&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp Rustic tented camp with a contemporary safari club ambiance
The spirit of &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp combines more than just two worlds – the remote and wild game viewing experience of Botswana’s lush grasslands offsets the intricate detail of the hidden world of the Delta’s waterways, while the simplicity of canvas merges with the elegance of an exclusive club.
A beautiful view of reed-filled waterways and a sparkling lagoon in front of the camp, entice guests to discover the many wonders of this incredible location. &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is known for its elegant tented accommodation and array of safari adventures.
Why we love it
- Experience a water and wildlife adventure between the lagoons and channels of the Delta and the Okavango floodplains.
- Explore the Nxabega wilderness on day and night safaris, bush walks, mokoro (dugout canoe) and powerboat cruises.
- Perfect for adventure enthusiasts, couples, families, celebrations, small groups, first time travellers to Botswana and travellers with limited time to experience both water and land activities.
- Permanent Delta setting allows for mokoro and boat activities year-round.
The camp
Tucked under a canopy of massive ebony trees, &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp reveals the splendour and variety of the Okavango in all its glory. Sheltered by dense forest thickets, yet opening up onto wide, expansive views over lagoons and channels, the camp showcases the best of what the Delta has to offer.
Nine tented suites create an experience that is rugged yet luxurious, blending the remoteness of the breathtaking setting with utter comfort and style.
The heart of Nxabega lies in its handsome living and dining areas, where burnished teak floors and a steeply pitched thatch roof frame a lofty and comfortable space. Made from local timber, reed and thatch, the guest areas include indoor and outdoor dining areas, a Safari Shop and a swimming pool with an expansive viewing deck. From this springboard of comfort, guests are able to appreciate the exquisite beauty of the Okavango Delta.
Private bush dinners, breakfasts in bed, lamplit cocktails on a river island or a walking safari with al fresco picnic are all provided with pleasure by Nxabega’s warm and friendly staff.
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Rates & Offers
Family Tent Rate
Family Tent Rate
Meaning “Place of the Giraffe”, &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is ideally positioned in an exclusive wildlife concession, and offers wonderful opportunities to explore the magnificence of the Okavango Delta. The wide open channels of the Delta spread in front of the camp, inviting guests to discover a world full of adventure.
This is the perfect destination for group or family travel. The camp boasts a spectacular interleading family suite that can accommodate two adults and two children (three on special request). The family suite, consisting of two luxury tents joined by a walkway, offers the perfect setting for families to enjoy the wonders of the Delta. Each spacious tent features a luxurious bed that faces the beautiful views of a reed-filled floodplain, and an ensuite bathroom with an indoor and al fresco shower as well as a sprawling veranda, with a spacious sitting area and a private sala.
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Tent Rate
Tent Rate
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is located in a 25 00 hectare (61 775 acre) exclusive wildlife concession on the edge of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Ideally positioned to explore the magnificence of the Okavango, the camp is known for its elegant tented accommodation, which boasts breath-taking views of the ever-changing Delta. Blending skilfully with the environment, nine exclusive tented suites, set on raised wooden platforms, are tucked beneath a canopy of ebony trees. Each spacious tent features a luxurious bed that faces the beautiful views of a reed-filled floodplain; an ensuite bathroom with an indoor and al fresco shower and a sprawling veranda with a spacious sitting area and a private sala.
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Botswana long stay offer Stay longer for Less
Botswana long stay offer Stay longer for Less
Take advantage of…
Savings up to 15% per person per night off our published rates with longer than 3 night stays at a combination of &Beyond’s Botswana lodges and camps.
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Fly me around Botswana Spoil yourself with an unforgettable 7 night Botswana wildlife experience and enjoy complimentary flights between the camps
Fly me around Botswana Spoil yourself with an unforgettable 7 night Botswana wildlife experience and enjoy complimentary flights between the camps
Take advantage of…
Fly me around Botswana – a land of dramatic contrasts, from the crystal-clear waters of the Okavango Delta to the large elephant herds in the Chobe National Park and the unpredictable Savute Channel, which runs dry and floods seemingly at random.
Spend seven nights at a combination of up to three &Beyond lodges and camps in Botswana and enjoy complimentary flights. Save up to USD 4530 per person per 7 night journey.
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Our favourite lodge experiences
Frequently asked questions
What should I expect on a Botswana safari?
With its remote wildlife areas and vast stretches of sparsely populated land, a Botswana safari tour is a very different experience than a safari elsewhere in Africa. Whether in the …
What should I expect on a Botswana safari?
