visited previously, primarily - though not guaranteed at all (!!) - in the vain hope of sharing the experiences I had. I hope to return to Angkor Wat in Cambodia one day and also trek the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal (a three-week hike). Egypt, Mexico, Peru and New Zealand would also make my current wishlist.
Unfortunately the overseas trips of a business magazine editor these days consist primarily of enjoying the inside of some very nice hotel conference suites. A shame really…
Thank you, Kevin. And keep up the good work at Travolution!
Makalali, just west of the famed Kruger National Park, is arguably the world’s most uniquely designed hotel. Four camps of six innovatively appointed suites with private salas overlook the river. Each camp has private dining decks, outdoor bomas, swimming pools and lounges. Your safari experience here is tailor-made with the opportunity to interact with nature as well as enjoy the silent communication between tracker and guide as you are brought into the proximity of wildlife in its natural environment. Pan African cuisine and an elephant contraception programme make Makalali Private Game Lodge an utterly unique place to visit.
This idyllic retreat is the pinnacle of tropical luxury and is suitable for couples and families alike. On the east coast of Mauritius, encompassing three tropical islands; Frangipani is linked to the mainland by a wooden bridge, Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangénie are both reached in a few minutes by private boat. Accommodation at Le Touessrok includes deluxe rooms and junior suites, sea-facing suites on Frangipani Island and the exclusive three-bedroomed private villas. Recreational facilities include tennis, watersports, a Givenchy Spa, two swimming pools and the 18-hole Bernhard Langer designed golf course. Younger guests are well-catered for by the excellent T Club. Dining venues include Three-Nine-Eight, Safran, by Michelin-starred Vineet Bhatia and the beachside Barlens restaurant.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has announced an agreement with Moroccan developer, Groupe Cadex, to open its very first property in Morocco in the beautiful resort destination of Marrakech. Somewhat surprisingly, this is not only the first venture into Morocco for the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand, but also for parent company InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The new-build resort development – the InterContinental Marrakech Resort & Spa – is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2011 and InterContinental is working closely with Groupe Cadex to create the finest resort in North Africa.
The elite and still-under-construction Shamwari Townhouse in Port Elizabeth, on the Southeast coast of South Africa, is now expected to open in August 2008, making it the newest addition to the Mantis Collection of ultra-deluxe boutique hotels and game reserves. Because of the Townhouse’s secluded environment, it is promised as a perfect ‘retreat’ for the business or luxury leisure traveller - setting new standards for discreet and boutique accommodation in South Africa.
Surrounded by unspoiled beaches and malaria-free nature reserves, including the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth itself is considered to be an emerging tourist destination. The hotel is in the posh beachfront suburb of Summerstrand, ten minutes from the airport and 328 feet from the Indian Ocean.
River Bend Lodge, an escape from the madding crowds of the city, will revitalise your soul and spirit, whilst you discover the natural beauty of the surroundings. Flanked by the Zuurberg Mountains and within the 17,000 ha of the Addo Elephant park, this is Africa at its best. Only 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth, the area is home to wildlife including lion, hyena, buffalo, black rhino and more. Special attention is also paid to more unusual game such as the flightless dung beetle, Cape fox and various bird species. Particularly famous, of course, are the Addo elephants. Accommodation ranges from the elegant, 8-suite Lodge to the exclusive-use Safari Villa with its own butler, chef and game ranger available to cater to every whim.
Honeymooners at Sainte Anne Resort & Spa (or those planning weddings at the resort) can enjoy up to 50% discount for their spouse. The resort was the subject of actor Damian Lewis’ article in last week’s Telegraph. It sounds like he had a very relaxing and chilled-out time there - here’s an excerpt from his article:
Unwind? I’ve never been so unwound in my life. All we do for the first couple of days is eat huge breakfasts and fall into the infinity pool that looks across the beach to Mahé. From there we walk to the jetty and think of taking the short boat ride to Victoria before drifting over to the hammock swinging nearby.
What better way is there to explore some of the 5,700 square miles of the Serengeti National Park than by hot air balloon? For a very reasonable $479 or $499 per person (depending on precise location), Serengeti Balloon Safaris will take you up for an hour to get a unique overview of the flora and fauna that abounds. Time it right and you might even witness the annual migration.
globrati
It’s that time of year once again when 
One of the best kept secrets of Mauritius, 
In the Masai Mara, the migration is beginning. The first zebras - precursors of two million wildebeest - have started to pick their way across the Mara River, a sign that the 2008 migration will be starting early. 
Kevin May is editor of 
This idyllic retreat is the pinnacle of tropical luxury and is suitable for couples and families alike. On the east coast of Mauritius, encompassing three tropical islands; Frangipani is linked to the mainland by a wooden bridge, Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangénie are both reached in a few minutes by private boat. Accommodation at 
The elite and still-under-construction Shamwari Townhouse in Port Elizabeth, on the Southeast coast of South Africa, is now expected to open in August 2008, making it the newest addition to the 
Honeymooners at