I SPECIAL FEATURE I
I SPECIAL FEATURE I LUXURY ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL I18 • ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 19 TH MARCH 2020www.itb-berlin-news.com
I SPECIAL FEATURE I LUXURY ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL IRwanda's eco-lodges:a base for viewinglions, leopards andgorillasOne and Onlyhotel and resort -RwandaRwanda's environmentallyfriendly lodges and resorts areattracting eco-tourists hopingto meet mountain gorillas andsee the "big five" game animals.A key selling point of the country'saccommodation is the opportunity toenjoy what are described as world-classwildlife experiences without having tosacrifice creature comforts.Akagera National Park, in the east of thecountry is the largest protected wetlandin central Africa and has two off-gridplaces for wildlife lovers to stay. In thesouth of the park, Ruzizi Tented Lodgegives travellers in private tents the chanceto enjoy the sounds of nature during thenights. Magashi Camp in the north is aluxurious lodge on a peninsula noted forits concentration of wildlife. It is an idealspot for visitors hoping to see the big five- lion, leopard, rhinoceros, Cape buffaloand elephant.Nyungwe National Park, the oldestprotected mountain rainforest in centralAfrica, is in southern Rwanda. Here,Nyungwe House has spa treatments andyoga classes just a short distance fromareas where colobus monkeys swingthrough the treetops.There are few, if any, wildlife experiencesthat equal a visit to endangered mountaingorillas in their natural habitat, andVolcanoes National Park has a dozengorilla families that can be seen daily.In doing so, travellers are investingin the animals' conservation and inthe communities that preserve thesecreaturesRoyal experienceson offer at Taj HotelsGuests at the UmaidBhawan Palace canride in a vintage caraccompanied by a Royalbutler.Rising above the landscape in an extraordinary mix ofarchitectural styles, the Umaid Bhawan Palace nearthe Indian city of Jodhpur is a hotel like few others.Operated by Taj Hotels, it was builtin the first half of the twentiethcentury as a royal palace and,with 347 rooms, is among the 10largest private residences in theworld.The design by the Edwardianarchitect Henry Lanchesterblends east and west, with the105-foot cupola influenced by theRenaissance, while the towers areinspired by Rajput tradition.Art Deco influences can be seenin the gilt furniture and artwork ofthe lavish interior.The palace has much for gueststo enjoy, including the chance toplay on marbled squash courts,have a game of billiards in thepanelled recreation room andeven drive through Jodhpur in avintage car - accompanied by aroyal butler.Out-of-the-ordinary experiencesare also available at anotherTaj Hotels property, the TajFalaknuma Palace in Hyderabad,which boasts Venetianchandeliers, grand marblestaircases and Rajasthani andJapanese gardens.Visitors can join the palacehistorian for a tour that includesviewings of handmade tapestries,royal portraits, inlaid furniturefrom Kashmir and even crockeryfrom the Nizam's personalcollection.After the tour, guests are taken tothe Jade Room to enjoy afternoontea.Relaxation of a different kind isavailable at the Royal Jive Spa,which offers what is described asholistic rejuvenation inspired byIndian approaches to wellness.As well as massages and beautyroutines, the spa has a menuemploying principles of Ayurvediccooking, with no additives orpreservativesITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 19 TH MARCH 2020 • 19
