Safari was adopted into Kiswahili from the Arabic word safara, meaning ‘to travel’.
The origin of the word is a great starting point when you aim to recreate the style of African Safari Lodges in your own home or any personal space. We will take any excuse to discover, talk about and visit beautiful accommodations everywhere adventure is happening… but as excuses go, great design is a favorite.
Indulging in Great Design is {really} Good for You
As the tempo and volume of our complex lives keep inching up the dial we find our surroundings not so much a visual strategy and more a means for facilitating dialogue and building emotional connections
Simply making things aesthetically pretty is no longer the gold standard. Instead, our society rewards individuals who have imbued their environment with meaning. And it isn’t all about keeping up with the Joneses either. Great and meaningful design can be an effective grounding discipline. It is a creative outlet, encourages self-knowledge and world-knowledge, and keeps memories fresh.
If you relish in the joy of Africa’s wildlife and vistas.
If you dream of going on Safari.
Incorporate the following elements, as illustrated by fabulous luxury lodges throughout Africa, in your own home:
Morocco
Riad Enija
Intricate tiling, Persian carpets, and jewel-like colors… with a touch of glass and gilding. Fabrics are often textured or floaty. Decorative wood panels and whimsical lighting.
Riad Kass
Wood painted in jewel colors with gold accents. Displaying straw hats. Moroccan lamps (if you decide to buy these do know that the real copper lanterns will last longer than cheaper imitations). Decorative dado. Silver (or copper) water bottle sleeves. Bougainvillea blossoms.
Riad Monceau
Inner courtyard. Restrained but beautifully tiled plunge pool. If you don’t like intricate tiles everywhere you can use a few of them as an accent piece. Painted glass panels and lamps.
Riad Les Yeux Bleus
Tiled tables, silver trays, patterned throw pillows, and more jewel colors. Strong wall colors and antique paintings in great frames grouped together.
Scarabeo Camp
Weathered leather, Moroccan poufs, Zebra skin, Camping chairs, Lantern candle holders and vintage trunks.
Hessian rugs, Throw pillows, Woven pillows.
Woven bedspread with wool pom poms, intricate floor lamps.
Agafay Desert Camp
Moroccan rugs, chaise longue, Room divider, Pewter, Woven accents
Zambia
Tongabezi
Wooden decks, Canopied loungers, Tiled plunge pools, and Indoor/outdoor living courtesy of concertina doors.
Patterned tiles as accents, Concrete floors, Mixed textures, Persian carpets, Reclaimed wood furniture, and Old-fashioned fans.
Gorgeous lighting, Reclaimed boat as a bar, and Extra wide doors.
Incorporating African carving into lamps, Deep comfortable sofas Unfinished edge to a grass roof, and Old books.
Stripes and tropical patterns, Hanging chairs, and Mixed lighting.
More beautiful chandelier effect lighting, Wooden curios, and Overstuffed sofas.
Kenya
Cottar’s 1920s
A tennis court (or table tennis) and a Real Zebra to keep your lawn mowed would be a total slam dunk. 🤣 🦓
Candles, Making it all about the view, and Boardgames, please.
Antique trunks, Netting, and Persian carpets = a Trinity of African Fusion.
An outdoor bath (valet optional), Silver tea sets, Zebra skins, and Riempie seats.
Botswana
Jack’s Camp
A pool table on a Persian carpet, Curated animal bones, and a Well-stocked drinks cabinet.
Velvet, Lanterns, Ostrich eggs, and Swing Seats
Canopied beds, Clashing patterns, Leather loungers, and Folding Camp chairs.
Tented swimming pool, Wooden decking, and Stripes.
Room dividers, Palms, and a lounger from Zanzibar.
Zarafa
Persian carpet, Floor cushions, Wide opening doors, Leather sofas, and a Riempie coffee table.
Plunge pools on a deck, Folding camping chairs, Lantern light, and Weathered Wood.
Do arrange for an Elephant to saunter past on occasion. It is simply guaranteed to give your space that African ambiance!
Giant pouf coffee tables, Folding tray tables, Trunks, and Clay Pots.
Rwanda
Bisate Lodge
Graphic patterns, Worn-in boots, and Woven accents.
Hut shapes and Grass roofs.
Domed rooms, Inlaid headboards, and floors, Indoor fires and a Collection of natural surfaces.
Kilim rugs, Jewel colors and Grouped metal lighting.
Outdoor entertainment and relaxation space.
Tanzania
Serengeti Highlands
Domes, Canvas, and Glass.
Beautiful views and Fine art portraits.
A collection of fabrics and textures.
and/or