Latest news with #MasaiMara
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kenya: Hemingways acquires another Maasai Mara luxury camp
Hemingways Hospitality, a family-owned travel and hospitality group, has acquired Richard's River Camp, a luxury tented safari camp in the Masai Mara, marking a second back-to-back acquisition in months, as it seeks to expand its presence in the niche market segment. Richard's River Camp is an exclusive 18-bed safari lodge located in the Mara North Conservancy. It was founded by conservationists Richard Roberts and Liz Fusco.'The Mara is utterly unique and precious and is sadly coming under increasing pressure and challenges. In taking custody of this wonderful camp, we commit to continuing the positive impact on wildlife, biodiversity conservation and sustainable community development,' Ross Evans, chief executive officer of Hemingways Hospitality Group, said without disclosing the value of the transaction. The acquisition follows Hemingways' expansion into Rwanda just two months ago, through the purchase of the American company Heaven Holdings, which owns and manages luxury hotels in the country. The US firm, which is registered in Rwanda, ran a chain of businesses, including The Retreat Hotel, Fusion Restaurant, Heaven Restaurant, Heaven Boutique Hotel, as well as Heaven Experiences — the company's tour operating arm. In 2023, Hemingways added Ol Seki Hemingways Mara, a tented camp located in the 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy. Demand for hospitality services continues to grow in East Africa, propelled by tourism and business conferences. Currently, 26 hotels with a combined 4,344 rooms are in the development pipeline in Kenya this year, compared to 25 hotels with 4,268 rooms in 2024, according to the Hotel Chain Development Pipeline in Africa 2025 report published by Lagos-based advisory W Hospitality Group. The W Hospitality Group collects data based on private disclosures by 50 leading hotel chains operating in Africa regarding deals made for the construction of hotels, either planned or ongoing, in any of continent's 54 countries. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Forbes
7 Unforgettable Noctourism Experiences For Wildlife Lovers
Tarsiers are nocturnal, using their large eyes to search for insects during the night. From early morning birdwatching to midday safari game drives, the bulk of ecotourism experiences take place during daylight hours—but in recent years, 'noctourism' (or nocturnal tourism) has been steadily rising in popularity. The activity offers unique wildlife-watching opportunities like late night lemur-spotting and midnight expeditions in search of nightjars, while destinations range from the African savannah to the lush jungles of southern Japan. If you're in search of a truly captivating wildlife expedition for your next vacation, be sure to keep these experiences in mind, each one highlighting the fascinating fauna that prowls our planet in the dead of night. Though pangolins resemble both anteaters and armadillos, they're not closely related to either type ... More of animal. While the vast plains of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti play host to megafauna like the elephant, wildebeest and zebra, there's a wealth of smaller creatures to spot during late night hours as well. According to Nkuringo Safaris founder Lydia Eva Mpanga, the many private reserves found along the Masai Mara area are perfect for a night drive, providing plenty of potential to spot leopards and servals as they prowl the plains for prey. Along with these captivating cats, lucky guests might also spot a bat-eared fox or a pangolin, a fascinating mammal that's equipped with keratin plates along its body. The puma's range spans from British Columbia to the Southern Cone, making it one of the earth's most ... More widespread mammals. In addition to towering glaciers, windswept plains and pristine beaches, Patagonia is rife with all sorts of native South American animals, some of which can be found nowhere else on earth. Puma-watching is a particular highlight across the region, with Head of Swoop Patagonia Harriet Pike noting that the cats can be found from the Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine National Park and beyond. The company operates optimized puma-tracking tours that take place during their most active hours, and beyond felines, Patagonia also plays host to the monito del monte, a nocturnal marsupial that thrives across Chile and Argentina's Valdivian rainforests. Unlike most primate species, tarsiers are completely carnivorous. Borneo's verdant rainforests are a top destination for orangutan-spotting, and while these creatures are most active during daylight hours, some of the island's most elusive residents are most likely to make an appearance in the dead of night. For Adventure Alternative founder Gavin Bate, the company's Nocturnal Mammal Tour is ideal for showcasing Borneo's most captivating fauna, with creatures like the tarsier—a tiny variety of primate that's best known for its huge eyes—and animals like the tufted ground squirrel, flat-headed cat and clouded leopard all thriving across the island's lush rainforests. The European nightjar feeds on a wide variety of flying insects. The United Kingdom may not possess the towering megafauna found across Asia and Africa, but according to Adventure Tours UK Co-Founder Claire Copeman, there's plenty of captivating wildlife to encounter across Great Britain during the night. Wales is a particular highlight for visitors, offering unparalleled stargazing and late-night hikes in search of nightjars, while Scotland also offers an unforgettable ecotourism destination in the form of Cairngorms National Park. Home to ancient mountains and verdant pine forests, this renowned preserve is brimming with all sorts of native Scottish fauna, with European pine martens, tawny owls and European badgers being just a few species that call the region home. The aye-aye is