by Emma Gass, 3 September 2010

With a name meaning "place of miracles”, Singita Game Reserves and Lodges set high standards for themselves. But as past guests will agree, they have perfected the formula for the definitive luxury African safari.

For the last ten years, the Singita properties have consistently received awards, accolades and recognition for being among the World's Best Hotels, Africa's Top Hotels, Best Small Hotels from Conde Naste Magazine, Travel & Leisure Magazine, Tatler Magazine and the Good Safari Guide Awards, among other well respected authorities on luxury travel.

Many of the properties are also members of Relais & Chateaux which insists on the highest standards and subscribe to the 5 C's: courtesy, charm, character, calm and cuisine. These attributes all apply to the beautiful and sophisticated Singita Lodges, but when speaking specifically about Singita's success as hosts of the ultimate luxury safaris, I would say their secret can be reduced to three factors; the outstanding game viewing, the impeccable service and the decadent food and wine at all of the Singita Lodges.

Outstanding Game Viewing

The most important aspect of any safari holiday is always the game viewing and wilderness experience. This is why Singita has based its luxury safari lodges in some of the most prolific wildlife areas in Africa.

The private Sabi Sands reserve and the Kruger National Park itself are the most established wildlife areas in South Africa, and are famous for their Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) sightings. Singita's Grumeti Reserve hugs the western edges of the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania, and its lodges are ideally placed for witnessing the great migration. Singita's newest lodge, Pamushana, is situated in an almost forgotten corner of Zimbabwe, the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, known for its black rhino population.

Finding and seeing the African wildlife while in these areas is vitally important of course and not always guaranteed. However, Singita goes to great lengths to ensure that if the animals are there, the guests get to see them. One of the ways they do this is through efficient and constant radio contact between all the safari vehicles as they roam the reserves; as well as constant communication between the game rangers and the trackers, usually local people that have been specifically trained to track and find game in the African bush.

The game viewing experience is greatly enhanced by the in-depth knowledge of the birds and animals, their behaviour and their environment that your game ranger and tracker reveal to you as you traverse the reserves. As your safari progresses you feel your sense of wonder expand and your brain expand to hold all the new information you gather along the way; each day and each game drive offers something new.

Impeccable Service

The feature that sets Singita apart from so many other safari experiences is the impeccable personal service they offer. From the minute you arrive and are welcomed in a warm and profressional manner you know you are in safe and capable hands.

Each staff member, from the night porters who guide you through the dark to your room to the managers who constantly ensure you are content if not sublimely happy, are discreetly available.

But it is your personal game ranger, tracker and butler that you see at regular intervals each day that have the most profound effect on your perception of Singita's service. They are the friendly professionals that eventually start to feel like dear old friends and help to make your safari experience so unforgettable.

Decadent Food and Wine

You will never go hungry on a Singita safari; the food is plentiful and irresistible. Using the finest quality ingredients each meal is beautifully prepared and fit for the best gourmet restaurants in the world's top cities; remember they manage to do this in the most remote corners of the African bush.

And with only the best and rarest South African wines available in the all inclusive rate, meals become an education in wine tasting.

Meals on safari are meant to be alfresco as much as possible and this is where Singita truly excels. Breakfasts and lunches are taken on open decks with gorgeous views, and dinners in a different location every night. Enjoy the unique experience of bush breakfasts or dinner under an acacia tree on the Serengeti plains, in front of a roaring lodge fire, in the privacy of your suite or a boma dinner under the stars.

The Singita Lodges

In addition, Singita has managed to build 9 tastefully designed lodges, each with its own unique character and style, in some of the most beautiful corners of Southern and East Africa.

Emma recently visited Singita Ebony Lodge for a 4 day safari.

Article © Copyright 2010 Go2Africa.

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