Articles by Gillian McLaren

Nature's Grandeur, Hospitality Par Excellence and Décor Divine at Birkenhead House in South Africa’s Cape

Nature's Grandeur, Hospitality Par Excellence and Décor Divine at Birkenhead House in South Africa’s Cape

Birkenhead House in Hermanus is positioned on the top of a cliff. The neat building, with primrose-yellow walls and white wooden trim, is constructed on a slope from road level down to the cliff edge.

Enveloped by Pristine Nature, Ensconced in Understated Luxury: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in South Africa

Enveloped by Pristine Nature, Ensconced in Understated Luxury: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in South Africa

Condé Nast Traveller The Gold List 2022 names Grootbos The Best Hotel in South Africa

East African Eden: A Safari at Lolkisale Camp, in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

East African Eden: A Safari at Lolkisale Camp, in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Beneath towering baobabs, on iron-oxide laden sand and a grassy plain, lies Lolkisale Camp.

Sensational Serengeti: Great Migration Adventure in Tanzania 

Sensational Serengeti: Great Migration Adventure in Tanzania 

Sensational Serengeti: Great Migration adventure at Osero Exclusive-Use Mobile Camp, TopGuides Bush Camps in Tanzania

Colorful, Contemporary & Carefully Curated: A Safari at Waterside at Royal Malewane

Colorful, Contemporary & Carefully Curated: A Safari at Waterside at Royal Malewane

With almost luminous lime-green bark that is slightly flaking and with feathery foliage, fever trees are exceptionally attractive.

Avant-garde, Elegant and Sophisticated: A Safari at Lolebezi on the Lower Zambezi in Africa

Avant-garde, Elegant and Sophisticated: A Safari at Lolebezi on the Lower Zambezi in Africa

Flying low over the remote Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia - in a six seater Proflight Zambia Britten-Norman Islander 2A - the mighty river with its riparian vegetation is impressive.

Remote, Restful and Retro: A Safari at Nsefu Camp, deep in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Remote, Restful and Retro: A Safari at Nsefu Camp, deep in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

An intimate camp, with six old-fashioned rondavels - the traditional African dwellings with conical thatched roofs - Nsefu Camp is steeped in charm.

Restful and Romantic: Mukwa River Lodge on the Zambezi River in Zambia

Restful and Romantic: Mukwa River Lodge on the Zambezi River in Zambia

On the outdoor dining deck at Mukwa River Lodge, we sit at the front table looking out over a traditional wooden mokoro - filled with indigenous flowering plants - past the jetty to the Zambezi River beyond.

Intimate and Exclusive: Victoria Falls River Lodge - Island Tree House Suites, on the Zambezi in Zimbabwe

Intimate and Exclusive: Victoria Falls River Lodge - Island Tree House Suites, on the Zambezi in Zimbabwe

After a five minute boat ride from the Zambezi National Park mainland of Zimbabwe, we approach Kandahar Private Island in the Zambezi River.

On Track to Romance and Relaxation: Rovos Rail in Africa, The world’s most luxurious train

On Track to Romance and Relaxation: Rovos Rail in Africa, The world’s most luxurious train

Epitomizing a bygone era in train travel, Rovos Rail provides a stylish experience on the 870-mile journey from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, to Pretoria in South Africa.

Among the Elephants: Sublime Serondella, set in Thornybush Nature Reserve, in South Africa 

Among the Elephants: Sublime Serondella, set in Thornybush Nature Reserve, in South Africa 

The breeding herd of elephants moves though the South African savannah, towards the waterhole in front of our suite at Serondella Game Lodge.

La Residence: Privacy, Peace and Pampering in a Sumptuous Boutique Hotel in South Africa

La Residence: Privacy, Peace and Pampering in a Sumptuous Boutique Hotel in South Africa

Set in a 30-acre working farm in Franschhoek, in the Winelands of South Africa’s fair Cape - surrounded by mountains with cornflower blue sky above - is La Residence.

Marvelous Morukuru:  A Private South African Safari in an Exclusive-use House

Marvelous Morukuru: A Private South African Safari in an Exclusive-use House

With a dedicated staff, for only us - including personal butler, our own chef, game guide and tracker - Morukuru Family Madikwe is completely private.

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp: A Safari Adventure in Botswana's Pristine Okavango Delta

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp: A Safari Adventure in Botswana's Pristine Okavango Delta

Sitting on the wooden deck of the communal area at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp in the seasonal Okavango Delta, I watch an elephant peacefully stripping off leaves from an African ebony tree.

Hemingway Dreaming: An African Safari in the Timeless Wilderness of the Okavango Delta

Hemingway Dreaming: An African Safari in the Timeless Wilderness of the Okavango Delta

At Duba Plains Camp, the game drive vehicles are extra-high Land Cruisers with thick tires and an impressive snorkel.