2015 – Beautiful Places for Lovers

Denis Private Island, Seychelles – Barefoot Luxury, Ecotourism & Pure Relaxation

Indian Ocean, Seychelles, Sustainable Tourism, Top 20 Honeymoon Collection, Video, Wedding 20. November 2015 0 Comments

No phones, no keys, no worries – back to nature!

On our second visit to the Seychelles, we explored a little island paradise in the Indian Ocean. Denis Private Island is a secret destination for gourmets, couples and families who want to enjoy pure relaxation in conjunction with sophisticated luxury. In complete seclusion and with Robinson Crusoe feeling, you can completely relax on the dreamy white beaches, go snorkelling, diving or fishing, watch the countless birds, enjoy the finest food, explore the island and simply experience beautiful nature!

A lot is different about this island! There is no television, no mobile network and no internet in the rooms. The owners want you to come to rest and experience the ultimate luxury of having time!

The 143 hectare Denis Island, is located in a coral reef and has belonged to Kathryn and Michael Mason for almost 20 years now. The Masons are the founders of Masons Travel, the oldest tour operators in the Seychelles. Besides the owners, only the hotel guests and staff live on the island. Together with the Green Island Foundation, they protect this little piece of paradise for future generations.

The island can only be reached by plane. Since a rat plague and in order to protect the birds on the island, vessels are no longer allowed to moor here.

We flew with a small plane from Air Seychelles, for about 30 minutes (95 km) from Mahé to Denis Island and were warmly received on the runway by a joyfully waving team including the Manager, Beverley Daguise.

On Sundays, no planes land here and the runway is converted into a cricket field.

The Hotel

The hotel is located in the north of the island, surrounded by coconut trees and fantastic tropical vegetation.

You get to experience the pure luxury immediately as you check-in, when you are welcomed with sashimi of sea bream and a cool refreshing drink.

In the main building you will find the lounge, the bar with a pool table, the wine cellar, the restaurant with a show kitchen, a small boutique and a library with TV and internet access. This is also the only Wi-Fi Hotspot, if you would like to use the internet.

I was overwhelmed by the tasteful and lovingly designed, down to the smallest detail, design of the lounge. Handmade Takamaka wooden furniture, pastel colours, Creole fabrics and maritime details such as shells, coral and driftwood exude an incredible atmosphere of comfort. The many cushions invite you to sit down and snuggle and remain here forever. By the way, the beautiful decor is the work of Kathryn Mason. Wow!

In the evening with the nice warm lighting the atmosphere is even more cosy and comfortable.

Pool

Update 2016: Unfortunately, there is no longer this great pool. He was destroyed by a big storm . Super pity!

Cottages

Denis Island has 25 cottages in total, each one between 90-325 square meters and one of them even has its own private pool. The cottages are charming with their simple, yet elegant typical island style design. They all have direct beach access and a private little beach area with loungers.

The cottages are surrounded by the tropical garden with plenty of space, so that you almost think, you were here on your own.

We stayed in a Deluxe Beach Cottage with a porch and daybed. It is a little further back, but even from here, you have a sea view.

For excursions you can arrange for bicycles to be brought to the cottage.

Each villa is individually decorated and has a porch, an open-air bathroom with freestanding bath, an outdoor shower, an iPod docking station, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, tea and coffee making facilities, a telephone, a mini bar and a hairdryer. You will not find a television, but what you will find, is pure relaxation!

And yes, there are no keys! It is very unusual indeed, but conveys a feeling of security and freedom.

In the cottages you will also find beautiful patterns, Creole fabrics, maritime decorative objects and handmade wooden furniture, which are manufactured in the island’s own carpentry.

Water is bountiful here. The glass bottles are filled every day and the mini bar can be can be stocked to your heart’s content.

Open-air bathroom

An absolute highlight is of course the open-air bathroom. Something we would love to have at home! When you come from the beach, you go directly through the garden and can wash the sand off your feet.

These young visitors also belong to each cottage. Simply nature at its best!

Private Spa

There is no spa as such, but a private mobile spa. So if you book a massage, the therapist will arrive with a massage table laden golf cart and will then set-up in the privacy of your own cottage. One can also choose whether you would like to have the massage in the cottage or on the terrace, of course. Our two therapists came from India and really knew what they were doing. From their very first touch, we were able to relax completely! A big plus is the cheerful birdsong in the background! These massages were absolutely among the best that we have ever had!

Restaurant

Creole cuisine with French finesse.

Also part of the all-round feel-good package is full board with excellent gourmet cuisine.

The restaurant is open plan and has a wonderful terrace overlooking the ocean. Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed here with a view of the Indian Ocean and the occasional visit of some colourful island birds.

Freshly baked brioche for breakfast – just great!

Lunchtime some light cuisine and a Creole buffet is on offer.

For dinner there is a delicious five-course menu consisting of local and international specialties. The meat comes mainly from island’s own breeding and the fruit and vegetables also come from the island’s own small farm. The hotel’s fishermen catch fresh fish on a daily basis in the surrounding waters.

On Wednesdays there is always a Japanese buffet, where the fresh fish is processed into delicious sushi and other delicacies.

Beach-Barbecue

We were lucky enough to be at the hotel on a Saturday and got to experience the beach barbecue with live music. This is definitely not to be missed!
With romantic lighting, your feet in the sand and the sound of the waves, you can enjoy fresh fish and the best meat from the grill.

Dream Beaches

If you feel like it, you can completely circumnavigate the island with a long beach walk or a bicycle ride to the remote parts of the island.

At dusk you can soak up the last rays of sun while watching the beautiful sunset at the pool, with a tasty cocktail in your hand.

The Island

Upon arrival you should definitely join the Island Tour. It is very informative and you will also find your way around the island much quicker. Although we spent 5 days on the island, we unfortunately, still have not seen it all.

The former coconut plantation was gradually replanted with native trees and now offers many endangered birds a new home and protection.

Denis Private Island is committed to the conservation of nature and the protection of birds, turtles and tortoises. Sustainable tourism is extremely important here. With its own small farm, the hotel guests and staff can be supplied to a large extent with food from the island’s own production. Electricity and hot water come from solar power systems.

Bird Paradise

You will find countless bird species on Denis Island, among them for example, the Seychelles Fodies, Warblers, Magpie Robins and the long-tailed Paradise Flycatcher. During the Island Tour, we even found a Paradise Flycatcher in its nest. They are beautiful, noble birds with a pearly sheen.

Many threatened bird species have already been brought here from other islands, in order to rehabilitate them. To this effect, all rodents were banished from the island.

This is also the home of the beautiful fairy terns, which are also called Lovebirds as they are always seen as a pair sitting or flying together. That is unless the female is breeding, then she is fed fresh fish by the male.

Birdlife of Denis (PDF)

Giant Tortoises

Endangered giant tortoises also live on the island. Toby – the oldest turtle on the island – is already 117 years old and every day looks forward to being stroked on the neck by Island Tour guests!

We also asked ourselves why the turtles do not roam freely on the island?! That was once the case, but the giants simply flatten and eat everything in their way and so they all had to be moved to a spacious enclosure. Also a nice home to have!

Sea Turtles

Green sea turtles lay their eggs on the shore of Denis Island. Every day, the Denis Island biologists walk around the island twice to check the breeding sites and to count the turtles. The biologists, Janske and her husband Martijn, are also the guides for the Island Tour. Be sure to join!

The Farm

You also get to know the small farm of the island on the Island Tour. Many chickens, goats, rabbits, quail, pigs and cattle happily live here. Thus, Denis is the only Seychelles island on which there is fresh milk. Many chicken eggs are also sold to Mahé. Herbs, fruit and vegetables are grown ecologically in the gardens, greenhouses and in the field.

Underwater World

The most beautiful beach and the perfect place to observe turtles, manta rays and plenty of other tropical fish, is the stretch of beach at the upper end of the runway. In order to see the nimble turtles, you have to be patient, but every now and then you can see their small sparkling heads just above the water surface. With a little luck, you can even see them underwater, if you float. However, to get a photo of them, you need even more luck!

The crew gladly also take hotel guests out to sea for big game fishing, diving and snorkelling. Out in the ocean, there are large marlins, turtles, reef sharks and swordfish swimming about.

Houses of employees

The approximately 120 employees of the hotel charmingly live on the “Champs Elysées”! Their houses with its exclusive location, are at the other end of the island and very cosy and chic!

Honeymoon & Wedding

One can also celebrate a wonderful wedding ceremony on Denis Island! There is a small chapel and sometimes the whole island is even fully booked for a wedding. The wedding package includes the wedding decor, a wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, the fees of the wedding officials and a romantic candlelight dinner on the beach. The registrar’s travel and accommodation expenses are for your own account.

Honeymooners get a sundowner cocktail with canapés, romantic candlelight dinner on the beach, a special turn down service and a romantic bath with candles, flowers and essential oils included in their package.

Island Airport

Actually, you never want to leave Denis Island! But, when you have to, at least the waiting time in the airport lounge is made more bearable.

We had the good fortune to fly by helicopter from ZilAir back to Mahé. An absolutely brilliant experience!

What a great island!

With the sustainable tourism concept, the stunning hotel and the great animal protection and nature conservation programs, the dedicated Mason family has created something truly out of the ordinary here. They are making a remarkable contribution to the protection of nature and wildlife, as even here in paradise, climate change will not simply pass by.

There is a lot to discover and experience on Denis Island, but best of all, you can really relax and unwind! With the excellent food even your palate is pampered! In addition, it is wonderful to get away from it all, without internet and television, we were able to switch off completely and rejuvenate body, mind and soul.

Denis Island leaves its mark in your heart! We thoroughly enjoyed our time here! Such a deserted island experience, is something very special indeed and leaves one yearning for more!

