Hike the Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Launching this year, the privately guided Ngorongoro Crater Rim hike by Classic Portfolio is hosted by a Gibb’s Farm naturalist and rangers from the Ngorongoro Conservation area, in Tanzania. On the six- to seven-hour wilderness walk in untouched forests, guests can see unique plant life, animals and rare birds. Starting at Gibb’s Farm, the hike leads to the Ngorongoro Forest and ascends to the crater rim with views of the crater floor below.
Exploring Mozambique’s beaches
In Mozambique’s Azura Benguerra, guests can now explore the deserted white-sand beaches of Benguerra Island on fat bikes.
New pampering at the River Club
This year, River Club in Zambia has a new island gazebo that will be a special feature for private sundowners, picnic lunches and massages.
Private dining at La Clé de Montagnes
In La Clé des Montagnes in Franschhoek, guests can enjoy interactive wining and dining in the privacy of an exclusive villa, experiencing wine in a completely unique way with an interactive food and wine art pairing in the villa. Using wine from a local farm as an artistic medium, guests are taken through a wine painting class while enjoying a pairing of the featured wines with a series of specially crafted dishes.
Luxury catamaran experience in Cape Town
The Mirage Luxury Catamaran has opened in the V&A Waterfront and offers corporate functions, weddings or private events.
Malawi Lodge offers a star bed experience
Central African Wilderness Safaris’ Mvuu Lodge in Malawi’s Liwonde National Park, will construct an additional star bed on the floodplains this year. The bed will be on the south of the lodge at the edge of the riverine forest.
Walking safaris in the Serengeti
For a uniquely rewarding game-viewing experience, Wild Frontiers offers a walk inside the Serengeti National Park. The safari launches in January and is on a private basis. It combines two nights in the luxury tented Serengeti Wilderness Camp and two nights camping outside.
Milky Way star bed in the Great Karoo
A new raised platform at Samara Private Game Reserve near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape will provide guests a romantic wilderness experience. The platform has a bed with a mosquito net and a canvas roof provides shelter in case of rain. The star bed will launch in February.
Gin tasting experience for Stellenbosch
The Sansibar Gin Lounge & Terrace at Asara Wine Estate and Hotel, just outside Stellenbosch, is introducing a gin tasting experience in 2017. Sansibar has Africa’s largest selection of imported and locally produced gins and guests can taste gins from around the world and compare them.
New wilderness trail for Baviaanskloof
Chokka Trail has launched a new trail in the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the Baviaans Camino. The 75km hike is spread over five nights and four days can also be done on horseback. This hike or ride will only be offered to groups of 12 between March and September.
Rock the Route’s new wine experience
#MorethanaWineTour is an experiential wine tour that launched last November. Visitors are given 14 wine tastings, and bread and cheese platters while visiting three wine farms in Plettenberg Bay. In February another experience of pairing wine and local music will launch.
San Guided Tour at !Khwa ttu
The new tour takes visitors to a traditional San Village in the Western Cape to discover the technology that supported the development of the San culture. Guests will experience San social life and learn about the birth of Khwa ttu (the San-owned and operated culture centre). The tour continues in an open vehicle.
Diamond beach resort introduces horse rides
The Diamond Beach resort has been offering horse rides at Diamonds Mequfi in Mozambique since December. There will be free 30-minute horse rides from January 8 to promote the opening of the stables.
New rhino tracking for Ghaub Nature Reserve
The Ghaub Nature Reserve and Farm in Namibia will offer a rhino tracking tour in 2017. The reserve in the Otavi Mountains in northern central Namibia will allow guests to join the rhino patrol trackers on foot to trace rhinos once a day as part of a protection programme. Guests will learn about rhino behaviour.
New treetop safari walkway in Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania has launched a new safari attraction – the Tree Top Walkway. The 370m walk opened in November. The experience allows visitors to experience the forest and wildlife 18m from the ground. The walkway rises from ground level up through the canopy of the forest.
Blue safari and sundowner in Kenya
Sandies Topical Village and Diamond Dream of Africa will launch an excursion this year on a glass-bottom motor-boat suited for snorkelling and viewing fish. Guests can travel to Mayungu sand bank island in Kenya to enjoy seafood and travel to the marine park in the evening.
Yoga safari in the wilderness
A new journey through the wilderness in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park is an opportunity to experience the environment and animals. An experienced safari guide and yoga teacher will lead the safari. There will be yoga sessions on most days as well as wildlife viewing and additional activities.
New honeymoon sundowner for Namibia
Waterberg Wilderness Nature Reserve in Namibia will launch a Honeymoon Sundowner in 2017 after a successful test phase. This exclusive guided hike on to the plateau of the Waterberg takes place in the afternoons and includes a sundowner where the guide serves sparkling wine and snacks while guests enjoy magnificent views.
