Botswana’s Breath of Fresh Air by Singita
A brand-new safari lodge is set to open in Botswana this December by Singita, masters of a truly connected and open safari experience. . .
All photos courtesy of Singita
We have always admired our friends at Singita, whose main focus is on protecting and preserving Africa’s wilderness for future generations. Their lodges, camps, and private homes all have a distinctly unhurried feel and are set across some of the continent’s most expansive, untouched landscapes, spanning over five countries. The natural and cultural heritage of each region is the star of every stay, creating space for you to slow down, take notice, and remember what matters most.
In very exciting news, Singita has a brand-new lodge, Elela, opening in the Okavango Delta in Botswana this December. This news is so hot-off-the-press that we don’t even have photos of the lodge yet (we will share when we do!), but we simply HAD to tell you about this breath of fresh air as soon as we could.
Singita Elela & The Delta
The Delta is much more than just Elela’s setting; it is the focus of the entire experience, with the lodge having been designed around it. Mesh walls allow the breeze to waft indoors, floods pass beneath walkways, and eight circular, stilted camps open to the landscape on every side. You’ll find a different experience from moment to moment, thanks to the Okavango Delta’s changing winds, swelling and receding waters, and shifting sun. Here, there is no separation between inside and out, guest and guide, you and the wild.
Elela is situated on NG26, an expansive concession in the southwest of the Delta made up of ancient meandering waterways and species-rich islands, lagoons, grasslands, and swamps. No matter where you are in the lodge, you can watch wildlife roam, weather patterns shift, and the sun move across the Delta.
Where to Rest Your Head: The Camps
Elela features eight luxurious camps: five one-bedroom, two two-bedroom, and one four-bedroom. Each camp is completely private and equipped with everything you might need to feel at home, including a kitchenette, dining area, and a lounge spacious enough to accommodate wellness treatments and workouts. Each camp also has a pool, perfect for a dip after a wildlife encounter, and a fire to warm up around, along with seating on various outdoor decks and spaces to take it all in.
Each of the eight camps also features a private safari vehicle and guide along with a dedicated host, there to help shape your experience. The four-bedroom camp features two private vehicles and guides, along with a dedicated host and chef and private fitness and wellness spaces.
Children of all ages are welcome at Singita Elela, making it a wonderful place for families or those looking to host a multigenerational group for a luxury safari.
The Elela Experience
Here’s the gist of the ideology at Singita Elela: Wake when you’re ready. Eat when you’re hungry. Go where your curiosity leads you.
Because each camp comes with its own vehicle and guide, the adventure is always ready when you are. Set out and explore the landscape on your own timetable. The experience is guided by what’s happening around the lodge, creating a sense of complete freedom and possibility.
Activities include game drives, bush walks, seasonal mokoro rides (traditional canoes), boating and fishing, wine experiences, stargazing, yoga, wellness treatments, and even helicopter rides.
Along with the activities on offer, you’ll want to spend a good chunk of time simply enjoying your surroundings at Elela, and that includes the shared spaces. The sense of openness you’ll experience in your private camp extends to the hub at the heart of the property, where shared spaces bring guests together. Wander into kitchens, pull up a seat in the canteen, and explore the Conservation Lounge and Boutique & Gallery to get a real sense of the people and place behind the experience.
If you would like to be one of the first to Go Away to Singita Elela, contact us. We will design a bespoke itinerary to set you on your way.