Part of &Beyond, a wild accommodation company that operates lodges and camps throughout Africa, &Beyond Under Canvas offers two semi-permanent camps in Chobe National Park – one by Chobe River, the other in Savute Reserve.
Overview
Set and struck every five to six days, Under Canvas is neither fully fixed nor fully mobile, and as such fosters a sense of belonging. Given the length of time spent in any one location, a great deal of thought goes into creating spaces that are tranquil, cool and private. Consisting of 6 Hemmingway safari tents, &Beyond Under Canvas can accommodate up to twelve guests.
Food & service
Away from the sleeping areas, the dining tent holds a table large enough for all the camp’s guests, and there is a small seating area – sofas and chairs – where drinks are served. Guests of &Beyond Under Canvas are guaranteed round-the-clock attention: there is a private butler service, while food and drink are available night or day. The cuisine is African, and comes both as silver service and bush tucker.
Rooms
Each tent boasts a double bed, flush toilet and veranda. The en suite bathroom possesses a hot shower, a simple arrangement of washing amenities, and fresh towels; the bedroom furniture/lighting is practical, clean and adaptable. Significantly, and most welcome after a day spent walking the bush, the beds are sumptuous and made-up with high quality linen. Please note there is no Wi-Fi at the camp.
Activities
Activities include wildlife drives, nature walks, tracking, boat cruises and bird watching.
Please be advised that – due to an emphasis on tracking and anticipating the movements of animals – locations do not always meet individual expectations. The flora here thrives in semi-arid conditions, and dust comes with the territory.
Impact
Conservation
&Beyond believe in taking a shared responsibility for our futures and those of our children. Their entire group of lodges comprises less than 800 beds, smaller than a medium-sized city hotel, but have a disproportionately large positive impact on the more than 3.5 million hectares (8.5 million acres) of wildlife areas they help sustain, and the communities whose lives are interwoven with their business.
Community
Started in 1999, the BOCAIP (Botswana Christian Aids Intervention Programme) and Motse wa Tsholofelo Day Care Centre in Maun were established to support orphans and their extended families through nutrition, counselling and material assistance.
A preventative health programme, Positive Health trains staff members to become counsellors on health, nutrition and psychological wellbeing, and caregivers for people living with life threatening illnesses such as HIV/Aids. Two wellness programmes, Goal is Life and Sing for Life, were subsequently developed under the Positive Health banner. Both help keep staff members motivated and healthy.
Additionally, the rangers at &Beyond’s four Botswana lodges host an average of 12 conservation lessons a year for schoolchildren and their teachers.