ITB Berlin News 2020 #3

I SPECIAL FEATURE I LUXURY ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL I
Rwanda's eco-lodges:
a base for viewing
lions, leopards and
gorillas
One and Only
hotel and resort -
Rwanda
Rwanda's environmentally
friendly lodges and resorts are
attracting eco-tourists hoping
to meet mountain gorillas and
see the "big five" game animals.
A key selling point of the country's
accommodation is the opportunity to
enjoy what are described as world-class
wildlife experiences without having to
sacrifice creature comforts.
Akagera National Park, in the east of the
country is the largest protected wetland
in central Africa and has two off-grid
places for wildlife lovers to stay. In the
south of the park, Ruzizi Tented Lodge
gives travellers in private tents the chance
to enjoy the sounds of nature during the
nights. Magashi Camp in the north is a
luxurious lodge on a peninsula noted for
its concentration of wildlife. It is an ideal
spot for visitors hoping to see the big five
- lion, leopard, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo
and elephant.
Nyungwe National Park, the oldest
protected mountain rainforest in central
Africa, is in southern Rwanda. Here,
Nyungwe House has spa treatments and
yoga classes just a short distance from
areas where colobus monkeys swing
through the treetops.
There are few, if any, wildlife experiences
that equal a visit to endangered mountain
gorillas in their natural habitat, and
Volcanoes National Park has a dozen
gorilla families that can be seen daily.
In doing so, travellers are investing
in the animals' conservation and in
the communities that preserve these
creatures
Royal experiences
on offer at Taj Hotels
Guests at the Umaid
Bhawan Palace can
ride in a vintage car
accompanied by a Royal
butler.
Rising above the landscape in an extraordinary mix of
architectural styles, the Umaid Bhawan Palace near
the Indian city of Jodhpur is a hotel like few others.
Operated by Taj Hotels, it was built
in the first half of the twentieth
century as a royal palace and,
with 347 rooms, is among the 10
largest private residences in the
world.
The design by the Edwardian
architect Henry Lanchester
blends east and west, with the
105-foot cupola influenced by the
Renaissance, while the towers are
inspired by Rajput tradition.
Art Deco influences can be seen
in the gilt furniture and artwork of
the lavish interior.
The palace has much for guests
to enjoy, including the chance to
play on marbled squash courts,
have a game of billiards in the
panelled recreation room and
even drive through Jodhpur in a
vintage car - accompanied by a
royal butler.
Out-of-the-ordinary experiences
are also available at another
Taj Hotels property, the Taj
Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad,
which boasts Venetian
chandeliers, grand marble
staircases and Rajasthani and
Japanese gardens.
Visitors can join the palace
historian for a tour that includes
viewings of handmade tapestries,
royal portraits, inlaid furniture
from Kashmir and even crockery
from the Nizam's personal
collection.
After the tour, guests are taken to
the Jade Room to enjoy afternoon
tea.
Relaxation of a different kind is
available at the Royal Jive Spa,
which offers what is described as
holistic rejuvenation inspired by
Indian approaches to wellness.
As well as massages and beauty
routines, the spa has a menu
employing principles of Ayurvedic
cooking, with no additives or
preservatives
ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 19 TH MARCH 2020 • 19