&Beyond Klein’s Camp Magnificent views of a private Serengeti concession from the edge of the Kuka Hills
The spirit of &Beyond Klein’s Camp
Guests enjoy exceptional game viewing, thrilling night game drives, Maasai culture and old-fashioned safari luxury.
With unbroken views over a gorgeous game-filled valley and the hills beyond, which play host to one of the greatest wildlife migrations on earth, &Beyond Klein’s Camp embodies the very soul of the Serengeti.
This private and remote camp offers guests the spirit of wild Africa – wooded hillsides, rolling grasslands and forested river banks all teeming with the rich wildlife of this natural sanctuary lie sprawled at your feet. Set in a landscape that is gentle yet rugged, &Beyond Klein’s Camp reflects the heart of this untamed land with a vintage safari style.
Why we love it
- Panoramic views over the Serengeti and the Masai Mara
- Within reach of the annual Great Wildebeest Migration
- 10 000 hectare (24 700 acre) exclusive wilderness concession in the Serengeti, therefore permitting off-road driving, bush walks and night drives
- Sensitive off-road driving techniques allow for close wildlife sightings
- Exclusive game drives with limited number of vehicles
- Vast resident lion prides, as well as leopard and cheetah
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Rates & Offers
Cottages Rate
Cottages Rate
Majestically situated on the edge of the Kuka Hills, &Beyond Klein’s Camp consists of just ten intimate cottages made of local stone and makuti thatch, with rich wooden floors and classic interiors. Each cottage has an ensuite bathroom and private veranda, where guests can marvel at some of the best views of the Serengeti while sipping on a delicious cocktail. A diversity of resident wildlife, including huge elephant herds, can be viewed from everywhere in camp – even the kitchen boasts unforgettable views. The camp has a large, beautifully furnished bar and sitting area, a sparkling swimming pool tucked into the hillside and a Safari Shop featuring locally-made Maasai crafts. Fresh vegetables picked from the camp’s shamba, or organic African garden, are used to create wholesome dishes. Dinners are served in the main dining area, which is graced by a large open fireplace.
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Family Cottage Rate
Family Cottage Rate
Majestically situated on the edge of the Kuka Hills, deep in a remote corner of the game-rich Serengeti National Park, &Beyond Klein’s Camp consists of intimate cottages made of local stone and makuti thatch, with rich wooden floors and classic interiors.
&Beyond Klein’s Camp is a fantastic destination for group and family travel. It boasts two spacious cottages that make up a family suite. The cottages are connected by a protected walkway, which allows easy access between the cottages while maintaining complete privacy. The family cottage can accommodate up to two adults and two children (three children can be accommodated on special request). Each cottage has an ensuite bathroom and private veranda with breathtaking views over the surrounding hills and the valley below.
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Tanzania long stay offer Stay longer for less
Tanzania 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 East African lodges and camps.
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Kenya long stay offer Stay longer for Less
Kenya long stay offer Stay longer for Less
Save up to 15% per person per night off our published rates with longer than 3 night stays at a combination of &Beyond’s East African lodges and camps.
Ready to start planning your journey?
Fly me around East Africa Explore the classical safari landscapes of East Africa and save up to USD3520 per stay
Fly me around East Africa Explore the classical safari landscapes of East Africa and save up to USD3520 per stay
Take advantage of…
Fly me around East Africa – discover the scenic highlights of East Africa for less. Book seven nights at any combination of &Beyond’s lodges in Kenya or Tanzania and all flights between camps are on us. Ultimate flexibility at a fixed price – you chose which of our East African properties you would like to include and we will fly you there.
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Our favourite lodge experiences
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to and around Tanzania?
Tanzania has several airports, although the most common access points are Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) on the coast and Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north-east of the …
How do I get to and around Tanzania? The gateway to Tanzania is Dar es Salaam. Limited international scheduled flights also fly directly to Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania has several airports, although the most common access points are Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) on the coast and Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north-east of the country or connections are available from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (Nairobi, Kenya).
Guests heading out on safari can fly into either destination and link up with scheduled light aircraft flights to airstrips in the wilderness areas. A typical route would be to arrive at Kilimanjaro, where your safari operator would be waiting to drive you to Arusha, where you would spend the night. Early the next morning, you could catch any of a number of flights that depart from Arusha heading out onto the safari circuit. In the south, guests arriving in Dar es Salaam can connect to light aircraft flights to Arusha or into the southern parks of Selous or Ruaha, depending on their arrival time. If you are travelling to the remote western parks, flights depart only twice a week and take up to five hours to reach their destination.
