As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, andBeyond just launched five new itineraries specifically for teenagers and parents, offering a chance to connect while making a difference. The conservation-focused itineraries are available in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Chile.
What makes these itineraries a “challenge” is that all of the teens will be challenged, according to andBeyond, on what they have learned while out on excursions, earning certificates and prizes that will be handed out at a ceremony dinner at the end of the trip. These excursions are a call to all “aspiring conservationists, planet warriors, budding rangers, or any teen who loves the wilderness and its creatures and wants to leave the world a better place.”
These itineraries have been specially curated for a teenager (14-18) and their parent(s). Good to know: The nightly rate for the teenager will only be at 50 percent of the adult rate.
South Africa
This four-night set itinerary takes place at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve with guests staying at Phinda Vlei Lodge. Teens and parents will mingle with their peers the first afternoon followed by a game drive and a dinner where the hosts will lay out the program for the next few days. This program comprises:
- A rhino conservation experience and a chance to assist the Phinda Conservation Team
- Bush walks to learn the art of tracking
- Astronomy lessons and tips on navigating by the stars
- Going behind the scenes at andBeyond’s Ranger Training School to get a taste of ranger training
- A Pangolin Conservation Experience to join researchers as they locate a pangolin that has been reintroduced to the reserve
- Dinner under the stars with Zulu drummers
- An Africa Foundation Community Trip into the communities surrounding andBeyond’s reserve to see the long-term collaboration between andBeyond and the people of the area
Botswana
This four-night set itinerary takes place at andBeyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. After an introduction to the group and a game drive, the Botswana Regional Trainer for andBeyond will host a dinner and outline the program, which will include:
- A nature walk to learn bushmen skills such as hunting, identifying plants for medicinal uses, survival skills and bushmen games
- Sunset drinks on the delta learning about the waterways and fishing
- Post-dinner stargazing
- Meet with a wild dog research team and track and interact with the dogs
- Assist the teams in elephant-proofing baobab trees
- Tracking rhinos that were translocated from South Africa through the Rhinos Without Borders program
- Join an interactive cooking competition with the lodge’s chefs
- Teen-only sustainability audit at the lodge, engaging with different staff members to find out how the lodge is leaving a light footprint in the Delta
Mozambique
This marine-conservation focused itinerary takes place at andBeyond Benguerra Island and is perfect for ocean-lovers. The program consists of:
- An introductory PADI diving course and scuba sessions
- Sunset dhow sailboat cruise
- Dinners on the beach
- Diving at 2-Mile Reef to learn about the fragile marine ecosystem
- Picnic lunch on an island
- Dinner with the conservation team from Oceans Without Borders to learn about efforts to protect the water
- Either a half-day catch and release fishing experience or another diving/scuba adventure
- Meet the local community on the island
- Sandboard on the dunes
Tanzania
This five-night journey focuses on the Serengeti National Park (after one night in Arusha); guests will stay at andBeyond Klein’s Camp. Activities include:
- Game drives through the Serengeti and the private reserve on which Klein’s sits
- A nature walk up the Kuka Hills behind the lodge for a 360-degree view of the Serengeti
- Engaging with an andBeyond guide trainer and local children during a conservation lesson to teach the importance of conservation at a young age
- Learning the art of animal tracking and wildlife and bird identification
- An astronomy session
- A visit to an authentic Maasai village to learn the daily customs of villagers and the delicate balance between people and wildlife in these remote locations
- Visiting a vegetable garden to pick fresh produce for lunch
- A bush dinner with Maasai warriors displaying their incredible jumping skills
- Helping prepare a bush breakfast
Chile
This four-night itinerary at andBeyond Vira Vira focuses on conservation and local culture through activities such as:
- Horseback riding on the ranch
- Chilean barbecue
- River activities such as a catch-and-release fishing competition, rafting or rock climbing
- Parents have one morning off while teens work on a sustainability audit of the lodge to understand how Vira Vira is leaving a light footprint, including a tour of the organic vegetable garden
- A community visit to learn about the local Mapuche people and enjoy a ruka (traditional Maphuche house) and weaving tour
- An interactive cooking competition aided by the chefs
- A visit to Villarrica National Park for a lesson in wildlife and landscape photography as well as a birding challenge
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