The Explorer Society

Despite sitting in the heart of the Lastarria neighbourhood, Santiago’s cultural and artistic centre, The Singular Santiago is designed to blend in instead of make an artistic statement. Built brand new in a historic area, it instead pays homage to the classic European style of nearby buildings whilst also providing the latest of technology and luxury for guests exploring the city. There is the rooftop pool for relaxing after your city walks, the spa with a range of treatments to soothe tired muscles from walking too much, the 26ft marble bar to make sure the walk back to your room is a fun challenge, lots of options!

Just like the hotel itself, the decor is designed around yesterday meeting tomorrow. Custom furnishings of the past meet modern art and touches, all to give you a home away from home.

Rather than simply use Santiago as a stopover on the way to something grander (like the Singular Patagonia as an example), the Singular Santiago is making it a destination of its own, perfect for exploring the hidden wonders of the city.

Up close and personal with the wildlife, all thanks to the hide at Ol Donyo Lodge.

How’s this for a view?

In addition to the normal suite offerings, Ol Donyo Lodge also has star beds atop each of the suites for sleeping under the night sky. And on clear days, the view of nearby Kilimanjaro (ironically not pictured here) is something to remember forever.

This was a contentious post for us, with plenty of good natured debate about the most iconic foods of South America.

What do you think?

The Explorer Society | A to Z of South American food A year after our African A-Z, we have finally finished creating our list of the A-Z of South American cuisine. It was a contentious discussion, and some letters were hard fought for. Do you agree?

Set on 270,000 acres of Maasai-owned land in Kenya and bordering the Chyulu Hills National Park, in between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks, ol Donyo Lodge is a perfect counterpoint to the more famous plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Part of the Great Plains Conservation safari lodge collection, this intimate lodge offers nine understated suites, each with a private plunge pool and an outdoor star bed so guests can take in the sounds of hyenas and lions under a blanket of stars.

As one of Kenya’s only three Relais & Chateaux properties, the lodge is perched on a hillside with views of East Africa’s classic savannahs below.

But it’s the array of outdoor activities that draws most travelers to ol Donyo: saddle up on rides, lace up your hiking boots, or take a two-wheeled mountain bike safari. Throw in memorable views of Mount Kilimanjaro and you have one of the best lesser-known luxury safari camps in Kenya.

Rhino lunch, courtesy of Singita Pamushana.

Early mornings drinks vs evening drinks at Ongava Tented Camp.

When your rhino comes with a built in straw.

Sunsets in Kenya.

Viewing animals from horseback, like this rhino, means you can often get closer than you would be able to on foot. They feel more at home with the sight and smell of the horses. After all, a rhino is just a chubby unicorn.

When unexpected dinner guests arrive.

Immersed in the African Mopani bush, Ongava Tented Camp is a classic safari style camp tucked in a hidden valley. Situated at the foot of a dolomite hill in Ongava Game Reserve, this camp borders Namibia’s amazing Etosha National Park.

Eight large comfortable Meru-style tents all have en-suite facilities and open-air showers whilst the main area, built of stone, canvas and thatch, fronts onto a much-frequented waterhole. For us, watching wildlife coming to drink from here or from the swimming pool is a favourite pastime. Don’t worry, the pool isn’t chlorinated.

Ongava’s proximity to Etosha allows for game drives in the Etosha National Park as well as on the Ongava Reserve itself, as well as guided walks, birding and their famous hide. Most importantly, Ongava holds one of the largest rhino custodianships for the Namibian government in the country and is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where guests can see both black and white rhinos.

That alone is worth a visit no?

Early morning traffic on safari.

In $ terms, how much is a lion worth?

A look at the reality of what it takes to protect wild areas, and wild life.

The Explorer Society | How much is a lion worth? Let's dive into the reality of what it takes to protect our wild areas, and wildlife.

Yoga days in the bush at Singita Pamushana, Zimbabwe.

And yes, doing a tree pose next to the tree was deliberate.