Flights
SCHEDULED INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
The gateways to Tanzania are Dar es Salaam and Nairobi in Kenya. (Limited international scheduled flights also fly directly to Kilimanjaro.) Daily scheduled domestic flights link these gateways with Tanzania’s wildlife areas.
SHUTTLE/CHARTER FLIGHTS
Daily flights link the international airports with Tanzania‘s wildlife areas via Arusha Airport using a reliable network of light aircraft flights sold on a scheduled seat in plane or private charter basis. Please note the luggage limit on these aircrafts is 15 kg (33 lb), packed in soft bags.
Transfers
SELF-DRIVE
Self-drive is not recommended in Tanzania as it is a vast country with varying road conditions, and 4×4 transport is required for most areas.
GUIDED DRIVING SAFARIS
We have a fleet of vehicles and can tailor-make itineraries throughout the country.
TRAVEL TIMES
When travelling through Tanzania it is useful to have the correct expectation as to how distance and time relate. Please reference our guidelines below when calculating how far you can travel in a given amount of time.
What to remember when travelling around Tanzania
Tanzania is a vast country and the distances between attractions can be considerable. It is therefore advisable that you consult a tour operator to help you organise flights and transfers. Keep in mind that some of the attractions, like the Selous Game Reserve and the Ruaha National Park, are quite remote locations and you will need to arrange air transport if you wish to visit them.
Road conditions are variable, there are long distances to be covered and 4×4 transport is required for most areas. This method of travel is not recommended in Tanzania. If you decide to travel by road, be prepared for a long, dusty and potentially exhausting trip.
When should I visit Tanzania?
While it is best known for its exceptional wildlife experiences, Tanzania has a great deal to offer travellers. Home to the endless plains of the Serengeti, as well as a …
When should I visit Tanzania? Tanzania is a year round travel destination where each season has its own reason to visit
While it is best known for its exceptional wildlife experiences, Tanzania has a great deal to offer travellers. Home to the endless plains of the Serengeti, as well as a selection of extraordinarily picturesque wildlife areas, the country is one of Africa’s most well-known safari destinations. It is also home to the continent’s highest mountain, the spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro, which offers a relatively easy ascent and is popular with climbers. The country is also one of the few places in the world where chimpanzees can be seen in the wild. Boasting a golden coastline washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Tanzania is also an outstanding beach destination.
With a well-developed tourism industry and a number of attractive destinations, it is easy for our Tanzania tour packages to cater for one or more of these interests.
Your reason to come may depend on your need to escape the cold, your desire to experience turtles hatching or your quest to receive the best value for money.
Tanzania – what should I pack?
With only 13.5lbs (20kgs) to spare you may need assistance with your packing list
Tanzania – what should I pack? With only 33lbs (15kgs) to spare you may need assistance with your packing list
Casual, comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. Due to the high altitude on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater it can be cold at night (even in summer) therefore it is very important to pack warm clothing for the nights. The most practical items to pack are:
- Khaki, brown, white and beige colours
- Light cotton tops and cotton trousers/shorts in summer
- Long sleeved blouses/shirts for game drives Safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
- A fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives (and at the Ngorongoro Crater)
- Swimwear is a must for the beach A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Thermal underwear, light layers, sweater, warm jacket, good socks and sturdy, comfortable walking boots for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Depending on your journey it may be easier to reference our useful Packing checklist.
How do I find the Great Migration?
The Great Migration traditionally follows the rain as animals migrate towards better pastures…
How do I find the Great Migration? The Great Migration traditionally follows the rain as animals migrate towards better pastures
The annual movement of wildebeest and other herbivores across the Serengeti– Mara ecosystem consists of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, 400 000 zebra, 18 000 eland and 200 000 Thompson’s gazelle. The Migration is rarely the same in terms of precise timing and direction.
JANUARY – MARCH
The animals gather on the southern Serengeti plains, dropping their calves. The plains are a short drive from &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas.
APRIL – MAY
The herds move north, towards the central Serengeti plains and the Seronera area. The &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas camps follow.
JUNE
The herds move northwest, towards &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp. The luxury tented camps of &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas re-position themselves.
JULY – OCTOBER
The herds start heading northeast, followed by the &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas camps. The wildebeest must cross the Mara River before they reach Kenya’s Masai Mara, to the west of &Beyond Klein’s Camp. As the animals continue to move backwards and forwards across the river, the excitement can also be viewed from &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp and &Beyond Bateleur Camp.
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER
Crossing back into the Serengeti, the Migration moves south, passing &Beyond’s Klein’s Camp and Serengeti Under Canvas.
