Botswana & Southern Africa: &Beyond news

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To coincide with &Beyond’s milestone 25th Birthday, we have spent a year carefully crafting an African Safari of a Lifetime. Truly the ultimate privately guided safari experience, &Beyond’s Private Jet Expeditions offer an unrivalled opportunity to explore Africa’s most prized destinations in sublime exclusivity. Solely created with privacy, authenticity and flexibility in mind, three extraordinary set-departure tours cater for intimate groups and offer special access to a series of unique experiences that are exclusive to &Beyond guests.

Small Set Departures

&Beyond Private Jet Expeditions cater for up to 12 guests using the most exclusive transportation throughout the journey.

Private jets and high performance turbo-prop aircraft will be used for the international legs of the expedition and can host up to 12 guests. Smaller groups will be allocated a more intimate jet. A combination of high performance turbo-prop aircraft and helicopters will be used internally to connect with bush landing strips.

&Beyond Private Jet Expeditions includes three safaris of a lifetime, with departure dates specifically chosen to offer the best seasonal travel within the highlighted destinations.
°    Africa and Beyond – Departures: September and October 2017 (maximum 12 guests)
°    Southern Africa and Beyond – Departures: May and June 2017 (maximum 6 guests)
°    East Africa and Beyond – Departures: February and March 2018 (maximum 6 guests)

Special Access to Signature Experiences

Revel in the unrivalled opportunity to engage with individuals who have played an integral role in sculpting Africa’s fascinating history as well as interact with wildlife experts who have initiated or influenced some of the continent’s ground-breaking conservation projects. Be sure to come hungry as the tours include a host of exclusive dining experiences in unique and unforgettable settings, often in the company of private chefs.

First-Hand Experience With &Beyond’s Incredible Conservation and Community Stories

Personally witness and be a part of &Beyond’s conservation and community initiatives. Guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in &Beyond’s core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife and Care of the People.

Depending on their routing, guests will experience first-hand the results of our ground-breaking Rhinos Without Borders initiative, participate in a Rhino Notching adventure, learn about our marine conservation initiatives and partake in a cultural excursion.

In Our Hands from Beginning to End

From the moment you board your private jet and touch down in Africa to the moment you leave, &Beyond will be at your side throughout your journey. Think: no airport queues, VIP assistance to private terminals, customs and baggage claims…

Our substantial footprint of safari lodges and reserves, which equates to 9 million acres of wildlife eco-systems under our custodianship; as well as our expertise found in our private specialist guides, ground logistics teams and over 2000 &Beyonders, means that you’ll experience a journey unlike any other!

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service & other inquiries contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Victoria Falls: Matetsi Private Game Reserve joins &Beyond | Матетси Водопад Виктория

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Exclusive Private Game Reserve in Victoria Falls Returns to &Beyond Portfolio

With Zimbabwe fast re-emerging as one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations, &Beyond is set to make its presence felt in Victoria Falls. We will once again take over the management of the exclusive &Beyond Matetsi Private Game Reserve, as well as its 50 000 hectare (123 500 acre) wildlife concession on the Zambezi River, while also re-establishing an exclusive ground-handling operation in the area.
“With the expansion of Victoria Falls Airport providing easier access and changing the dynamics of how guests travel in the region, we felt that it was the right time to re-engage with an old safari favourite of ours, Zimbabwe, and Victoria Falls specifically,” says Joss Kent, &Beyond CEO. “In the process, we wanted to take the entire guest experience to a new level, from quality ground-handling services, transfers and excursions right through to providing the most luxurious accommodation and unique wildlife experience in the area.”
The brand new Matetsi Private Game Reserve is set to provide both these elements. Situated within 40 km (25 miles) of Victoria Falls, the lodge offers an exceptional wildlife experience on a massive concession that boasts 27 km (17 miles) of private Zambezi River frontage, as well as convenient and easy access to the magnificent sights and variety of adrenalin adventures available at the World Heritage Site. Previously managed by &Beyond from 1996 to 2011, the reserve is currently undergoing an extensive 10 million US dollar investment, reopening on 15 July 2016.

