 
My husband and I have just returned from the most stunning trip to East Africa. This was all a surprise 30th anniversary trip organised by my husband!!!!
We spent 3 nights at the Bateleur south camp - I cannot express how fantastic that was! We were met by Milka and her staff, and had a sing and dance session right there in the car park...what fun! Oh dear, I almost forgot the champagne welcome at the airstrip.....I knew I was in the right place then. Our ranger, Protus, the most amazing man, could not do enough for us. His knowledge of the bush and enthusiasm to share it all with us was most wonderful to see and experience.
Whenever there was yet another surprise organised for us, the whole team seemed to be in on it, but never let it slip… The private dinner outside our tent was certainly a first for us, as were the rose petals everywhere and the romantic lanterns. As if that was not enough, having the whole staff play instruments and sing to us for our anniversary was incredible...
We were due to leave the next morning... on the day of my birthday, yet another surprise was to come! Beautiful Maasai men sang to me and presented me with yet another cake...just for me!!! Wow, how special! I still want to cry when I think of it all.
Big thanks, and love to all at the lodges.
Benine and Michael du Toit
October 2007 |
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 Words cannot describe the unbelievable experiences we’ve had with &BEYOND in the past 5 years, together with our friends. We read through your new brochure "Simply Safari" and I guess the quotes from the &BEYOND Guest Book sum it all up...
All the lodges are very special, but Grumeti is the place we would most like to return to a 3rd time, together with our daughters when the are a bit older...
Thank you for what you are achieving in terms of conservation and thank you to ALL the staff at the lodges for their unmatched hospitality.
Ellis & Tanja Lourens
Centurion, RSA
August 2007 |
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 Thank you so much for all your input and patience in catering for all our needs in booking the various CCA camps for us in Kenya and Tanzania. Your assistance was greatly appreciated and created one of the most memorable holidays of our lives.
Our vacation began in Grumeti. The staff went out of their way and beyond their duty to make us feel comfortable and please us. Our game ranger "Robert" was extraordinary and because we are so passionate about the bush and the animals, he obliged us by driving the whole morning and having breakfast in the bush so that we could capitilise on our time. Unfortunately we were a bit late for the migration, but we did see the stragglers that were still making their way. The bird life was spectacular! Ruben, our butler was also exceptional. My daughter had hurt her thumb quite badly and every night Ruben would come forward and hold her plate while she served herself. Also he taught us a couple of Swahili words which we would practice every night. We are now forever saying our new acquired vocabulary (Jumbo, karibu, ashante sana etc). He was very friendly and catered to our every desire. A most wonderful time was had by all. It was so unspoilt and natural; the hippos and elephants grazing at our tents doorstep, the lunch facility overlooking the hippos in the water and bird life, in was like magic.
We then went on to Ngorongoro Crater lodge. The service and friendliness were out of this world. Samson the manager must be commended for always being around making sure that everything was to our satisfaction and that we were having a good time. Our ranger Eric and butler Safari were just as great and our housekeeper Rashidi, what can we say! Our baths run with rose petals all around - we were duly spoilt and were treated like kings & queens. I really rate the service, food, accommodation, friendliness as tops - 7 stars! and we have traveled the globe extensively.
On to Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp. Here we got to experience the migration and nearly a crossing, but unfortunately no "mad" wildebeest that were adventurous enough to take the plunge. The camp was wonderful inside the forest, it was such an experience, the fresh fragrant smells on our way to the rooms added to the whole atmosphere. The tents were just the way I like to camp, with all the frills. The staff were great, from James the manager to Benson our game ranger, they all went out of their way to make our stay a memorable one and to enthuse us to return.
Overall we had a most memorable holiday in East Africa, all due to what &BEYOND stands for. Keep up the wonderful work you do & ethos you portray.
Thank you to all for everything.
Kind regards
Maria Dos Santos & family
August 2007 |
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 This is just a quick note from all of us, to thank you most sincerely for going out of your way to make Jessica feel so special for her 21st birthday. We were all blown away with your care, concern, and extra effort to make sure this trip was so memorable and special. Jessica and all the family will never forget her 21st, and especially the friendship of the Phinda Mountain team. There could be no finer way of celebrating such a special occasion, and I am extremely grateful to you all.
May I also use this opportunity to congratulate you on an exceptional lodge in every respect, you can be very proud of your team, and the success of the lodge. I have been visiting numerous &BEYOND Lodges and other independent operations over many years, and I can say with authority and experience that Phinda Mountain is right up there with the best, but the warm and generous friendship from your people makes you way ahead.
So in conclusion, once again thank you a thousand times, and I would be grateful if you could pass on our thanks to all those who were responsible for making our celebrations so memorable and happy.
Kind regards
Charles Holley
June 2007 |
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 Thank you for all you did to organise our holiday. We had the MOST wonderful time - it met every expectation. We loved each camp for its uniqueness, saw fantastic game and found the people unbelievably charming, and nothing was too much trouble for any of them.
Anonymous
June 2007 |
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