Bathing is an age-old tradition, and extravagantly doing so adds to the custom of cleansing the body in an indulgent fashion. Having had the privilege of personally staying at these lodges, Upscale Living Magazine’s Travel Editor rounds up her Top 5 Most Beautiful Safari Bathrooms.
If you fall asleep and wake up, thinking you are in Elysium, you’re not, you are simply taking a bath at Kubili House. An overwhelming experience of senses, such as the bathing tradition at Kubili House, South Africa’s newest ultra-luxury safari lodge. The art of Apothecary is practiced throughout the home with smells of frangipani and sandalwood incense wafting all through the house. Thirty-two brown apothecary bottles, each containing a unique bath salt, specially designed to alleviate a specific ailment, is just one of the sensorial bathing indulgences at Kubili House. In addition to the wonderful bath salt collection, Aesop products are presented in oversized bottles for your bathing delight. Combining the steam from your shower with the scent of organic geranium growing right next to you is truly magical. Pure and delicious. Open your bathroom doors, light the candles and luxuriate in the oversized bathtub built for two, while overlooking the dam where elephants, hippos and even lions come to visit.
Following a complete refurbishment in 2019, Chitwa Chitwa in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve shines brighter than ever before. The Charlsy Suite’s bathroom is magnificently positioned with sliding doors, opening up completely; you will feel like you are literally bathing right next to the waterhole, immersed in the Healing Earth products. The outside shower is totally private, but don’t be alarmed if one of the ever-present hippos or the odd crocodile wants to share in your relaxing enjoyment.
Honeymooners are delighted when it comes to bath-time at Natural Selection’s Sable Alley in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Positioned on the outside deck of the honeymoon suite, the freestanding tub, and al fresco shower both allow unsurpassed views of the habitat where creatures come to forage. Privacy is essential; taking refuge in the bath or under the gentle shower, you will smell refreshed with the natural and biodegradable Healing Earth products while being one with nature.
Colonial chic is apparent in the choice of furnishings in andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge, set adjacent to the famous Kruger National Park, while the tiled shower, freestanding bath, and double vanities take you back to an era of grandiose style. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, you can wash the day away in the comfort of your bathroom or serenade the surrounding wildlife from your outside shower, with large cobblestones paving the way between the inside and outside amenities. Who knows, they might just serenade you back.
Treating the bathroom as a separate annex to the bedroom/living area at Silvan Safari in the Sabi Sand region of South Africa, architect Marcus Smit created a rather generous space capturing the full spectrum of accessories. Each bathroom is placed with a spectacular view over the Manyeleti riverbed and inspired interior designer Jacqui Hunter from Imagenius Interiors to wave her magic wand in creating a washroom feel, similar to that of a Turkish Hamman. Basins are mounted on a floating piece of granite, rough-edged to bring the outside in and continue the story of the granite spine that runs through the lodge. Bespoke oval mirrors with copper frames are hung atop the copper mirrors, opening up space. Custom-made twig tables and sculptural wall mounts on which to hang gowns, as well as specially consigned artwork appropriate for each suite, adorn the walls. Every detail is considered with the personalized Silvan guest amenities and options of gowns and towels to suit every guest’s personal taste. A generous outside shower in every suite makes this very much a part of the Silvan experience, as well as an oversized armchair and handwoven black & white rugs, warm up space and bring in a softness. In each of the powder rooms, a poetry embroidery inspires …
