WILDERNESS Safaris open new spa retreat
Since 1983, Wilderness Safaris has been Africa’s leading sustainable ecotourism company, offering jaw-droppingly beautiful campsites in remote and pristine wildlife areas from Botswana to Kenya and Zimbabwe, while remaining firmly committed to protecting the planet.
Its overriding ethos is what it calls its four Cs: Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation. Two of its non-profit partners, Children in the Wilderness and the Wilderness Wildlife Trust, are also helping to change the face of wildlife tourism via local community drives.
And this autumn, one of Wilderness’s newly refurbished retreats, is opening up a veritable holistic oasis. Little Kulala, located in the Sossusvlei area, in Namibia, is launching a new spa featuring a wide range of treatments, plus private decks where guests can relax after a massage or two.
In this, Little Kulala is partnering with natural skincare specialists, The Healing Earth, whose treatments include a signature ‘Sossusvlei Desert Escape’, described as “a full back exfoliation followed by a skin-quenching Namib Melon full body massage, rounded out by a jade crystal facial massage.”
Other treatments include the Miracle Repair (“a luxurious anti-ageing procedure using African potato balm to repair the skin on a deep cellular level”) and the Body Rebalance (“a blissful aromatherapy massage using powerful indigenous phyto oils tailored to the guest's individual needs, in order to leave them glowing, relaxed and hydrated”).
Says Wilderness Safaris Namibia MD, Alexandra Margull, “I think of the spa as a refuge, a place of pampering after exposure to the harsh desert outside. Climbing dunes, being out in the elements like wind, sand and sun, the spa will be a sanctuary for our guests to enjoy welcome hydration, an experience bound to do wonders for someone who has just climbed Big Daddy, one of the world's tallest dunes!” And guests will have plenty of opportunity to keep fit and well generally, with yoga mats, dumbbells, jumping ropes and aerobic strap available, plus a range of self-guided and guided trails through private areas of the reserve for the adventurous.
Meanwhile, a farm-to-table menu with “an abundance of plant-based meal choices” includes the mogau oshi – an organic Namibian wild spinach that tastes like Swiss chard; protein-rich Wambu beans, added to soups, or made into hummus; and nutritious Namibian dates. Plus locally grown rooibos tea. Says Alexandra, “These whole foods have a deep-rooted ability to support the body’s natural detoxification process, in addition to a myriad nutrients to sustain vibrant health. By making heroes of indigenous ingredients, supporting local communities and incorporating a variety of plant-based foods into our menus, we start to live lighter and give back so much more. This directly contributes to our mission to operate with a light footprint, and our continued commitment to conserve and restore pristine wilderness areas through inspiring positive action in our staff and guests within their own private spheres.”
There’s also a range of “immersive dining experiences”, from lunches in remote locations to “African tapas” rooftop dinners, and private dinners in the camp’s underground wine cellar.