With its remote wildlife areas and vast stretches of sparsely populated land, a Botswana safari tour is a very different experience than a safari elsewhere in Africa. Whether in the wide expanses of the Kalahari Desert and the Makgadikgadi Pans or among a network of channels and lagoons in the Okavango Delta Botswana, the scenery is distinctive. The pace of safari is gentler, with time spent slowing down and enjoying the smaller details. Wildlife sightings may not be as frequent as on a South African safari or in East Africa but they are more exclusive, most often only shared with those on your safari vehicle.
Botswana is an exclusive safari destination and tourism is strictly regulated. As a result, prices may appear higher than elsewhere in Africa, but the experience is unfailingly of a high quality, most often in very remote and untouched parts of the country. The most beautiful destinations in Botswana can only be reached by light aircraft, which also influences the cost of your safari, although it adds to the experience.
Camps and lodges in the Okavango Delta are generally situated on private concessions. This means that guests are able to participate in a wider range of activities, including game drives, nature walks, boating excursions or trips in traditional canoes known as mokoro. In areas where lodges can be easily accessed by land game drives can continue after dark, providing a glimpse of the nocturnal activities of Botswana’s wildlife.
Lodges in the more remote areas of Botswana do not have electricity and rely on generator power for lighting and refrigeration. Generators may often be switched off at night, which means that air conditioning may not function during this time. Should you have any medical requirements that call for a 24-hour electricity supply, most lodges will be able to oblige, with the exception of some tented camps or mobile operations.
When should I visit Botswana?
Few offer as much to visitors as Botswana. A favourable exchange rate, superb accommodation and infrastructure, coupled with a safe and stable environment make this a great country to visit. …
When should I visit Botswana?
Few offer as much to visitors as Botswana. A favourable exchange rate, superb accommodation and infrastructure, coupled with a safe and stable environment make this a great country to visit. places in Africa
Botswana offers superb game viewing and safari activities throughout the year. The winter months (May to September) are dry, with warm and sunny days (26ºC / 79ºF average) but temperatures do drop dramatically at night. The summer months (October to April) are hot (25ºC / 77ºF – 45ºC / 113ºF).
The best time to see Botswana’s prolific bird life is during the wet summer, between November and March, when the Okavango Delta is teeming with migratory birds.
Okavango Delta
In the spectacular Delta the rising floodwater reach their peak in April or May. While the rest of Botswana lies in the grip of the dusty, dry season during winter, which last from June to August, the Okavango is a mass of shimmering lagoons and channels. The floodwaters start to recede in September or October. During the summer months from November to March, the warm days usher in photogenic afternoon thundershowers. This is also birthing season, when newly born antelope are trying out their wobbly legs and baby birds are venturing out of their nests.
Chobe National Park
In the Chobe National Park the dry winter brings even more wildlife to the banks of the Chobe River as water sources dry up elsewhere. From November to March summer brings the rainy season, during which wildflowers burst into bloom, babies are born and the exquisite carmine bee-eaters start nesting in the islands on the Chobe River.
Savute
In Savute, May brings increased sightings of African wild dog as the females begin to den. September to October is the driest season, when flocks of birds congregate around the artificial watering holes. As the rains begin in November, large breeding herds of elephant move into the wide open Savute Marsh. During the summer months of November and December thousands of zebra migrate through Savute in search of grazing.
How do I get to &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp?
Access is via a scheduled Airlink flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Maun or from Johannesburg to Kasane, followed by a light aircraft flight into the Okavango Delta and to …
How do I get to &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp?
Access is via a scheduled Airlink flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Maun or from Johannesburg to Kasane, followed by a light aircraft flight into the Okavango Delta and to the lodge’s airstrip followed by a 15 minute game drive from the airstrip to camp
Nxabega airstrip coordinates – S 19˚29.081’ E 022˚47.634’
Why visit the Okavango Delta?
The largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta is the most unexpected wonder – water present in a desert. The broad Okavango River sinks into the dry sands …
Why visit the Okavango Delta?
The largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta is the most unexpected wonder – water present in a desert. The broad Okavango River sinks into the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert, creating a lush and waterlogged oasis with crystal clear lagoons and channels, reeded islands and fertile floodplains. Dubbed “the river that never finds the sea”, this magical oasis spreads over more than 15 500 km² (almost 6 000 square miles) and yet is so fragile that, if it were denied water for even a decade, it would revert to a semi-desert.
This breath-taking environment constantly adapts and changes with the ebb and flow of the floodwaters that seasonally inundate large portions of the Delta. Although dry for two thirds of the year, during the winter months the rising floodwaters create a maze of marshes, small wooded islands and shallow lagoons. Water lilies and other aquatic plants flourish in the shallow water, while water birds inhabit the banks of papyrus. As relatively little water can be found elsewhere during this time, the wildlife is drawn to the clear waters of the Delta.