Rooms: 25 Cottages
Air Temperature: 24 – 30 degrees Celsius.
Water Temperature: 25 – 27 degrees Celsius.
Best time to visit: Throughout the year. May/April and October/November are the warmest and calmest and ensure good conditions for diving and snorkelling. December to February is the rainiest, but mostly these are short, warm rain periods. It rains more often on Mahé, because of the mountains. It seldom rains On La Digue. Monsoon winds from May to September provide excellent conditions for wind sports enthusiasts.
Flight duration: Non-stop from Germany to Mahe Island about 10 hours flight time. From Mahe to Denis Island: about 30 minutes
Time Difference: GMT + 3 hours in summer GMT + 2 Hours
Price:. From 670 EUR per night including full board
Honeymoon Special: 5 nights: 20% discount + 1 Sundowner cocktail with canapés, 1 private dinner on the beach, 1 special turndown service, 1 romantic bath with candles, flowers and essential oils, 1 massage per person (when booking a Beachfront Spa Cottage), valid for up to 9 months after the wedding
Special features: very personal service | Robinson Crusoe Feeling | exquisite food | wonderful nature experience | pure relaxation
Important: Remember only 15 kg of luggage allowed in cargo
Perfect for: Couples, honeymooners, discerning travellers, gourmets, nature lovers, people seeking peace and quiet, romantic souls and for weddings

P.O.Box 404
Victoria – Mahé
SEYCHELLES
Tel: +248 28 89 63
Fax: +248 32 10 10
www.denisisland.com
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Best Luxury Private Resort 2015 World Luxury Hotel Award
Best Scenic Environment Award 2014, 2015 World Luxury Hotel Award
The World’s Best Family Hotels 2015 Condé Nast Traveller
Best Luxury Private Accommodation 2014 Luxury Travel Guide’s Global Award
Certificate of Excellence 2014 TripAdvisor
Environmental Sustainability Award 2013 Seychelles Business Awards

Note: During our stay we were partially supported by Denis Private Island. The opinions expressed in the article are as always our own – 100 percent!

Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, Seychelles – moving pictures of an exceptional hotel + Interview with Manager Selby Pool

Honeymoon, Hotels, Indian Ocean, Interviews, Seychelles, Video, Wedding 9. November 2015 0 Comments

This is the second time that we stayed at this extraordinary hotel – a beautiful little piece of paradise on the island of La Digue and a real gem in the Seychelles!

But what makes it so special?

For us, it is the beautiful tropical and untouched idyllic atmosphere, the typical island style and romantic design and the peace and serenity that simply radiates from here. Here, you can completely relax, unwind, enjoy the peace and quiet and just be. The extremely tasteful design and the beautiful natural scenery are a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul!

What makes it extra special in our opinion, is the lovely staff that always have time for a little chat and lovingly takes care of everything. Their friendliness is definitely not artificial, but comes from the heart. True to the hotel’s motto “Your home away from home”, the staff goes out of their way to ensure that your stay will be as pleasant and memorable as possible. And it is possible indeed!

Interview with Selby Pool

We always like to get to know the faces behind the scenes with our interviews, so we spent some time with Selby Pool, the Marketing Manager.

Selby is a very likeable and charismatic person. He is a mover and shaker and is responsible for the all-round feel-good atmosphere at the hotel. He takes care of the guests and the hotel with all his heart and soul. We briefly met, Eric Boulanger, the general manager, and he is also a very nice man! In our opinion, a great hotel has a great team and always, a great manager. The hotel’s philosophy is reflected by their staff and in the whole ambience of the hotel. And you definitely get to experience this as a guest!

We can only highly recommend this hotel. Whoever would like to experience a particular beautiful and romantic stay, would like to eat well and relax completely when on holiday, should not miss this fantastic hotel under any circumstances. We were certainly not here for the last time!

Our current report on this hotel can be found here. And if you would like to read our report from 3 years ago, you can read it here.

Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie
Anse Sévère, La Digue, Seychelles
Tel : (00248) 4299 999
Fax : (00248) 4299 888
reservations@orangeraie.sc
www.orangeraie.sc

CHATEAUX & HOTELS COLLECTION Juli 2015 ->

L’OFFICIEL VOYAGES Avril-Mai 2012 – Adresses d’initiés:
« Un cocon ouvert sur la nature »

TRAVEL LIVING UK September 2012 – « The most stylish »

CONDE NAST TRAVELLER December 2011 – Lesser Spotted Seychelles:
« A very smart mini-resort »

CONDE NAST TRAVELLER December 2011 – Le Domaine’s Restaurant:
« The best place to eat on the island »

CONDE NAST TRAVELLER December 2011 – Lesser Spotted Seychelles:
« Excellent spa »

TRAVELMAG South Africa April 2011 – « Paradise at its best »

LE FIGARO February 2011 – Style & Vous: « Hôtel étonnant »

CLASS & RELAX Luxury Travel, Art and Lifestyle February 2011 –
« Combining elegance and zen refinement »

THE SUNDAY TIMES TRAVEL April 2010 – Seychelles : Where to stay:
« Best for Traditionalists »

ELLE MAGAZINE February 2010 – Top 10 des lunes de miel:
« Le 7ème Ciel aux Seychelles »

You can find some more interesting interviews with other great managers here.

Beach Wedding in Paradise
One can also get married here in paradise. For those that are interested in hosting their dream wedding on the Seychelles: You can find images and a video of a beautiful wedding that took place on La Digue here.

Three years ago we got married on Anse Source d’Argent beach ourselves. An unforgettable dreamlike experience! You can find the article about our wedding here.

“Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie” – back in the most romantic hotel on La Digue (+ Video)

Hochzeit, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Indian Ocean, Indischer Ozean, Seychellen, Seychelles, Wedding 30. October 2015 0 Comments

Welcome back – your home away from home!

For our 3rd wedding anniversary, we finally went back to the Seychelles! Three years ago, we stayed at this exceptional hotel and experienced our dream wedding on the beach at Anse Source d’Argent.

This time, we (me, as photographer and my husband Marcus, as videographer) accompanied another wedding couple to their dream wedding and were so fortunate to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary, in this beloved hotel.

With a golf cart we were picked up from the jetty and brought to the hotel. Here we were welcomed with the sound of the gong, a refreshing drink and warm smiles. It is these warm and lovely details that made us fall in love with the hotel on our first visit!

A lot has happened in the last 3 years! The Garden Villas were completely rebuilt and renovated. More Villas de Charmes have been added and the restaurant was somewhat rebuilt and expanded. In addition, 8 new Garden Suite Residences were added. So the hotel went from the previously 45 to 63 Villas now.

Of course, it is also a bit busier, but thankfully, the personal service, charm and attention to detail have remained!

In addition, modern mountain bikes have been imported from Germany for the bicycle rental. These can be rented for 5 euros a day.

Interview with Manager Selby Pool
We spoke with Selby Pool – the super friendly Marketing Manager of Le Domaine.

Rooms

Garden Villas (renovated)

The Garden Villas were completely rebuilt and given a facelift. Although cosy, the previously dark and colonial-dominated 60 square meter room now has a stylish Zen feel to it with fresh colours, light wood, stone walls and floors, ornate objects and endless attention to detail.

The 10 former 2-storey rooms were converted into two separate rooms and so there are now 20 Garden Villas where three guests can comfortably stay.

The design is unusual, contemporary and modern. Nevertheless, also playful and romantic and fits in perfectly with the overall concept of the hotel.

I just love these beautiful stone strings. They are ultra-stylish and can be found everywhere in the hotel.

Garden Suite Residences (new)

Directly behind the Garden Villas, 8 new Garden Suite Residences were built. These Suites are ideal for families as they all have a bedroom and a living room where up to 2 children can stay. The design is a good blend of the Zen style of the modern Garden Villas and the more romantic Villas de Charme. They are super cosy and have plenty of space with a seating area and a big half-open bathroom. From the terraces, you have an idyllic view over a small river and the countryside.

Villas de Charme / Villas de Charme Élégance (beautiful as ever)

These 31 Villas de Charme embody the charm of La Digue and are unique, romantic tree houses built into the slopes of the hillside. The 3 Villas de Charme Elegance also have their own private jacuzzis.

Our tip: The really stunning view, that otherwise only the President Villa offers, you also have from Villas 224 and 234. You are welcome to enquire about the availability of these particular Villas, but it cannot be guaranteed that they will be available.

Of course, you also have to accept the ascent that comes with an exceptional view like this or you simply have to wait for one of the golf carts.

The highlight: You can also enjoy the beautiful view from your bathtub!

Villa Présidentielle (speechless)

The 485 square meter presidential villa is an absolute dream. The pool and the spectacular views, are simply stunning! Here there is a feeling of absolute tranquility and freedom.

Those who have the necessary means can enjoy the brilliant view with up to 6 guests from their own infinity pool. In addition, there are also a jacuzzi, a butler and soon, your own fitness equipment.

Pool

The beautiful pool area with infinity pool, countless deckchairs and a poolside bar is a refreshing alternative to a swim in the Indian Ocean.

Infinity Pool Bar

The Pool Bar on the seafront is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a sundowner cocktail while watching a spectacular sunset!

The Alambic bar is open from 6 in the evening.

Restaurants

Santosha Restaurant

Breakfast and dinner is served buffet style in the chic Santosha Restaurant, overlooking the Indian Ocean. If you want to, even with your feet in the sand!

Our beloved turtledoves were back!

In the evening, Santosha serves popular international fare and local Creole specialties in a live cooking style and a “Catch of the day” buffet. The cuisine is varied, fresh and very tasty!

Le Combava Restaurant

The highly recommended Le Combava Restaurant is a romantic à la carte restaurant with a few tables right by the pool and excellent cuisine!

Spa

Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to visit the beautiful Eden Rock Spa this time round, but our report from our previous visit, can be found here.

Beaches

Hotel beach

Next to the hotel is the small hotel beach with its dreamy pavilions as sun protection.

Anse Servere

If you drive a few minutes by bike in a northerly direction, you can go and swim at the beautiful Anse Severe beach. There is not much going on here and you will find a shady spot.

Anse Source d´Argent

This picturesque dream beach is definitely not to be missed! The famous Bacardi beach is the purest and whitest beach that we have found so far and is absolutely worth a visit.

The beach is about a 20-30 minute bike ride from the hotel. Just like 3 years ago, there are still some dogs on the beach, but unfortunately, not as many as before.

