andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp

These rustic and airy units redefine the essence of luxury bush accommodation, offering an eloquent design that blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment, comprising an internal pallet of cool grey with a bleached Cyprus construction. All ten of the tented suites look out onto the Grumeti River and its resident pods of hippo, while sliding doors open out onto shaded private decks. These lavish suites come complete with an en-suite bathroom, al fresco bucket shower, mosquito nets, a personal bar, WIFI and numerous other luxury amenities meant to elevate the guest experience.

Amenities Include:

• En-suite bathroom
• Twin bed option
• Balcony / deck
• Al fresco bucket shower
• Ceiling fan
• Mosquito nets
• 220V AC (plug points in rooms), Plug type G British
• Hairdryer
• Safe
• Mini bar
• Dressing gowns
• WIFI
• Tea & Coffee making facilities

The Family tent is comprised of two fully furnished Safari Tents with an inter-leading passage, providing a light and airy feel. This family sized unit comes complete with two en-suite bathrooms, the option of twin or triple beds, al fresco bucket showers, and various luxury amenities for you to enjoy, all coalescing in the classic safari style. Perfect for families and small groups seeking to experience the Great Migration in comfort and style.

Amenities Include:

• 2 en-suite bathrooms
• Triple or twin bed options
• Balcony / decks
• Al fresco bucket showers
• Ceiling fans
• Mosquito nets
• 220V AC (plug points in rooms), Plug type G British
• Hairdryers
• Safes
• Mini bars
• Dressing gowns
• WIFI
• Tea & Coffee making facilities

Prepare to have your wildest culinary expectations surpassed with the sumptuous array of freshly prepared meals for you to enjoy throughout the day. Ranging from light and healthy to lavish and indulgent, the mix of local flavours and classic cuisine ensures that all culinary cravings are accounted for. Three set meals are served throughout the day, comprising an early morning continental breakfast, a hearty al fresco lunch and a lavish evening three-course meal. Should you have any specific dietary requirements, don’t hesitate to inform the catering staff in advance, as these talented and dedicated culinary creators will accommodate any requirements you may have. Please note, kosher foods are unavailable.

Constructed from locally sourced materials such as teak, thatch and stone, this airy watering hole provides a mouth-watering selection of locally sourced and imported alcoholic and none-alcoholic beverages for all guests in search of thirst-quenching refreshments.

Dining is by no means limited to the indoors. You’re free to enjoy a sumptuous evening feast beneath pristine night skies for a star-lit dinner to remember or set the scene by the banks of the Grumeti River tributary and savour the sights of meandering hippopotamus while tucking into the finest bush cuisine the Serengeti has to offer. Here, dining is more than the act of eating.

Situated in the Western Corridor of the renowned Serengeti National Park, wildlife viewing at andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti National Park is truly exceptional throughout the year. The camps location on a tributary of the Grumeti River offers a spectacular vantage for the viewing of dramatic river crossings when the famous Great Wildebeest Migration travels through the area. Here, game sightings are among the most consistent and bountiful in the country, featuring regular appearances from predator and pray alike, attributed to the life-giving essence of the Grumeti River, where he likes of lion, buffalo, elephant, hyena, cheetah, crocodile and more come to quench their thirst.

There are few ways more invigorating to experience this haven of exotic wildlife than an open top 4×4 safari vehicle, headed by experienced guides proficient in all aspects of bush navigation. The thickets near the camp are home to colobus monkeys, which cannot be seen anywhere else in the Serengeti, while the area also plays host to a far lesser-known migration, during which large numbers of topi antelope move across the plains. Game drives depart twice daily, once in the morning, then once more in the afternoon.

Traverse the skies of the Serengeti for an exclusive birds-eye view of the Great Migration below. Watch as vast mammal herds pass beneath you as the morning winds direct your course from the vantage of basket high in the sky. This truly unique game viewing experience draws to a close with a delicious breakfast spread in the heart of the Serengeti plains. Please note, Hot-air balloon excursions are charged at additional fees.

The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of Africa’s Endemic Bird Areas, featuring over 500 exotic species waiting for you to discover. Bird watching in the Serengeti is phenomenal year-round, but at its absolute best during November through April. Not only is this when European and North African migratory birds are present, but it is also nesting time for resident species. Keep your eyes peeled for the likes of the black-headed gonolek, Fischer’s lovebird and Verreaux’s eagle, and don’t forget to bring your complimentary set of Swarovski Optik binoculars for an up-close-and-personal view.