On the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, breeding herds of elephant splash gently through shallow channels, the long necks of a family of giraffe materialise slowly out of the Delta skyline and graceful sitatunga antelope hide in the reeds. It is a place where you can wonder at the antics of wild dog in the morning and cast a line for tiger fish in the afternoon, wake in the dappled shade of a forest and enjoy dinner beneath the boughs of a massive baobab at full moon.
At the heart of the Delta lies a secluded network of waterways and islands where life slows down even further. Beautiful little reed frogs cling to the water grasses and a variety of incredible bird species make their appearance, from jewelled kingfishers and bee-eaters to ponderous herons and cranes and solemn-looking owls. Red lechwe scamper through the shallows and wild cat, serval and pangolin can be spotted at night, when the moon reflects off the backs of a family of hippo coming out of the water to graze, turning them into slabs of shining silver.
Wildlife
The Okavango Delta is home to a large number of species, including some that are specially adapted to the semi-aquatic lifestyle, like the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Lion prides, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog may be encountered, while hippo reside in deeper channels and lagoons. Honey badgers are observed during daylight hours. Roan and sable antelope favour taller grass in open woodlands and families of dwarf and banded mongoose occupy large termite mounds.
Graceful giraffe, with their impossibly long necks, and herds of zebra can be encountered on the floodplains. Lion, as well as other predators, can also be found in the area, particularly in the drier areas. Although predominantly nocturnal and difficult to spot, leopard occur in the dense forest are the water’s edge. The sparkling channels teem with a variety of fish, while hundreds of bird species, frogs and insects inhabit the reeded banks.
Why Visit?
- The Okavango Delta is a large inland delta formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari.
- All the water reaching the Delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired, and does not flow into any sea or ocean.
- Each year approximately 11 cubic kilometres of water spreads over the 6,000-15,000 km² area.
- Some flood-waters drain into Lake Ngami. The Moremi Game Reserve, a National Park, is on the eastern side of the Delta.
- The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa
Climate
Summer (October – April)
Min 20°C/69°F Max 30°C/86°F
Winter (May – September)
Min 6°C/42°F Max 25°C/78°F
During summer and spring, hot days usher in thunderstorms over a dry Delta, while in winter the land dries and the Delta fills with water.
How do I get to and around Botswana?
There are relatively few international flights directly into Botswana and it is often easier to fly into Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa and catch a connecting flight in to Maun, …
How do I get to and around Botswana?
There are relatively few international flights directly into Botswana and it is often easier to fly into Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa and catch a connecting flight in to Maun, which is the gateway to Botswana’s premier wildlife areas. From here, a network of international scheduled charter flights will take you to your safari destination. Unlike private charters, these small planes carry a number of passengers headed for a specific region and may touch down at a number of bush airstrips along the way.
Because of the among of effort involved in getting to Botswana and the number of destinations worth visiting, it is recommended that visitors set aside ten days to two weeks for their Botswana safari.
Flights
Scheduled Flights
Frequent flights link Johannesburg to Gaborone, Maun and Kasane – the gateways to the national parks and wildlife areas.
Shuttle/Charter Flights
Shuttle/charter flights are the only way of reaching the majority of camps in the Chobe, Moremi, Central Kalahari and Delta areas. Scheduled light aircraft flights depart from Maun and Kasane and handle all inter-camp transfers in this area.
Transfers
Self-Drive
Although Gaborone, Maun and Francistown are accessible by 2-wheel drive cars, travel into Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari can only be undertaken by 4-wheel drive. Self-drive clients have access to most of the Moremi, Savute and Chobe lodges, but lodges in the Okavango Delta itself are only accessible by light aircraft.
Guided Safaris
A large variety of guided safaris are available. Please see our &Beyond Expeditions, detailing a great diversity of guided camping, personalised and lodge-accommodated safaris.
Trains and Coaches
We do not recommend these modes of transport for travel within Botswana.
What to remember when travelling around Botswana
Botswana is not really a self-drive destination unless you are prepared for serious 4×4 driving and check weather conditions carefully, as these impact on the road conditions.
Although Gaborone, Maun and Francistown are accessible by 2-wheel drive cars, travel into Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari can only be undertaken by 4-wheel drive.
What is the &Beyond WILDChild Programme?
WILDChild Program With its warm heart, welcoming people and sunny skies, Africa is a dream destination for a family holiday with children of all ages. A place where time slows …
What is the &Beyond WILDChild Programme?
WILDChild Program
With its warm heart, welcoming people and sunny skies, Africa is a dream destination for a family holiday with children of all ages.