Anyone who has more time, should also cycle to the Grand Anse and Petit Anse beaches.

We simply love this romantic island pearl on La Digue!

It really was an absolute dream come true to check in at this hotel and this oasis of peace and serenity again. The wonderful tropical vegetation, the beautiful Zen-like design, the excellent cuisine and the welcoming staff ensure an absolute feel-good atmosphere and all-round relaxation. In our opinion, it remains one of the finest and most distinctive hotels we have ever stayed at! It was certainly not our last time here!

Rooms: 63 Villas in 5 Categories
Air Temperature: 24 – 30 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 25 – 27 degrees Celsius
Best time to visit: April, May and October to mid-December
Price: From 350 EUR / night breakfast included
Special: 6 = 7 offer
Honeymoon Special: Welcome fruit basket and champagne in your room | from 5 nights in addition: a 30-minute manicure or pedicure for the woman as well as a romantic candlelight dinner at Le Restaurant Combava
Re-admission Special: Up to 15% discount on the room
Special features: Very personal service | extremely romantic ambience | the nicest place on the island | stunning Zen Design
Perfect for: Couples, honeymooners, discerning travellers, nature lovers, people seeking peace and quiet, romantic souls and families

Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie
Anse Sévère, La Digue, Seychelles
Tel : (00248) 4299 999
Fax : (00248) 4299 888
reservations@orangeraie.sc
www.orangeraie.sc

L’OFFICIEL VOYAGES Avril-Mai 2012 – Adresses d’initiés:
« Un cocon ouvert sur la nature »
TRAVEL LIVING UK September 2012 – « The most stylish »
CONDE NAST TRAVELLER December 2011 – Lesser Spotted Seychelles:
« A very smart mini-resort »
CONDE NAST TRAVELLER December 2011 – Le Domaine’s Restaurant:
« The best place to eat on the island »
CONDE NAST TRAVELLER December 2011 – Lesser Spotted Seychelles:
« Excellent spa »
TRAVELMAG South Africa April 2011 – « Paradise at its best »
LE FIGARO February 2011 – Style & Vous: « Hôtel étonnant »
CLASS & RELAX Luxury Travel, Art and Lifestyle February 2011 –
« Combining elegance and zen refinement »
THE SUNDAY TIMES TRAVEL April 2010 – Seychelles : Where to stay:
« Best for Traditionalists »
ELLE MAGAZINE February 2010 – Top 10 des lunes de miel:
« Le 7ème Ciel aux Seychelles »

Beach wedding in paradise
For those who are interested in the wedding: You can find images and the video of this dream wedding here.

Hakusembe River Lodge, Namibia – Romantic Idyll and Beach Feeling on the Okavango River

Africa, Namibia 3. September 2015 0 Comments

Our Honeymoon-Tip in the north of Namibia!

After a dusty drive, we reached the extremely romantic Hakusembe River Lodge, situated 12 km west of Rundu in the northernmost tip of Namibia. It lies on the banks of the Okavango River, directly across from Angola.

The Hakusembe River Lodge is one of 14 special lodges that is part of the Gondwana Collection. Gondwana is not a normal hotel chain, but consists of good quality lodges combining proximity to beautiful nature and wildlife with comfort and warm Namibian hospitality – Namibia with heart and soul.

Directly upon arrival we were extended a warm welcome by manager Edison that greeted us with a beaming smile and a refreshing drink.

The floating deck right on the river bank, a light breeze and the gentle murmur of the reeds – you feel as if you are at the beach – gorgeous!

From the opposite the river bank you hear the distant happy voices coming from the villages in Angola. Boys riding on their donkeys and locals row by in their canoes. All worldly worries float away and you simply breathe and relax!

Hakusembe means “tranquil setting beside a placid river“.

To cool off, there is a nice pool in a tropical setting.

You can stay in one of 22 thatched chalets with a great view of the river in the beautiful landscaped gardens among the huge trees.

Here you only hear birds chirping, the uniform tapping of the woodpecker and the wind whispering.

The chalets are tastefully decorated with huge beds with mosquito nets, a shower and many loving details.

In the morning there was a thermos flask of freshly brewed coffee on the terrace. A super sweet gesture!

The Honeymoon highlight – a floating chalet

The cosy one bedroom chalet is reserved especially for honeymooners! And what a pity that we were not on honeymoon!

Here you get to stay all alone as newlyweds, right on the banks of the river with a terrace and corner bath. Privacy and romance pure!

Activities

Naturally, most activities take place in the water. Offered are river trips, fishing trips (fishing for tiger fish), water skiing, picnic trips with wildlife and bird watching and cultural trips (African Cultural Experience with UKUMWE) in the nearby villages. You will see hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and over 400 species of birds are listed.

A special highlight for us was the “Sunset Champagne Cruise on the Okavango” with canapés. Absolutely breathtaking to watch the sunset with a drink in hand, totally relaxed in such a tranquil atmosphere.

The food …

…is outstanding! And lunch is also highly recommended! Absolutely delicious!

In the evening, the 3-course menu is served in the cosy restaurant or on the terrace.

Afterwards you can enjoy a delicious Amarula liqueur at the bar. Employees also really have fun here!

Breakfast

One can hardly imagine a more beautiful setting to enjoy a hearty breakfast! An absolute idyll!

In the small shop at reception, you can buy some souvenirs.

Relax and unwind in harmony with nature

We were absolutely enchanted by this lodge and we were really surprised about how nice the lodge really is! The great location, the scenic surroundings and very cheerful staff made our stay simply unforgettable! We really would have liked to stay longer! Absolute feel-good atmosphere! And, to have one’s own secluded floating chalet is an absolute dream for honeymooners! Romantic and wonderfully idyllic!

Transfer: Windhoek Airport is about 770 km away
Altitude: 1095 meters above sea level
Air Temperature: 5 – 35 degrees Celsius.
When to go: May to September. Rainy season is from January to March. The end of April / May is perfect weatherwise.
Price: From 85 EUR per person / night (double room) including Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Children 0-5 years: free, Children 6-13 years: 50% discount on accommodation and breakfast
Board: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Special features: Beautiful garden, great location right on the river, unique boat tours, very friendly staff, great atmosphere, chic chalets
Campsite: 4 campsites can host 8 people
Advice: Arrive early, if you stay one night only, so that you can still participate in one of the activities (better to stay more than 1 night). Manager Edison’s is a huge Bayern fan – so whoever has an extra football jersey lying around – he will be thrilled!

Hakusembe River Lodge
Kanzoni, Owamboland
Namibia
Telephone: +264 66 257010
Fax: +264 61 251863
Service Telephone (24 hours): +264 81 129 2424
hakusembe@gondwana-collection.com
www.gondwana-collection.com
www.facebook.com/gondwana.collection.namibia

Certificate of Excellence 2014 TripAdvisor

From here we went on to the Mokuti Etosha Lodge and the Etosha National Park.

Note: During our stay we were partially supported by the Hakusembe River Lodge. The opinions expressed in the article are as always our own – 100 percent!

We are looking forward to your comments!

MerkenMerken

Mokuti Etosha Lodge, Namibia – Wellness, Wildlife & fantastic Game Drives in the Etosha National Park (+ video)

Africa, animal welfare, Honeymoon, Interviews, Namibia 9. July 2015 0 Comments

On our trip to Namibia, we were lucky to visit the beautiful Mokuti Etosha Lodge. This luxurious safari lodge is located on a 4,000 hectare nature reserve adjacent to Etosha National Park (the eastern Von Lindequist Gate is a mere 500 metres away) and is surrounded by a small forest of indigenous trees.

Mokuti means ‘in the forest’ in Ovambo. After a hot and dusty drive, we were greeted on arrival with a refreshing drink and a warm Namibian welcome. We then took a golf buggy along winding pathways and across the green oasis to the accommodation, which is spread across the forest and gardens. Squirrels scurry around in the trees and on the pathways, and two large mongoose families also welcome guests as well as keep snakes away.

At the pool bar we relaxed with a refreshing cocktail on the comfortable sofas and watched the mongooses. The huge pool provides refreshment on hot days.

In addition to the 106 rooms in traditional style, the lodge has an exclusive spa, two swimming pools, a separate children’s splash pool, two floodlit tennis courts, a gym, a reptile park, hiking trails, a private airstrip, three restaurants, two bars and a conference room.

We enjoyed our meals in the Tambuti Dining Room in the African boma and al fresco under the big trees. At breakfast the squirrels often came to visit. Some even jump on the tables. We loved this. What a great experience!

The cuisine at Mokuti Lodge consists mainly of typical Namibian dishes with local ingredients, and the selection is huge. As much as you may love to, it would be very difficult to work your way through the whole menu.

As a starter, for example, butternut soup, main courses, such as kudu and beef and desserts like the traditional malva pudding, are on offer. Menu

Rooms

The lodge has 90 standard, 8 luxury and 8 luxury family rooms, each with air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, free wireless internet, tea and coffee station and an en-suite bathroom with shower. The entire lodge was completely renovated in 2008. At the moment, the luxury rooms are being refurbished.

All the rooms are situated in the sprawling, tropical gardens in separate, chalet style, thatched roof buildings with African charm. This ensures that guests still have privacy in this relatively large lodge.

Mokuti Spa

Something else that is great about the lodge, is its small but excellent spa with jacuzzi. It is beautifully designed, the therapists are very kind and it is well worth a visit. It was wonderful to unwind and relax in the middle of our trip. There are a variety of massages and treatments available at affordable prices. The massage in the open thatched pavilion with birds chirping in the background, is highly recommended and the experience was one of the highlights of our trip. Spa Menu

Game Drives in the Etosha National Park

The highlight of our stay was of course the game drives in the Etosha National Park. The Etosha National Park is a 22,200m² wildlife reserve in the north of Namibia, on the northwestern edge of the Kalahari basin. The name Etosha means ‘great white place’ in Himba.

Although Namibia is dominated by barren deserts, the abundance of wildlife in this national park is as diverse as many of Africa’s great parks. It is home to 340 birds and 114 different animal species such as zebras, springbok, eland, oryx, kudu, giraffe, as well as lions, leopards, elephants and rhinos. The biodiversity is truly impressive and spectacular game viewing is guaranteed.

