While many safari operators offer luxury, &Beyond has spent over three decades perfecting the art of “commercially sustainable conservation.” What makes them a premier choice for the discerning traveler is their foundational belief that luxury travel should be the engine for preserving the world’s most iconic landscapes. Every stay is anchored by their world-renowned guiding teams; unlike most operators, &Beyond runs its own private ranger training schools in South Africa and Tanzania, ensuring that your trackers and guides are not just experts in animal behavior, but master storytellers and conservationists in their own right.
Beyond the technical expertise, an &Beyond journey is defined by a “Care of the Land, Wildlife, and People” ethos that is woven into the guest experience, from participating in rhino translocations to visiting community-led education projects. When you stay at one of their properties, you become a vital contributor to a model that protects 9 million acres of biodiversity. For those who seek high-design aesthetics paired with a deep, ethical soul, &Beyond offers a safari that resonates long after you’ve left the bush.
Here are a few incredible &Beyond properties around the African continent, though you can head to their website to see the full list:
1. &Beyond Sandibe Okavango (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
A masterpiece of sustainable architecture, this lodge’s curved wooden form is inspired by the scales of a pangolin, blending seamlessly into the riverine forest.
- Accommodations: 12 elevated suites featuring private plunge pools, wood-burning fireplaces for cool Delta nights, and expansive decks overlooking the Santantadibe River.
- Exclusive Access: Located in a private concession adjacent to Moremi, guests enjoy off-roading for rare sightings and exclusive motorized boat safaris when the floodwaters rise.
- Food & Drink: Interactive “theatrical” kitchens serving pan-African cuisine, with dinners often hosted in a candlelit boma under the stars.
2. &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp (Timbavati, South Africa)
Set on the banks of the seasonal Timbavati River, this camp offers a “classic” safari aesthetic reimagined with sophisticated, modern luxury.
- Accommodations: 9 intimate, air-conditioned tents on raised platforms, featuring outdoor showers and oversized bathtubs that peer into the bush.
- Exclusive Access: Ngala is famous for its high density of big cats and the rare white lions of the Timbavati. Guests can also participate in rhino notching conservation projects.
- Food & Drink: Sophisticated “bush banquets” served in the dry riverbed, paired with an extensive selection of South Africa’s finest boutique wines.
3. &Beyond Bateleur Camp (Masai Mara, Kenya)
Evoking the glamour of 1920s and 30s safaris, Bateleur Camp is situated at the foot of the scenic Olooloo Escarpment in the heart of the Mara.
- Accommodations: 18 luxury tents split into two intimate camps. Each features polished wooden floors, silver service, and private butler hatches.
- Exclusive Access: Front-row seats to the Great Migration and rare night drives (not allowed in the main National Reserve) within their private concession.
- Food & Drink: Garden-to-table dining using produce from the camp’s “shamba,” with traditional sundowners served at “Out of Africa” viewpoints.
4. &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Namib Desert, Namibia)
A stark, glass-and-stone oasis set against the orange dunes of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, the world’s oldest desert.
- Accommodations: 10 ultra-modern suites with retractable skylights above the beds for stargazing in an International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Exclusive Access: Private helicopter flips over the Skeleton Coast and e-bike desert explorations where you won’t see another vehicle for miles.
- Food & Drink: Desert-inspired fine dining, with a focus on fresh, light fare and chilled craft gins to combat the Namibian heat.
5. &Beyond Benguerra Island (Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique)
A “barefoot luxury” retreat on a tropical island where the safari moves from the savanna to the sea.
- Accommodations: 10 casinhas and 2 cabanas tucked into the indigenous forest with direct beach access and private rim-flow pools.
- Exclusive Access: Guided “Ocean Safaris” to spot the rare Dugong and the opportunity to swim with the island’s resident horses in the turquoise channels.
- Food & Drink: A seafood-heavy menu influenced by Portuguese-African fusion—think piri-piri prawns and fresh-caught lobster served during a private “Castaway Picnic.”
The Signature Experience
- The Guiding Teams: Each vehicle typically has both a professional ranger and a local tracker, providing two sets of expert eyes to find the “Big Five” and the “Little Five.”
- Swarovski Partnership: Every guest room comes equipped with a pair of professional Swarovski Optik binoculars for use throughout the stay.
With the conservation-led sophistication of &Beyond, these properties represent the shift from passive observation to active immersion. They prove that true luxury is no longer defined by gilded fixtures, but by the rarity of silence, the depth of local knowledge, and the freedom to explore a landscape on your own terms. For the modern traveler, these are private gateways to the world’s most pristine frontiers. Reach out to LazGo for exclusive deals on &Beyond stays!
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