A place where time slows down, it offers the luxury of a leisurely pace, ideal to reconnect and renew relationships among families, as well as grow friendships between the children and land, animals and people of Africa.
&Beyond’s WILDChild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.
WILDChild Adventures
“Get your children traveling early. Expose them to the people, the food, the real culture of your destination.” – Joss Kent, &Beyond CEO
Expeditions may involve activities such as tracking and fishing, making traditional bows and arrows, beading, crafting and painting, as well as fun in the lodge garden or kitchen and more. At each of our African lodges, as young, sleepy heads take shelter in the comfort of their beds after a day full of thrills, they will find an assignment for the following day’s expedition laid out on their pillow, ready to fill their dreams with anticipation. Each expedition is carefully selected according to the interests and ages of the children and will be carried out in the care of our friendly staff, from rangers and trackers to child minders and cooks.
The children’s activities available at each of &Beyond’s lodges attempt to tie in with that particular environment, as well as the local heritage of the region. For example, at &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia youngsters may experience stargazing as well as Bushman games that teach them the culture of the region, including how to find food and water in the desert. Meanwhile, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta adventures may include fishing expeditions and making necklaces with the Delta’s beautiful water lilies.
WILDChild Memories
Each WILDChild adventure is made up of unforgettable moments to cherish forever and, to help keep memories of their safari fresh, each young traveller will receive a WILDChild backpack with a special scrapbook and other goodies at the &Beyond lodge where they begin their journey. Throughout the safari, the scrapbook is filled up with mementoes of special times in the bush, from notes and drawings to stickers.
At each subsequent lodge our young guests will receive a different educational or bush-oriented gift, as well as fresh expeditions to carry out, so that each stop adds to their collection and their experience continues to grow throughout their journey. Each &Beyond lodge has something different to offer, whether it is a solar torch, a magnifying glass or a compass. Specially sourced by &Beyond, all our gifts consists of quality products made of recycled or sustainable materials where possible and used to encourage interaction between the child and their ranger or guide, who helps them unravel the mysteries of the African bush and introduces them to local customs and traditions.
To add to each child’s experience, the Safari Shops at &Beyond’s participating lodges and camps also stock a range of WILDChild goodies, including scrapbook stickers and clothing. Through purchasing these mementoes, our young guests not only provide themselves with a tangible reminder of their African adventure but also contribute towards the Community Leaders Education Fund scholarship programme, which assists students from the communities bordering &Beyond’s conservation areas with funding for their tertiary education.
WILDChild in the Making
At the end of your extraordinary family adventure, along with treasured memories of time spent together, you will find your WILDChild has fallen irrevocably in love with the animals, people and landscapes of Africa, a true conservationist in the making.
What do I need to know about Botswana?
Botswana is one of the most stable and peaceful countries in Southern Africa, however it helps to be aware of your surroundings and keep your possessions close at all times. …
What do I need to know about Botswana?
Botswana is one of the most stable and peaceful countries in Southern Africa, however it helps to be aware of your surroundings and keep your possessions close at all times. When travelling in the cities, keep your cameras and valuables out of sight.
Botswana is an exclusive destination and government strictly regulates tourism to the country. As a result, park entry prices and commodity prices are higher than elsewhere in Africa. Budget for this; it is absolutely worth it.
Be prepared that the most beautiful destinations in Botswana can be reached by light aircraft only. &Beyond are travel experts in Botswana and will help you organise transfers and shuttle flights.
Lodges in the more remote areas of Botswana do not have electricity. These lodges generally rely on generator power for lighting and refrigeration, but this power only runs at critical times of the day. Please be aware that you will not find a plug socket in your room/tent at many of these lodges.
Currency
US dollars are widely accepted; however, notes dated before 2003 are no longer accepted. Also, high denomination notes may not be accepted.
Banking hours at most commercial banks are Monday to Friday from 08h30 to 15h30 and on Saturday from 08h30 to 11h00.
ATMs are found throughout Botswana’s major city centres and shopping complexes.
The currency is the Pula, where BWP1 is made up of 100 thebe. Please check with your hotel for daily exchange rates.
Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted by most restaurants, shops and hotels. Proof of identity may be requested, so be sure to carry a passport or some form of photo identification at all times. Credit cards are not accepted at petrol stations.
Safety
It is advised you check with your tour operator or hotel concierge – they will know if there are any potentially unsafe areas along your travel route.
It is wise to avoid deserted areas, particularly at night. If you are on a self-drive journey then please ensure your car is locked at all times – park in well-lit, busy areas.
Dress-down (i.e., don’t wear excessive jewellery) when exploring Africa’s diverse cities. Concealed travel wallets are recommended.
Stopping for hitch hikers is not recommended.
