Luxury under canvas

Earlier this year Singita Game Reserves launched Singita Explore, a transformational new travel concept taking guests on a private mobile safari to some of Africa’s most remote and romantic wilderness sites. The new product has been custom designed to meet global trends and the demand from discerning travellers for ‘privacy, exclusivity and closeness to nature’.

It rolled out in East Africa from June within the 340,000-acre Singita Grumeti Reserves, situated along the western corridor of Tanzania’s legendary Serengeti, aiming to put the adventure back into ‘going on safari’, offering a journey of exploration on an exclusive-use basis for between two and 12 guests only.

It is an ideal component of an East African safari itinerary within the Singita Grumeti Reserves, including stays at its three different lodges: Singita Faru Faru, Singita Sabora Tented Camp and flagship Singita Sasakwa, the only Relais & Châteaux property in East Africa.

The Explore experience offers luxury at one with nature

Where did the idea for the mobile tented experience come from?

There was a strong indication from our target market that they are looking for lighter, more adventurous, authentic safari experiences in private, exclusive environments. Singita manages more than 340,000 acres of land in Tanzania including varied terrain, landscapes and game experiences. The combination of the wide open, private spaces that the property provides, along with the need to meet the demands of the modern traveller, gave rise to the mobile concept at Singita Grumeti Reserves.

How will Singita Explore differ from other tented safaris?

All guests that come to stay at Singita Explore do so with the supreme luxury of staying there with no other guests in camp. This ‘exclusive use’ policy gives us the freedom to create a guest experience exactly tailored to each group and grants them unfettered access to the remote areas of the 340,000 acre Singita Grumeti Reserves, with no-one else in sight, a sense of space and freedom that is becoming an increasingly rare commodity.

Our two-people minimum, and two-nights minimum stay requirement makes this premier wildlife and accommodation offer accessible to far more people, as such an incredibly intimate and special experience is usually only available to people travelling in large groups.

The style and design is totally unique – with unsurpassed attention to detail. The great sense of adventure that is experienced at Singita Explore is echoed in its design, with elements inspired by the utility and rugged ‘go anywhere’ capacity of the Land Rover, the Explore camp is both intrepid and comfortably chic.

The market has responded extremely well to the concept and feedback from guests who have stayed has been very rewarding. The horse-back safaris are taking a little longer to gain traction in the marketplace, but we hope to see this improve in the coming months.

Has there been any interest so far from the Middle East and is this an area where you will be looking to promote the experience?

This product is perfect for the Middle East market – absolute discretion assured, and 100-per-cent focus of staff on the party in residence.

Can you give us some more information on the guides and chefs, presumably they are very experienced?

The menu for Singita Explore has been especially developed to be in tune with the outdoor environment, with the focus on communal eating and spending time around the camp fire.

Guides have been specially trained to be aware of the values of a mobile experience, attuned to the differing environments in which the camp may be located and keen to share the small intricacies of each micro-environment.

So guests would stay at each of the three reserves and then spend couple of nights under canvas?

Yes, this is the ideal way to experience Singita Explore. The three lodges, Singita Sasakwa, Singita Sabora and Singita Faru Faru offer three very different experiences and combine really well with Singita Explore. Itineraries can be designed around guests’ individual preferences.

Where do the tents come from, they look eco-friendly but also luxurious though basic in keeping with nature?

Yes, they are sourced in Nairobi and manufactured according to the strictest standards, using local East African labour. Electricity is supplied via solar power and the water usage is minimised.