Safari Awards on Wednesday, May 15, named three Kenyan lodges among the top places for luxurious experiences in Africa.
The results were announced after the awards made a comeback following a four-year break necessitated by the pandemic. The feted lodges include; Sirikoi, Mara Elephant Project and Cottars 1920s Camp.
The awards organisers outlined that the tourist destinations were chosen as; the Best Family Safari Experience, the Best Wildlife Conservation Organisation and Best Ecologically Responsible Safari properties respectively.
Others on the list include; Serian's Serengeti Mobile (Tanzania), Jack's Camp (Botswana), Ride Botswana Riding, Singita Serengeti House (Tanzania), Camp Mana (Zimbabwe), and andBeyond Mnemna Island (Tanzania).
Additionally Notten's Bush Camp (South Africa), Greystoke Mahale (Tanzania), Tanda Tula Safari Camp (South Africa), Tongabezi (Zambia), Jamala Madikwe (South Africa), and Singita Pamushana (Zimbabwe) were also on the list.
Notably, all the Kenyan destinations chosen have unique features and are owned by prominent persons in the travel industry.
Cottars 1920s Camp
It is owned by Louise Cottar who also serves as the Managing Director. The safari is located in the Olderkesi Conservancy.
The camp prides itself in providing the best of safaris and also offers modern amenities complete with tours from professional guides.
"The camp has eleven tents in total (two unique honeymoon tents, five double tents and four family tents), all with en suite bathrooms. The family tents are open-plan and have living rooms with fireplaces. The entire camp is situated to ensure that tents are private and quiet whether for honeymooners or families with young children," reads part of the camp's website
Mara Elephant Project
The lodge was founded in 2011 and is owned by Richard Roberts and Suzie Fehesfeld.
Its owners have also struck a partnership deal with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Government of Kenya and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI).
This project focuses on protecting elephants and their habitat to avoid human-animal conflict. The owners began the conservation after cases of elephants being killed spiked.
The project offers travellers an opportunity to interact with the elephants as well as donate towards the conservancy cause.
Sirikoi
Sirikoi Lodge is owned by Willie and Sue Roberts and is located at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Laikipia.
It offers travellers a variety of accommodation options including luxury tents, cottages and the Sirikoi House. This lodge offers a unique experience to the tourists who on some occasions get a chance to feed giraffes among others.
Sirikoi Lodge is run by a family with over 50 years of experience in the industry and is the third lodge the owners have established.
"Our guests have the unique opportunity to see conservation in action – to go behind the scenes at Lewa’s headquarters, to experience first-hand how conservation and anti-poaching really work," reads part of the lodge's website.
