There are few vacations, if any, that offer the same sense of closure, luxury and excitement as a safari and desert vacations. Imagine this: watching lions in the empty savannah and widening from the comfort of a 4 × 4, sure knowing that you will spend the night at a luxury resort or hotel and eat the finest food in a few hours.
Safari tourism is a new development recently - especially with the rapid development of Dubai and the surrounding area and it can seem a bit mysterious. But our travel experts at Insight Guides have done the hard work for you, choosing the most luxurious desert and adventure safari:
The prestigious Erg Chigaga Desert Camp, Morocco
When to go: September to June
In Chigaga, true closure plus traditional hospitality is a winning formula. To get to the camp, you have to take a 4 × 4 hour drive from Marrakech. Along the way you will pass through the most stunning desert landscapes that exist. In fact the journey is so picturesque that many choose to complete it for two days to savor the stunning views. When you arrive at the camp, you will meet a small selection of luxury tents. Each tent is 80 square meters and features a private bathroom, along with traditional Moroccan décor. During the day you can take part in jeep, foot or camel rides. In the evening, enjoy a local celebration, smoke six and admire the clear night sky.
Kobo Trail, Botswana
When to go: May to September
What better way to safari across vast plains than by bike? This is exactly what many companies across Africa offer. The Kobo Trail is our choice: the company runs a four-night, five-night safari in the most remote areas of Botswana. Every night you will stop at a luxury hotel to rest for the night before leaving again the next morning. An experienced guide will take you through the Botswana savannah, where you will see antelopes, wildlife, hippos and rhinos. Other than that, it's just you, the four and the (so-called) open road.
Private night safari, Dubai
When to go: November to April
Based in a luxury camp just outside Dubai, the private night safari - as you can guess from the name - runs on moonlight. You will pick up from your hotel in Land Rover and drive to camp out in the desert, where you can gather around the campfire, enjoy a barbecue meal, smoke six and absorb the impressive knowledge of the astronomer living in the night sky. And Arab mythology. With the help of the latest high-tech equipment like night vision, your guide will lead you to the desert, where you will see the wildlife leaving their hiding places. Depending on the season, and your luck, you can spot graceful animals like Arabian onyx, desert tiger and let.
Awasi Hotel, Chile
When to go: All year round
Awasi Resort is located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Awasi Resort is one of the most popular travel destinations in South America. Atacama is the driest non-polar desert on earth, and the Awasi overlooks its vast emptiness and salt plains. There are only eight bedrooms, which gives this luxury resort an intimate feel. Rooms are decorated in a traditional Peruvian style, with plenty of dark and earthy colors. There is also a beautiful swimming pool and a chic bar. The chef changes the menu every night, and uses local ingredients to create fresh and sumptuous dishes: think of red wine and red meat. The beauty of the location and the quality of the service express Awasi's place as one of the most prestigious and luxurious destinations that the continent has to offer.