Three Different Ways to Experience Zanzibar with The Cocoon Collection
A short insightful look into the 3 Cocoon Collection properties in Zanzibar and what makes them so unique.
Wondering which Zanzibar stay would suit your clients?
Island Pongwe • Gold Zanzibar • Bawe Island
Choosing where to stay in Zanzibar often comes down to the kind of holiday your clients want — quiet and simple, social and activity‑driven, or exclusive with plenty of space. We put together a quick look at how Island Pongwe, Gold Zanzibar and Bawe Island each deliver a different experience.
Island Pongwe - the ideal retreat for guests looking for Eco, Slow and luxuriously simple:
Island Pongwe suits travellers who want calm, privacy and a slower pace. It’s a small, female‑led eco‑lodge with a “back‑to‑basics but still comfortable” approach - we like to describe it as a ‘luxury‑Robinson‑Crusoe experience’ — no Wi‑Fi, fresh local produce, and an emphasis on switching off. Days follow the rhythm of the tides as the Eastern side of the island sees a bigger tidal shift each day: swimming, kayaking, paddle‑boarding, spa treatments, or walking the exposed sandbanks at low tide. Guests can explore Pongwe Bay and the nearby village when they want movement and interaction with the local culture, then return to the island for quiet time. It’s ideal for guests who value simplicity, nature and a peaceful base.
Gold Zanzibar - A classic beach holiday with buzzing energy
Gold Zanzibar is the right fit if your guests want a lively atmosphere, long beach days and plenty of activity. It sits on one of the island’s best beaches, known for soft sand, great sunsets and minimal tidal impact — which means more consistent swimming and water sports. The resort is large, with varied room categories, multiple dining options and a steady holiday buzz created by both locals in and around the town and with international guests staying in the hotel. The hotel offers a generously sized private beach in front of the hotel. Guests will love Gold if they enjoy a sociable environment, easy access to facilities, and a beach that’s active from morning to evening.
Bawe Island - Space, Privacy and Marine Access
Bawe Island works well for guests who want exclusivity without feeling isolated. 15 minutes by boats from Stonetown, Bawe has 70 villas spaced across the island, it offers privacy and room to breathe while still providing full resort facilities. The surrounding waters form part of a protected marine area, and the island has a dedicated water‑sports centre for non‑motorised activities like kayaking and snorkelling. Diving can be arranged through off‑island excursions, usually a short boat trip away. Bawe is a good match for guests who want comfort, nature and a quieter atmosphere than the main island, but with more structure and amenities than a small eco‑lodge.
An Update from Northern Kruger
Update from Northern Kruger after the devastating flooding in the area
To all our trade partners - please see the below release shared by Rare Earth Retreats today regarding Pel’s Post and The Outpost.
11.02.2026
Following our recent updates regarding the flooding in the northern Kruger, we would like to share a further and more detailed update on the status of The Outpost and Pel’s Post.
After gaining limited access to the concession and completing an interim assessment with professional engineering and infrastructure teams, it has become clear that the extent of the damage is more significant than initially anticipated.
As a result, we are unable at this stage to confirm a reopening date but we do know it will take several months. The scope of work required means that the lodges will remain closed during this period. A clearer understanding of the full closure period is expected only once further assessments are completed over the coming weeks.
We appreciate that this uncertainty is difficult, particularly for guests and partners with upcoming travel plans. Our reservations team will be in direct contact with all guests scheduled to arrive in the months ahead to assist with alternative arrangements. Our priority is to make this process as smooth, flexible and supportive as possible, whether that involves postponement, alternative accommodation within our portfolio based on availability or refunds where preferred.
While this situation is undeniably challenging, we are choosing to approach it with the long-term care and intention it deserves. This allows us the opportunity not only to repair what has been damaged, but to ensure that when we do reopen, we do so with the highest possible standards of safety, comfort and guest experience firmly in place, as is our ethos at Rare Earth.
The safety of our guests and staff remains our foremost priority and we are committed to reopening only when it is safe, responsible and true to the experience we promise.
We are deeply grateful for the understanding, patience, and support we have received from our guests and trade partners during this time. We will continue to communicate openly and provide further updates as soon as we have greater clarity on timelines and progress.