The wildebeest migration follows the year’s annual rainfall so its appearance in Tanzania and Kenya is weather dependent. Our travel experts are updated weekly by our guides in the field who closely monitor the location of the wildebeest migration throughout the year. This enables us to advise you on the best destination to visit during your particular time of travel.
How do I get to &Beyond Klein’s Camp?
A number of airlines operate scheduled flights from Arusha to Klein’s Airstrip each morning, followed by a leisurely one and a half hour drive to camp, with game viewing en …
How do I get to &Beyond Klein’s Camp?
A number of airlines operate scheduled flights from Arusha to Klein’s Airstrip each morning, followed by a leisurely one and a half hour drive to camp, with game viewing en route
Lobo Airstrip coordinates – S 01˚50.089’ E 035˚14.797’
Why visit the Serengeti National Park?
With a name that means ‘endless plains’ in the Maasai language, the Serengeti National Park has become famous as a scenic and classical safari destination. Stretching along a vast plateau …
Why visit the Serengeti National Park?
With a name that means ‘endless plains’ in the Maasai language, the Serengeti National Park has become famous as a scenic and classical safari destination. Stretching along a vast plateau between the eastern arm of the rugged Rift Valley and the huge expanse of Lake Victoria, the park covers an immense 14 800 km² (5 700 square miles) on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya. The park is famous for its vast, open grasslands, which allow for excellent sightings of the abundant wildlife. Tanzania’s oldest game reserve, it is also one of the oldest ecosystems on earth and its climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years.
While the Serengeti boasts incredible numbers of resident wildlife, it is perhaps best known as the site of the annual Great Migration, when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. One of the greatest spectacles in the natural world, the migration follows the seasonal rains, spending the wet season on the south eastern plains of Tanzania and the dry season in the woodlands of north western Kenya. Between January and March the wildebeest give birth on the short grass plains of the south eastern Serengeti. This time of year attracts a vast plethora of predators, from lion to hyena, leopard and cheetah. As the grazing runs low in this area the wildebeest move to the central Serengeti and then the Western Corridor before crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers on their journey south in Kenya. Braving the jaws of some of Africa’s largest crocodiles, the river crossings are always a dramatic and emotional sight.
Why Visit?
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The National Park is 1.5 million hectares.
- Undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas and is an ongoing source of inspiration to writers, filmmakers and photographers.
- It is Tanzania’s oldest game reserve, renowned as the site of the annual Great Migration, when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. This epic, seasonal journey is a deeply moving experience and a wonderful photographic subject.
- Big Five National Park with a huge concentration of cats.
It has been immortalized in film and literature and continues to inspire writers, photographers and travellers from all over the world. Its prides of lion, the teeming multitudes of its Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra and the infinite expanses of open grasslands combine to form the most powerful and alluring vision of Africa.
Here keen photographers crouch over telephoto lenses as the sun turns the scene to gold. Here a family stares in hushed excitement at their first encounter with a towering bull elephant. Here the horizon fills with the dust of millions of hooves and the timeless drama of predator and prey takes centre stage.
Climate
Summer
Min 24°C/75°F Max 32 C
Winter
Min 8°C/46°F Max 23°C/73°F
Long rains: April to May (Monsoon)
Short rains: November to mid December
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.
Journeys to inspire
Stories from The Bateleur
The great divide – Part 2
This second udpate will focus on the northern reaches of the Serengeti and the southern Mara plains...
by Claire Trickett17th June 2016
The great divide – Part 2 This second udpate will focus on the northern reaches of the Serengeti and the southern Mara plains...
This second udpate will focus on the northern reaches of the Serengeti and the southern Mara plains, where guests at &Beyond Klein’s Camp, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp and &Beyond Bateleur Camp are also all witnessing the mighty herds.
The Great Migration’s ‘other half’ – an estimated half a million hungry herbivores – have steadily made their way up north and are now grazing the palatable plains near the Sand River, northwest of Bologonja and over into the &Beyond Klein’s Camp private wildlife concession.
Our rangers north of the Mara River at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo have also reported that they are delighted to hear the ‘mooing’ grunts of the gnus back in the Masai Mara. There are an estimated two to three hundred thousand wildebeest gathered at Roan Hill.
A special thank you to &Beyond Kichwa Tembo guest, Joe Hunt, for sharing her extraordinary images with us.
Watch this space for more updates!
In the midst of all the action
The mega herd remains split, with half of the Great Migration grazing the Grumeti region of the Western Corridor...
by Claire Trickett23rd June 2016
In the midst of all the action The mega herd remains split, with half of the Great Migration grazing the Grumeti region of the Western Corridor...
