Hotels

The Singita Sabora Tented Camp is one of those special properties that seems to effortlessly excel in every category. Situated in a secluded spot on 350,000 reserved acres of the grassy savannah plains that make up the Serengeti region of East Africa, the camp is composed of ten tented suites that are seamlessly integrated into the wilds that surround them.

From their base at the Sabora Camp, guests embark on daily morning and afternoon game drives—including sundowners and spot-lit evening returns—as well as walking safaris, mountain biking tours and community visits with local tribes. On these excursions, visitors can expect to see the safari animals they've always dreamed of: lions, leopards, cheetahs, Maasai giraffes, zebras, elephants, gazelles, bat-eared foxes, buffalo, wildebeest and Colobus monkeys. This wide variety of game-viewing opportunities is largely due to the diverse ecosystems of the Serengeti: in addition to grassy plains, there is also riverine forests and thorny scrubland. Those who visit from June to October will also witness these animals during their migration season. (For those who intend to travel throughout Tanzania with the animals, the Sabora Camp is in proximity to other favorite lodges via light aircraft.)

The property underwent an extensive renovation in 2019, reopening with a brand new modern-chic take on the glamping experience. Sabora's new interiors most closely resemble the aesthetic of its sister property, Singita Faru Faru Lodge. The khaki tents at Sabora may not look special from the outside but having been jazzed up by the design wizards behind Singita, they are extraordinary within. While it is a tented experience, each accommodation comes equipped with modern amenities such as an indoor and outdoor shower, a deep soaking bathtub, and an expansive deck overlooking the plains where herds of giraffes, zebras, buffalo and impala frequent. The canvas walls allow guests to fall asleep to the distant sounds of wildlife passing by, the effect of which is most impressive during the Great Migration. Sabora’s rooms and common areas are topped off with decor like jewelry, pottery and art from local artists, giving the property a delicate sense of place that perfectly matches the understated design and color scheme.

The stunning impact of a bygone world brought back to life in such painstaking detail and yet backed up by every modern comfort takes some getting used to. To focus on the view outside from a reclining position on an antique daybed decked out with pillows and Maasai blankets or to thumb through the historic photo albums of legendary white hunters that rest on a leather-topped coffee table? To write a letter with one of the porcupine quills that sits next to an ink well on the campaign desk, to tap into the wireless internet on your laptop or to pick up a pair of antique brass binoculars and scan the horizon from a teak lounger by the pool?

Decorators from around the world should flock here for an appreciation of layered details. The tent poles are wrapped in hand-sewn leather. The bar at the main tent is adapted from an antique wicker basket from a hot-air balloon with brass and leather details still intact. The bath tent (or powder tent) by the pool has hand-blocked curtains and antique commodes refitted with modern plumbing. Hurricane lamps hung in a tree create the perfect spot for a dinner under the stars served with white linens, crystal and silver. Waiters will provide Champagne on ice and lap blankets. Of course, all of the standard Singita Grumeti activities are on offer, such as twice-daily game drives, horseback riding, a tented gym and tennis (though guests may need to share court space with zebra from time to time).