Celebrating Sue Roberts: Our Safari Matriarch Honoured as a Living Legend
We are very proud to share that Sue Roberts has been honored with UNCHARTED’s Living Legend: Safari Matriarch Award for 2026, part of the UNCHARTED Global Safari Awards, which recognise outstanding safari properties, people, experiences and conservation efforts.
Photo credit from Unchartered.com
Every so often, an accolade comes along that feels perfectly aligned with the person it celebrates. This is one of those moments.
We are incredibly proud to share that Sue Roberts has been awarded UNCHARTED’s Living Legend: Safari Matriarch Award for 2026, part of the UNCHARTED Global Safari Awards — a platform that recognises the very best of the safari world: the people, places, experiences, and conservation efforts that shape it.
For many of you, Sue needs no introduction. You’ve sat with her on the Sirikoi lawns, wandered through her gardens, or simply felt her presence in the warmth and detail woven into every part of the Sirikoi experience. For others, her influence is something you’ve sensed instinctively — that unmistakable feeling of being welcomed into a home rather than a lodge.
UNCHARTED described her as “a great elephant mama, with earned wisdom, fierce devotion to place and people, and an unwavering commitment to what matters most, no matter what.” It’s a description that couldn’t be more fitting. To all of us at Sirikoi, this award honours the remarkable Mama we admire, respect, and hold so close to the heart of our story.
A Life Rooted in Purpose
Photo credit from Unchartered.com
Sue and her late husband, Willie Roberts, shaped Sirikoi from the ground up in 2003, drawing on decades of guiding, lodge-building, and living deeply connected to Kenya’s wild places. Their shared vision — one anchored in respect for land, wildlife, and community — is still the foundation of Sirikoi today.
Sue’s lifelong love of botany is everywhere you look: in the rare climbing plants softening stone chimneys, in the iconic gardens that have become a Sirikoi signature, and in the flourishing shamba that feeds guests and staff alike. Her touch is gentle but unmistakable — thoughtful, meticulous, and always rooted in care.
A Matriarch in the Truest Sense
In the wild, elephant matriarchs carry the memory of water, seasons, and safe passage. In Kenya’s safari world, Sue holds a similar role. She is one of the last of her generation — a quiet force whose wisdom, charm, and lived experience have shaped not only Sirikoi, but the independent safari ethos itself.
Even through profound personal loss — first Willie, a key figure in the creation of the Mara Conservancy, and later their son Richard — Sue chose continuity over retreat. She continued to lead Sirikoi with grace, strength, and a deep sense of purpose, preserving not just a family legacy but a way of being in the world: generous, grounded, and wholeheartedly connected to place.
This award is more than a recognition of a lifetime of work. It is a celebration of a woman who has quietly, steadfastly shaped the safari experience for so many — guests, guides, conservationists, and communities alike.
We couldn’t be prouder to see Sue recognised as the Living Legend she truly is.
The Catch from River Nile
The Catch from River Nile - Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, Diederik Vandenhoeke from Africa Beyond Borders, collaborative short film. The Spirit of Lemala
Watch this heartwarming, atmospheric and above all, honest insight into why Lemala properties believe that working with and for the community enhances the experience for our guests.
Huge thanks to Diederik Vandenhoeke from Africa Beyond Borders for the collaboration and for helping bring this beautiful story to life.
Spending time on the pristine waters around Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, following James Wafula as he fishes, is a reminder of just how special this place is – wild, soulful, and deeply connected to the rhythm of the Nile.
As James so perfectly puts it:
“Life is here - at Lemala Wildwaters because it is a place where you feel the cool breeze, the hairs on the skin even seem to dance. It is sheer pleasure.”
And from Diederik himself:
“When a lodge helps the community by the river to make a living, it just feels natural to support them. And when the fisherman smiles, the lodge smiles too.”
Stories like this are why we do what we do and why we commit so fully to the #SpiritOfLemala
What Makes Bushtops the Pinnacle of Safari Experiences
Leanne and Laura share their experience from their recent trip to Tanzania at Bushtops Serengeti.
Leanne and Laura recently returned from a familiarisation trip through Tanzania, where they spent time at Serengeti Bushtops to experience the camp exactly as our guests do. Their reflections from the journey capture the details, surprises, and standout moments that make Bushtops such an exceptional safari experience.
Some safari camps promise luxury. Bushtops simply delivers it—quietly, consistently, and with a level of finesse that feels almost effortless.
