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To trace Singita’s
roots, one must journey back to 1925, when
a magnificent
tract of pristine land in a remote corner
of the Lowveld (the present-day Sabi Sand
Reserve) was purchased by James Fawcett Bailes,
grandfather of the current-day owner. The
property, which was originally procured for
hunting purposes and used later as a family
retreat, was inaccessible by road and travelling
there was arduous. Some fifteen years ago,
Singita undertook to build an exclusive game
lodge offering unsurpassed luxury and wildlife
experiences (including the best leopard viewing
in the country) and today, the area is teeming
with game. |
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In
1993, Singita’s first lodge, Ebony –
the epitome of traditional chic comfort - opened
its doors. Following it’s success, Singita
created three more game lodges in South Africa’s
most spectacular locations; each vastly different
from the other. Also in the Sabi Sand region, the
organic, unconventional architecture of Boulders
Lodge blends harmoniously with its surrounds and
is set within the heart of ‘big cat country’.
In a private concession within the Kruger National
Park, Lebombo Lodge, the cliffside suites were inspired
by an eagle’s nest, whilst nearby Sweni Lodge
set alongside the river of the same name, is the
perfect hideaway for those seeking intimacy.
Over the past twenty four months, Singita’s
signature has extended beyond South African borders
to provide sophisticated bush experiences in the
Grumeti Reserves of the Serengeti, Tanzania and
in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe.
Hailed as East Africa’s premier destinations,
each of the three Singita Grumeti Reserves locations
is ideally positioned on the epic migratory route
traversed annually by more than a million wildebeest;
and is home to enormous herds of game that provide
incredible year-round sightings. Singita Grumeti
Reserves - which spans over 350 000 acres of untouched
wilderness - is located in northern Tanzania and
forms part of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem on the
western corridor of the Serengeti National Park,
Africa’s No.1 World Heritage site. Although
Singita Grumeti Reserve is as large as the Maasai
Mara, there are only 76 beds here – as opposed
to the 3000 beds in the Mara – offering low-density
tourism and a dense concentration of game that equates
to an unparalleled private bush adventure. Guests
can choose from archery, tennis, horse riding, a
fully equipped spa and gym and various other activities.
Sasakwa Lodge is an East African manor that provides
elevated views over the plains from Sasakwa Hill.
Sabora Tented Camp, located on the savannah plains
of the same name, is 1920s-inspired camp offering
lavish tents, filled with the opulent romance, intrigue
and memorabilia of that era. Faru Faru Lodge, situated
on a gently sloping hill on the banks of the Grumeti
River, is a Swahili-inspired East African stone
and canvas camp, blending harmoniously into the
diverse surrounds.
Singita Pamushana Lodge in the remote area (130
000 acres) of Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in the
southern corner of Zimbabwe comprises luxurious
suites and a villa incorporated into the natural
environment and lush gardens.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
Extending beyond five-star treatment in visually
arresting locations, an important focus of the Singita
essence is an authentic dedication to preserving
all areas it touches through conservation and sustainable
projects focused on empowering and educating those
in neighbouring communities.
In Tanzania, Singita partners with the Grumeti Community
& Wildlife Conservation Fund (Grumeti Fund)
which has invested heavily in the area. The Grumeti
Fund has dedicated millions of dollars to create
community-linked projects, including the planned
reintroduction of 48 black rhino over the next few
years to the Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves.
To date, the fund has built schools, clinics and
provided drinking water to communities in the area
and has funded the start-up of numerous small businesses.
In Zimbabwe, Singita Pamushana Lodge is very involved
in the conservation of the area and the upliftment
of local communities through various development
initiatives, spear-headed by the Malilangwe Trust.
Guests' contributions and any profits from commercial
tourism are directly ploughed back into the community
and conservation initiatives, creating a better
life for all. The Trust is highly acclaimed for
its ecological research, breeding and protection
of endangered species and models for sustainable
community development and outreach projects.
In South Africa, some notable projects undertaken
by the Singita Community Development Trust include
the building of a new centre at the Tshemba Hosi
Care Centre for physically challenged children in
the Sabi Sand Reserve. In addition, Singita’s
in-house ranger training programme has been instrumental
in job creation and has gained worldwide recognition
for excellence. Other programmes include the formation
of the Justicia Best Boys Choir in the Sabi Sand
region and the Singita Cooking School which is a
community development programme aimed at equipping
youths from the local community with the skills
required for a successful career as a chef.
TOMORROW
Looking to the future, it is Singita’s vision
to dominate in the top end of the market within
the African context, extending to the Indian Ocean
islands. Says owner of Singita, Luke Bailes, “As
a group, we aim to secure pristine locations and
marry them to the finest hotels in terms of design,
architecture, cuisine and experience, whilst maintaining
sustainability and continuing to build upon our
three pillars: namely wildlife, communities and
eco-friendly tourism.” |
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