During our private game drives, our guide was always at the right place at the right time. At the waterholes, we observed several large herds of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, rhinos, young lions and many other animals. It was absolutely fascinating to see the elephants walk by so close to the vehicle. During the 4 hour game drive there is more than enough time to watch and take pictures of the animals. You have to remember that these are wild animals in their natural habitat and at times you have to be patient and just wait for the lions to emerge from the bush, for example.

There are so much to experience! Even the black rhino greet each other so lovingly, that it almost looks like they are kissing. Because the lodge is so close to the Etosha National Park, you can stay in the park right up to the last minute and then make your way back, just before sunset. The game rangers really try their best to ensure that guests get to see as many wild animals as possible.

Those that still cannot get enough, can get to know the African bush better on foot or can visit the Ontouka Reptile Park where you can admire all sorts of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes like the black mamba.

Wedding

With its ample accommodation and serene atmosphere, the Mokuti Etosha Lodge is the perfect wedding venue in Namibia. Once you have said your “I dos, you and your wedding guests can party the night away.

Although the lodge is large, you can still host an intimate wedding here. You can celebrate in one of the restaurants or you can have a romantic dinner for two, or if you wish, dinner with the entire wedding party, in the middle of the bush. In any case, you can be certain that everything will be lovingly taken care of. And, if you do have a long guest list, the many rooms are perfect.

Mokuti Wedding eBook

Interview mit Assistant General Manager Tanja Bedford

The assistant general manager, Tanja, was kind enough to show us around and told us a bit more about the lodge.

Conclusion

At Mokuti Etosha Lodge we felt right at home and got to experience amazing wildlife encounters both in and outside the lodge. The wildlife encounters here are particularly special. You virtually stay among the wild animals. And although the squirrels are quite tame, you simply do not get to experience feeding them every day.

The lodge is perfect for families, animal and nature lovers, spa enthusiasts, and even for a big wedding. The vast, beautiful grounds, the cosy, open-air bar at the pool, mongoose and squirrels roaming freely and the cheerful, animal-loving staff create an absolutely amazing feel-good atmosphere. As an animal lover you are in paradise here! Everything is so easygoing and relaxed, and the game drives in the Etosha National Park are simply unforgettable and definitely not to be missed! To see and experience so many wild animals all at once, is absolutely spectacular.

Transfer: Windhoek airport is about 530 km away
Altitude: 1112 meters above sea level
Air temperature: 4 – 38 degrees Celsius
When to go: May to September. Rainy season is from January to March. End April / May is perfect weather wise
Price: From 180 EUR per night (double room) including dinner, bed and breakfast, children 0-6 years free, 7-15 years 50%.
Board: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Special features: huge pool, free roaming wild animals at the lodge, great food, beautiful landscaped, tropical garden, cosy pool bar, great spa, spectacular game drives in the Etosha National Park
Tip: Book your spa treatments before arrival.

Mokuti Flyer
Mokuti iBroschüre

Mokuti Etosha Lodge
Farm 941, Kleinbegin
PO Box 403, Tsumeb
T + 264-67-229084
F + 264-88-652-3230
eMail
www.mokutietoshalodge.com
www.facebook.com/MokutiLodge

Tripadvisor Award of Excellence
Tripadvisor Hall of Fame

Note: During our stay we were partially supported by the Mokuti Lodge. The opinions expressed in the article are as always our own – 100 percent!

We are looking forward to your comments!

GocheGanas Nature Reserve & Wellness Village, Namibia – wide open spaces and pure relaxation in the wilderness (+ video)

Africa, animal welfare, Honeymoon, Interviews, Namibia, Video 12. June 2015 0 Comments

Majestic nature, wildlife, wellness, luxury and maybe even your dream wedding in the bush

This luxurious, privately run lodge is located 29 km south east of Windhoek and about 75 km from the airport, making it the ideal beginning or even better, as in our case, the perfect ending to a memorable Namibia trip. GocheGanas is situated high on a hilltop with breathtaking beautiful views onto the awesome Namibian landscape. This luxurious lodge offers a unique combination of wildlife, nature and wellness experiences.

“GOCHEGANAS” means “place of camel thorns abounding with candle-pod Acacias” in the Damara language.

Elegant chalets

The lodge has sixteen spacious and elegantly designed chalets, each with an en-suite bathroom, private wooden terrace, air conditioning, TV, mini-bar and telephone. One definitely does not need the TV here, as the bush TV is much more interesting.

Ten of the chalets have double beds and a view protected outdoor shower, the other five chalets have superior king-size beds. There is also a family suite with two separate double rooms, which are connected by a spacious terrace.

The view is absolutely amazing in the morning! We would always love to see it.

Wellness Village

For total relaxation there is a great spa with eleven modern equipped treatment rooms, with state of the art equipment such as a heated indoor swimming pool with a masonry vault, an outdoor swimming pool with breathtaking views, a Granite Bath (cave sauna), Kneipp showers and a well equipped fitness gym, yoga facilities as well as a fruit and juice bar.

A large variety of wellness treatments are offered from facial and hair treatments, peelings and massages, pedicures, manicures and baths. For your massage experience you can choose from Marula Oil, Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Four Hands and Outdoor massages. GocheGanas truly offers an extensive wellness experience at an affordable price.

At the outdoor swimming pool you should also have your camera or binoculars ready to watch the giraffe, waterbuck and many other animals passing by.

Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended is the Outdoor massage. After all, who would expect, that when you are picked up in your bathrobe, you first have to get into a Jeep! We were a bit surprised. Once we arrived at a quiet spot, the massage tables were set up and ready was the small outdoor spa. How wonderful to be massaged in the wilderness, in a light breeze with birds chirping in the background.

There are such a variety of treatments on offer and more than enough treatment rooms and staff, that one can spontaneously decide to try a treatment. Besides the Outdoor massage, we also had hair treatments, pedicures and Indian Head massages. They were all done very professionally and were so relaxing.

Spa Menu

Activities

There are 25 different wildlife species located on this private and beautiful 6,000 hectare nature reserve including square-lipped (white) rhinoceros, bat-eared foxes, giraffe, mountain- and plains zebra, cheetah, jackal, leopards, blue- and black wildebeest, eland, oryx, red hartebeest, kudu, springbok, waterbuck, steenbok, duiker, klipspringer, ostriches and warthogs.

Among the activities offered are hikes, guided or individually, game drives, mountain biking, again guided or individually, climbing tours, trips to Windhoek and star gazing under professional guidance.

For the protection of the animals, especially the square-lipped (white) rhinoceros, a Wildlife Welfare Program was launched. There are currently 6 rhinos that live in GocheGanas and 8 rhinos have already been bred and given to other national parks.

Game drive with guide
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon you can explore the abundant wildlife with a game drive. Our drive with guide Mark, was really very interesting. Even though we had already experienced many game drives on our trip, we were still able to discover new animals and learn more.

At sunset we stopped for sundowner drinks and snacks.

Walking on your own
It is so cool that you can walk around on your own here. You get a trail map and then you just follow the painted tracks (white paws and arrows). Such a tour then takes 1-2 hours and with a little luck, you may even get to see some of the many wild animals on your way.

Your physical well-being…

… is well taken care of! The lodge offers excellent gourmet cuisine. In the evening a 3-course meal is served and you can choose between 3 different main courses. Namibian, sometimes even European and vegetarian dishes are served. We always thought the food was delicious!

With a sundowner in the 360 ° bar you can end your day on a high note.

Honeymoon

In the seclusion of the lodge, with its great wellness program and the magnificent landscape, your honeymoon can only be fantastic. Unique sunsets, a sundowner cocktail at the bar or a romantic candlelight dinner under the stars – this is pure romance! Here you can really enjoy your time together as a couple.

Honeymoon-Special: Special turndown service, upgrade to a king-size bed chalet, candlelight dinner around the campfire, Crystal Bath with champagne in the spa

Weddings

One can also get married at GocheGanas. You can either experience “the most beautiful day in your life” just as a couple or in a small group. Naturally, the entire lodge can also be booked exclusively. Up to 35 people can stay here and celebrate all night long.

For the wedding ceremony itself, you drive about 20 minutes to this stunning location, the staff affectionately calls “Little Switzerland”. A gazebo is put up and is then beautifully decorated.

The view here is absolutely breathtaking! On the way to the ceremony, guests get to see some more wildlife. And, how wonderful it must be to get married with giraffes passing by?!

Interview mit manager Katharina Faasch-Lourens

The multilingual management team of the lodge is always available. Whether it is making small talk at breakfast or dinner – the team will tackle things personally to ensure that their guests are well taken care of. They have quite a few interesting stories to tell!

Manager Katharina was kind enough to tell us a bit more about the lodge and its amenities.

Conclusion

This dream lodge really has so much to offer! The beautiful chalets and the views are simply to die for! The Wellness Village is a great place to relax and get pampered. The food is delicious and the game drives are diverse and interesting!

We found it just gorgeous and very relaxing! The perfect way to end our road trip in Namibia. At GocheGanas you simply feel completely at home and can really unwind! The wide open spaces and the view of the mountains are just amazing! We did not want to leave!

The management team really has some great ideas! Whether the spectacular outdoor massage in the bush, a bush lunch under an acacia tree, a bush dinner with barbecue or the bonfire on special occasions – at GocheGanas anything is possible!

Info

GocheGanas Broschüre (eng)
GocheGanas Infoblatt (deu)

Air temperature: 4 – 38 degrees Celsius
Altitude: 1714 – 2211 m above sea level
When to go: May to September. Rainy season is from January to March. Late April / May is perfect weather wise
Price: From 306 EUR per night (double room) including dinner, bed and breakfast.
Board: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Overall rating: *****
Special features: Multilingual management team (including German), beautiful scenery with a wonderful panoramic views, excellent wellness facilities, great game drives, delicious food, very friendly staff, conference room for up to 15 people
Tip: Stay for a minimum of 2 nights stay, if not longer – you can really relax here and there is so much to experience

GocheGanas is located in a malaria and ebola-free area!

