andBeyond

andBeyond: tailor-made safaris and tours with own lodge management

andBeyond is a luxury travel operator that designs exclusive tailor-made safaris and tours in Africa, Asia, South America and Antarctica. The company presents itself as a specialist in personalised experiences and also operates its own accommodations: 29 lodges and camps across three continents.

Founded in 1991, the company traces its origins to the creation of Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The name Phinda means "the return" in Zulu and, according to the company, became the most representative realisation of its model of sustainable conservation through responsible tourism.

Destinations and experiences

Its destination portfolio spans four continents. In Africa: Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Zanzibar. In Asia: Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In South America: Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Antarctica completes the offering.

Among the standout experiences the company promotes are the Big Five Safari, Cape Town, Gorilla Trekking, the Great Migration, the Indian Ocean Islands, Kalahari Meerkats, Mt Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Okavango Delta, the Pangolin experience, Sossusvlei Desert, Table Mountain and Victoria Falls. In Asia it offers Festivals, Himalaya Trekking, India's Golden Triangle, Jaipur's Pink City, the Maldives, Taj Mahal, Tea Plantations, Tiger Safari, Udaipur Palaces and Varanasi. In South America and Antarctica: Amazon Rainforest, Atacama Desert, Cordoba, Gauchos, Easter Island, Galapagos Islands, Iguazu Falls, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park.

Traveller profiles and interests

The company organises its offerings by type of traveller —flying solo, with a partner, with family or in a group— and by specific interests: Active, Adventurous, Birding, Cultural, Foodie, Private Travel, Responsible Travel, Slow Travel, Wellness and Wildlife.

Conservation model and impact

andBeyond structures its activity around an impact model based on caring for the land, wildlife and people. According to the company's data, its operations influence 3.6 million hectares (9 million acres) of land and 3,000 kilometres of African coastline under its stewardship, and positively impact 75 communities. Africa Foundation, its non-profit community development partner since 1992, has been a cornerstone of its community milestones.

The company has an internal development programme called The &Beyond Way, with 18 years of history, and in 2021 it launched the &Beyond Academy, presented as the industry's first accredited academy, which took three years to develop. Through it, staff can earn accredited qualifications while they work.

Recognition and structure of the offering

The company notes it has been named among the Best Specialist Tour Operators in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, alongside 16 of its properties, representing more than half of its lodge portfolio. It also mentions awards received for its work in sustainability and impact.

In addition to tailor-made tours, the offering includes small group journeys, limited-edition experiences for its 30th anniversary, gift vouchers redeemable for lodge stays and experiences, and a global concierge service available 24/7 during the trip. The company states that its Travel Specialists never send a guest anywhere they haven't been themselves, and that its private and specialist guides provide interpretive experiences.

Evolution and vision

The company has reviewed its journey through the Vision 2020 and Vision 2030 frameworks, which mark the evolution of its impact model. In its materials it describes travel as an activity that has moved from "taking only photos and leaving only footprints" to "taking memories and leaving a legacy", and positions the traveller as a co-creator of that impact.