A&K Unveils a New Era of Tailormade Luxury in Africa

Abercrombie & Kent has strengthened its position as the world’s leading experiential travel company with two newly transformed lodges in Africa, signalling a new era of tailormade luxury for guests seeking deeply personal, once-in-a-lifetime journeys on the continent that shaped the brand more than 60 years ago.

For A&K, Africa is not just another destination; it is the birthplace of the company and the foundation of its pioneering approach to responsible luxury travel.

Tailormade journeys allow guests to explore this vast continent entirely on their own terms, supported by a global network of destination experts, specialist guides, and on-the-ground “guardian angels” available around the clock.

Every tailormade itinerary is a fully customised experience, interweaving iconic highlights with hidden wonders. Whether guests dream of tracking wildlife on remote plains, discovering ancient cultures, or reconnecting with family in one of Africa’s most inspiring landscapes, each journey is designed to be as unique as the traveller themselves.

Abercrombie & Kent’s African portfolio has entered a new chapter with the reveal of two extensively rebuilt Sanctuary lodges in Uganda and Botswana, each designed to elevate the experience of Tailormade travel, the luxury company’s signature approach to deeply personal, fully customised journeys.

For more than 60 years, A&K has drawn on its roots in East Africa to craft exceptional, high-touch adventures for travellers seeking privacy, immersion and meaning.

With the reopening of Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda and Baines’ Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the brand is doubling down on the blend of design, wildlife access and sustainability that has long set it apart.

A rare mountain gorilla in the wilds surrounding Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, deep within Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Gorilla Forest Lodge: A New Benchmark

Tucked inside one of the world’s most biologically rich regions, Gorilla Forest Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, has long had a singular claim: it is the only luxury lodge located within the actual boundaries of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Already extraordinary in location, the lodge has now undergone a complete transformation — and the result is a deeply refined, fully immersive sanctuary designed with both sensitivity and ambition.

Design that draws from the forest, not against it

The rebuild significantly expands each of the ten guest suites, creating generous private sanctuaries suspended in the rainforest canopy. Interiors draw directly from local craft traditions — banana-fibre ceilings, handwoven textiles, reclaimed woodwork and artisanal detailing made in nearby communities. The effect is layered, tactile and unmistakably Ugandan.

Bathrooms have been reimagined as spa-like retreats, with freestanding bathtubs positioned for forest views and rain showers opening to private decks. Each suite now includes its own lounge, an oversized bed, and an elevated deck where guests often spot the region’s famed mountain gorillas at dawn.

**A newly transformed suite at Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Photo: Damian Russell.**

Conservation and culture at the centre

The lodge’s redesign continues A&K’s decades-long commitment to Uganda’s local communities. Every stay contributes to A&K Philanthropy projects, including education initiatives and healthcare access for villages bordering the park.

Geoffrey Kent’s deep history in Uganda, stretching back more than 40 years, is woven into the property’s ethos. Guests can participate in conservation-oriented activities, guided by expert trackers who work directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

An experience shaped by rarity

Gorilla trekking remains one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on the planet. Being based inside the park means trekking groups can depart directly from the lodge, often reaching gorilla families in shorter times than guests staying outside the gates.

The result is an experience that feels both exclusive and unhurried, exactly what A&K’s Tailormade travellers value.

**Lounge at Baines’ Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photo: Damian Russell.**

Baines’ Lodge: A Six-Suite Masterpiece Reborn in the Okavango Delta

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes — a shifting world of floodplains, lagoons and wildlife-rich islands. Within this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Baines’ Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, has emerged from a top-to-bottom rebuild that elevates it into one of the most intimate and design-driven lodges in the Delta.

A River Pavilion in the Wilderness

Set on the banks of the Boro River, the new Baines’ Lodge is constructed on stilts, lifting the six suites high above the floodplains. The architecture embraces an “African pavilion gallery” concept: column-lined walkways, soaring ceilings and open-sided lounges that dissolve the barrier between interior and wilderness.

The colour palette draws from the Delta itself — muted greens, reeds, sun-washed timber, handwoven ceilings and raw natural textures that give the lodge a sculptural quietness.

Six suites, each a private retreat

Every suite has been reimagined with:
• Deep soak tubs with uninterrupted water views
• Private decks and outdoor seating for birdwatching and stargazing
• Contemporary African art and artisanal pieces
• Expansive indoor-outdoor bathrooms
• King beds with mosquito-net canopies
• Soft, indirect lighting that mirrors the Delta’s shifting tones

Despite its refined interiors, the lodge remains deeply committed to environmental sensitivity. Lunawood, a lightweight timber material, forms much of the structure, ensuring minimal environmental impact and allowing the lodge to be removed without damaging the landscape, which is an unusually progressive approach for a luxury property.