Photography
Please be sensitive when photographing people. Botswana are renowned for being friendly; however it is courteous to ask permission before snapping away.
The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) is not allowed in any of the conservation areas we manage until such time as their impact on wildlife and anti-poaching initiatives can be assessed. This rule will apply throughout Africa, as our partners in various countries and regions have adopted a similar stance.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Guests visiting Botswana must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of travel and should have two blank pages available in their passport. It is advisable for visitors who intend travelling to Botswana’s neighbouring countries and back to apply for multiple entry visas.
Travel Insurance
It is essential that adequate travel insurance be taken out prior to departure. This should cover any medical situation such as hospitalisation, as well as cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and baggage. When you travel with &Beyond, you are automatically covered by our emergency evacuation insurance. This guarantees emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital should you suffer either severe illness or injury. This does not cover the cost of treatment once in hospital and in no way replaces your normal travel insurance. There are certain medical exclusions. Please advise us of any existing conditions in advance in order to arrange cover, subject to our insurer’s approval. Please contact us for further details.
Health
Botswana is a malaria area and malaria prophylactics are highly recommended. Please consult your medical practitioner prior to travel. The use of additional precautionary measures, such as insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night, is recommended.
Any person entering Botswana from, or via, a yellow fever infected area must be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever.
Tap water
Tap water in Botswana is purified and is safe to drink at hotels, lodges and other public places.
What the experts say
- Carry a record of your passport number, airline tickets and travellers cheques, and ensure these are kept in a safe place.
- Never leave baggage or luggage unattended.
Some areas in Botswana have malaria, so take precautions. Consult your doctor about the latest anti-malaria precautions.
How do I get to and around the Okavango Delta?
Access is via scheduled charter flights from Maun into the Okavango Delta, followed by a road and / or boat transfer to camp. Airlink have a flight from Johannesburg or …
How do I get to and around the Okavango Delta?
Access is via scheduled charter flights from Maun into the Okavango Delta, followed by a road and / or boat transfer to camp.
Airlink have a flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Maun.
What other people say about us
2017 – Tatler Travel Guide by larien27th May 2017
2017 – Tatler Travel Guide
&Beyond Nxabega was featured in the UK’s Tatler Travel Guide 2017
2017 – Conde Nast Traveler by larien30th May 2017
2017 – Conde Nast Traveler
&Beyond Nxabega was featured in Conde Nast Traveler
World Travel Awards
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is Botswana’s Leading Tented Safari Camp at the World Travel Awards 2016
World Travel Awards
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is Botswana’s Leading Tented Safari Camp at the World Travel Awards 2013
World Travel Awards
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is Botswana’s Leading Tented Safari Camp at the World Travel Awards (Africa & Indian Ocean)
TripAdvisor
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp receives the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Condé Nast Traveler
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is featured at #19 in the Condé Nast Traveler Top 20 Safari Lodges and Camps in Africa (Africa & Middle East)
Resorts
&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is one of Resorts magazine’s Top 100 Places to Stay 2012
Stories from The Bateleur
UNESCO unveils 1 000th world heritage site
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has officially named Botswana’s breathtaking Okavango Delta its 1 000th World Heritage Site...
by Claire Trickett5th August 2016
UNESCO unveils 1 000th world heritage site UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has officially named Botswana’s breathtaking Okavango Delta its 1 000th World Heritage Site...
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has officially named Botswana’s breathtaking Okavango Delta its 1 000th World Heritage Site. A natural wonder, the Okavango Delta is a maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife. Known as “the river that never finds the sea”, it lies like a glittering jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert.
&Beyond boasts four exquisite lodges in the Okavango Delta where guests can explore this magnificent World Heritage Site by mokoro (dugout canoe), on foot, on game drive or by helicopter. The landscape is nothing short of miraculous, the game experience truly unique and the sunsets to die for. You haven’t fully experienced Africa until you have spent time in the Delta.
Visit our website to read about our fascinating land and water-based safaris at:
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge
Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp
Celebrating 25 years of luxury experiential travel
They say time flies when you’re having fun and that has certainly been the case for all of us here at &Beyond...
by Claire Trickett8th August 2016
Celebrating 25 years of luxury experiential travel They say time flies when you’re having fun and that has certainly been the case for all of us here at &Beyond...
They say time flies when you’re having fun and that has certainly been the case for all of us here at &Beyond. Hard to believe we’re already a quarter of a century old! As we celebrate #25YearsandBeyond, it’s a wonderful opportunity to look back and reflect on some of our proudest and most cherished moments, but most importantly it is a time for us to give our sincere thanks and gratitude to the countless loyal guests, dedicated travel/media partners and committed conservationists, without whom these 25 years would not have been possible. 2016 is a year of many &Beyond milestones:
25 years of delighting guests in order to make a meaningful difference to conservation in Africa.
