Words: Gentleman's Journal
If you think a dinner for two at your local bistro will suffice for a romantic rendezvous, then you can learn a lesson or two from HRH Prince Harry. For his third date with Meghan Markle, the young prince bought two tickets to Botswana, with local sources confirming that the couple stayed at the bush camp Meno a Kwena – a destination Harry has frequented for over a decade. We take a look inside this African haven.
Markle had never been on safari, and according to reports, Harry had planned the adventure as a surprise, which – in his own words – was a “huge leap.” Well played, sir.
Although it’s not the most luxurious camp in Botswana, Meno A Kwena (which is dubbed the ‘ultimate tent and camping experience in Botswana’) is certainly first-rate when it comes to authenticity and character.
The whole vicinity is saturated with ornaments and items from the golden age of travel, including antique maps, wooden trunks and canvas suites – all of which make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
The loungers and daybeds complete with chintz pillows also provide the perfect setting for daytime kips and relaxing. However, with all that the campsite has to offer, you’ll probably want to avoid dozing off and missing the action…
Located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta (often described as Africa’s last Eden) and overlooking a bend in the Boteti River, Meno a Kwena offer guests some extraordinary experiences: waking up to the splashes of hippo, watching elephants swimming and drinking during the dry season (May to November) and witnessing Africa’s second-biggest zebra migration taking place near the water’s edge.
Describing the trip, HRH said that they both stayed in a tent in the “middle of nowhere.”
Outside of each room, you’ll find two camp chairs where guests can take a pew and lounge all day, sipping on a cocktail (or five) while dining on the visual feast on offer.
If you can’t make bring yourself to leave the warmth of your morning shower, you’ll also be pleased to hear that all nine tents are complete with ensuite bathrooms that overlook the elephant-filled river.
But despite everything that’s available, it was the simple stuff that pleased HRH most. “We camped out with each other under the stars, sharing a tent and all that stuff. It was fantastic.”
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