The Conservation Evolution

History is a funny thing. The status quo for one generation is often something of a puzzlement to one a little further down the timeline, and that’s probably the way it should be. If it weren’t, that would probably mean we hadn’t made any progress. This came to mind while reading about Frederick Courteney Selous, famous big game hunter and conservationist, and the namesake of the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Yes, big game hunter and conservationist. While the description seems plain contradictory, particularly if we view the idea from a late-19th century state of mind, the two are not mutually exclusive; over 500 animal specimens in London’s Natural History Museum and over 5000 plant and animal specimens held at the British Museum were shot or collected by Selous. This was a time when conserving meant specimen hoarding, and not protecting it where and how it is, as we understand the term today.

It’s said that if not for the accounts of the old hunters like Selous, there would be no record of the Wildlife paradise Africa once was. However puzzling the idea is from today’s point of view, even by 1881 Selous had noticed that hunting had made elephants scarcer and scarcer, and by the turn of the century the game reserve was in place. Maybe it’s best viewed as something like the abominable snowman in the 1961 Looney Tunes classic The Abominable Snow Rabbit, who out of love squeezes Bugs Bunny nearly to death, or just to the tragic accidents of Lennie Small in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, on whom that particular abominable snowman was based. In any case and lucky for us, there was enough left to save, and at roughly twice the size of Switzerland, it remains Africa’s largest protected area, uninhabited by man.

Also lucky for us, White Line Hotels edit The Retreat offers unparalleled access to this very special region with equally unparalleled respect for the power of ancient traditions, local communities, natural materials, and untouched nature — progress at its best.

Photos: Frederick Courtenay Selous in Africa with his Holland and Holland rifle and two shot large bustards, views from The Retreat

Laughing with the Hippos

FEELING BURNT OUT or NEED A PLACE VOID OF PRYING EYES, A PHOTO SHOOT-SCAPE …..OR JUST GO TO FIND YOUR INNER-SELF AGAIN

Head off here for the purist powers of Mother Nature found in the deepest raw African bush, immerse yourself into the sheer wilderness of untouched landscapes far, far away.

The place to crash mirrors the dramatic scene, a collage of rich native culture that speaks the African tongue packed with local antiquities + tribal accents – all so intensively crafted that it screams destination + authenticity. This is house that Uma built.

Uma – charismatic, larger than life, philanthropist,  a woman of determination, full of life, passion and real heart. Her artisanal approach pays tribute to her work in Tanzania for more than 20 years. Yeap, there is nothing false here, no airy-fairy pretentions. Uma has long been immersed into her beloved environment – this is the tale of passion + love for the land, the indigenous people and of course a deep-rooted respect for the healing powers of nature.

WHERE? Tanzania, deep into the Unesco World Heritage site of the Selous Game Reserve, right on the banks of the Great Ruaha River amidst the untamed animals.

Free of the overplayed, tedious, old-boy colonial style as adopted by many, Uma choose a strong ethnic narrative whilst building in the amenities of the globetrotter, what else.

Uma needs (y)our help – not everyone, thankfully, can fully appreciate + understand her concept. Come on, please share this piece and lets get her place buzzing with the right type of people who understand her stance and share her passion – You.

(click here for more info and say hi to Uma).

Thanks
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No Ball Games

Something’s going on this June. Oh yeah, that over-talked about World Cup thing.

Not all places are embracing the game because, believe it or not, it’s not everyone’s be all and end all. Life and travel does carry on around World Cup time for those who let it.

Want to escape it? Here’s how.

We’re offering you retreats and hideaways so you don’t have to put up with the bad behaviour, the tantrums, the tears, the injuries or the opinions.  Get on the ball and go and do something else, somewhere else.

The Greulich Hotel is setting the tone with their No-Goal dinners, while these other hotel gems have told us their places will be football free:

Aenea, Worthersee, Austria
Krafft Basel, Basel
Lesic Dimitri, Korcula, Croatia
Inis Meain, Arran Islands, Ireland
Hotel des Academies, Paris
Ca’pisani, Venice
Hotel J, Stockholm
Hotel Skeppsholmen, Stockholm
Town Hall Hotel & Apartments, London

The Greenwich, New York
New Majestic, Singapore
The Retreat, Tanzania

Go somewhere where football fever isn’t being forced fed to you.

The Retreat Selous. Let Your Expectations Go

After having the chance to catch up with The Retreat at Selous’ founder, Uma Grob, there were a few things that were clear: she is passionate about her work, she knows the land, and she has created one of the most authentic African experiences Tanzania has to offer.

The Retreat consists of 12 harmoniously constructed suites deep in the bush of the Selous Reserve, and by deep, we mean deep, it’s 5 hours to the nearest village.  The UNESCO protected Selous is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa, and has, for the most part, remained untouched by humans.  Wildlife is abundant with roughly 70,000 elephants and 4,000 lions making their homes in the reserve, not to mention endangered wild dogs, antelope, crocodiles, monkeys, kudu, and leopards.  What Grob has created is an escape, a retreat, if you will, where hippos brull from the river in front of your suite, elephants eat outside of your walls, and you can experience a side of Africa usually only seen by natives.

Read the rest of this entry »

What is the deal with bunnies?

If like us you’ve survived the freakish winter, the new decade slog at work, the tedious post New Year chats, you’re probably starting to feel a bit like robots. Yes? Then, do something about it. We might not be able to offer you hot hot hot, but we can offer you a change of scenery. We know how sometimes you can’t pinpoint what you want so it blurts out as “sun, oh god the sun, I miss the sun”. It’s maybe not just the sun. We need a bit of variation as going to a different supermarket or taking a different route home is a start but it really isn’t as environment changing as we’d like.

We’re looking out for your needs, for your welfare and happiness. Think of us as something between a shoulder to cry on and fun fascists.

Go away for Easter – you have no idea how happy it will make you.

Check out these tips for couples and with friends.