&Beyond Matetsi River Lodge will feature two camps of nine suites each, including a family suite at each camp. A sole-use private villa, &Beyond Matetsi River House, will add exclusive accommodation for private groups of up to eight. The four-bedroom villa will boast its own kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a private veranda overlooking the Zambezi, a swimming pool and its own fire pit. It comes with a dedicated guide, private vehicle, chef and butler.
&Beyond’s specially designed children’s programme, WILDChild, will keep young guests busy with activities such as making their own fishing rods, fishing in the river and making plaster casts of animal tracks, making this an ideal destination for multigenerational travel.
&Beyond has followed a policy of using local talent wherever possible in the rebuild of both lodges. As a result, the rich heritage of Zimbabwe is a strong factor in the new design, which draws inspiration from the traditions of fishing and basket weaving.
Swathed in layers of intertwined reeds that merge with the surrounding vegetation, the spacious suites will boast private plunge pools with Zambezi River views. Set between riverside trees, the soaring guest areas will open out onto the outdoor setting. The reserve will house a generous Safari Shop and state-of-the-art gym, as well as a massage sala and conference facility. A 25-meter-long (82-foot-long) rim flow swimming pool will stretch along the river’s bank, while an exclusive wine cellar will look out onto the Zambezi at eye level.
Sitting areas and dining spaces will make the most of the river views, with an interactive kitchen inviting guests in. Pre-dinner drinks will be served in an open bar area looking out onto the river or in a cosy lounge complete with fireplace. An open area with a blazing fire bowl as a centrepiece will provide the perfect setting for sundowners.
While the area’s cultural heritage will be highlighted with traditional abstract carvings of wood and stone, a more contemporary touch will be brought in with recent art by Zimbabwean artist Helen Teede. Splashes of bright blue will mimic the waters of the Zambezi River. A strong copper theme will run throughout the lodge in homage to the mineral riches of the region, from copper drums in the open-air outdoor enclosure known as a boma to copper pots and pans in the interactive kitchen and copper details on the taps in the bathrooms. Simple glass coffee tables will showcase objects naturally found along the banks of the Zambezi, such as driftwood, nests, rocks and pods. Recycled materials from the previous design of the lodge will be cleverly incorporated wherever possible.

Wildlife

°    Large herds of elephant and buffalo
°    Kudu, sable and roan antelope
°    Hippo
°    Lion, leopard, African wild dog, spotted hyena
°    366 bird species

Adventures

“The lodge’s owner is totally passionate about the project and has worked incredibly hard to resuscitate the concession, focusing both on wildlife and habitat. This matches &Beyond’s core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People,” explains Kent. “Having originally been involved in the conversion of the Matetsi concession from wildlife hunting to photographic safaris, we are really excited to once again be helping to protect and nurture this beautiful and unique wilderness area back to pristine condition. The game experience that we will create at &Beyond Matetsi will provide an element that has been missing in the Victoria Falls area for far too long.”
Thanks to its years of involvement with the staff of Matetsi and its model of promoting conservation through involving the people who live next to or near wildlife areas, &Beyond will also be working with its community development partner, Africa Foundation, to engage with the local communities. “&Beyond will follow our usual principles of employing from the local community as much as possible and purchasing as much as we can locally, thereby contributing to the economic upliftment of both Matetsi and Zimbabwe as a whole. We want to build on the foundation we once had at Matetsi, bringing back some of our old staff and guides, with their warm hospitality and wealth of experience,” explains Kent.

Useful Information

Access

International scheduled flights to:
°    Victoria Falls International Airport (45 km/28 miles road transfer)
°    Kasane International Airport (45km/28 miles road transfer plus border crossing)
°    Livingstone International Airport (61km/38 miles road transfer plus border crossing)

www.traveltonamibia.com

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia

Aerial photo/video service & other inquiries contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

&Beyond news: no drones are permitted at &Beyond reserves and lodges

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Drones Not Permitted At &Beyond Reserves and Lodges
The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) is not permitted in any of the conservation areas managed by &Beyond, 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.

South Africa

Applicable to all new bookings travelling from 01 January 2016, a Conservation Contribution (CC) amount of R100 per person per night (excluding VAT) will be implemented for guests visiting lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Reminder of &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge Family Suite Configuration
The configuration of the Family Suite at &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge can accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children. Guests travelling with a third child may request special authorisation, however this will be at the discretion of &Beyond.

Botswana

Amendment to Age Limit for Child Participation in Water Activities at &Beyond Lodges in the Okavango Delta
The age limits for children participating in water activities at our &Beyond Lodges in the Delta are:
°    12 years for boating activities
°    16 years for mokoro activities

© &Beyond

www.traveltonamibia.com

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia

Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com