Farmhouse 58 (South Africa)
Accommodation that combines refinement and simplicity.
Set in a huge estate a stone's throw from the Cradle of Mankind archaeological site and linked to its neighbour, the open-air museum of contemporary art Nirox.
A giant vegetable garden, works of art everywhere and the possibility of indulging in yoga or meditation in a green landscaped park… This is the definition of FarmHouse 58. Located about thirty kilometers from Johannesburg, this haven of peace could be seen as the South African Château Lacoste (but greener still).
The raw walls of this old farm do not detract from the sophistication of the place and the peace that emanates from it.
A table stocked in neighboring farms completes the picture of this exclusive and hidden address.
The plus:
staying at 58 Farmhouse is part of “Project 58”, an agricultural and spiritual project.
It allows permanent access to Nirox, which is a private foundation welcoming artists from all over the world in residence and which exhibits numerous works of contemporary art in its immense park.
The place:
in Maropeng, about thirty kilometers from Johannesburg.
The price
: from €130 per night.
farmhouse58.co
Read alsoFive very good reasons to go to South Africa this summer
Arijiju (Kenya)
The huge rooms, with contemporary furniture, of Arijiju.
CROOKES & JACKSON / Photo press
A house dug into the hill and placed in the heart of a nature and animal reserve not far from Mount Kenya.
A central patio planted with olive trees and tropical flowers, an infinity pool, huge rooms, with contemporary furniture and sober colors, overlooking infinity.
A private lodge, with all the necessary service, safaris on foot or by car and above all comfortable solitude in totally virgin nature.
Here is the table drawn up by Arijiju.
An extraordinary experience reserved for a few happy few.
The plus:
horseback riding in the surrounding hills with the highest point in Kenya in sight, are offered to discover African wildlife.
Elephants, buffaloes and other rhinos inhabit the Borana reserve.
The horses are waiting for you in front of the villa.
The place:
in the Borana reserve, not far from Mount Kenya.
The price:
from €8,600 per night for the privatized villa for a maximum of six people.
arijiju.com
Read alsoIn Kenya, a luxury villa in the heart of the savannah
One & Only Gorilla Nest (Rwanda)
The grand openings of the One & Only Gorilla Nest, in Rwanda.
One and Only / Press Photo
In the Volcanoes Park region of Rwanda, the One & Only Gorilla Nest is the latest addition.
A resolutely aesthetic approach for this accommodation and a rather unique mix of influences.
From afar, the villas look Scandinavian-inspired, with their clean lines.
But inside, the raw wood blends perfectly with a decoration inspired by local traditions.
Large bay windows open onto the surrounding forest and in the distance onto the volcanoes that reign over the region.
The hotel is ideally located for access to treks which, thanks to the techniques put in place by a certain Diane Fossey, allow you to meet mountain gorillas.
We particularly like the Virunga Suite and its private swimming pool overflowing into the tropical forest.
The plus:
the Gorilla Nest spa is perfect for recovering from long walks in the forest.
In harmony with its environment, it also allows, which is quite original in the region, to indulge in yoga or meditation, with the majesty of nature in sight.
The place:
located not far from Kinigi, in the very north of the country.
The price:
from €3,620 per night for a villa with full board.
oneandonlyresorts.com
Read alsoHotel Le Lodge One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda, the expert opinion of Le Figaro
Shipwreck Lodge (Namibia)
These huts shaped like wrecks form the Shipwreck Lodge, in Namibia.
Shipwreck Lodge/ Press Photo
In the north of Namibia, there is a desert region known as the Skeleton Coast.
It is strewn with the carcasses of stranded boats, witnesses of the violence of the sea currents which rage in the neighboring ocean.
In this surreal landscape, a large reserve of 6000 km² is home to a rather unique lodge, the Shipwreck Lodge (literally, shipwreck lodge).
Taking up the design of the said wrecks, these wooden huts with wobbly shapes are arranged on dunes.
The sober and modern furniture is not worth the landscape which invites itself through very large and numerous bay windows.
The plus:
so naturally, going to the coast seems a reflex, it is especially the Hoarusib river and the mineral cathedrals which border it as well as the wild fauna which justify a stay in such a place.
The place:
Mowe Bay in the heart of Skeleton Coast National Park.
The price:
from €800 per night.
shipwrecklodge.com.na
Read alsoWhen to go to Namibia?
Weather and safaris… The best period by region
Babylonstoren (South Africa)
The Babylonstoren estate and its vegetable garden that looks like a French garden.
Babylonstoren / Photo press
Nine rooms and 16 cottages make up this agricultural complex not far from Franschoek.
Seen from the sky, the estate is made up of vines (obviously) but above all a gigantic vegetable garden that almost looks like a French garden.
All of this almost looks like an organic amusement park for adults: two restaurants (famous, including the Babel), a bakery, fresh produce of all kinds.
