Amangiri oct 19_Camp 09 Bathroom0196.tif Amangiri oct 19_Camp 09 Bedroom0264.tif

Take a walk on the wild side with these five incredible new luxury naturalist experiences.

From snoozing under the stars in Botswana to waking up with gorillas in Rwanda, your next adventure awaits.

1 Hike otherworldly landscapes at Amangiri’s Camp Sarika

Escapism at its most luxurious – opening in April 2020, Amangiri in Utah is launching 10 tented-pavilions with individual private plunge pools. Set on a luxe encampment surrounded by 600 hectares of raw wilderness in the heart of the desert, close to the iconic Amangiri hotel, it’s the perfect otherworldly encounter.

Camp Sarika will perfectly reflect the Amangiri experience, offering its own main pavilion and restaurant, two spa suites, one main swimming pool and a Jacuzzi set in unparalleled proximity to nature.

Formed for escapism, adventure, solitude and privacy, the camp is located a 30- minute hike or five-minute drive from Amangiri, and while guests at the camp enjoy full access to the resort’s facilities whenever they desire, everything they need will be conveniently located at Camp Sarika.

Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for “open space” and “sky”, Camp Sarika will be set on more than 55 hectares overlooking iconic flat-topped mesa rock formations.

Surrounded by five national parks; each offering unique and diverse scenery, numerous national monuments and the Navajo Nation Reservation the camp will enable a back-to-nature, wilderness experience – perfect for enjoying otherworldly landscapes within the comfort of splendid surroundings.

When: Opening April 2020

How: Visit aman.com for further details.

2 Understand forest life with the Pardhi tribe and Taj Safaris



Take a walk on the wild side. Taj Safaris has launched ‘Walk with the Pardhis’ – a pioneering new naturalist experience for guests of Pashan Garh, accompanied by members of the local Pardhi tribe in Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

This exciting new programme trains local Pardhis to become jungle guides, equipping the participants with fine guiding techniques – enhancing their already existing knowledge of the bio-diversity and the forests.

Since its inception, 16 men and four women from the Pardhi tribe have engaged with Taj Safaris with several more in the state’s tourism eco-system. Taj Safari guests will thus gain a deeper understanding of forest life, thanks to this exclusive guiding experience, as the Pardhis’ knowledge of the land is as ancient as time.

Together, trek through the deep ravines, cascading waterfalls and thick teak forests, whilst observing a rich variety of flora and fauna and different species of bird. The Pardhis are also fantastic mimics and can imitate the calls of different birds and animals they have encountered during their time in the wilderness.

When: Available to book now.

How: The experience costs INR 250 per person, with all proceeds going directly to the Pardhi tribe. Panna National Park is open now until June 2020.

Bookings: Specialist India operator Ampersand Travel offers a week-long Taj Safaris itinerary including three nights at Pashan Garh, Panna from £3,850 per person on a full board basis including flights, private transfers, and game drives.

3 Sleep under the stars with Wilderness Safaris in Botswana

Ready to see stars? Wilderness Safaris prides itself on offering life-changing experiences, and what better way to experience an authentic wildlife experience than sleeping outside; a unique opportunity to get close to nature and experience an extraordinary night under the stars.

At Abu, Botswana, a particularly unforgettable experience awaits. Guests can book the Abu Star Bed, where they can sleep out under the stars while overlooking the boma where the Abu elephant herd sleeps.

Named after a very special bull elephant, Abu is set in a pristine riverine forest and blends in seamlessly with the magnificent surrounding hardwood trees.

The Star Bed comprises two levels, a lower deck with ablution facilities and an upper deck where couples can rest in the comfort of a queen-sized bed. One word – dreamy.

When: Available now.

How: Please visit wilderness-safaris.com for further details.

4 Wake up with gorillas at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda

A stay that could make even Sir David Attenborough jealous, One&Only incredible new Gorilla’s Nest offers an exclusive front-row seat to one of the world’s most popular mountain gorilla sanctuaries.

Cushioned in the foothills of the breathtaking Virunga volcano range, prepare to be awe-inspired and explore where few have been before in one of the world’s most exceptional natural locations.

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is the ultimate ultra-luxury resort in Kinigi, northwest of Rwanda and just five minutes from Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas, five dormant volcanoes and is categorised as a rainforest because its montane ecosystem.

Beautifully designed private sanctuaries seamlessly blend with the location and offer an intimate collection of 21 jungle-chic havens. Featuring 10 Forest King Lodges, four Two-Bedroom Forest Lodges, five Virunga Suites, one Ingagi and Silverback Suite, each space is designed to frame nature, and is surrounded by Eucalyptus trees and strategically positioned on stilts.

Private decks and in-room fireplaces provide guests the opportunity to live amongst the endless landscape, inviting the outside in, and allowing for a truly unforgettable African experience.

There’s plenty to keep a guest entertained too. In tribute to the destination, guests will not only have access to the activities in the National Park, but a diverse range of on-resort activities.

These include Coffee Tasting with the resort’s barista and local coffee expert, as well as yoga on one of the outdoor decks, learning photography at the Studio, or cycling to a nearby community where they can learn about the Rwandan culture and history.

When: Available to book now.

How: Visit oneandonlygorillasnest.com for further details.

5 Spend the night in Anantara Golden Triangle’s new Jungle Bubbles

Ready to unleash your inner Tarzan? Launching on November 25 2019, The Anantara Golden Triangle in Thailand will unveil two unique “jungle bubbles” for adventurous explorers.

Set amidst roaming elephants in their natural habitat, the bubbles are fully air-conditioned with king-sized beds, seating under a transparent roof and en-suite showers.

Located on the banks of the Ruak river, they’ll be perched on raised wooden decks offering uninterrupted views of the elephants as well as ample opportunity for stargazing when the shadow of night blankets the horizon.

Home to Asia’s premier elephant camp and unfolding across 650,000 square metres of Northern Thailand’s ancient jungle, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort offers a secluded location and is uniquely positioned to take in majestic three country views over the confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar – as well grazing elephants in the most stunning of natural settings.

When: Opening November 25 2019.

How: Selective Asia is offering the experience as an add-on to stays at the Anantara Golden Triangle. The 10-day Thailand in Style costs from £3535 per person and includes three nights at the Anantara Golden Triangle including one in a “jungle bubble”, three nights’ accommodation in Bangkok and four nights in Krabi. Flights aren’t included.