one of roughly 100 extant lemur species. When it comes to noctourism across the African continent, Timbuktu Travel Co-Founder and CEO Johnny Prince highlights two destinations in particular. At Zimbabwe's Camp Hwange, visitors can take part in thermal imaging drives and laser pointer stargazing as well as specialized scorpion-spotting by blacklight, but for a truly unforgettable experience, it's tough to beat Madagascar's Masoala Lodge. More than half of the country's native lemurs are nocturnal, with species like the hairy-eared dwarf lemur, aye-aye and Moore's woolly lemur being just a few of the potential appearances during a night walk. The Amazon rainforest is renowned for its high diversity of amphibians. Both Central and South America are brimming with colorful wildlife, and for Head of Rainforest Cruises Jon Parker, there are two expeditions in particular that are well-suited for noctourism. Aboard the Kontiki Wayra, passengers can marvel at bioluminescent plankton during an eight-day foray along the wildlife-rich Osa Peninsula, while entomology and herpetology buffs can discover a mind-boggling array of species during a cruise on the Zafiro. Spanning five days in the depths of the Peruvian Amazon, this once-in-a-lifetime journey offers a chance to see eye-catching reptiles like the rainbow boa, while glowworms, fireflies and UV-lit scorpions can be encountered as well. Jerboas possess long, kangaroo-like legs that are useful for evading predators. While 360 Private Travel Director Katie Robertson pinpoints Botswana as a top destination for finding honey badgers and porcupines on late night safari, she also recommends two underrated noctourism hotspots across Asia. In the southern reaches of Japan, the island of Yakushima boasts vast swathes of verdant forest that play host to all sorts of native mammals, with sika deer and Japanese giant flying squirrels both calling the area home. Meanwhile, Robertson also cites Oman as a must-visit for noctourism, providing visitors with a chance to spot animals like the jerboa and Arabian red fox during a desert night walk.
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The 15 Best Safari Lodges and Safari Outfitters in Africa of 2025
Planning and delivering excellent safaris requires a team of experienced, reliable people. That's something Travel + Leisure readers appreciated as they voted for their favorite safari lodges and outfitters this year, most of which received nods for knowledgeable guides and seamless service. Many of these properties and operators are no strangers to the World's Best Awards, showing consistency in everything from staff members to opportunities for incredible wildlife sightings. Here's who came out on top. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value Tour operators and safari outfitters were specifically rated on the criteria below: Staff/guides Itineraries/destinations Activities Accommodations Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. Dinner by the pool overlooking the Masai Mara at &Beyond Bateleur Camp. Location and service were important for T+L readers when it came to choosing their favorite safari lodges. Readers wrote of Mfuwe Lodge's (No. 2) 'great location' in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park and the 'exceptional service." A previous guest of Sasaab (No. 5) commented positively on the camp's 'remote' location, just outside Kenya's Samburu National Reserve. Voters had a clear preference for Kenyan properties this year, with three of the top five being located in the East African country, including this year's favorite: andBeyond Bateleur Camp. andBeyond Bateleur Camp: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya The deck of a tented suite at andBeyond Bateleur Camp. This year's top safari lodge, as voted by T+L readers, is andBeyond Bateleur Camp in Kenya's wildlife-rich Maasai Mara National Reserve. The property is split into two camps with nine tents each, and one family tent (all ages are welcome). The tents have vintage touches—traveling cases, leather Chesterfield couches, and copper bathtubs—with butler service, and each camp has a lap pool. No surprise, then, that one T+L reader recommended others 'allow time to enjoy the camp' rather than just take part in game drives. Several guests commented on the people, noting the incredible staff, knowledgeable guides, and great service—no small part of why the camp received a perfect score. 1. andBeyond Bateleur Camp: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Reader Score: 100.00 2. Mfuwe Lodge, The Bushcamp Company: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Reader Score: 99.73 3. Solio Lodge: Laikipia, Kenya Reader Score: 98.13 4. andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve: Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa Reader Score: 97.41 5. Sasaab: Samburu National Reserve, Kenya Reader Score: 96.63 The type of safari outfitters varied across T+L readers' top choices this year—Vegas-based Dazzle Africa (No. 2) is a Zambia specialist; Asilia Africa (No. 8) is an East Africa operator with 17 camps; and Travel Beyond (No. 1) is a global tour agency based in Minnesota. One common thread, however, is the importance of people, from on-the-ground teams to U.S.-based travel planners. 'Tour operators and guides made this trip seamless for us,' one reader wrote about Dazzle Africa. Travel Beyond On safari in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The Minnesota-based luxury travel consultancy Travel Beyond organizes tours all over the world, but this year, T+L readers chose to highlight the company's safari planning skills in countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania. Travel Beyond is this year's No. 1 safari outfitter, and readers praised their expertise, thoughtfulness, and ability to cater to specific requests—for example, finding a specialist photography guide to help set up 'a specific astro-photography shot.' Many voters had traveled with Travel Beyond multiple times—one reader said they'd recently returned from their second vacation with the company and 'have another trip booked in August to return to Africa.' 1. Travel Beyond Reader Score: 99.56 2. Dazzle Africa Reader Score: 99.55 3. Rothschild Safaris Reader Score: 99.40 4. Stanley Safaris Reader Score: 99.33 5. Deeper Africa Reader Score: 99.26 6. Piper & Heath Travel Reader Score: 98.87 7. Micato Safaris WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 98.75 8. Asilia Africa Reader Score: 98.72 9. Extraordinary Journeys Reader Score: 98.40 10. Thomson Safaris Reader Score: 98.16