20 years of empowering the youth through Africa Foundation’s Community Leaders Education Fund (CLEF) bursary programme.
10 years of luxury experiential travel in Asia and honeymoons in the Maldives.
1 year of creating tailormade luxury travel and family adventures in South America.
1 year on &Beyond Benguerra Island in Mozambique, the second island to join our portfolio.
The welcome addition of the exclusive &Beyond Vamizi Island…
The launch of our &Beyond Private Jet Expeditions.
And last, but certainly not least, the long-awaited return of our beloved &Beyond Matetsi Private Game Reserve…
That’s a lot of birthdays … and you know how much we LOVE a reason to celebrate! So that’s why we’ve decided to turn our bi-monthly BATELEUR magazine into a far more regular and interactive blog. This way we can share our heart-warming stories more often and engage with our readers on a more personal level. You can expect regular updates from our teams on the three extraordinary continents that we operate on. They will be inspiring stories from the field that truly encompass what &Beyond is all about: guest delight and natural luxury; destination inspiration and travel tips; family travel; wildlife and our world-class rangers, trackers, naturalists and divemasters; conservation and community initiatives; as well as a celebration of the food, cultures and many inspiring Humans of &Beyond. It’s time to reflect on #25YearsandBeyond; a quarter of a century of unforgettable stories, laughter, tears and pure camaraderie. We invite you along for a ride down memory lane. For the rest of the month, we’ll be sharing some of our favourite celebrations, memories and victories with you. What we’d really love though, is to hear from you! What are your favourite &Beyond memories? Whether you’ve been travelling with us for 25 years or 25 minutes, we’d love to hear your stories.
25 Conservation victories our guests can be proud of
&Beyond was formed in 1991 with the goal of successfully demonstrating that a financially sound, wildlife-based...
by Claire Trickett11th August 2016
25 Conservation victories our guests can be proud of &Beyond was formed in 1991 with the goal of successfully demonstrating that a financially sound, wildlife-based...
To commemorate this #ThrowbackThursday / #ThankfulThursday, we give our most heartfelt thanks to the countless guests who have shared #25YearsandBeyond with us and who, simply by travelling with us, have personally contributed towards the ongoing conservation of our planet.
&Beyond was formed in 1991 with the goal of successfully demonstrating that a financially sound, wildlife-based tourism operator could in fact make a significant contribution to conservation and biodiversity whilst also promoting sustainable community development. By true definition, responsible travel not only positively impacts the land and its wildlife, but also the people who live in and around these wildlife areas.
From our greater conservation model right down to the minutest details of the daily activities that take place in our lodges, every decision made revolves around our core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, and Care of the People. These intrinsic values have become an intuitive part of the way that we operate and, increasingly, are part of the reason why our guests find their travel experience with us so rewarding.
Over the last 25 years of pioneering this proven ecotourism model of responsible travel, here are the 25 conservation coups that our guests can be proud of:
&Beyond contributes to the protection of almost 4 million hectares (over 9 million acres) of land under wildlife conservation.
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses 23 000 hectares (56 800 acres) of re-established wilderness land. This once degraded farmland is now one of the world’s most renowned Big Five game reserves. Phinda is home to cheetah, elephant and lion populations of national significance and has the biggest private herd of nyala in the world. Phinda also houses a multitude of other species, some rare, others endangered, including all members of the Big Five.
&Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park was the first three-way partnership between a private organisation (&Beyond), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) SA and the state-run South African National Parks Trust in 1990. In terms of the agreement, &Beyond leases the Ngala land and, in return, pays a portion of its turnover to the SANParks Trust for use in expanding the national parks network.
Leopard monitoring at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve: between 2002 and 2012, 72 leopards were radio collared and satellite tracked, and their movements and interactions documented. The research findings have led to the reduction of leopard trophy hunting in the region, as well as to an increase in Phinda’s leopard population.
Rhinos Without Borders (RWB), the joint initiative between &Beyond and Great Plains Conservation, has safely translocated 25 endangered rhino from the poaching hotspots of South Africa to relative safe haven of Botswana. Read more on rhinoswithoutborders.com to see how you can get involved.
Over 500 teachers and 7 000 community children have been hosted on Conservation Lessons.
The Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project selected &Beyond Phinda as its first release site in 2004. Today, Phinda is renowned for its healthy population of both black and white rhino.
Protection and monitoring of green turtles on &Beyond Mnemba Island, one of only two protected nesting sites for the species in Zanzibar. Each year an average of 38 nests are laid on the island, with more than 100 hatchlings born per nest.