Wildlife at your doorstep

Because the lodge is located on a permanent channel of the Delta, game viewing is exceptional year-round. Guests can explore by:
• Mokoro (traditional dugout canoe)
• Motorboat
• Guided walking safaris
• 4×4 game drives
• Private river cruises
• Sundowner excursions along the floodplains

The area is known for elephant herds, wild dogs, lions, leopards, hippos and rare birdlife, all often visible directly from the lodge’s deck.

Tailormade Africa: The Signature Advantage

While many safari operators offer luxury, A&K’s Tailormade approach is built around something rarer: absolute personalisation.

Guests receive access to:
• Private guides and handpicked specialists
• Seamless logistics across remote areas
• Behind-the-scenes experiences not open to the public
• 24/7 on-the-ground support
• Carefully choreographed transfers between lodges, parks and cities
• Exclusive conservation and community activities

A New African Chapter

The reopening of Gorilla Forest Lodge and Baines’ Lodge marks a significant investment in Africa by Abercrombie & Kent, reinforcing its mission to offer world-leading luxury experiences that honour place, elevate culture and maintain a light environmental footprint.

Both properties are now open, with bookings available as part of fully Tailormade itineraries crafted exclusively by A&K’s global network of experts.

From late 2026 and into 2027, PONANT Explorations Group will base two ships in French Polynesia, offering travellers a choice between a culturally immersive classic and a far more exploratory deep-Pacific experience.

The move builds on more than 25 years of operating in the region with the iconic m/s Paul Gauguin, while introducing the expedition-focused Le Jacques Cartier to venture into lesser-known waters.

Together, the two vessels will cover all five Polynesian archipelagos — the Society, Tuamotu, Austral, Gambier and Marquesas Islands — as well as the remote Pitcairn Islands.

THE PAUL GAUGUIN: CULTURAL IMMERSION, POLYNESIAN STYLE

Long regarded as the benchmark for cruising in French Polynesia, m/s Paul Gauguin will remain based year-round in the region.

Renovated in 2025, the ship continues to focus on relaxed, culturally rich journeys with extended port stays designed to allow guests to experience daily life across the islands.

A defining feature of the onboard experience is the presence of the Gauguins and Gauguines — Polynesian hosts who share local traditions through music, dance and hands-on workshops, including weaving and craft demonstrations.

The atmosphere is deliberately intimate and internationally minded, catering to travellers seeking depth rather than distance.

Across the 2026–27 seasons, the ship will operate 66 departures, primarily across the Society Islands, Tuamotu and Marquesas, with select voyages extending to Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

LE JACQUES CARTIER: EXPLORATION AT THE EDGE

Le Jacques Cartier introduces a more adventurous dimension to PONANT’s Polynesian offering, with itineraries focused on the least visited corners of the South Pacific.

The ship will debut three new “Discovery” itineraries, each 14 nights in length, which can also be combined into a single, extended 42-night voyage — the most comprehensive Polynesian itinerary currently available.

In total, the combined journey spans six archipelagos, 23 islands and the Pitcairn Islands, a British Overseas Territory rarely included on cruise itineraries.

Unlike the Paul Gauguin’s cultural focus, Le Jacques Cartier centres on exploration.

Each day includes one guided activity led by local experts, with excursions conducted via tenders, local boats and zodiacs. Scuba diving is available on board, supported by a resident instructor.

Across the 2026–27 period, the ship will operate nine departures, offering a deliberately limited and low-impact presence in some of the Pacific’s most isolated communities.

THREE NEW DISCOVERY ITINERARIES

The new itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier include:

– Secret Polynesia: Unexplored Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands
– From Confidential French Polynesia to Pitcairn Island
– Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas and Tuamotu

Each voyage departs from Papeete, with prices starting from $15,840 per person.

SCOUTING THE PACIFIC’S MOST REMOTE COMMUNITIES

In preparation for the new itineraries, PONANT Explorations Group undertook extensive scouting across the Austral and Tuamotu Islands to develop activities in collaboration with local communities.

José Sarica, the group’s R&D Expedition Experience Director, worked directly with residents to design experiences including welcome ceremonies, cultural workshops and visits to marae, the region’s sacred open-air temples.

Six new ports of call have been confirmed as part of this process, spanning both the Tuamotu and Austral archipelagos.

SIX NEW PORTS OF CALL CONFIRMED

New stopovers include:

– Mataiva, known for its rare mosaic lagoon
– Hikueru, home to one of the largest lagoons in the Tuamotus
– Makemo, noted for its red-footed boobies and frigatebirds
– Raivavae, famed for its crystal-clear lagoon pools
– Tubuai, rich in marae and spiritual heritage
– Rurutu, known for limestone caves and seasonal humpback whale sightings

A DUAL EXPERIENCE, ONE DESTINATION

By pairing its long-established cultural voyages with expedition-led exploration, PONANT Explorations Group is positioning French Polynesia not as a single experience, but as two distinct journeys — one grounded in tradition and comfort, the other pushing into the furthest reaches of the Pacific.

For travellers seeking either immersion or discovery, the South Pacific is about to feel both familiar and entirely new.