From the family behind Africa’s iconic silverware brand Patrick Mavros, comes Mavros Safaris. As fifth-generation Zimbabweans, the Mavros family have tapped into their extensive contacts across the continent to offer unrivalled insight and access to the most exciting developments across Africa.
With an increase in international and regional flights, as well as a growing awareness of sustainability, the demand for eco-conscious trips continue to soar. This spring, embark upon one of the hottest African adventures through these incredible itineraries – sustainable escapes await.
1 Try a gourmet roadtrip in Namibia
The travel industry kept a close eye on Namibia throughout 2018, as new places to stay opened in the form of spectacular lodges and luxe desert camps. In 2019, opportunities are going off-grid – making the most of the remarkable landscapes Namibia has to offer.
Exclusively available through Mavros Safaris, travellers can explore Namibia on an off-road foodie adventure with Dean Dowdney as the Safari Butler – in a brand new itinerary for 2019.
Accompanied by his gourmet bush kitchen and craft gin bar on the back of his 4×4, guests will travel through Namibia’s vast landscape, meeting locals and dining at places no person has ever dined at before.
Dean’s passion for Africa and bush fire cuisine will see guests enjoy entertaining stories around the campfire, while feasting upon authentic treats such as thick rump steaks cooked on mopani wood kindling, freshly caught bream and traditional sadza and stew.
This expedition-style journey includes a mixture of stays in campsites and lodges, and with a grande finale in the magnificent Wolwedans Lodge in the Namib Desert.
Rates for the 12-night Namibia Safari Butler itinerary start from £5,777 per person based on two people travelling. To find out more, please email explore@mavrossafaris.
2 Track down gorillas in the Congo
Fast emerging as the epicentre of progressive sustainability in East Africa, Rwanda’s landscape has seen multiple sustainably-minded, luxury lodges open up in 2019. However, for an intrepid travellers seeking a primate experience beyond this hotspot, an often overlooked experience can be found in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Virunga National Park re-opened for tourism in February 2019 and is one of the most biodiverse environments in the world. Many habituated gorilla groups can be found here, as the viewing is superb and low visitor numbers mean that it’s common to have only one or two other tourists visiting the lowland gorillas.
Incredible visionaries and scientists have gathered to protect this species, which is critically endangered due to poaching – and exclusive to Mavros Safaris guests, they have created a truly exceptional guest experience to accompany it.
The suggested seven-night itinerary with Odzala leads guests on expeditions into the Marantaceae forest in. Treks are limited to a maximum of four guests as well as a guide and a tracker from a team of researchers in an untamed forest environment.
The itinerary includes stays in three camps– Ngaga Camp, Lango Camp and Mboko Camp – with activities including daily gorilla treks, time with the gorilla research team, forests walks, night walks to view nocturnal forest life and river sundowners.
Rates for the seven-night gorilla conservation experience with Odzala starts from £7,650 based on two people sharing. To find out more, please email explore@mavrossafaris.
3 Glimpse inside the private homes of Zaimbabwe’s most illustrious families
Brand new for 2019, the Mavros family have put together an unrivalled itinerary unlocking access to the (normally firmly-shut) doors of Zimbabwe’s most beautiful private homes.
Start at the Mavros Family Estate in Harare, staying at the private home of the Mavros Family – M’pata Farm. Here, Patrick and Catja Mavros invite guests to experience their top spots in Harare and will guide a personal tour of the original Patrick Mavros workshop, as well as host guests for supper and an overnight stay at the farm.
From Harare, guests will take a private charter to the Chimanimani mountains and stay at Rathmore Estate – the private home of Lord Tyrone and Lady Lucy Plunkett – home to the Anglo-Irish Plunkett aristocratic family for nearly a century.
Here, Mavros Safaris has cherry-picked the very best mountaineering guide, Collen Sibanda. Collen will guide guests up the Chimanimani quartzite mountains, telling stories of local legend and uncovering secrets such as natural rose quartz caves and secluded waterfalls for wild swimming.
A private charter to Matobo Hills will then lead guests to Khayelitshe House – the private weekend retreat of Professional Guide and African Bush Camps’ CEO Beks Ndlovu and his family. Marvel at the house’s interior design, which is both eclectic and entirely personal.
Staying at Khayelitshe, guests will also have access to Beks’ private land, which covers over 1,200 acres of breath-taking wilderness.
Three nights at the property will offer guests an opportunity to explore the iconic rock kopjes with a noted historian in search of ancient cave art, as well as a rhino trek in search of highly endangered black and white rhino.
Finally, fly over to west Lake Kariba to stay at Halsted Safaris Camp, which is owned by members of the Mavros family. Based in the Zambezi Valley and situated on the banks of the lower Zambezi River – the camp is situated within Zimbabwe’s most beautiful and exclusive wildlife conservancies known as the Nyakasanga.
Rates from £10,500 per person. This includes all accommodation on a full board basis, all guiding and activities. To find out more, please email explore@mavrossafaris.