GocheGanas
P.O. Box 40770
Windhoek
Namibia

Telephone: +264 (0) 61 224909
Fax: +264 (0) 61 224924
Reservation: reservations@gocheganas.com
eMail: info@gocheganas.com
www.gocheganas.com

Certificate of Excellence | Winner 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 Tripadvisor

Note: During our stay we were partially supported by the GocheGanas Lodge. The opinions expressed in the article are as always our own – 100 percent!

We are looking forward to your comments and we hope you feel now inspired to visit the Lodge!

n’Kwazi Lodge, Namibia – A natural paradise on the Okavango, responsible travelling and social commitment (+ video)

Africa, Namibia, social commitment 2. June 2015 0 Comments

Travelling, getting to know the country and its people and making a difference

During our tour of Namibia we got to know this beautiful lodge in the north and also learned a lot about the local people.

The n’Kwazi Lodge & Camping Site opened its doors in 1995 and is located about 20 km east of Rundu, tucked away among the lush riverine vegetation on the banks of the Okavango River. This family-run lodge is not only a comfortable and an affordable stopover when travelling in the Zambezi region, formerly known as the Caprivi Strip, or to Botswana, but the owners Valerie, Pieter and Wynand Peypers also like to promote responsible travelling. They are involved in many development and educational projects that support the local community. We were totally impressed with their great work!

You can stay in one of eighteen environment friendly bungalows or you can overnight in the camping area. Facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a comfortable lounge and a pool.

There also live a few horses at the lodge that guests formerly could ride.

Since the Okavango floods from time to time, the bottom part of the lodge has been raised and the restaurant and bar are now sunk slightly into the ground. Work is already in progress to fulfil a dream of the owners, namely to build the restaurant right on the river on a platform.

The lodge is known for its excellent cuisine! During the evening a delicious buffet is served in the semi-open air restaurant in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Local family style food is served in many pots and pans around the open fire. The same applies to the delicious breakfast.

Environment friendly bungalows

The lodge has eighteen trendy bungalows each with its own bathroom, veranda and mosquito net. Thirteen of the bungalows have a clear view of the Okavango River with Angola on the other side. The other five bungalows have beautiful garden views. Electricity is only provided for four hours a day, from 6pm – 10pm. During the remaining hours of the day there are solar lamps available. Wi-Fi, also on solar power, is only available at the bar.

The nights here are quite cool. Since there are no window panes, but only gauze in the large windows, we recommend warm clothes for the nights.

Activities

There are boat, hiking and bird tours on offer as well as tours to the local villages. Traditional dances are performed for 10 or more overnight guests.

Angola – Kids

Angola

Mayana Mpora Foundation

With the Community Trails project of the Mayana Mpora Foundation, which was launched in 2002, the local communities are supported. They should also benefit from tourism in the region. At the same time you as a traveller, can get to know the locals a little better. With a guide from the lodge one can for example do Village Walks for N$ 50. The proceeds go entirely to the local villages.

Some of the other projects include community dance performances for the guests of the lodge (the proceeds go entirely to the participants), sponsor programs for secondary students, a sewing group, a garden project, the building and maintenance of an orphanage, a nursery school as well as a sports and community centre.

Village Walk

Info-Flyer

Marcus is a very dedicated staff member, whose whole heart is in the community projects. With the Village Walks, he tries to give visitors glimpses into the lives of the local people.

The locals do not have it easy as poverty and unemployment are huge problems.

Five people will for example live in a small house, sleeping three together in a bed and two in front of the bed on the ground.

Their daily diet is simple and sometimes consists of only one meal. Normally they do not have breakfast. The earth in the Mayana region consists mainly of barren sand, but millet and pumpkin can for example be planted.

The children fish, with worms that they breed themselves, small fish in the river, which are then dried.

Water needs to be fetched on a daily basis from a river that is up to ten kilometres away. It remains the work of the women and younger children and a water container can weigh up to 20 kilos. Therefore Wynand’s current project and labour of love, is to build wells in the local villages.

A nice gift to take a long when visiting one of the local villages is for example, T-shirts, children’s toys, pencils and school supplies.

n’Kwazi-Pre-Primary School

Education is important. Currently there are about fifty three children between the ages of five and six in n’Kwazi Pre-Primary School. They are not only taught knowledge, but also hygiene. Thus, every morning at school, each child can first shower and brush their teeth. This privately run school is entirely funded by voluntary contributions. Info-Flyer

You can help!

In order to continue to carry through with all these projects, the Peypers need support. You can help by participating in any of the various activities in the Mayana area, by volunteering, by visiting n’Kwazi Lodge and of course, by making a donation. For example, 6-18 EUR will pay for a full academic year for a child in one of the fourteen schools. Each and every donation entirely goes directly to one of these projects. Not only financial contributions count. Even children’s toys, Christmas decorations, clothing or sports equipment donations are more than welcome. Info-Flyer

We were able to see for ourselves, what has already been achieved here with donations and a lot of work. Even a little, can help a lot here!

For more information, please visit: nkwazi-communitytrails.com

You can also read more on Ingrid Poike’s blog. She is a dedicated pensioner from Chemnitz and has taken care of the Mayana project for many years with all her heart and soul. You can also direct your donations to her. She flies to Namibia twice a year and to help to n’Kwazi. She buys school uniforms, textbooks, dictionaries, school supplies, food and also hosts children’s parties for the kids, all locally. Furthermore, she pays tuition fees for students from the 8th to 12th grade, boarding school fees and examination fees for the 10th and 12th grade students, all from the voluntary financial contributions.

Currently, 5 solar cookers, sponsored by the Rotary Club Stollberg / Erzgebirge, have already been built-in in the Pre-Primary School, in the Mayana Primary School and in the Kayengona Combined School. Thereby cooking is done much faster and no more wood has to be burned.

Spendenkonto
Mayana Mpora Foundation
Bank Windhoek
Branch Rundu, Branch Code 483173, P.O. BOX 1623
Account Nr.: 8000537219
Swift Code: BWLINANXXXX
Verwendungszweck: Pre-School, Students, Orphans or common Mayana Mpora

You can contact Ingrid directly via e-mail for the German account details.

Conclusion

We really enjoyed it here and could have stayed longer! We especially enjoyed the quietness, the exquisite landscape, the nice people, the beautifully laid out lodge and of course, the commitment of the owners and the numerous aid projects, made a deep impression on us. It was great to get to know more about the local people and to be able to contribute something to the improvement of their lives. We also prefer making a donation, when we know where it goes and that it also gets there!

Information

Air temperature: 0 – 35 degrees Celsius
When to go: May to September. Rainy season is from January to March. The end of April/May is perfect weather wise.
Price: From 35 EUR per person / night (double room) including Dinner, Bed & Breakfast 7 EUR at the campsite
Board: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Overall rating: ******
Special features: beautiful scenery, very friendly owners & staff, beautiful bungalows, delicious food, wonderful atmosphere to relax in, great aid projects
Tip: The lodge is located in a high-risk malaria area and we highly recommend malarial prophylaxis and the use of mosquito repellent.

n’Kwazi Lodge & Camping Site
PO Box 1623
Rundu, Namibia
International +264 81 242 4897 / +264 81 239 0633 / +264 81 718 5371
Inside Namibia 081 242 4897 / 081 239 0633 / 081 718 5371
reservations@nkwazilodge.com
www.nkwazilodge.com
www.facebook.com/nkwazilodgerundu

We would be so pleased if you now also feel like visiting the lodge or even supporting the work of the Peypers family and Ingrid Poike.

Note: During our stay we were partially supported by the n’Kwazi Lodge. The opinions expressed in the article are as always our own – 100 percent!

OKONJIMA Lodge, Namibia – Luxus lodge & genuine animal protection for large carnivores (+ videos)

Africa, animal welfare, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Interviews, Namibia, social commitment, Video, Videos 31. May 2015 0 Comments

A paradise for nature lovers, animal lovers, romantics, honeymooners and large carnivores in the OKONJIMA Nature Reserve

Situated halfway between the capital Windhoek and the Etosha National Park, the OKONJIMA Game Reserve is situated amidst the Omboroko Mountains on the Waterberg Plateau, near Otjiwarongo. OKONJIMA (a Herero name meaning “Place of the baboons”) is not just simply a luxury lodge but also the home of the non-profit organization “AfriCat Foundation & Carnivore Care Center”.

The trip through the reserve is thus already a wonderful experience. Here you can already meet the first wild animals.

The former cattle farm of the Brahman cattle breeding is a family-run business. In 1993 the cattle was sold, the Hanssen’s farm house was rebuilt into a lodge and the cattle farm turned into a nature protection project. Wayne, Donna and Rosalea Hanssen bought the farm from their parents and are now living there.

The unconventional concept of the lodge offers a broad range of options and is in our opinion unique. You can stay in the family-friendly Plains Camp, in the wonderful Chalets in the Luxury Bush Camp, in the luxurious Private Bush Suite, in the Grand African Villa or on the Campsite.

With the “AfriCat-Foundation” family Hanssen has set herself the task to protect and rehabilitate the endangered large carnivores such as cheetahs, leopards and lions. Today the 20.000ha nature reserve is the home of numerous cheetahs, leopards, lions, caracals, wild dogs and hyenas. Since 1993 more than 1,000 big cats have been saved and caretaken by AfriCat, 86% of those have been released back into the wild.

The extraordinary design and the lovingly styled interior of the lodge have been created by the family Hanssen and by Shanna. Everything is being designed, created and produced by the OKONJIMA team or ordered in Windhoek. Terrific!

Interview with Manager Shanna Rae Groenewald

We talked to Shanna, the wonderful manager of Okonjima. She elaborately imparts the visitors her knowledge about the beautiful big cats and the vision of AfriCat and Okonjima in a very passionate way. Apart from this she plans individual and dreamlike bush weddings and loves to photograph them herself.

Private Bush Suite

The Private Bush Suite is really stunning and just perfect for a romantic stay for two or with the family, for the honeymoon or the wedding. You have a lot of privacy and pure luxury here!

