What’s Caught My Eye Lately

There’s always something going on in this industry. My inbox is a graveyard of press releases, requests for meetings, and enthusiastic people trying to sell me things I, and our clients, would absolutely hate. Still, every now and then, something decent floats to the top. So here’s a quick look at what’s actually caught my interest recently.

Kazazian

Kazazian are currently best known for their luxury river cruises — two Nile yachts, buy-out only, very exclusive, and surprisingly not hideous. So that’s cool in itself. I’d written them off ages ago based on vague marketing that sounded lame, but turns out, they’re not awful. There’s a lesson in that somewhere, kids.

Anyway, they’re now opening a hotel: Kazazian Siwa, which, against all odds, will be in Siwa. It’s buy-out only, except for the four-bedroom villa, which they’ll kindly let the peasants book.  The look is very Amangiri-meets-Egypt. Egypt hasn’t exactly been the stronghold of luxury since, I’m gonna guess, Cleopatra, so this could be the start of something more promising.

Kateka

I’ve got a soft spot for small, independently owned safari lodges — the kind run by obsessives who treat them as passion projects. Sometimes they’re in it for the conservation, sometimes they just want a stylish home in the bush, and occasionally they’re entirely unhinged. I support all three motivations. Kateka is one of those welcome surprises. It’s not exclusive-use, but it does have a three-bedroom villa alongside five suites. It sits on a private concession, so no minibus pileups at sightings, and they’ve gone full wellness cult: F45 gym, sauna, plunge pool, yoga deck. Basically, it’s Wild Hill for people who don’t need five bedrooms.  Or don’t like their friends enough to bring them.

Daunara

I’ve mentioned Daunara before, but it keeps floating to the top of my wishlist. Very simple concept: it’s buy-out only, except when it’s not. Totally makes sense.  It’s opened ahead of Singita’s arrival in the region, which is either extremely brave or brilliantly timed. Either way, it’s the kind of setup that looks like it could work, if you can actually get in.

In short: a five-bedroom, exclusive use lodge in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, a country where safaris are infamously expensive, yet somehow no one offers more than two-bedroom accommodation. Daunara is a bit of a bargain (relatively speaking) at $20k a night — but that’s for up to ten guests on private land. In Botswana terms, practically a clearance sale.

HERE Maldives 

Anyone trying something different in the Maldives deserves at least a nod — even if I’m more wary than wildly optimistic. HERE (yes, the name is stupid) consists of just nine villas — all 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms — spread across two tiny islands. There’s almost nothing in the way of facilities, and that’s sort of the point. Think Kudadoo, but even more stripped back.

To keep the lights on, they’re partnered with Seaside Finolhu next door –  a 125-room resort that could not be more different. The challenge will be creating a seamless, ultra-luxe experience while sharing the ocean with the masses. Let’s see if they can pull it off.  Kudadoo has a great reputation, but their pricing clearly demonstrates things have not worked out as they would hope.

Uganda 

I’ve always been focused on the luxury market. Our business model is luxury first — and while I care more and more about the adventure side of things, I’m not sending anyone somewhere that doesn’t deliver on both fronts. Uganda has long been the ugly duckling next to Rwanda, which already has Wilderness, Singita, and One&Only. Uganda? Nothing.

Well, that’s starting to change.  There’s real movement from some major players, and the next 12–18 months could finally see Uganda stepping up.  It’s early days, but we’re watching closely – and there might already be just enough on the ground to make a visit worth your while.  At the very least, there is the incredible opportunity to go gorilla trekking or see chimpanzees.