Tanzania's Singita Grumeti Game Reserves: Exotic Splurge of a Lifetime

[Nicholas Kontis]

Many of us have been fortunate enough to have been on safari in Africa - some of us more than once. An African safari is something that should be on everyone's bucket list.  I have been fortunate enough to have been on a hot-air balloon over the Masai Mara - truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But all safaris, safari lodges, and games reserves are clearly not all alike. Once in a while you just have to live like a star.

But even if you're not Brad and Angelina, but just have three friends with a bit of  spare cash, have I got the splurge for you.

Photo courtesy of Singita.com

Singita Grumeti Reserves

Located on a private 350,000-acre game reserve on Tanzania's Serengeti savannah, the Singita Grumeti has only four small lodges on the property. Four very private small lodges.

The four-bedroom Serengeti House, newly opened in December 2012, includes its own chef, guides, tennis court and pool. Tennis anyone, in the Serengeti?

The lodges have been compared to Four Seasons properties. The wildlife is fantastic. It's like having your own private game reserve in your backyard - you cannot ask for a better safari experience. You even have your own chef, preparing meals that will make you feel like you're "the king of the jungle." It's one of the nicest places in the world to stay.

Photo courtesy of Singita.com

Each cottage has a private infinity-edge pool overlooking ‘where the land stretches to forever’. The bedrooms with inviting four-posters are beautifully appointed, displaying typical African influences with touches of wood, leather and grass, alongside crisp linens, imported chandeliers and hand-crafted furniture.

Get your platinum Amex ready, Serengeti House rates start at $8,500 a night for up to four guests during high season (parts of December and January and all of June, July and August), with additional charges for five to eight guests.

Want splurge at bit? Pay $84,500 to rent the house for a week and invite seven of your closest friends, for up to eight guests.

After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime treat.

Ready for a lavish safari stay? Contact the Singati group at www.singita.com

About the Author: Nick Kontis - Travel Expert and Founder of the World Travel List

Nick Kontis started out as a world traveler at an early age traveling back and forth between California and Greece every summer. But it was a backpacking trip around the world at age 24 that proved to be a life changing experience. After traveling by car, train, plane, bike and, boat around the world, it would be this trip of a lifetime that would lead to a life as a travel entrepreneur and world traveler. Nick has been on both radio and television. Featured on Arthur Frommer’s television show, and referred by Lonely Planet writers. Frequently mentioned as the “father of around the world airfares.” Arthur Frommer once said, “If Jules Verne were alive today he would use Nick to go around the world in 80 days.” Nick and his various travel companies have sent over 10,000 people taking their dream trip through airfare discounts of as much as 50% off the airlines published fares. Now Nick promotes travel through his World Travel List and ‘Trip Rambler’ by World Travel List. Having traveled to over 80 countries Nick hopes to inspire others to travel the world. Follow Nick's "passion for travel" on the World Travel List: www.trip.worldtravellist.com