Design and modernism meets nature as the jewel of the Okavango Delta is reinvented

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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Reconstruction and refurbishment is in full swing at andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge as part of a planned investment of ZAR 230 million in a number of safari camps and lodges owned by leading experiential travel company andBeyond. Reopening in September, andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge will be completely remodelled, with design and modernism carefully integrated with nature at its very core.
London, June 2014: Reconstruction and refurbishment is in full swing at andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge as part of a planned investment of ZAR 230 million in a number of safari camps and lodges owned by leading experiential travel company andBeyond. Reopening in September, andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge will be completely remodelled, with design and modernism carefully integrated with nature at its very core.

Twelve new suites will include one ‘family unit’ made up of two interconnecting suites, which will cater for families and small groups. The addition of three more suites is planned thereafter, completing the entire rebuild and making Sandibe one of the most architecturally impressive lodges in the Delta.

andBeyond Sandibe’s brand new look is inspired directly by nature. The weaver-bird’s nest building habits and the pangolin’s body armour of folded plates or scales have been the inspiration for the new building structure. Using organic materials such as wood to execute the structural design and installing the latest in alternative energy sources, the building work continues in line with andBeyond’s core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People.

Joss Kent, andBeyond CEO states, ‘The innovative design of andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is driven by nature and reflects the sustainable footprint of the lodge while remaining warm and intimate’.

The new suites, serene and organic, will be raised among the trees elevated above their surroundings, gazing out onto the winding channels and lush floodplains of the Delta. Boasting private plunge pool, the nest-like suites will be uncluttered and elegant, becoming private cocoons at night with fireplaces providing warmth and light in the winter. The interiors will celebrate the very best of Botswana craft, with natural rusty tones, copper-clad mekoro, sculpted wooden tables and intricate baskets.

Situated on a private concession, andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge has exclusive traversing rights over 22,500 hectares of wildlife land situated in one of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. andBeyond Sandibe provides one of the best wildlife experiences in the Delta, offering day and night safaris, bush walks and drives to view iconic species including the giant horned kudu, secretary birds, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, antelope, hippo and giraffe.

A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, Botswana’s Okavango Delta lies at the heart of the Kalahari Desert, and now andBeyond Sandibe stands as its jewel.

Daniel Fountain / 22.08.2014

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.