Game-changing conservation safaris in Botswana – and LA’s chic new Edition hotel

A better Botswana

Southern Africa’s low-impact tourism success story is in the midst of a subtle renaissance, with some of the finest lodges in its Chobe and Linyanti national parks, and across the Okavango Delta, emerging from remakes. Among the more dazzling are Wilderness Safari’s Jao and King’s Pool camps – both bar-setting in their day, and once again top of class. At the edge of the Khwai private reserve, one of the Delta’s richest in game, there’s now Tuludi Camp, the 11th camp in Botswana by Natural Selection, also established (and impressively successful), in Namibia. This outfitter – founded in 2015 by four old hands on southern Africa with between them over a century’s experience in conservation and guiding photographic safaris – was conceived with lightness on the land at the very top of its mandate. Between that, the breezy 100sq m treehouse-style tents and the 200,000 acres guests share with five other camps, Tuludi looks to be off to a promising start. From $1,262 per person per night; wilderness-safaris.com. From $915 per person per night; naturalselection.travel.

West Hollywood’s special anniversary Edition

The collaborative relationship between architectural designer John Pawson and Ian Schrager, progenitor of boutique-hotel cool and creative director of Edition hotels, dates back more than a decade, and last month marked the opening of their 10th project, the West Hollywood Edition. Its 190 rooms and suites are quintessential Pawson: material warmth via red cedar and travertine, restrained palette, zen ambience. Likewise the 20 residences atop the building that have the corner on the major city views, though guests can enjoy them too, over a mezcal cocktail at The Roof, the hotel’s alfresco bar-restaurant. From $440, 9040 West Sunset Blvd; editionhotels.com.

Paragons in Puglia

It’s billing itself as “the only red palazzo in Puglia’s White City” – but that isn’t the sole distinction that Paragon 700, in the Adriatic hill town of Ostuni, can claim. Striking interiors are another – suites (of which there are 11) range from a dazzling rooftop eyrie with sunken tub and gilded antiques to cool, grey-brushed rooms under vaulted ceilings. And the micro-local expertise, such as the natural-wine tastings hosted in its own cellar. If the urban jewel of Lecce is more your thing, then Palazzo Bozzi Corso should be your digs. With interiors curated by Fouad and Antonia Filali (of Lecce’s unimpeachable La Fiermontina hotel), this 18th-century palace is a trove of classic early- and mid-20th-century Italian design. Ponti, Castiglioni, Sottsass and other greats are present and accounted for across its 10 suites, amid extravagant architectural surroundings painted in the ice-cream tones of the baroque. From €300; paragon700.com. From €495; palazzobozzicorso.com.