Singita Blog
Archive for the ‘Africa’ Category
May 24th, 2011
Mornings at Singita Explore
Safari Brothers experiencing the adventure of Singita Explore….James Suter shares his morning moments, waking up to the smell of fireside-brewed coffee and glorious sunrises…
We awake in the morning at our Singita Explore tented camp filled with excitement, listening to both sounds of the Serengeti plains as well as the early morning sounds of the Swahili staff preparing coffee on the fire. Typical mornings include a 06h00 wake up call, hot shower and then as we step outside the tent we are greeted by the most magnificent Tanzanian sunrises.
Quite remarkable and eco-friendly, each sleeper tent is equipped with a 20 litre bucket that is used for the shower, and this provides 10 luxurious minutes of shower time – or more if needed. Hot water is made via a volcano pressure boiler, and is fuelled by recycled “green” energy.
After thrilling morning game drives, heading back to camp to enjoy a sumptuous cooked breakfast is all that is on our minds. A table is set up for us out in the open in front of the camp, with shade provided by a large acacia. Right by our table, staff prepare generous portions of eggs and meats to satisfy our ravenous appetites. We could stay here forever!
Nothing like the smell of filtered coffee brewed over the coals and a crisp morning chill in the air – James Suter.
Take a look at more amazing sights that we are capturing on camera….follow the account on Singita’s Facebook page all week.
December 1st, 2010
Monkeys, oranges, and rejuvenation
A treatment at the Singita Bush Spa can be enjoyed in the spa itself, or better yet, in a guest suite. Whether out on the deck with a spectacular view and the sounds of nature all around, or inside the room, the massage is as tranquil as in the spa. After the treatment guests can relax on their bed or flop onto a deck chair without ever having to completely regain consciousness.
The Monkey Orange Massage adds a different dimension to Swedish massage. I wanted to create a treatment that not only was unique to Singita, but also captured the essence of the Kruger National Park – a true “Bush Spa” experience. Monkey oranges are part of the calabash family – a round fruit that hardens when dried. Inspired by the wild monkey oranges growing on the Singita concession, we designed a treatment using the fruit as “tools” to create pressure and pounding for easing tension and removing trigger points; as well as gliding over the body for relaxation and stress relief. The African Marula and Neroli oils that are used, complement the monkey oranges for a completely holistic African spa experience.
For more information about pampering treatments at our Singita spas, click here to read more.
Article Contribution by Kerryn Mudie – Singita Spa, Singita Sabi Sand
November 26th, 2010
Bath with a View
Whether sinking into a froth of bubbles surrounded by the elegance of a Sasakwa cottage or slipping into a sunken tub overlooking the riverine forest at Singita Sweni, all of the Singita lodges promise a bathtime ritual that induces one to unwind, enveloped by picture perfect panoramas.
The claw foot tub at Singita Sabora Tented Camp – Tanzania. There are so many layers to this 1920s-inspired explorers’ camp and the view from the tub is one of staggering beauty – savannah grasslands until the eye can see.
The bath tubs at the contemporary Singita Faru Faru Lodge in Tanzania, are positioned to maximize the opportunity to view the game that comes down to the Grumeti River to drink.
A bath soak at Singita Sasakwa Lodge – Tanzania – is an infinitely luxurious affair. At the end of an exciting day of game viewing there is nothing better than to settle into a candle-lit oasis with a breathtaking view of the plains.
Embracing and intimate, Singita Sweni Lodge – South Africa – is truly cosy. Imagine taking time to lie back in an enourmous bath of bubbles or salt crystals, watching the hippos wallowing around in the river beneath the open window.
June 18th, 2010
Getting to know the locals – the Shangaan People in Zimbabwe
The original Shangaan took their name from their king, Soshangane. The Shangaan weren’t traditionally warriors instead they were agriculturalists and pastoralists.
At the height of his power the King Soshangane ruled the impressive Gaza Empire. This empire consisted of what is now south-eastern Zimbabwe – which is where the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve and Singita Pamushana Lodge are situated – as well as the area from the Save River to the southern part of Mozambique.
In traditional Shangaan culture the sangoma, a healer and spiritual guide, is seen to be one of the most important members of the Shangaan tribe. Over the years the sangoma’s medicine gourd, a nhunguvani, has become an accepted symbol of the traditional cultural heritage of the Shangaan.
The Shangaan are now mainly found in southern Mozambique and in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
May 7th, 2010
A Brief History of Conservation Efforts in Singita Grumeti Reserves
Just under 10 years ago Singita Grumeti Reserves was a gorgeous landscape but it was completely devoid of game. Illegal poaching and uncontrolled legal hunting had resulted in the collapse of the wildlife population.
The goal with establishing the Singita Grumeti Fund was to generate profit for use in two areas: wildlife conservation and community development.
From the onset of this initiative everyone involved understood that any wildlife conversation efforts would not succeed without the support of the surrounding communities. To be in a position to be able to provide this support the community required education and development; in other words Singita Grumeti Reserves needed to give the community an understanding of conservation and help the community to create a sustainable alternative to the hunting/poaching of game.
From the day the Singita Grumeti Fund was established and into the foreseeable future all profits, including profit generated through tourism, have been and will be used solely to support the Fund. This means that every guest who stays at Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Faru Faru Lodge or Singita Sabora Tented Camp supports the Fund initiatives.
In just under a decade the Fund team, Singita Grumeti Reserve guests and others have – through their hard work, dedication and donations – helped restore the vast majority of Singita Grumeti Reserves resident wildlife population. Through additional and extensive education efforts and the creation of alternative employment opportunities – for those residing around the Serengeti ecosystem – the groundwork for sustainable conservation, in Singita Grumeti Reserves (and beyond), has been laid.
If you’ve stayed as a guest at Singita Grumeti Reserves, you can be proud of what your stay has helped us achieve.
For more information about the various Singita Grumeti Fund initiatives please email research@grumetireserves.com
Tags: Africa, Consevation, Faru Faru, Grumeti River, Hunting, Landscape, Lion, Luxury Safaris, Poaching, Responsible Tourism, Sabora, Sasakwa, Serengeti, Singita, Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Singita Grumeti Reserves, Singita Sabora Tented Camp, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Sustainable Conservation, Tanzania, The Grumeti Fund
