By Jochem Kaan
Photos by Bruce Thomas

One of many fascinating aspects of superyachting, is the way the industry is firmly rooted in age-old traditions while maintaining a keen eye on the future. Throughout history, many people have taken on the waves of the world's oceans for their own livelihood, entertainment purposes or for exploring, among others. Due to this rich tradition and the urge to create and explore, superyachts are still being produced that are able to surprise, amaze and surpass one's expectations with their concepts, design and technical accomplishments. Such is the case with Mogambo, the 74 metre superyacht recently launched by Germany-based shipyard Nobiskrug and designed by Reymond Langton, which successfully manages to combine a traditional atmosphere with modern looks.

Coming from a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1905, Nobiskrug has an impressive track record of over 700 newbuilds to show for their dedication, professionalism and high standards in quality and innovation. This significantly raises the bar and heightens expectations for every new launch, aims that Nobiskrug has been able to successfully achieve with the launch of Mogambo. Named after a classic adventure movie starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly, set in 1950s Kenya. It's this African angle that forms the starting point for that in this is a vessel that delicately combines classic warmth and ambiance with modern elegance, resulting in a sophisticated mix with a touch of glamour. And like her namesake, she too is aiming for adventure, setting out for remarkable journeys and supplying her guests every conceivable luxury.

Mogambo boasts a strong exterior look, steering clear of a bulky and muscular look but instead achieving a fresh and sportive character with a slightly sensual yet masculine touch. Her grey hull and crisp white superstructure blend together with a grey stripe flowing aft diagonally from mid hull towards the sun deck, adding a characteristic look to her lines and letting her reach that point where a design becomes instantly recognizable yet pleasantly familiar. This is a superyacht showing off a fresh and powerful look without having to go overboard on peculiar novelties or visual knick knacks. Modern, sleek and confident, her silhouette is confidently modern and just one glimpse at her exterior decks gives a very promising introduction into the spacious nature of all areas onboard. It makes you want to board and walk around, unveiling what wonderful things Mogambo has in store for us. And as it would turn out, there are numerous to be discovered.

A viewing of Mogambo commences with a bang... That is, a bang of luxury, space and delicate style, with her main aft deck offering a divine exterior space that is as extensive in function as it is in size. The main area consists of four sleek, contemporary sofas that form a perfect setting for lounging, relaxing and socializing. Adjacent the first from a total of three large dining areas onboard can be found, comfortably seating a company of 12. Aft, a lush sunbathing area with a collection of large sun pads turn this whole space into one of superb relaxation and entertaining. Along with the relaxing and breezy atmosphere, the partial upper deck overhang and bimini shades supply ample shade and assure that the needs of those seeking either sun or shade are met perfectly. But a mere summary of what 's to be found on this aft deck, like any other area aboard this grand superyacht, does not do it justice in any way. Because there is an overall feel of luxury and class, a sense of delicacy that was put into every single detail and a design concept that trickles from everything onboard and makes it transcend to a whole new level. It all transforms into an ambiance that feels serene yet has that vibrant quality that makes Mogambo such an outstanding vessel, both as a private and a charter yacht.

Two staircases curving downstairs lead towards the large stern bathing platform and beach club, adding to this whole aft section and transforming it into an area offering a full range of pastimes, allowing guests to stay and linger as they please. The beach club consists of a central lounge with bar and a set of inviting curvy furniture, offering an intimate setting for ample social occasions.

With the adjacent spa and beauty salon areas, guests are also able to enjoy themselves and comfortably wait for a relaxing spa-treatment, the launch of one of many available water toys or simply have a breather after a refreshing dive from the swimming platform.

The three-section main saloon consists of an aft lounge, central bar and fore dining room and instantly welcomes with a soothing modern atmosphere, based on a warm colour palette of silver grey, golden honey, off white and dark chocolate tones. Furnishing in the lounge is symmetrically placed along the vessel's central axis, with two oppositely placed seating arrangements forming the hospitable heart of this room. Here, moderately curvy, slender sofas and armchairs are accompanied by large, floor to ceiling windows allowing natural light to flow inside and offering dramatic vista views.