In the two luxurious bedrooms there is space for four persons. There is a bedroom with sunrise view and one with sunset view, a living room with chimney, a bathroom with a bath tub, an indoor and an outdoor shower, several terraces, a pool, a fireplace and an own waterhole where you can observe the wild animals.

After arriving at the Bush Suite we were heartily welcomed by Claudia and we were directly visited by giraffes, kudus, impalas and wart hogs.

The special extra: An own cook, an own guide with safari jeep and a maid who practically anticipate your every wish belong to the suite. All activities and meal times are being adjusted to your wishes. Where else can you have such a luxury? Simply magnificent!

Bush-Suite Team: Mike (guide), Claudia (the good soul) & Christopher (cook)

There is sufficient bird food in the villa for feeding the birds.

Especially in the evening it is dreamily romantic with your own fireplace, the chimney in the living-room and the extremely delicious three course menu made by your own cook. We can hardly imagine something more romantic than sitting nearby the fireplace in the evening and observing the animals pass by the water hole.

All drinks are included. The villa has a kitchen with a well stocked fridge and all kinds of wines and soft drinks.

One cannot awake in a more pleasant manner. And if you want to, you can sleep with open walls, the way we used to do. We loved it! It got a bit chilly in the night but therefore there were enough warm blankets to cover yourself with. For this view and this sunrise we loved getting up early to see animals or to make an exciting game drive.

Grand African Villa

The villa for families or groups is bigger than the Bush Suite but just as stylish though. Over 10 persons can stay here. The family villa is the only one which is situated in the middle of the reserve. It may happen that the large carnivores walk by your place.

Luxury Bush Camp

The Bush Camp consists of eight unique chalets with thatched roofs in African style and a wedding suite. This was being renovated and extended. Pictures will follow soon.

Plains Camp

In 2014 the former Main Camp, that used to be the farm house, was extended and the old barn was transformed into the main sector of the Plains Camp.

This family-friendly camp consists of 6 to 10 comfortable en-suite double rooms with garden view and 10 new, spacious rooms with mountain or bush view. The lapa design mirrors with its elaborate details the story of the farm. And super personal: There are pictures of all employees and family members on the walls! There is also a cozy lounge area, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and the pool of the camp – this was formerly the farm’s water cistern.

Activities

Africat Foundation and Carnivore Care Center, game driving by day and by night, leopard and cheetah tracking (by tracking devices), hiking with and without a guide, Bushman Trail, photography, birding, observing nocturnal animals, and so on.

You will find the complete activity program here.

Tracking cheetahs and leopards with the passionate guides is a truly unique experience! Thanks to direction-finding transmitters you can get really close to the animals and above all, you can find them. Our guide Mike was really awesome and he was engaged with his heart and soul for the matter. You could feel his deep love for the animals and it was all a huge fun with him!

The following species belong to the carnivores: leopard, cheetah, caracal, small-spotted and large-spotted genets, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, aardwolves, bat-eared foxes, ratels, zorillas, slender, zebra and dwarf mangooses, red meerkats …

But you can also find other animal species: antelopes (kudu, orxy, eland, impala, red hartebeest, steinbock, blue wildebeest, springbok, duiker, Kirk’s dik-dik, porcupine, warthog, pangolin, giraffe, aardvark, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Burchell’s zebra, cape baboon, dassie, spring, bush and Jameson’s red rock hare, dassie rat, real ground squirrel, dormice, bats, turtles,… and more than 250 bird species.

AfriCat Foundation

True to the motto „Conservation through Education“ AfriCat dedicates itself to the protection and preservation of the carnivores in Namibia.

Carnivores are an important part of the ecosystem and also an important economic factor for the tourism. By informing and educating the local farmers and cattle drovers the foundation asks for more understanding, in order to weaken the conflict between man and carnivores – understanding prevents destruction! An awesome and absolutely impressive project!

OKONJIMA supports R.E.S.T. (Rare and Endangered Species Trust) and the Perivoli-Okonjima Country School because children are the future in a more sympathetic cohabitation of man and animals.

Further information from the passionate and truly engaged manager Shanna:

Do you want to help? Such a foundation is very costly. With a donation you can help the AfriCat Foundation with its great work. For 240,- EUR per year you can for example adopt a cheetah. Adopt a carnivore here!

We love Okonjima!

We are still highly impressed by our stay in this unbelievable and fascinating dream lodge. The stylish and cozy atmosphere, the extraordinary design, the passion and heartiness of the staff and the love for the beautiful carnivores and other animals struck you in an unspeakable way. We have met here only people who inspired us, who work devotedly and who want to achieve very much.

Perfect for:

Nature and animal lovers
There is no better place in Namibia where you can observe cheetahs and leopards. We were overwhelmed by the number of wild animals that you can observe from the next nearness.

Romantics & honeymooners
There is hardly anything more romantic than the Bush Suite with its fireplace, the chimney and the great view. The wonderful atmosphere, the heartiness and the feeling of being pampered the whole day by the team are the absolutely perfect frame for a dreamlike and romantic time for two. Awakening in the morning with open tent walls and the incredibly beautiful sunrise is an absolute dream!

Wedding
Manager Shanna organizes a customized dream (bush) wedding for the couple. There are not too many weddings being held here. Big weddings just once a year. A legally recognized ceremony is pretty effortful in Namibia, but it is possible. Easier is a symbolic ceremony. But if you wish, Shanna takes care of the paperwork. We would also like to get married here again! This vastness, the wild animals and the nice people can make this day nothing but perfect.

Okonjima Brochure
AfriCat Flyer

Air temperature: -1 – 40 degrees
Water temperature: 12 – 14 degrees
Best travel period: May – September (rainy period January to March), End of April and May is the best weather. Best time for safaris: September-October (end of the dry period)
Price: from 175 – 380 EUR/night for a double room in Plains Camp, from 535 EUR/night for a Bush Camp Chalet, from 915 EUR/night for the Private Bush Suite including full board, guide, cook and maid.
Catering: self-catering on the Campsite, for all other half board, full board or dinner, Bed & Breakfast incl. soft drinks and wines
Total ranking: ******
Specialties: Absolutely unique design and concept, wonderful nature, innumerable wild animals, romantic and relaxing atmosphere, super friendly staff, super interesting game drives with leopard and cheetah tracking, great animal preservation project.

Okonjima is situated in a malaria-free and ebola-free area!

PO Box 793, Otjiwarongo, Namibia
info@okonjimalodge.com

Tel. +26 67 687032/3/4 or +264 81 142 1195
Fax +264 67 687051

www.okonjima.com
www.africat.org

The World Travel Award for 2004
The Amarula Africa Award 2003
The Silver Otter Award 2002 – UK, 2^nd place
The WWF Green Trust Award 2000
The Genesis Award 1997 – Discovery Channel, BBC

Note: Many thanks to OKONJIMA for upgrading us into the Private Bush Suite. The views expressed in this article are, as always – our own! To 100%!

We are looking forward to your comments and we hope you feel now inspired to visit the Lodge or to support AfriCat with their precious work!

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge, Namibia – Ecotourism, romantic & pure wilderness (+ video)

Africa, Namibia, social commitment, Sustainable Tourism 30. May 2015 0 Comments

Wild romantic and unique wilderness in Zambezi

The Zambezi region (former Caprivi Strip) is one of the most fascinating places in Namibia. The tropical and wild Africa! Here it can happen that an elephant comes across the way! Unfortunately we have not met any but instead we have seen cattles and zebras.

The lodge is situated at about 480 km from Rundu, 75 km from Kongola and 130 km from Katima Mulilo. From Kongola you drive about 75 km on C46 in the direction of Sangwali. Up to this point the tarred roads are well constructed. Sangwali is still a very authentic African village with thatched round houses.

From the village you drive another 10 km to the lodge. This route is the pure adventure! 4×4 is a prerequisite! But please believe us, if you do not have a 4×4 car, it is better to have someone pick you up in Sangwali.

The Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge has a remote location on the isle Lupala on the riverside of one of the four channels of the Kwando Linyanti River System and is the only lodge that is situated in the very middle of the Linyanti Swamps and less than 300 m from the Nkasa Lupala National Park (former Mamili National Park). The islands Lupala and Nkasa have also lent their names to the lodge.

This unique Namibian marshland paradise is in the eastern part of the Zambezi region. You partly feel like being in the Okavango Delta.

For adventure seekers and people looking for a unique experience in the wilderness this lodge is an absolute Must.

The Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge is a joint venture between the managers of the lodge, the Italian family Micheletti and the Wuparo Conservancy. This joint venture is part of the successful and award-winning „Namibian Conservancy Program”.

The Wuparo Conservancy was founded under an ecotourism project by the Namibian environmental programme by the Mayeyi Traditional Authority with private participation of the family Micheletti. Together they aim at protecting the nature and fostering the well-being of the people in that region. A part of the revenues of the lodge are being transferred to the Wuparo Conservancy.

95 % of the employees of the lodge come from the community. Once 9 employees have now become 23. By this for sure the life in the villages is also improving. Within the frame of the non-governmental organization IRDNC (Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation) the inhabitants of the region ensure the wildlife protection. They intend to prevent poaching and illegal hunts.

The managers of the lodge, the brothers Simone, Alessandro and Ruggero Micheletti want to offer their guests since July 2011 a special wilderness adventure and unique experiences and at the same time to ensure also a reasonable and ecofriendly tourism management. The three of them are real visionaries with passion, sensitivity and love for nature, animals and humans. Absolutely impressive! Further information >>

Interview mit manager Alessandro Micheletti

We talked to manager Alessandro. In this video he tells us about his vision and the wonderful lodge. A great man with great opinions!

Gentle Tourism

The whole lodge was built according to the ecologic perspective and is fully energy autonomous. The energy is being generated by solar radiation and also the water is being heated by the sun. Warm water is only available in the evening and light comes from solar or LED lamps. Also the paths betweens tents and the main building stayed natural.

The main area of the lodge was built in an ecofriendly and sustainable way (no concrete) on wood platforms. This main area consists of a dining area, a lounge and a bar. Here you can finish out the day with a sundowner. There is also a little pool here for freshing up.

