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VUMBURA PLAINS |
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OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
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The design at Vumbura Plains, on a private concession in the northern Okavango Delta, is governed by a desire to minimise any impact on the surrounding wilderness. Designed by South African husband-and-wife team Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, who created North Island in Seychelles, Vumbura Plains' blond-wood buildings are stylishly simple, their colour virtually indistinguishable from the surroundings. Divided into two camps and constructed as a series of platforms linked by boardwalks in the shadow of huge trees, the 14 villas barely touch the ground. There is no glass in the windows, just screens that roll down at night. Each has a private pool, indoor and outdoor showers (but no bath) and furniture and accessories in organic shapes and tactile finishes. It's all terribly cocooning and private. So why not exchange game drives for the utter peace and quiet of a soulful, elemental setting? And anyway, there's a good chance that some of the game (lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah, buffalo and all the plains wildlife) will stroll past on the way to the nearby watering hole as you practise yoga on your private deck.
WHEN TO GO
MaySeptember
ROOM TO BOOK
At North Camp, Villa 1 overlooks a watering hole that often attracts herds of about 100 elephants. At South Camp, Villa 7 is near a tree favoured by a resident leopard.
CONTACT
Okavango Delta, Botswana (www.wilderness-safaris.com). Book through Carrier (0161 491 7610; www.carrier.co.uk).
COST
Doubles from US$1,690
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