&Beyond negotiated the formation of the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area, which protects the waters around the island.
Relocation of over 250 suni antelope living on &Beyond Mnemba to Jozani Forest on Zanzibar Island, greatly enhancing the species’ status at Jozani. The remaining suni on Mnemba continue to prosper, breeding twice a year in some cases.
In 2005, five Aders’ duiker (the rarest antelope species in Africa) were introduced to &Beyond Mnemba Island; the population has since increased to 18. The Wildlife Conservation Society estimates there are only 300 to 600 Aders’ duiker remaining in the wild.
Every year, the &Beyond Mnemba Island team hosts marine conservation lessons for 80 school children from mainland Zanzibar.
Monitoring of endangered wattled crane and other threatened birds at &Beyond Sandibe and Nxabega in Botswana has helped guides to understand the population dynamics and ecological requirements of wetland-dependent species.
Elephant research and pioneering contraception helps to maintain sustainable elephant numbers at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve without the need for culling.
Research of the symbiotic relationship between lion and hyena at &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp; a select group of animals were fitted with GPS collars that will be used to collect data on their movements and interaction.
In 1998, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve donated 10 lions to the Mpumalanga Parks Board for relocation to Mthethomusha Game Reserve.
In 2015, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve donated five lionesses to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park (as part of an African Parks project) which helped to successfully reverse a 20-year local extinction of the species; one of these lionesses recently gave birth to the first cubs born in Rwanda in nearly two decades.
In 2011, &Beyond assisted with the groundbreaking mass translocation of 50 gaur (Indian wild cattle) to restore the species in India’s Bandhavgarh National Park. The herd, which continues to thrive, has now officially surpassed the 100 mark.
&Beyond’s conservation teams continue to protect and monitor the rhino populations in our reserves across East and Southern Africa on a daily basis.
Supported by an on-site conservation team for more than ten years, the careful preservation of the reefs surrounding &Beyond Vamizi Island has led to one of the dive sites accessed from the island, Neptune’s Arm, being recognised as one of the top scuba sites in the world.
&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge participates in a programme to combat an invasive alien weed, salvinia molesta, which is threatening the marine life and diversity of the Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
A groundbreaking quarantine programme at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve has turned the reserve into a major source of TB-free buffalo, with more than a thousand animals relocated to other reserves.
So little is known about the coconut crab (the world’s biggest land crab) that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists their conservation status as ‘data deficient’. &Beyond Mnemba Island has a small yet stable population of these enormous crabs and recently hosted researchers from Sweden’s Gothenburg University in Sweden, who conducted a study of the coconut crabs on Mnemba and nearby Chumbe Island (the first study of its kind conducted in Africa).
Conservation has been a strong driver on &Beyond Vamizi Island even before its six luxury villas were opened, with a conservation team present on the island from 2005. Home to one of the world’s great marine archipelagos, this entire area is under threat. Along with the Vamizi conservation team, &Beyond uses our influence and expertise to protect it, focusing on reef conservation and creating safe migratory routes for the endangered species that travel this coastline, from turtles to humpback whales.
&Beyond Phinda was the first private game reserve to re-introduce adult elephants from Zimbabwe, ultimately re-establishing social normality for orphaned elephants.
Safari by numbers: The beginner’s 101 guide
Welcome to Safari 101, the beginner’s guide to getting the most out of your luxury safari adventure…
by Claire Trickett24th August 2016
Safari by numbers: The beginner’s 101 guide Welcome to Safari 101, the beginner’s guide to getting the most out of your luxury safari adventure…
The Big Five? The Super Seven? What’s it all about? Welcome to Safari 101, the beginner’s guide to understanding the local lingo and getting the most out of your luxury safari adventure.
Give me five
Many moons ago, when hunting was once rife in the African bush veld, hunters coined the term “Big Five” to classify the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Thankfully the hunting heyday is over and nowadays protected conservation areas abound that are thriving with wildlife, just as nature intended. Fear has rightly been replaced with intrigue and the beloved Big Five is now a highly sought-after quintet of magnificent African icons that every wildlife enthusiast hopes to catch a glimpse of while on safari.
Good things come in small packages
The “Little Five” is merely a clever play on words, highlighting five pint-sized critters that bear the same namesakes as their mighty counterparts: the ant lion, leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, buffalo weaver and rhino beetle. This of course adds depth to the overall game drive experience, revealing both the big and small wonders of nature to curious minds.
Beauty is only skin deep
Perhaps a far cry from their majestic counterparts, the unfortunate “Ugly Five” definitely gets a bad rap. We don’t think any animals are ugly; each is loveable in its own way, yet the hyena, vulture, wildebeest, warthog and marabou stork remain the unlucky recipients of this far from endearing moniker.