With eight luxury suites, each with its own luxury plunge pool, Singita Pamushana Lodge makes for an unforgettable luxury safari. But it is its work with the non-profit Malilangwe Trust and its enduring purpose to conserve the 130,000-acre wildlife reserve that gives the lodge a real ‘wow’ factor.

The majestic architecture of this intimate lodge has always been a signature of the property, with the reference being the detailed stonework and imposing proportions of Great Zimbabwe. The lodge's interiors reference the local Shangaan culture, combined in contemporary forms and styles.

Bordering Gonarezhou National Park, the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve encompasses contrasting types of terrain, from colossal boulders and sandstone outcrops to ancient baobab forests and dozens of documented rock art sites. Featuring only eight light, airy suites and a private villa, days at Pamushana are filled with tag-and-release fishing, birding, and sunset cruises on the dam, ecology-focused walks with the seasoned guides, and game drives that yield large herds of elephant and buffalo, along with regular wild dog and big cat sightings. If you want to go deeper, a hands-on cultural tour of Kambako, a nearby Shangaan village, ends a stay that positively affects a range of initiatives, from farming and school-feeding schemes to anti-poaching patrols.

Alarm clocks aren’t needed when each day is a blessing.

Sleepout experience thanks to Kapama Southern Camp.

Offering an authentic African safari experience stretched across 13 000 hectares, Kapama embodies a range of stylish accommodation across four sophisticated bush camps and lodges in the Kruger area. Located in the extreme south of the reserve, the spectacular Kapama Southern Camp offers luxury-thatched suites.

All suites are discreetly hidden in the surrounding indigenous forest, where the only noise is the frequent birdsong. Families are also catered for at Southern Camp, with three luxury suites specially created for this purpose. There is a library to relax in and enough delicous food provided that you will need to be rolled onto your safari vehicle.

But, when you are onboard, Kapama is known for its diverse wildlife experiences and is home to the big five, as well as numerous other species to be seen. From sunrise to sunset (and past bedtime), Kapama Southern Camp is a luxurious home in the African bush, full of adventure.

“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure”

-David Attenborough

Check out the African bush at Ants Nest.

The Campfire Tale of a honeymooner and an unexpected visitor.

It’s one to remember.

The Explorer Society | The Shower Surprise A Campfire Tale of a honeymooner and a unexpected visitor

Ants Nest is home to some of the best horse-riding safaris in Africa. And, like an Ants Nest, everyone is working hard behind the scenes to make sure you feel like a Queen.

The Main Lodge’s six classic, en-suite bedrooms accommodate a maximum of twelve guests. There is a 15-meter swimming pool in the garden, ideal for those wishing to exercise or purely for cooling off after an active day. Even better, it is heated all year, so you don’t have to let out any Hoo Ha Ha’s as you take a dip. Extensive lawns with indigenous plants surround the pool and there is a wonderful thatched chill-out spot with vast sofa beds where you can relax during the heat of the day.

The attraction here though is the chance to spend time with the wonderful horses that call this place home and use them to spend time with the wild animals that also live here. There is something about seeing the world from horseback that changes your view of it all. And in terms of a safari, changes your view of how we all live here together.

Signal Hill afternoons, as seen from More Quarters Cape Town.

If you are looking to get away from the standard waterfront hotel in Cape Town, you need to leave the water and head to the hills to somewhere like Kloof St. And, maybe your perfect hotel isn’t really a hotel at all. Maybe it is something like More Quarters.

This stylish collection of converted heritage townhouses in a secluded quarter is close enough to the city buzz and the action, yet removed enough to peacefully enjoy sundowners on the patio. The artsy, eclectic vibe of the Kloof Street Neighbourhood has spilled over into More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel. Each spacious Luxury Apartment boasts vibrant colors and contemporary design, curated to provide the comfort and tranquillity you deserve. Table Mountain is the backdrop to this vibey neighborhood getaway, and Cape Town’s best attractions are just a short walk or drive away.

From here Cape Town’s beaches, mountains, and cityscape are yours to explore. And, being an apartment, when you come back you can kick off your shoes and flop on the couch.

Travel doesn’t have to be all chain hotels and pre-established routes.