This full-day trip to the shores of Lake Victoria promises a combination of wildlife adventures, sightseeing, fishing thrills and cultural enlightenment. Visit Lukungu Primary School, set off on a fishing safari excursion in a traditional African dugout canoe (colloquially known as mokoro), meet a traditional doctor, or simply admire the awe-inspiring landscapes. A visit to this infamous, natural spectacle will impart the true essence of the Tanzanian bush and serve as the highlight of any guests’ safari adventure. Please note, trips to Lake Victoria are charged at additional fees.

andBeyond has partnered with Healing Earth, a leading natural, eco-friendly, and holistic spa & skincare company to produce a truly authentic African spa experience for the mind, body and soul. Therapeutic in its approach, Healing Earth only uses all-natural ingredients and essential oils. The luxuriant spa products and soothing treatments are inspired by the wisdom of Africa’s traditional healers & celebrate the continent’s vibrant heritage, communities, and plant life. What better way to unwind after an active day’s bush exploration than a rejuvenating massage before an evening dinner?

Take in the atmosphere of the pristine Serengeti night sky while gathered around a cosy campfire in the company of friends and family. Untarnished by light pollution, the remote areas of the Serengeti bush provide the perfect arena for a picturesque star-gazing experience. Marvel at the infinite sky, which features the Big Dipper in the northern hemisphere and the Southern Cross and Pointers in the southern hemisphere.

andBeyond offers a host of entertaining activities for children aged 3–12 years old. Whilst on a family safari, you can rest assured knowing that your children will always be safe and well cared for (both during activities and back at the lodge). Children visiting the lodge can take advantage of the fun-filled and engaging WILDchild programme where children may participate in a range of activities such as baking in the kitchen with lodge chefs, identifying tracks with camp rangers, bug-finding missions, fishing, lily-necklace making and educational star gazing excursions. Younger guests can also enjoy taking part in a Maasai obstacle course combining spear throwing, bow shooting and fire making the Maasai way.

Since 1991, andBeyond’s company ethos has been “Care of the Land, Wildlife & People.” Always looking for ways to contribute to wildlife spaces and local communities and reducing their environmental impact, without compromising the guest experience. Each of their lodges have a “sustainability champion” who looks for ideas “to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, recycling initiatives, conservation awareness drives, water efficiency, addressing erosion and re-greening.” Exclusive experiences are created for guests whilst showing lasting benefits which are meaningful for the communities around their camps and the natural environment. Currently andBeyond have 59 awards recognising their sustainability impact.

andBeyond protects endangered land and marine species in the areas they operate, and they focus on at least 3 endangered species in each area. In Botswana they support the Rhinos Without Borders initiative which so far has translocated 87 rhinos from South Africa to Botswana to keep them safe from poachers. They also help maintain biodiversity by actively managing the wildlife populations in the areas they operate. To help care for the wildlife andBeyond educate local communities in conservation, over 18,000 lessons on conservation have been taught.

andBeyond understands that to protect the land they operate on they need to implement eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives. One of the aims is to reduce their direct carbon footprint by 8%, so far all of andBeyond lodges have been audited with an average sustainability score of 88% – which includes andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp. Another way they are caring for the land is by resourcing and using their water sustainably, 96% of lodges use water sourced from water bottling plants and they are currently 85 litres/head better than their target of 500 l/head. A target for andBeyond is zero plastic water bottles through their camps, and so far, 740,000 plastic water bottles have been eliminated per year.

andBeyond “Maximise their localised shared value opportunities through economic benefit, capacity building and social service infrastructure.” They have created 101 jobs in the communities they operate within, offering life changing opportunities to local people. Through social service infrastructure initiatives 56,000 people from local communities now have access to clean water through water access sites and 4724 Hippo Water Rollers, which assist in the transportation of water. 532 school students have been provided with an opportunity for higher education in 285 new or renovated classrooms.

andBeyond has 23,763 hectares of conservation land under their care, meaning that all of this land, and the nature that inhabits it, is protected. andBeyond is also working with Great Plains Conservation for their collaborative project, Rhinos Without Borders. On average, one rhino is killed every eight hours by ivory seeking poachers. To help combat this, Rhinos Without Borders relocate rhinos from high-risk poaching areas in South Africa to Botswana’s wilderness areas. At present, Rhinos Without Borders has been able to translocate 93 rhinos, who as a result will be far safer from poachers.

andBeyond recognises the threat posed to the world’s oceans and marine resources. Efforts to combat the peril of ocean degradation have inspired a partnership with fellow bastion of ecological awareness, Africa Foundation. In addition to the over 3.6 million hectares (9 million acres) of protected wildlife sustained through the Care of the Wild initiative, andBeyond’s footprint now covers an additional 2000 km (1242 mi.) of African coastline, striving to conserve and enlarge Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

andBeyond seek to apply their trilogy philosophy to their marine operations in order to better care for/impart a positive ecological effect on the areas of ocean under their jurisdiction. This philosophy comprises Protecting Reefs, Protecting Marine Species and Community Empowerment, which have thus far, through the facilitation of partnerships with likeminded institutions, have proven initial levels of success and sets optimistic targets for future projects.

Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp follows a variety of sustainable initiatives unique to Tanzania and the Serengeti as a whole, with a wide variety of community projects and partnerships aimed at empowering local communities to provide education, employment, and support. For instance, andBeyond have partnered with the Africa Foundation on various community development programmes, investing over 420,000 USD into the education and healthcare of neighbouring communities.

To date, a total of 42 tertiary level students have been granted support through bursaries aimed at fostering education and imparting valuable skills that can be shared throughout communities. The number of bursaries granted is ever rising, and the income raised through andBeyond experiences is used to fund this continuous and on-going initiative.

Conservation lessons help to educate neighbouring communities on sustainable wildlife practices, offering support to the indigenous populations of the Serengeti to sustainably foster their way of life for generations to come. Over 130 children and adults partake annually, and this number is ever rising. Similarly, andBeyond’s Conservation Awareness programme attracts over 203 adults and children who partake in annual events.

AndBeyond are dedicated to sustainably utilising the land in which it operates, sourcing local produce and materials, as well as providing career opportunities for local inhabitants. As such, up to 79% of all goods are procured locally in Tanzania, negating the need to import vast quantities of products from neighbouring countries. And likewise, up to 79% of the andBeyond team employed at Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp come from local communities.

andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp are a part of the Lionscape Coalition, an organisation which supports lion conservation efforts through the Lion Recovery Fund. Conservation efforts such as these are of crucial importance, as without the staple safari attractions such as lions – or any other safari creature for that matter, sustainable tourism in would be at threat throughout the whole of Southern Africa.

Energy use is tracked and reported on a monthly basis. This includes the use of wood, petrol, diesel, electricity, gas, paraffin, and charcoal. This comprehensive system of management ensures that sustainable consumption practices are adhered to present opportunities for further streamlining.

Recognising the profoundly negative ecological effects that plastics pose to the environmental welfare of the sensitive ecosystems of Southern Africa, andBeyond have implemented ambitious measures prohibiting the use and importation of plastic bottles to all its properties – derived from the original target of installing water bottling plants at 100% of their lodges. A target of reducing plastic water bottle usage by 90% was set for 2020, yet this figure was surpassed the year prior with a collective reduction of up to 99% spanning all andBeyond properties.

In Southern Africa, all lodges utilise glass water bottles as opposed to plastic, reaping the many ecological and environmental benefits inherent to the change. Glass is 100% recyclable and has an unlimited recyclable life span, making it the most sustainable, if not logical alternative, posing an inherently smaller carbon footprint and environmental impact.

In line with andBeyond’s stance on ecological sustainability and streamlined efficiency mandate, there currently exists a wealth of initiatives and protocols designed to mediate the ecological impact on areas built upon and utilised for means of ecotourism. For instance, careful site selection ensures that the areas chosen for the construction of all andBeyond properties are compatible with the surrounding landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife.

The implementation of repurposed and recycled construction materials greatly benefits the ecology of the land, negating the need to source and haul industrial quantities of lumber and other construction materials across vast distances through otherwise undisturbed ecosystems. Minimal foundations and excavations are achieved using steel frame structures atop the designated areas of construction, minimising the imprint on the immediate environment.

Energy efficiency is maintained through the architectural use of very wide eaves, covered external terraces, cross ventilation, and maximised insulation. Heat pumps have been used to heat the pools, with gas used for water heating to greatly reduce the carbon footprint. State-of-the-art wastewater and sewer treatment systems enable all wastewater to be effectively recycled for irrigation.

Above-ground wastewater treatment plants work on an environmentally friendly accelerated aerobic and anaerobic digestion process. Up to 57% of all andBeyond lodges now contain water treatment plants. Additionally, an ever-increasing number of andBeyond lodges have seen the installation of Hydraloop grey-water treatment systems, used to purify wastewater for gardens, irrigation, and cleaning solar panel banks. At andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, more accurate water measurement systems have been implemented to trial more efficient water management practices that hold the potential for wide-scale implementation across all andBeyond ecotourism destinations.

Innovative water management initiatives are being rolled out across a variety of andBeyond properties. This is achieved through identifying the locations that would best benefit from these cutting-edge installations and trialling solutions to assess viability for future rollouts in equally affected areas. andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is currently testing an above-ground wastewater treatment system which will utilise laundry water to wash safari vehicles and flush staff toilets, saving 160 000 l (42 267 gallons) of water monthly. Proven successful, cutting-edge initiatives such as these are destined to be installed throughout all andBeyond properties, including Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp.