At Safari Kenia and Beyond, the belief is that every aspect of your safari experience in Kenya & Tanzania’s Serengeti should be easy and enjoyable.
That is why the focus is on providing mid-range lodges, luxury trip safari, flying safari, and budget safari packages.
It is also recognized that you may have individual requirements, and gladly work towards meeting them through tailor-made packages designed just to fit individuals, families, or large groups.
My July vocation was not complete until I landed in the hands of Safari Kenia and Beyond for 7 days tour in Kenya and Tanzania. I fell in love with the beauty of nature under the guidance of George.
While the Maasai Mara is often the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a Kenyan safari, Laikipia offers a different and arguably more exclusive experience with not only the Big Five but also rare fauna like the black (melanistic) leopard.
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Laikipia has already cemented itself as a hub for luxury safaris, with high-end lodges like Segera Retreat, Ol Jogi and Loisaba offering world-class experiences.
andBeyond Bateleur Camp: An Elevated Safari Experience
Set at the edge of Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, visitors to andBeyond Bateleur Camp can get an up-close look at Africa's spectacular wildlife year-round.
Explore by land during special game drives and bush walks or take to the skies to spot animals from the peaceful comfort of a hot air balloon.
While at the camp, relax in a tented suite, enjoy traditional African cuisine, shop Kenyan fashions, unwind with a spa treatment, or cool off in one of two swimming pools.
Sustainability in Action
The camp is committed to positive and transformative impact.
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Here are some of the ways it is done at andBeyond Bateleur Camp.
Supporting Local Healthcare and Education
Kenya’s andBeyond Bateleur Camp partners with Wild Impact, andBeyond’s long-standing community and conservation development partner.
The foundation works with villages neighboring the reserve on a range of community-led education, healthcare, small business development, and conservation programs.
Celebrating Maasai Culture through Connection
Meaningful interactions with Maasai staff along with interactive visits to a nearby “manyatta” (traditional village) educate guests on the daily rituals and cultural heritage of the Maasai.
Guests also have the opportunity to purchase handmade crafts, including the Maasai’s renowned beaded jewelry, in good conscience, with proceeds directly supporting the community.
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The camp’s WILDChild program, for families traveling with children, teaches kids Maasai traditional skills, such as tracking and fire-making.
Creating Economic Opportunities
A farm-to-table culinary program includes sourcing fresh vegetables and produce from local farmers and andBeyond Kichwa Tembo’s shamba (vegetable garden) along with honey that directly supports a Maasai women’s group.
Works purchased from local artisans and suppliers also feature prominently throughout andBeyond Bateleur Camp, including the Safari Shop.
Eliminating Plastics and Saving Water
To help protect the precious Maasai Mara National Reserve, the camp’s on-site water-bottling plant eliminates the equivalent of more than 20,000 single-use plastic water bottles every year.
This translates into a 60,000-liter water saving effort, as it takes 3 liters of water to make a 1-liter plastic water bottle.
Furthermore, the elimination of plastic - a fossil fuel-derived product - plays a key role in reducing carbon emissions at the camp.
Energy-saving Initiatives
In addition to a 24-hour solar-powered electric fence, the camp uses energy-saving bulbs throughout, LED lights in guest tents, LPG gas for cooking in the guest kitchen, energy-efficient stoves that power the staff kitchen, and solar water geysers that provide hot water in guest tents.
Providing during the Pandemic
In a collaboration between andBeyond Bateleur Camp and Wild Impact, at least 90 Maasai households (584 people) were supported during the pandemic with a total of 270 food relief parcels in 2020; four primary schools, 99 staff members, and 931 school pupils were provided with stable food supplies as well as access to Emurutoto Clinic, built by Wild Impact in partnership with andBeyond.
The camp was also nominated by the Kenya government as a COVID-19 support center, providing medical care, PPE, and sanitizing supplies.
Helping Guests Leave a Legacy
Stays at andBeyond Bateleur Camp not only help support andBeyond’s broader philanthropic and eco-minded efforts in Africa, but guests can also give back by donating to Wild Impact, andBeyond’s long-standing community and conservation partner, directly.
Bonus: Guests can specify a project of their choosing from a selection of land, wildlife, and social impact initiatives.
Restoration Efforts
The Nyekweri Forest is the last indigenous forest within Kenya’s Trans-Mara District, adjacent to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and andBeyond Bateleur Camp.
The collective goal of the Nyekweri forest conservation project, held in collaboration with the Nyekweri Kimintet Community Forest Conservation Trust, is to conserve and restore the remaining 25% of this critical habitat.
In addition to its ecological and biodiversity value, the forest is also a water catchment area and a refuge for threatened wildlife, including the giant ground pangolin and elephant, which both rely on the forest for safety to give birth.
Suyian Lodge is situated within the 44,000-acre, fence-free Suyian Conservancy, an untouched private reserve.
The entire lodge is designed to have a minimal environmental footprint, employing solar energy, rainwater harvesting and a sophisticated waste management system.
Beyond its green initiatives, the camp plays an active role in local conservation efforts, working alongside the Suyian Conservancy to protect endangered species, and guests staying at the lodge will have the privilege of participating in conservation projects, like tracking collared elephants with researchers to joining anti-poaching units on patrol.
Bush and Beyond is the Nairobi based central reservations office for a collection of independent and owner run safari properties in Kenya: House in the Wild, Lewa House, Ol Malo Lodge, Ol Malo House, Ol Malo Nomad, Tangulia Mara Camp, Tangulia Ndogo, Reteti House, Sarara Camp, Sarara Tree, Sarara Wilderness, NaiSabah Dhow and The Emakoko.
The company also arranges travel logistics to these, other hotels, safari camps or lodges and beach resorts, in East Africa.
The two principals of Bush and Beyond have been involved in the safari industry, under different guises, for more than 80 years between them.
The Decadent Tented Camp in the Masai Mara
The luscious fantasy of smart East African safaris-drifty curtains, squishy director’s chairs, vintage Burgundy, well-chilled cocktails and Mozart arias on the gramophone-may be just that; and yet here it all comes true, in a decadent tented camp in the Masai Mara, beneath the looming stars and in between the roars of cranky lions and the growls of jealous leopards.
AndBeyond is a top safari outfit, run on core principles of care of the land, the animals and the people-conservation and community go hand in hand.
This Masai Mara camp is one of its flagships and has been recently renovated.
Luxurious Tent Suites
The tented suites are much bigger, lighter and more extravagantly kitted out than before, and have dreamy glasshouse bathrooms with a Victorian tub and courtyard shower.
Private decks with sunken lounges take in the quintessential Mara view.
Vintage silver, crystal decanters, leather armchairs, and extravagantly deep sofas were reused, recycled or reupholstered, while historic, old-world maps and brass fittings were added.
Culinary Delights
The chef is a local Kenyan named Michael Jackson.
He listens, and remembers what you express an interest in-on a picnic lunch out in the reserve, the guide produced ice cream for dessert, because he knew we’d loved it at the lodge.
There’s plenty of fresh fish, salads, lamb, soups and homemade bread.
Exceptional Service
It’s warm, genuine, kind and thoughtful; you even get your own private butler.
If you enjoy the feeling of being taken care of, you will love it.
The Guests
A mix of first-timers to Africa and experienced safari-goers.
There are families, couples, and small groups on a safari circuit around East Africa.
Guests are affluent and sophisticated travelers of all nationalities.
The soundtrack is running water, birds, monkeys and, at night, the roar of lions in the distance, or the cry of a hyena pack.
The Setting
You’re hidden in a magical, forested setting.
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