From the moment the team stepped off the plane, it was clear they were in the hands of a camp that has perfected the art of anticipation. Drinks and snacks were waiting at the airstrip while permits were handled. Wet towels, bag tagging, and a seamless welcome unfolded without a hint of fuss. Even the vehicle set the tone: a hard top with soft sides, every item leather‑bound, from bird books to mozzie repellent to binoculars. It was luxury expressed through thoughtfulness, not excess.
Their guide, Deus, grounded the experience with knowledge and calm confidence. He mapped out the Serengeti, listened to what the guests hoped to see, and shaped the drives around their interests. That balance—expertise paired with genuine attentiveness—became a hallmark of the entire stay.
And then there was the camp itself. Photos simply don’t prepare travellers for how beautiful Serengeti Bushtops is. Serene, cleverly private thanks to lush foliage, yet connected and welcoming. Everything looked pristine, as though it had been built yesterday. Every staff member knew their role, and every detail—from personalised bag tags to thoughtful bed gifts—felt intentional. Even the vehicle seats were pre‑warmed with hot water bottles and blankets before guests climbed in.
Game drives were superb, not only for the wildlife—though lions, baby zebras, and two leopards (including one with a zebra kill in a tree) certainly delivered—but for the way they were conducted. There was no rushing, no jostling, no mayhem at the crossings. The group watched the last pocket herds attempt to cross in peace, able to see the banks, the hippos, the crocs. It felt like a private showing, a reminder that northern Serengeti is extraordinary year‑round.
What stood out most was how Bushtops caters to everyone without compromising the experience. Families have space and activities. Couples enjoy privacy and romance. Solo travellers feel welcomed, never isolated. Groups fit comfortably without overwhelming the atmosphere. It’s rare to find a camp that genuinely suits all demographics—and rarer still to find one that does it this well.
The biggest highlight wasn’t a single moment; it was the entire Bushtops experience. The surprises came from the things the camp doesn’t advertise—the quiet touches, the humility, the way they exceed expectations without ever announcing that they will.
For trade partners, the USPs are clear: an unbeatable location, private vehicles, a guide and spotter, spacious suites with hot tubs, and 24/7 à la carte dining that defies the remoteness of the bush. But the real standout is the team. Their professionalism, warmth, and intuition elevate everything.
If Bushtops could be summed up in three words: perfection, understated luxury, personalised.
And that is exactly what makes it the pinnacle of safari experiences.
A Story of Partnership: Why Ol Lentille Feels Different
A clear, grounded look at why Ol Lentille feels so genuinely different, thanks to its rare community ownership and natural, unscripted guest experiences.
We wanted to share Ol Lentille with you from a slightly different angle — something that stays with you, the way this place stayed with us. What drew us in, and why we speak about it the way we do.
Ol Lentille is special. Not just because it’s beautiful, but because it’s one of the only luxury lodges in Kenya that is fully owned by the local community — and, even more unusually, jointly owned by both Maasai and Samburu families.
After building the lodge on community-owned land, the founders donated it back to the community under a long-term management agreement. Over time, more Maasai and Samburu families added their land to the conservancy, creating 40,000 acres of protected, rewilded wilderness now enjoyed exclusively by Ol Lentille guests.
This isn’t a token partnership: the land belongs to them, the conservancy belongs to them, and the lodge’s success directly supports their lives.
Why does this matter to your guests?
Because when a community owns the land, they also share the profits. Revenue from the lodge funds schools, healthcare, water access and their lifestyle.
It’s not a donation model — it’s a business that sustains the people who protect the land. That means every member of the community, not just the team at the lodge, has a reason to welcome guests, care for the conservancy, and share their culture with pride.
And that’s exactly what guests feel.
Interactions aren’t scripted. They’re natural — like being welcomed into someone’s home.
The heritage of both tribes is alive here, and guests are invited to experience it in ways that are genuine, respectful, and rare.
There are very few places left where you can visit a real Manyatta, not a staged one. Or be invited to a village celebration. Or learn beadwork sitting on the ground with women who have been doing it their whole lives. Or hear stories around the fire that haven’t been adapted for tourism.
Even the wildlife experiences — like walking with baboons — feel personal and unfiltered.
This is Ol Lentille: organic, authentic, peaceful, and deeply connected to the people who own it. It gives guests a part of Africa that is hard to find now — something real, something rooted, something that stays with them long after they leave.
For travellers wanting something unique and meaningful, far from the usual routes, this is exactly that place.