T R AV E L
AND BEYOND KLEIN’S CAMP A MAGNIFICENT SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI By Lizabeth Zindel
W
e drove through Tanzania’s expansive Serengeti until we spotted the thatched stone cottages of andBeyond’s Klein’s Camp perched on a hillside. The 4X4 safari vehicle headed up the incline, and as soon we got to the top, we were greeted by fifteen staff members singing in Swahili and playing the drums. The spirited welcome set the tone for what would become a joyous stay in the heart of wild Africa. Located on an exclusive concession with the best views of the Serengeti, Klein’s Camp is situated on refined, yet rugged, property. It has ten cottages made of local stone and makuti thatch (sun-dried coconut palm leaves), with rich wooden floors and soft cream furnishings. The rooms’ delightful details include framed illustrations of African maps and a box of watercolors for guests to paint the inspiring view from their private veranda. Klein’s Camp includes a beautifully furnished bar and lounge that offer breathtaking views of the wooded hillsides and rolling grasslands. The fantastic meals are served in the main dining room, a round cottage with a chalkboard announcing the day’s menus. The property’s pristine swimming pool is tucked into the hillside, and a safari shop offers locally made Maasai crafts. During our stay, we experienced spectacular game drives. One morning, we stopped in the vast plains to enjoy breakfast next to the Great Migration, the herds of zebra and wildebeest that fill the valley twice a year. Klein’s Camp is one of the few hotels in East Africa that offers game drives at night. We will always remember the thrilling evening we rode through the darkness as our guide tracked a pride of lionesses that were hunting in the savanna.
On our last night at Klein’s Camp, the gracious staff surprised us with a bonfire in the middle of the Serengeti. It was a magical evening with lanterns hanging from trees, delicious beverages and snacks, and a sense of camaraderie among everyone present. To get to the Serengeti, we flew from Kilimanjaro on Coastal Aviation (coastal.co.tz), the most popular airline in Tanzania. The excellent company has been in business for over 30 years and works with andBeyond, the company that owns Klein’s Camp, to ensure that travel is coordinated to perfection. An award-winning, luxury, experiential travel company, andBeyond offers tailor-made luxury safaris and tours in Africa, Asia, and South America. The andBeyond experience includes not just beautiful lodges and camps, but also a handpicked team of destination experts who look after you from the moment you touch down to the moment you leave for home. andBeyond Klein’s Camp andbeyond.com
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