This less than glamorous gang of underdogs is often depicted negatively in mainstream movies and cartoons, which doesn’t help with their increasing unpopularity. Alas, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and no safari would be complete without the Ugly Five. What would the Great Wildebeest Migration be with no wildebeest…?!
Images courtesy of &Beyond guides: Daryl Dell, Steve Walker and Dan Fenton.
7th Heaven
You’ll often hear safari fanatics talking about the “Super Seven”, which is an extension of the Big Five that includes both cheetah and the highly endangered African wild dog. If you manage to see the Super Seven, congratulations, you can consider yourself an accomplished safari expert.
Did you know that India has its own wildlife checklist too? Guests visiting the dense tropical forests and world-famous tiger reserves of India are all on the lookout for the Subcontinent’s “Big Seven”, which includes the tiger, leopard, Asiatic lion, Asian elephant, rhino, water buffalo and gaur. So if you have already witnessed Africa’s Super Seven, then it’s time to explore the magnificent jungles of India on a luxury tiger safari.
The holy grail
To graduate from expert to master, one must witness the near-impossible “Elusive Eleven”, which is no mean feat. Considered the holy grail of the bush, these 11 shy, mysterious and extremely difficult to track animals are on every safari addict’s bucket list: aardvark, aardwolf, African civet, African wild cat, bushpig, caracal, honey badger, pangolin, porcupine, side-striped jackal and serval.
If you have seen the Elusive Eleven in the wild, then you are in a very elite league of extremely fortunate safari goers that have major bragging rights.
Images courtesy of &Beyond Guides: Daryl Dell and Jason Glanville.
Marine safari
Once you have conquered the safari on land, it’s time to test your skills in the underwater world. The unofficial fourth “C” in our company ethos is Care of the Ocean and &Beyond now boasts three luxurious island properties in our portfolio where guests can take to the sea and learn all about its curious and colourful inhabitants.
The “Marine Five” are an eclectic bunch: the mighty whale; the feared shark; the intelligent dolphin; the playful seal; and the comical penguin.
Our Marine Five and Big Five Safari is an 11-day adventure through South Africa’s Big Five reserves and coastal areas. Enjoy exhilarating game drives, whale watching, shark cage diving, nature drives, cave explorations, beach trips, horse riding and wine tasting.
Adding a new 5 to the mix
Excluding Africa’s Super Seven and Elusive Eleven, there are four safari quintets (big, little, ugly and marine), which seems a bit of an oxymoron if you ask me. Surely there should be a fifth element to keep the fives well-rounded…?
Given the whole Khaki Fever phenomenon, I’m thinking there should be a Khaki Five? Or maybe even a Khaki Twelve, which would tie in perfectly with a ranger calendar with the proceeds going to conservation perhaps…? Just putting it out there.
Image courtesy of &Beyond guest: Mikelle Furman.
Safari goals
From the Big Five right down to the Little Five, we consider ourselves fortunate to be in their presence, to watch these animals undisturbed in their natural habitat, hopefully, for generations to come. Of course the safari extends far beyond the wildlife highlighted in this story. There are countless species revered for their elegance, speed, agility and peculiarity, and that’s the beauty of the experience. No two game drives are ever the same and you never know what to expect. Is there anything more beautiful than the graceful giraffe or more striking than the inimitable zebra? Share this on social media and tag us to let us know which animals are on YOUR wildlife bucket list?
25 Funniest wildlife photographs
Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humour and these 25 funniest wildlife photos are proof…
by Claire Trickett14th September 2016
25 Funniest wildlife photographs Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humour and these 25 funniest wildlife photos are proof…
Live. Love. Laugh. Life is better when you’re laughing. Fact. So this #WildlifeWednesday, we invite you to reconnect with your sense of humour.
Let’s face it, Mother Nature, in all her beauty and splendour, has a wicked sense of humour. Our extraordinary planet is home to the most curious of creatures, from bug-eyed bushbabies, dancing lemurs and long-necked giraffe-like antelopes, to scaly pangolins, duck-billed platypus, unicorn-like whales and seals with elephant trunks.
Ever wondered why dogs chase their tails? Why skunks emit such a pungent spray? Why flamingos eat upside-down? And do elephants really bereave their deceased? Do male penguins really scour the beaches looking for the perfect pebble to present to a female? What a weird and wonderful world we live in.
The often amusing antics of the animal kingdom certainly make us laugh. So, as we celebrate #25YearsandBeyond, we encourage you to have a laugh at the 25 funniest wildlife photos taken by our rangers and guests. May they put a smile on your face.