Travel Weekly
30-06-2025
- Travel Weekly
Wilderness portfolio is growing in Kenya's Masai Mara
Luxury safari operator Wilderness will expand its East African portfolio by taking over two established Governors' Collection properties in Kenya's Masai Mara. Both are located in the Mara Triangle area in the southwestern portion of the reserve and are set to relaunch in 2026. Wilderness plans to open Wilderness Mara Villas, formerly Governors' Private Camp, in February. This exclusive-use property, situated on a secluded bend of the Mara River frequented by elephants, is designed for travelers seeking privacy and personalized safari experiences. Wilderness Mara, formerly Little Governors' Camp, will welcome guests in mid-2026 after a complete rebuild. Located at the base of the Oloololo Escarpment, the camp will feature 12 tented suites positioned along a seasonal marsh, each equipped with freestanding bathtubs, outdoor showers and private viewing decks. The camp will offer twice-daily game drives and amenities including a spa, gym and in-camp photographic studio. Its strategic location provides access to both sides of the Mara River, enabling guests to witness the Great Migration river crossings while enjoying smaller crowds than in other parts of the reserve. Visiting the Mara Triangle The Mara Triangle, managed by the Mara Conservancy, is known for its effective conservation model, strict anti-poaching measures and sustainable tourism practices. It hosts abundant wildlife including lion prides, black rhino, elephants and the annual wildebeest migration. • Related: Safaris that engage all the senses are a growing trend in Africa Both properties will operate under Wilderness's Impact framework, focusing on education, empowerment and protection, while continuing the conservation and community initiatives established by the Governors' Camp Collection. Additional experiences will include cultural visits to nearby Masai communities and optional hot air balloon safaris operated by Governors' Balloon Safaris.
Globe and Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Fine Art Photographer Johan Siggesson Reveals Decade-Long Quest to Capture Singular Image
Valletta, Malta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 20, 2025) - Fine art photographer Johan Siggesson announced today the culmination of a remarkable ten-year journey to capture a single, transcendent image that has eluded him for a decade. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Image caption: Lioness drinking from waterhole in the Masai Mara, Kenya To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The photograph, titled "Soul to Soul," represents the photographer's unwavering dedication to his craft and illustrates the profound commitment required in fine art nature photography. "Truly experiencing what I see and sharing that vision with you is where creation comes to life," said Siggesson. "This image required not just technical skill, but a deep communion with nature that unfolded over years rather than moments." For more than a decade, Siggesson tried to capture this moment. He had many encounters with lions drinking over the years, but so many elements needed to align at once: the light, the timing, the behaviour, and an unobstructed view. It rarely all came together. Siggesson's quest exemplifies the often-unseen aspects of fine art photography-the patience, perseverance, and deep reverence for subject matter that transcends the instantaneous nature of modern image-making. "My photography is fueled by a deep desire to find harmony within the intricate, often chaotic beauty of the natural world," Siggesson explained. "Some visions require years to materialize, and this image represents the culmination of countless hours of waiting, observing, and connecting." The photographer's decade-long commitment to a single image stands in stark contrast to today's culture of immediate gratification and rapid content creation. Throughout the ten-year journey, Siggesson made countless expeditions to lion-territory, each time refining his approach and deepening his understanding of the environment and the animal. "While each attempt yielded different photographic opportunities, they were all united by a profound respect and reverence for the fragile beauty of the natural world that surrounds us," said Siggesson. The image was recently unveiled at the exhibition ' Africa - Land of Icons' at Christine X Art Gallery in Malta. This milestone achievement reinforces Siggesson's philosophy that seeing is just the beginning of the creative process-a perspective that has defined his artistic approach throughout his career. The untamed animals and landscapes that inspire Siggesson's work serve as boundless sources of inspiration, compelling him to capture their essence through a lens of patience and deep observation. Art critics have already praised the image for its emotional depth and technical mastery, noting that its impact is heightened by the knowledge of the decade-long commitment behind its creation. About Johan Siggesson Photography Johan Siggesson is an award-winning fine art photographer specializing in nature and wildlife imagery. His work is characterized by a contemplative approach that seeks to find harmony within the intricate beauty of the natural world. Siggesson's photographs have been exhibited internationally and are held in private collections worldwide.
