Million Air Winter 2023/24

WILDLIFE by KimAyling

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Star Dune Suite SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA Few hotels in the world can compare to andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, located in a 31,420-acre reserve in the Namibian desert. The lodge’s surroundings are more like the surface of Mars than anywhere on Earth. The hotel has just 10 suites; the Star Dune Suite features two large, separate bedrooms connected by a communal living area. The lodge and the Star Dune Suite are contemporary, with fl ecks of local in fl uence. A huge bed sits in the center of the room, overlooking fl oor-to-ceiling windows framing the rocky views beyond; keep an eye out for passing oryx and zebra. Each suite has its own outdoor terrace with a pool. The number of amenities is too long to list but all-inclusive mini-bar, daily cookie jar replenishments and Swarovski binoculars in every room give a good indication. There are daily game drives, but don’t expect your usual safari sightings — at Sossusvlei it’s all about awing over the resilient nature of the animals that do survive here. From $3,695 per night. Contact Valerie Mouton, global PR manager, media@andbeyond.com, +1 619 598 1199, andbeyond.com

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Silverback Suite VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA Tell any seasoned traveler or animal lover that you’re heading to Rwanda, and their mind will go to one place: Gorillas. Deep in the heart of the country’s Volcanoes National Park lives a small population of majestic mountain gorilla, roaming free in their natural habitat. While permits to trek to see the gorilla have to be obtained from the government (official bodies robustly limit the number of visitors seeing the animals in a bid to protect them), the aptly named One&Only Gorilla’s Nest can arrange luxury transfers to and from the national park for a seamless experience. After a long, transformative day in the mountains, retreat to the sublime comfort of the hotel’s Silverback Suite. Covering over 4,400 sq ft, the suite spreads across two levels and cooly brings the outdoors in with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the forest views beyond. Outside, a private pool and barbecue terrace await. From $15,800 per night. Contact Eloi Ntsinzi, sales manager, eloi.ntisinzi@oneandonlyresorts.com, +250 788 383 090, oneandonlyresorts.com

Photos Mark Williams, Vatsal Sethi