From the wonderful wood terraces with fireplace and viewing deck you have a breath-taking view on the laguna where there are often elephants. In September and October you can see here over 200 elephants! We were there in May and to that time all of them had already migrated to Botswana. But nevertheless it is just wonderful here, especially the pure wilderness!

In the evening you can enjoy here the slightly Italian inspired food at the family table. Who wants to, can sit here with all other guests (including the manager and his son) and review the high points of the day. A really great thing which made our visit here even more interesting and personal. Especially beautiful is the fire that is burning in the evenings.

The main area and the tents fit in perfectly with the natural surroundings. By this the lodge is a prime example for sustainable building and sensible sustainable tourism, not only in that region, but for whole Namibia.

Glamping

The 10 simple but though luxurious tents are built with steel, canvas and wood on stilts. There are 8 luxury tents, a honeymooner’s tent and a family tent. They all have glass doors, a little deck for fantastic animal viewing and an own bathroom. Glamping (Glamourous Camping) in the wilderness!

The tent for the honeymooners has a wonderful open air bath tub.

Be a guest of the wild animals

For the animals there are no limitations or fences. They can walk freely from the national park to the lodge. And also to Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Sambia of course. So there are numerous exciting encounters with the wild animals. Therefore a guide has to bring you to your tent after dinner.

You can observe here elephants, hippos, a huge buffalo cattle, two lion prides, hyenas, antelopes, kudus, … and up to 400 bird species.

Game Drives and more

Depending to the season there are different activities, for example game drives in the Nkasa Lupala National Park, hikes, boat tours and village tours. Then you can see with a little luck lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, antelopes, duikers, gnus, hippos and warthogs. Night game drives are being made during the dry winter months.

A combination of game drive and boats tour is also great. The drive through the swamps, savannah and grass landscapes and the huge Kwando Linyanti river system takes including lunch about 5 hours. The drive with our guide Gini was super interesting!

We love Nkasa Lupala!

For adventurers, romantics, animal and nature lovers this lodge is just perfect. The nature is breath-takingly beautiful and here is a very special atmosphere. The remote position of the lodge gives the feeling of being in the wilderness. And if you are there at the right time of the year (September/October) you can see the elephants from the decks. Also for the honeymoon or for a romantic bush wedding this is a very special place! We enjoyed here a lot the atmosphere, the people, the nature and the animals! This place will always stay in our memories an in our hearts!

Air temperature: -1 – 40 degrees
Best travel period: May – September (rainy period January to March), end of April and May is the best weather. Best time for safaris and elephant watching: September-October (end of the dry period)
Price: from 136 EUR per night incl. dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Total ranking: ******
Specialties: Sustainable tourism with a heart and passion for animals, nature and humans, breath-taking landscape, animals can walk around through the lodge, very personal and warm-hearted atmosphere, great tents, great food
Our tip: We recommend you malaria prophylaxis and enough mosquito repellents because the lodge is situated in malaria high risk area.

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge – Booklet

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge
Nkasa Lupala NP
11km South of Sangwali
GPS: S18 19.766 E23 40.324
East Caprivi – Namibia

Tel: +264 81 1477798
Fax 0886509335
info@nkasalupalalodge.com
www.nkasalupalalodge.com

Eco Awards Namibia – 5 of 5 Eco Flowers
Award of Excellence 2014
Conservancy Tourism Award 2011

Note: During our stay we have been partly supported by the Nkasa Lupala Lodge. The views expressed in this article are, as always – our own! To 100%!

Exclusive interview with the “Pimalai Resort & Spa” – travel tips for Ko Lanta

Interviews, Koh Lanta, Thailand 4. February 2015 0 Comments

Tiratas Pongsurayamas from the “Pimalai Resort & Spa” gives us a a few travel tips for the amazing island Ko Lanta. Find our full post about this outstanding boutique hotel here.

1. What do you think is very special about your beautiful hotel Pimalai?
Exceptional service + Breathtaking location – where the lush tropical rainforest meets the sea! By far, the best location on the island and close to the best in Krabi Province.

2. What is the best time to come? Perhaps even outside of november to march?
We would say all year round as we are confident the difference beauty on each season would impressed our guest

3. Do you have any special offers, also for the honeymoon?
For those honeymooner who stay with minimum of 3 nights would receive a floral bed decoration and a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate their occasion.

4. Do you have special tips about discovering the island Koh Lanta?
Do not miss those beautiful small unspoiled islands & limestone cliffs close by such as Koh Kradan , Koh Ngai, Koh Muk, Koh Haa and Koh Rok offering a great choice for snorkeling day trips.

5. Can the visitor find elephants on Koh Lanta, which are treated elephant-friendly?
Yes there are elephants camp near by national park where they live & treat in the nature environment.

6. Why is you hotel a great location for a wedding?
Beautiful relatively unspoiled island of Koh Lanta offering beautiful beaches, lush tropical rainforests create a perfect venue for wedding also Kantiang beach included in the list of the world’s best beaches – UK Sunday Times 2009.

Best Regards,

Tiratas Pongsurayamas
Junior Director Of Sales

Pimalai Resort & Spa
99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach
Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 75 607 999
Fax: +66 (0) 75 607 998
Email: reservation@pimalai.com
www.pimalai.com

Our Tip for Experiencing Nature in the Everglades: Buffalo Tiger’s Airboat Rides

Florida, Miami, North America, Video 23. January 2015 0 Comments

An airboat tour of and with the Miccosukee Indians

If you’re in Miami, you have to go to the Everglades! In our search for a special & animal friendly tour, we discovered Buffalo Tiger’s Airboat Tours.

From Miami, the trip takes about 40 -60 minutes, depending on the traffic. One must not be put off, when you pass by a variety of very touristic operators, such as Gator Park and Everglades Safari Park. Eventually one discovers Buffalo Tiger’s Airboat Tours on the right side.

The trip is worth it!

Buffalo Tiger’s is a traditional family operated business in the Miccosukee Tribe’s Reservation. They have been conducting tours, to share the beauty of the Everglades with people, for over 20 years. It was founded by the leader of the Buffalo Tiger Family, William Buffalo Tiger (1920-2015). In 1980 he began conducting tours with hovercraft through the Everglades. Ever since then, guided by natives, you can experience and observe the alligators in their natural habitat.

The River of Grass

The Airboat was not crowded, as is the case with other operators. We were only 6 people, including the two of us. The rapid ride on the airboat through the Everglades is loads of fun. Tip: Sit at the front. There you get to experience the ride even more intensely.

We had a very nice native guide named Fabian, who gladly answered all our questions. He even imitated the sound made by the alligator’s mother, which in turn lured them to the boat. You could absolutely see how at ease he was with the animals. Very impressive indeed!

The alligators came so close to the boat, we even could have touched them. They seemed very loving, especially when you consider how dangerous they can be. Really exciting!

During the tour you also get a glimpse into the life of a former Indian village.

Price: $ 27.50 per person
Children 6-10 years: $ 13.75
Children under 5: free

For a 45-minute ride to the different alligator spots and the excursion into the native Indian lifestyle, this price is really ok! Tip: Private tours are also offered.

Buffalo Tiger FL Everglades Airboat Rides
29701 SW 8th St, West Miami, FL, United States
+1.305-559-5250
buffalotigerairboats@gmail.com
www.buffalotigersflevergladesairboattours.com

The Gardens Hotel – a luxurious tropical garden paradise and one of the most romantic B & Bs in Key West

Bed & Breakfast, Florida, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, Key West, North America 14. January 2015 0 Comments

Romantic boutique hotel with unique charm

This award-winning B & B is set in a tropical garden, tucked away in a side street, not far from the bustling Duval Street, in the heart of Key West. The main building, with its comfortable leather sofas, piano room, wine bar, expansive outdoor verandah including cats, is reminiscent of the historic, great plantation houses of the south.

Kate Miano and her staff really look after their guests and gladly give tips on what to do in your free time and they also help with making the necessary reservations.

Rooms

Accommodation at The Gardens Hotel is unique. Each of the 16 rooms is individually decorated in colonial plantation style. They all have private entrances, outdoor verandahs and most have jacuzzi baths. The cosy rooms are set in the tropical gardens amidst orchids, bamboos, fountains, sculptures and a bird aviary. Guests can choose among Kate’s Secret Garden Cottage (only available for a limited time and minimum stay requirements apply), the Master Suite, the Historic Rooms, the Garden Rooms, the Courtyard Rooms, the Eyebrow Cottage and the Carriage House Front Room or the Tree Top Room (with own private balcony) where we stayed.

Pool

One can spend many hours simply relaxing on one of the cool lilos (to the right in the picture) in this great new lagoon style swimming pool with its own bar. Relaxation pure!

Frühstück

Breakfast is enjoyed at the poolside and with coffee, juice, croissants, bagels, cereal, cookies, fruits and eggs with bacon and cheese on offer, it leaves nothing to be desired.

d’vine Wine Gallery

The especially imported from Italy “d’vine Wine Gallery” and the Jazz on Sunday evenings attract both visitors and locals. At the wine bar, you can choose from countless wines and with your key card, you can try any of the wines, whenever you feel like it. It is really cool!

What to Do

Beach

Sightseeing

Shopping

The most famous shopping street, is of course, Duval Street.

You should also make time to take a detour into the one of the many side streets. We discovered the sweet little boutique “Wanderlust” at Petronia Street Nr. 310 and what a gem. Here you will find uniquely designed, chic fashion at very reasonable prices. The designer, who runs the shop herself, is also very nice.

Mallory Square

Passing along the colorful and quaint little shops, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll to Mallory Square and once there, enjoy the exceptionally beautiful sunset along with the jugglers and musicians.