And the rooms and cottages, with a decor that is both simple and refined.
The plus
: the “garden tour” is certainly not spectacular, but it offers the visitor a vision and practice of a new generation of agriculture that is productive and balanced.
An introduction to permaculture and the taste of the many products made on site.
The place:
in Simondium, 45 minutes from Cape Town.
The price:
from €600 per person with breakfast.
Be careful, it is often full.
babylonstoren.com
Xigera Safari Lodge (Botswana)
Xigera, in the heart of the Okavango Delta.
Xigera / Photo press
Xigera is a very old lodge in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
But since its renovation by Red Carnation, it has become the most modern: 12 boldly decorated rooms, dotted with contemporary African works, energy supplied exclusively by the first Tesla solar station in the country, all in one of the environments the most hostile and isolated on the planet.
A must, whose work was led by Mike Myers, one of the best known rangers on the continent.
The plus:
the Baobab Tree House is a room designed in the shape of a baobab tree.
To live an even more immersive night in the heart of the delta… The experience of a lifetime when you know how abundant wildlife is in this region.
The place:
at Moremi Game Reserve, in the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Accessible only by plane.
The price:
from 6000 € per night.
xigera.com
Read alsoThe trips that inspired them: the Botswana of perfumer Sonia Constant
Xanadu Luxury Villas (Zanzibar)
Luxurious villas true to the spirit of Zanzibar in Xanadu.
Xanadu / Photo press
On the southeast coast of the island of Zanzibar, six sublime villas allow travelers to reconnect with the original spirit of the island.
Each of them has its own small swimming pool.
Their immaculate white walls are punctuated only by multiple and small openings.
Curtains twirl, the frames fly skyward and a few solitary walls look like sails.
An exclusive marvel, with the typical colors and spirit of the Spice Island, all on one of its most unspoilt beaches.
The plus:
a fan of discretion, you can imagine living in your villa without seeing the world around you.
The table is composed of fresh, local and extraordinarily assembled products.
She deserves attention.
The place:
located in Dongwe, along a long white sand beach.
The price:
from €650 per night full board.
xanadu-villas.com
Read alsoZanzibar, instructions for use: what you need to know before being tempted by the spice island
Sonop Lodge (Namibia)
Desert view bathroom at Sonop Lodge, Namibia.
Zannier / Photo press
This inventory could not omit the Namib Desert and one of its craziest addresses.
Located in the almost inaccessible Namib Rand reserve, the Sonop Lodge is located between dunes and rocks polished by erosion.
This flagship of the French chain Zannier, symbol of its openness to the world, takes up all the codes of African lodges as they were imagined in the 1930s. Wood and copper furniture, panoramic views and each evening, a place different to dine under a cloud of stars.
If this inventory was a ranking, we would not be far from the top.
The plus:
it seems banal, but in such an environment, going for a horseback ride is a miracle.
This is precisely one of the experiences that can be had from Sonop… Not far from the area where the famous Namibian wild horses are located.
The place:
Hardap region in the Namib desert.
The price:
from €1,000 per night with full board.
: zannierhotels.com
Matetsi Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
The Matetsi sits on the banks of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe.
Matetsi Victoria Falls/Press Photo
Another exceptional address, this time on the banks of the Zambezi, a few kilometers from the famous Victoria Falls.
Modern, discreet, refined and full of natural elements, the Matetsi is one of the essential addresses for those arriving from Botswana.
The large bay windows allow the 16 rooms to face only the calm waters of the river which are preparing for the crash of the falls.
A timeless experience.
The plus:
navigating the Zambezi by canoe is not common and yet it is the best, silent way to admire the elephants who have come to drink in the river.
Or come ashore to enjoy a drink in the shade of a Marula tree.
The place:
not far from the village of Victoria Falls.
The price:
from €2,500 per night, full board and activities included.
matetsivictoriafalls.com
Ngaga Camp (Congo Brazzaville)
In Congo Brazzaville, the ideal base camp to discover the lowland gorillas.
Ngaga Camp / Press Photo
In the heart of the Odzala Kokua reserve, in the north of Congo Brazzaville, there is a camp that has to be earned.
From the outside, simple huts nestled in the trees.
But this camp, perched on the canopy of the tropical forest, makes it possible to observe the gorillas of the plains but also to approach them with the enlightened advice of scientists who study them on a daily basis.
An end-of-the-world experience.
The plus:
contrary to what is practiced elsewhere, the “gorilla” experience is absolute.
A total immersion that makes people believe that Diane Fossey could appear behind the trees.
Complete discovery of all the richness of this unique ecosystem.
The place:
Odzala Kokua National Park located a few hours by plane from Brazzaville after the long flight over the jungle.
The price:
from €7,000 for four days including all activities and access to the reserve.
congoconservation.travel