With an ambiance of classic style and contemporary comfort, there is an overall refined atmosphere of luxury yet simple elegance, all executed with natural colours and materials. The delicate lighting scheme, consisting of beams and frames of light artfully hidden in the saloon's ceilings, assures a pleasant framing of the saloon's ambiance for every time and occasion. Bursts of colour and texture are tastefully added with the main artwork centrally placed in the formal dining room. This piece, a triptych reminiscing a flowing landscape of sandy dunes, draws the eye, adds character and sets the tone for the saloon's colour palette, yet heightening the senses and adding an edge with starker contrasts and a higher saturation of colours.

The main dining room gives a twist to formal dining with a warmth and cosiness that is nicely framed by floor to ceiling windows on both sides of the long, gently curved table. Elegant and plush dining chairs are arranged in a decorum of clean lines, warm colours and subtle luxury. There seems to be a pleasing symbiosis everywhere onboard, between the gentle curves of the furniture and the long, straight lines found in the vessel's architecture. The magic is in the details, and with the high levels of finish found here, and anywhere else onboard, there is a lot of magic to be discovered.

The atmosphere onboard Mogambo has a distinct “back to nature”-feel, not in an overly ethnic way but on a more subtle, subdued level. It is this restraint that gives her a gentle and warm touch, especially considering the spatial dimensions being of all areas onboard being as luxuriously large as they are. From the main saloon, one is guided fore through the main entrance lobby with elegantly lit central staircase. Drawing from the angular shape and dark colour of the steps, and framed with hidden beams of light, this space has an elegantly masculine feel, edgy and flowing at the same time. With the reflective ceiling, polished dark floors and a staircase loosely entwined around the central elevator, this space combines functionality with style and blurs the line between form and function.

From here, one is guided into the sumptuous master quarters, starting with the elegant office as a privacy buffer between the common guest areas and the full beam master stateroom. Here, too, we find the mix of organic furniture and straight lines to be pleasing, giving off a stately ambiance and warm intimacy simultaneously. Soft blues and pink hues for cushions add dashes of vibrant colour in an overall comforting theme of gold, taupe, honey and crème. The natural theme playfully trickles through in various details, from the wooden chaise longue side table to the drawer handles, adding personality to the stateroom. From the spacious stateroom, framed by gorgeous views through large port and starboard side windows that seem to be a pleasant signature feature aboard Mogambo's lavish guest areas, one is lead into the sleek, contemporary bathroom.

With a spacious, all around glass shower area and big tub as centrepieces of this private temple of luxury, main ingredients are a palette of black, white and crème, modern lines and a lustrous lighting scheme, one can, quite literally, be bathing in light. One of the most impressive features of these quarters is the completely private balcony that is available adjacent to the master study.

Including the owner, Mogambo accommodates a company of 12 in four lower deck VIP staterooms, two of which are convertible into twins, and an additional upper deck VIP cabin. All guest staterooms are designed in a light colour scheme, mainly consisting of taupe’s, whites and crèmes, and have a rich variety of textures and materials. All this blends into a comfortable and warm ambiance, light and spaciously designed. There is a subtle oriental feel, mainly attributed to the Japanese style window shutters, and all guest quarters have a light and modern en suite bathroom with either a large tub or shower area.

The upper saloon boasts a more informal design, with a lighter colour scheme in a more intimate ambiance. Two modern sofas and a set of armchairs are the centre of this cosy saloon.

One of the vessel's many attractive amenities can be found just steps from here, in the form of the cinema, complete with large daybeds and an impressively sized screen.

The upper aft offers a large circular al fresco dining table, covered by the sun deck overhang, and an arrangement of two large, L-shaped lounging sofas. Upstairs, the vessel's impressive sundeck can be found. Here, an extensive arrangement of fore sun pads, adjacent to the big Jacuzzi, offer an amazing area for ample guest entertainment and relaxation. Aft, a large U-shaped cockpit and second set of sun pads complete the sun decks full array of possibilities.

Mogambo is an impressive superyacht on every level, from design and style to comfort and luxury. She was fitted with a full array of amenities and offers her guests the perfect surroundings for many wonderful charters. She is managed for charter by Hill Robinson.

Hill Robinson Management Consultants
+33 (0)4 92 90 59 59
charter@hillrobinson.com
www.hillrobinson.com  

Reymond Langton Design Ltd.
+44 (0) 208 332 7789
info@reymondlangtondesign.com  
www.reymondlangtondesign.com

Nobiskrug
+49 4331 207 350
sales@nobiskrug.com  
www.nobiskrug.com