What to eat

Santiago’s Bodega, 207 Petronia Street, Key West (Spanish tapas restaurant)

Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas Street, Key West (al fresco dining with live music – American, Caribbean and vegetarian cuisine)

Rooms: 16 (reservations are made far in advance, so book as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment)
Check-in/Check-out: 15H00 /12H00
Air Temperature: 24 – 32 degrees Celsius during the day and at night 15 – 24 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 21 – 30 degrees Celsius
When to go: All year round, hurricane season is from June to November.
Price: From $ 165 per person sharing per night including breakfast
Transportation: About 8km from Key West International Airport or by car, about 4 hours from Miami
Features: 16 years and older welcome, great lagoon pool, beautiful colonial style rooms, wine on “tap”, wonderful service, large, tropical garden
Perfect for: Discerning travelers, couples, honeymooners, connoisseurs and nature lovers

The Gardens Hotel
526 Angela Street
Key West, Florida 33040
T: (800)526-2664 or (305)294-2661
Email reservations@gardenshotel.com
www.gardenshotel.com
Facebook

“The Prettiest Hotel in Key West” New York Times
#5 of 94 B&Bs in Key West Tripadvisor
Featured in “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”
Top 50 Small Hotels Condé Nast Traveler
Best in the World Top Hotels, Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Award, 2013
2014 Certificate of Excellence Tripadvisor
Best Hidden Gem, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Travelers Choice Award
Fodor’s Choice 2012
Readers’ Choice Awards, Condé Nast Traveler, 2010

Our tips for a romantic holiday in Miami and the Florida Keys (+ Video)

Florida, Hotels, Hotels, Key West, Miami, North America, Video, Videos 6. January 2015 0 Comments

Florida Road Trip in Pictures: From Miami to Key West

The end of October / beginning of November 2014 we went to Miami. Be inspired by our pictures and just maybe, there are a few tips for you.

There are indeed divided opinions about Miami and Key West. But we found it really cool and also really romantic! The combination of beach, shopping, great hotels, delicious food and party is simply unbeatable. A longer trip is also worthwhile, because in the tropical Florida Keys, there are so much to discover. And you should also visit the vibrant Key West, a haven for artists, for more than just one day!

Miami

We can recommend all the following hotels without exception. But we most recommend the “The Raleigh Hotel” and the “Soho Beach House” in Miami and then “The Gardens Hotel” in Key West. They are all wonderful hotels with lots of charm, great service and marvellous romantic flair.

The Raleigh Hotel
Art Deco at its best! You will be familiar with The Raleigh with its historic Art Deco design from the earlier films of Ester Williams. The extraordinary pool was then made famous and it is certainly still one of the nicest pools in Miami. The atmosphere in this hotel is very laid back. You will simply feel at home! The restaurant Michael Schwartz right at the pool under the tropical trees is very romantic, especially in the evening. You almost feel like you are in Thailand. It is very quiet here, although it is right in the middle of everything. Ocean Drive can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot and the shopping mile, Lincoln Road, is only 2 blocks away.

The Spa at The Setai
You can get wonderful massages and so much more in the Balinese oriented Spa at The Setai Hotel. Then you can spend the rest of the day at their pool and beach. (Review)

Buffalo Tiger´s Airboat Rides, Everglades
On Highway 41, about a 50 minute drive from Miami Beach, past some tourist attractions such as the Gator Park, you’ll find the insider tip, Buffalo Tiger’s Airboat Tours. The tours are led by Florida’s indigenous people, the Miccosukee Indians. The tours are very authentic and takes place in small groups, so you can get close to the alligators. Our guide was even able to imitate the sounds of the alligator mother and so attracted the alligators.

Islamorada

Cheeca Lodge & Spa
The hotel in Islamorada was also really nice. Unfortunately, our stay here were far too short. It is definitely worthwhile to stay longer, especially with the many recreational and leisure facilities, such as sunrise yoga on the beach and deep-sea fishing, that we can highly recommend.

Mangrove Mike’s Cafe
As breakfast in the hotels is usually not included, you can have an awesome breakfast at Mangrovr Mike’s Café in Islamorada for example!

Overseas Highway
US Highway 1 – the extraordinary way to the Keys

Marathon

Tranquility Bay Beachfront Hotel & Resort
This 4-star colonial style hotel in Marathon consists of individual beach houses with up to 2-3 bedrooms over 2 floors. It is very romantic here with a cocktail on the beach at sunset. As it is more family oriented, breakfast is unfortunately, not served, as most beach houses have their own kitchen. Luckily you can also have a delicious breakfast elsewhere. Our tip: The Stuffed Pig.

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina
Best fresh fish straight from the sea to enjoy while watching the sunset. The Gourmet tip in the Middle Keys. Super tasty and very fresh! The coconut shrimp are to die for!

Big Pine Key

Bahia Honda State Park
With award-winning beaches and the historic Seven Miles Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park is a true island paradise in the Florida Keys. The park covers about 500 hectares and with the offshore island, it offers the perfect getaway for swimming and snorkeling. Personally, we liked Sandspur Beach (turn left) the most. And the beach is absolutely not crowded, not even on weekends. With Looe Key Snorkeling Tours you can also take snorkeling tours to the third largest reef in the world. For the beach, you can also rent the snorkeling equipment directly in the park (turn right).

Key West

The Gardens Hotel (Review)
(“The Prettiest Hotel in Key West”, “Best in the World Best Hotels”, “Condé Nast Traveler Top 50 Small Hotels” etc.) This award-winning and romantic B & B “The Gardens Hotel” is set in a tropical garden paradise, tucked away in a side street, not far from Duval Street, and thus in the center of Key West. Passing along the colorful and quaint little shops, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll to Mallory Square and once there, enjoy the exceptionally beautiful sunset with many others.

Each room is individually decorated in colonial plantation style, has a private entrance, most have jacuzzi baths and is surrounded by tropical plants. The warm lagoon pool with its awesome lilos to simply float and relax in, is especially nice. And for that cozy glass of wine in the evening, there is the D’Vine Wine Gallery. Here you can choose from countless wines and with your key card, you can try any of the wines, whenever you feel like it. It is really cool!

Back to Miami

Soho Beach House (Review)
The private club hotel for artists, partygoers, creatives and celebrities with the Soho House typical vintage style, with elements of Art Deco and the Cuban 1940’s look, is of course open to normal hotel guests and impresses with its individual charm and great atmosphere. It is a bit remote from the bustle of South Beach at Mid Beach and so peace and privacy are guaranteed. The pool, the interior, the relaxed atmosphere, the on-site bar in the bedrooms, the rooftop pool, the restaurant Cecconi’s, the Cowshed Spa, the retro chairs on the beach, the daily changing sports facilities and the absolutely perfect service are truly exceptional! Tip: Absolutely perfect for honeymooners and / or the wedding!

Further information

When to go
All year round, except June-September (more rainy days and hurricane season)

Mietwagen
We can highly recommend Hertz for renting a car. As an ADAC member, there is an even lower price on the ADAC website than at Hertz itself. Check in and out is super fast. If you’re in the Hertz Gold Club, there is even an upgrade. We only paid 28 EUR per day for the chic Chevrolet Tahoe.

Hotels

The Raleigh Hotel/Miami Beach
(Chic art deco hotel with historical flair)
1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.raleighhotel.com

Soho Beach House/Miami Beach
(Private club hotel in the cozy art deco / vintage style)
4385 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140, www.sohobeachhouse.com

The Gardens Hotel/Key West
(The hidden romantic secret in Key West)
The Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela Street, Key West, FL 33040
www.gardenshotel.com

More hotel tips:
The Moorings Village & Spa/Islamorada, www.themooringsvillage.com (#10 Hotel in Florida by Condé Nast)
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa/Little Torch Key, www.littlepalmisland.com (a private little paradise, incredibly beautiful and for weddings definitely a dream!)
Southernmost on the Beach/Key West, 508 South Street, Key West,
www.southernmostresorts.com (sun and beach at the southernmost end of Key West, one of the top ten romantic hotels in the US)
The Southernmost House/Key West,
www.southernmosthouse.com (historic B & B directly opposite the Southernmost on the Beach with a romantic oceanfront pool)

Spa

The Spa at The Setai/Miami Beach
(brilliant massage in the Balinese style)
2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.thesetaihotel.com/spa

Leisure

Buffalo Tiger´s Airboat Rides/Everglades
29701 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, FL 33194,
www.buffalotigersflevergladesairboattours.com

Bahia Honda State Park/Big Pine Key
(beautiful beaches to relax and snorkel)
36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, www.bahiahondapark.com

Key West Reef Snorkeling/Key West
(Diving and snorkeling excursions to the only living coral reef in North America)
Sunset Watersports, www.sunsetwatersports.info

Food

Cecconi´s Restaurant | Soho Beach House
(delicious Italian food in beautiful fairy-light ambiance, at moderate prices)
4385 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140, www.cecconismiamibeach.com

Restaurant Michael Schwartz | The Raleigh Hotel
(romantic open-air restaurant with excellent cuisine right at the pool)
1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.raleighhotel.com

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina/Marathon
(freshly caught fish right at the sea)
3502 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon, FL 33050, www.keysfisheries.com

Mangrove Mike’s Cafe/Islamorada
(perfect for the original American Breakfast)
82200 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036,
www.mangrovemikescafeandcatering.com

Blue Heaven/Key West
(the insider tip in Key West with delicious fish dishes and live music)
729 Thomas St., Key West, fl 33040, www.blueheavenkw.com

Shopping

Sawgrass Mills
(north, almost in Fort Lauderdale, but worth it!)
12472-12680 West Sunrise Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33323,
www.simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills

More cool tips can be found at Condé Nast Traveller.

On entering the country

Esta Form
(cool website with tips on completing the online ESTA form before traveling to the US) www.estaformular.org

Surely there are many more tips for Miami and the Florida Keys. If you still have any, please let us know!

Our research in Miami and Key West were fully self-financed and not supported by any tourist service providers.

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Support the AfriCat Foundation in protecting and preserving the big cats of Namibia!
We were there! Read more >>

Support the Mayana Mpora Foundation and the n’Kwazi Lodge in assisting the Namibian population (building of schools, etc.)
We were there! Read more >>

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Adopt an Elephant Orphan>

Support the Sumba Foundation on humanitarian projects on Sumba Island, Indonesia.
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Support the Olive Ridley Project at the protection of sea turtle and the fight against ghost nets in the indian ocean!
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Support the Dyer Island Conservation Trust at the protection and preservation of african seabirds, penguins and white sharks!
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