By Morissa Pawl
Lions in the Serengeti.
An African tour is perhaps the most exciting adventure a traveler can embark upon, but it can also be pricey. Finding a tour that fits your needs and budget without putting a damper on the experience is essential. There are tours from budget to five star. On the top end, &Beyond is one of many that provides full service in the truest sense of the word by submersing you into both the African experience and luxury accommodation. The Tanzanian tours should be of special note to the discerning traveler and provide a consummate safari encounter.
Wows and Woes
Lunch under the trees.
Wows: The accommodations and service are unparalleled in Africa. From exciting game drives to drawn bubble baths and carafes of brandy upon your return, they cater to your every need. And who can complain about sweeping views of Ngorongoro Crater from one of two private balconies?
Woes: The one down side is getting there and between camps. While the flights are scheduled, they can be severely delayed, which may restrict your time for game viewing. Remembering that the African way is to not be in a hurry will be of great benefit.
Insider Tips
Masai ladies.
Choose no more than two camps or lodges to visit so that too much time is not spent in transit, and make sure they are different enough to give game-viewing variety. In Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti complement one another in style yet provide vastly different landscapes. At the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, treat yourself to an in-room massage. At any of the camps, do not miss a visit to a Masai village.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
Hippos in Ngorongoro Crater.
After a full-day trip to see the river crossing of the great migration while at the Serengeti Under Canvas, I became very ill with what turned out to be a 24-hour bug. After barely making it back to my tent, I had four staff members waiting on me hand and foot throughout the night. This was more than five-star service; this was definitely a double entendre for its name "&Beyond."
Bottom Line
&Beyond is not cheap, but you truly get what you pay for here. The quality is five star and will live up to the fantasy African experience.
Resources
About the Author:
A professional in the travel industry for 20 years. She has worked with companies around the globe, and has been writing for fifteen years. She is published in travel magazines, Petersen Publications, eHow and Travels to name a few. Morissa has an MBA and teaches at a distance education institution.
