Botswana lodge gets a revamp
Ichingo Chobe River Lodge in Botswana has undergone changes and renovations since its incorporation to the Zambezi Queen Collection. The lodge has made changes to the Meru Safari tents and renovated the bathrooms, added new flooring and air-conditioners in each room. A family tent has been added for children sharing with adults. The lounge, dining and decking area around the pool have been renovated and activities now include game viewing by boat, birding and tiger fishing. Ichingo Chobe River Lodge offers two- or three-night programmes on the river using the new tender boats to maximise the guest experiences.
Shimmy Luxury Collection to open The Ritz Hotel
The Ritz Hotel in Cape Town is undergoing an extensive R120 million (€8.2m) makeover. The iconic 212-bedroom hotel will open in early 2017 along with conferencing and event facilities, pool area, restaurant and nightclub. The hotel will boast a host of luxury designs and amenities to ensure guests have a uniquely tailored experience, as well as an extravagant dining experience in a revolving restaurant. Phase two of the development project will see The Ritz Plaza transform into an upmarket retail component to uplift the entire precinct’s status.
Sanctuary Retreats adds an uber-luxury suite
Last year Sanctuary Retreats added the new Geoffrey Kent Luxury Suite at the Chief’s Camp in Botswana. Offering privacy and comfort, the suite sleeps up to six guests and features a kitchen, indoor lounge, private boma and secluded deck areas. Guests have their own safari vehicle and guide as well as a personal chef, waiter and housekeeper.
Lalibela’s Lentaba Lodge expands with additional suites
Lalibela is in the process of adding two luxury suites to Lentaba Lodge, located on the Lalibela Game Reserve, due for completion by April. The lodge will be able to accommodate 22 guests. The building of a new camp in the reserve, about 25 minutes away from Grahamstown, is set to begin early this year to be up and running by October.
Manyeleti Game Reserve lodge expands
Tintswalo Safari Lodge in Manyeleti Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park, is in the process of building and furnishing a new suite. The Grant Suite, keeping to the lodge’s explorer theme, is named after James Augustus Grant, a 19th century Scottish explorer, and is a spacious villa, accommodating up to four people in two luxury suites. The villa has a lounge, two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a deck with a plunge pool and is connected to the main lodge. Grant Suite guests have their own private game-viewing vehicle with an experienced tracker and guide. The suite opened mid-December.
Moremi Game Reserve Camp in Botswana gets a rebuild
Khwai Tented Camp, on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, is undergoing a rebuild and will reopen in April alongside its sister camp Khwai Leadwood. Khwai Leadwood will comprise two family units and two standard units.
Expansion for Zimbabwean safari lodge
Imvelo Safari Lodges in Zimbabwe will expand three camps in 2017. Two luxury tents will be added to Zambezi Sands River Camp in the Zambezi National Park, two thatched tents at Nehimba in Hwange National Park, and a family suite and three new tents at Bomani Tented Lodge in Ngamo Plains.
Historic lodge in Muldersdrift undergoes renovations
The Heia Safari Lodge, now the Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge in Muldersdrift, outside Johannesburg, is undergoing renovations and creating a conservancy. There are 50 chalets, a restaurant, conference and wedding facilities as well as a mountain bike trail. The lodge has a lake with hippos and a rhino sanctuary.
Hilton Durban undergoes renovations
The Hilton Durban is undergoing a refurbishment, scheduled for completion in May. The refurbishments to the hotel lobby, business lounge, Big Easy restaurant and suites are complete, while floors one to three are still under renovation.
The President Hotel upgrades facilities.
The President Hotel in Cape Town has launched a refurbished conference centre with new facilities, new food and beverage menus, and conferences and events onsite team. A revamp of the pool area is under way and will feature sun loungers, side-tables and a deck bar. A children’s area was introduced in mid-December.
Stellenbosch hotel and conference refurb
Spier Hotel and Conferencing in Stellenbosch has refurbished the conference venues with the installation of new sliding doors, soundproof double doors, water-saving taps and other enhancements. The newly refurbished hotel, using repurposed elements and natural materials, will launch this year.
Refurb for Khwai Private Reserve Camp
Natural Selection is refurbishing Banoka Bush Camp in the Khwai Private Reserve, Botswana, and renaming it Sable Alley. Set to open in May with 12 new tents, the camp is along the banks of the Khwai River with views of lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and wild dog.
Renovations for Eastern Cape country house
Dune Ridge Country House in St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape launched a day spa last year. Dune Ridge Country House has also renovated the kitchen and dining area and now offer mouth-watering experiences with locally sourced ingredients.
Botswana camp gets rebuilt
Duba Plains Camp, rebuilt on the old dismantled camp in Botswana, will open on March 1. The camp will include five guest tents, private plunge pools, inside and outside showers as well as an outside sala bed. The central mess tent will have a private and communal dining area, kitchen and wine cellar.
Zanzibar Hotel expands room selection
Diamonds La Gemma Dell’est, luxury resort in the northern part of Zanzibar, is adding a new room category called the Ocean Suites. The 17 suites feature a modern Italian design with sea views and private terraces.
New eco spa launches in January
Tebatso African Eco Spa in Kuruman, Northern Cape, will launch in January and will harness the benefits of interacting with nature and African healing methods. The spa aims to create awareness around environmental sustainability and building employment in the Kalahari.