The mega herd remains split, with half of the Great Migration grazing the Grumeti region of the Western Corridor, and the other half already positioned in the northern reaches of the Serengeti and spilling over into the Masai Mara.
Guests visiting the luxurious &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp, as well as our two semi-permanent &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas camps, are literally in the midst of all the action. Not only are guests witnessing the start of the exciting Grumeti River crossings, but the camps themselves are also surrounded by the great mass of grunting gnus.
At Under Canvas, there has been plenty of nighttime excitement as lions stalk the herds. The sounds of the restless herbivores and roaring lions could be heard long through the night.
Guests at &Beyond Grumeti continue to enjoy poolside lunches overlooking the busy hippo pool, which is also surrounded by herds, with the occasional surprise appearance from hungry predators. Never a dull moment!
As the herds continue to move north, we expect the Mara crossings to commence in approximately two weeks’ time. Guests at &Beyond Klein’s Camp, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp and &Beyond Bateleur Camp are already witnessing the arrival of the enormous herds.
Watch this space for more updates from our teams in the Serengeti and the Masai Mara!
Images courtesy of &Beyond rangers Solomon Ngiding’a, Eliapenda Mollel and Yona Panga.
Family fun with a conservation message
In 2013, we launched our exciting WILDchild programme at our lodges in South and East Africa...
by Claire Trickett4th August 2016
Family fun with a conservation message In 2013, we launched our exciting WILDchild programme at our lodges in South and East Africa...
In 2013, &Beyond launched our exciting WILDchild programme at our lodges in South and East Africa.
The programme was designed to create opportunities for families to engage not only with each other, but also with their environment, in a new and stimulating way that will change the way they see the world.
Carefully thought out and presented by rangers trained to share their knowledge in a way that sparks the enthusiasm of even the youngest guests, WILDchild was created to do more than just keep children occupied while their parents enjoy their safari. While it is essential that the programme remains entertaining enough to capture youngsters’ imaginations, it also has a strong conservation message at heart.
The programme is filled with fun, interactive activities that allow children 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 the children, our planet and its people.
Inspiring young minds
Each young traveller receives a WILDchild backpack with a scrapbook and a gift, such as a solar torch, a magnifying glass or a compass. Throughout the safari, the family’s ranger helps the child to fill up the scrapbook with notes, drawings, stickers, dog tags and badges that the youngsters earn for completing a series of bush-related activities that are selected for them according to their interests and age.
The activities attempt to tie in with the lodge’s environment, as well as the local heritage of the region.
For example, children staying at &Beyond Klein’s Camp in Tanzania might be taught how to shoot with a bow and arrow or how to build a fire in the Maasai way. Meanwhile, at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, they may be taught tracking skills by a local Zulu tracker or set out on a fishing expedition on the Mzinene River.
Each family-friendly lodge puts its own unique spin on the WILDchild programme and so far, our guests have been raving about it.
Well done to all of our creative and hard-working lodge teams and rangers for helping to care for and entertain our young guests and for helping to create memories of a lifetime for families travelling with &Beyond.
Get a gnu lease on life
The bucket list. Now a household name, it’s the list of experiences or achievements you’d like to accomplish before...
by Claire Trickett5th August 2016
Get a gnu lease on life The bucket list. Now a household name, it’s the list of experiences or achievements you’d like to accomplish before...
The bucket list. Now a household name, it’s the list of experiences or achievements you’d like to accomplish before you “kick the bucket”. It’s an opportunity to contemplate what is really important to you; a chance to realise your wildest dreams. As a luxury experiential travel company designing unforgettable journeys on three different continents, we are experts at making these lifelong aspirations come true. Each and every day, we are most fortunate to be able to witness the magic and emotion of people’s dreams coming true. Aren’t we lucky?!
Setting foot on African soil is high on many people’s bucket lists and witnessing East Africa’s incredible Great Migration is perhaps one of the most popular requests. Undeniably one of Africa’s most sought-after adventures, the annual wildebeest migration is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be on every wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list.
The constant movement of grunting gnus and other herbivores across the vast Serengeti/Mara plains consists of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, 500 000 zebra, 18 000 eland and 200 000 Thompson’s gazelle, all in relentless pursuit of lush new vegetation to graze. Of course the enormous herds of thundering hooves are forever being stalked by predators lurking nearby, giving onlookers the most jaw-dropping, action-packed wildlife sightings.
The Great Migration is determined by Mother Nature. The movement of the nomadic herds is guided entirely by weather patterns, rainfall and vegetation growth, so no two years are ever the same in terms of the path the animals take. Hard to imagine that there’s wifi in the middle of the limitless Serengeti/Mara plains, but our guides in the field are equipped with the cameras and the technology to send regular updates on exactly where the herds are throughout the year.
