Articles by Gillian McLaren

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.

Xigera Safari Lodge: Opulence and Artistry Deep in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

Xigera Safari Lodge: Opulence and Artistry Deep in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

Although Xigera Safari Lodge opened in 2021 in the pristine Okavango Delta - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - it has already been showered with multiple awards and accolades.

Royal Malewane: Sophisticated Safari in South Africa

Royal Malewane: Sophisticated Safari in South Africa

Set in Thornybush Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park, Royal Malewane is ideally located for an extraordinary South African safari.

There’s an elephant on my roof! Artistry and Adventure at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge in South Africa

There’s an elephant on my roof! Artistry and Adventure at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge in South Africa

During the construction of Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, soil was carved out of the sloping savannah, to create a niche for the buildings.

Immersed in the Wild at Saseka Tented Camp in South Africa

Immersed in the Wild at Saseka Tented Camp in South Africa

Unpretentious 5-star luxury, unrivaled game viewing, unexpected architecture and decor in Saseka Tented Camp, at Thornybush.

On Top of the World at South Africa's Noka Camp

On Top of the World at South Africa's Noka Camp

The four ultra-luxurious tented villas and family villa at Noka Camp, in the Waterberg, are situated on the edge of a thirty metre cliff.