Wildman Wilderness Lodge – Mary River Wetlands Northern
Territory
the
World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park
A comfortable two- hour drive from Darwin, Wildman
Wilderness Lodge is a gateway to the raw, compelling beauty of Australia’s
tropical north at a reasonable, half- board price. Its mission is to give travelers
an insight into the cultures, communities and environment of this ecologically
sensitive region, just 12 miles from the World Heritage Site of Kakadu National
Park. There is plenty of wildlife (crocodiles, water buffalo, wallabies,
monitor lizards, dingoes; flying foxes and prolific birdlife) and the lodge is
in a prime spot from which to enjoy the spectacular Mary River wetlands
ecosystem. Activities include Aboriginal cultural tours, cruises across the
flood plain in air- boats (wet season) or four- wheel- drives (dry season), day
tours to Kakadu, scenic helicopter fishing. The homestead and cabins may give some
visitors a sense of déjà vu: after the recent closure of Wrotham Park Station,
its lodge infrastructure was transported 2,800km from the Cairn hinterland to
Mary River. The 10 air- conditioned cabins salvaged from Wrotham offer the most
luxurious accommodation; there are also 10 double safari tents and five family
tents sleeping up to four. All the tents have ceiling fans and en- suite
bathrooms. Three- course dinners and full breakfasts are included in the price
and are served at the very stylish homestead.
Swim
at Kakadu National Park
When to go
Wildman is open from 1 March to 30
November. The dry season between May- September is most comfortable, but the
wet season is when the flood plains are at their most scenically beautiful.
Room to book
One of the air- conditioned cabins 00 61 8
8978 8955; www.wildmanwildernesslodge.com.au. Cabins (sleeping two) from a
$630; tents (sleeping two) from $503. Price include breakfast and dinner
Cambodia – Song Saa Private Island
Song
Saa Private Island
Occupying two diminutive isles off the Cambodian
coast, Song Saa Private Island enjoys splendid isolation. Your neighbours in
the archipelago are a few fishing villages, and the animals of the rainforest.
We visited before the official opening (floods in Thailand had delayed
construction by three months), but despite initial mishaps, Song Saa looks set
to seduce. Its 27 thatched villas are scattered variously over a forest-
covered hill, along the water’s edge, and above the water on stilts; they all
have secluded terraces and private pools. Original artworks and individual
design details add a distinctive touch (such as a glass floor in the lounge
area of one villa, with an aquarium view of fish in the sea below). Meals are
served at the over- water restaurant, beside the infinity pool (or even in it),
in your villa, on the beach- and chef Neil Wager’s cuisine is superb. There is
a sap, and activities include snorkeling, kayaking, and boat trips to villages
on neighboring islands. This really is dotting away from it all, and to add to
Song Saa’s honeymoon appeal, a tiny temple on a nearby island can be used for
civil wedding ceremonies or Buddhist blessings. There is a serious
environmental remit, too: a marine reserve extends 200 metres from the outer
edge of the coral reefs that fringe both islands, and a highly qualified
conservation team can fill you in on projects through which Song Saa is blazing
a trail for responsible development in the archipelago.
Song
Saa, Private Island Resort
When to go
The cool part of the sry season: November
to February.
Room to book
Villa 22 offers not only a private pool,
but its own little stretch of sandy beach- terrace.
00 855 236 860360; www.songsaa.com. From
US$ 1,902 per villa per night, including transfers from mainland, meals, drinks
(house wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks), laundry and use of kayaks, snorkeling
gear and other resort equipment