The migration is now in high season, meaning that the enormous mega-herd is currently stationed in the northern reaches of the Serengeti and slowly making its way across the border into Kenya’s Masai Mara. This year, there was an unanticipated splitting of the herds, with massive splinter herds making their way northwest to the Western Corridor, while the mega-herd itself continued to move further north.
This was fantastic news for our guests, as they were able to view the natural spectacle from five of our &Beyond properties in Kenya and Tanzania. Not only that, but it meant that the animals were braving the nail-biting, arduous trek over both the Grumeti and Mara Rivers! To witness swarms of wildebeest in the hundreds of thousands literally plunging themselves into crocodile-infested waters and cheering them on as they make the desperate, panic-stricken dash to the other side is the ultimate adventure.
Why not start your own bucket list? The beauty is that it can be continuously altered and updated with new dreams and goals as you start checking things off. The time is now. Let’s go on an adventure!
Put your neck on the line
Just when you think you’ve seen everything, an animal comes along and surprises you...
by Claire Trickett5th August 2016
Put your neck on the line Just when you think you’ve seen everything, an animal comes along and surprises you...
Just when you think you’ve seen everything, an animal comes along and surprises you. Take this giraffe for instance. Witnessed on the &Beyond Klein’s Camp private wildlife concession by Head Ranger Erasto Gurty, this giraffe clearly dislocated a vertebrae or perhaps even broke its neck way back when. Although it does look desperately uncomfortable, the young male seems to be coping and adapting just fine.
Without a formal x-ray one can never know for certain what really happened to this bull; however, it is assumed that his injury resulted from a fight for dominance with another male. During these battles, giraffes lunge forcefully at each other using their necks, which can often result in broken horns, legs or necks. Some believe this giraffe might have even fallen down head first.
Whatever the case, it’s certainly an interesting and uncommon sighting and yet another reminder that when you’re on safari, expect the unexpected.
Images courtesy of &Beyond Klein’s Camp Head Ranger, Erasto Gurty.
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.
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?
A reason to smile
This team of do-good dentists are giving the people of Tanzania a reason to smile…
by Claire Trickett25th August 2016
A reason to smile This team of do-good dentists are giving the people of Tanzania a reason to smile…
Tanzania is home to 52 million people and among them, astonishingly, a mere 250 dentists. Residents of the country’s many rural communities are therefore forced to walk long distances over difficult terrain to obtain any form of dental aid. And the standards of hygiene at many of these practices remain alarmingly underdeveloped.
When German dentist Prof Dr Martin Jörgens stayed at &Beyond Klein’s Camp six years ago, he opted to visit the nearby Ololosokwan community with his ranger Seleu. Wanting to learn more about how Africa Foundation works with the community to provide healthcare, Dr Jörgens met with the doctors at the Ololosokwan Clinic (a ten-room medical facility built by Africa Foundation).
The interaction had such a profound effect on him, that Dr Jörgens went on to found Daktari for Maasai (Doctors for Maasai), a mobile dental clinic for the Maasai people. He and his incredible team of dental/medical professionals continue to work closely with &Beyond and Africa Foundation, providing much-needed dental work in and around some of our Tanzanian lodges three times a year.
On their most recent dental mission, Daktari for Maasai spent two weeks treating patients (lodge staff and local community members) at &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and the Ololosokwan Clinic just outside of &Beyond Klein’s Camp.
Daktari for Maasai are now also working in collaboration with UNESCO and Samsung to provide permanent telemedicine and specialist dental services to the Ololosokwan community. Two large containers have been donated and will soon form part of the Ololosokwan Clinic; this is another great example of different organisations working together for the greater good of humanity.
Daktari for Maasai have completed thousands of hours of consultations, with treatments ranging from 30 minutes to more than six hours. They treat up to 40 patients a day and have successfully treated more than 4 000 patients in six years.
Earlier this year, I interviewed one of the daktari’s highly satisfied patients, Assistant Lodge Manager Vitalis Massay, at &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. His two-hour treatment back in 2012 not only transformed his smile and physical demeanour, but, having met Vitalis a few years ago, I could immediately sense his renewed self-confidence and sense of pride. He confessed, “I feel a lot more confident and happy, and I smile a lot more.” And with a twinkle in his eye, he joked, “I’m a lot more attractive to women now too.”
These do-good dentists are truly changing lives and giving so many people a boost of confidence and a reason to smile.
Images courtesy of Daktari for Maasai.
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.
