Out in the Open
Tired of being asked where you dream of travelling once restrictions are lifted and having nothing original to say? Here are three enthralling ideas from the luxury travel company Andbeyond
WORK FROM HOLIDAY IN SOUTH AFRICA
With remote working and virtual learning now the norm, you might choose to blur the lines between work and play with an extended stay in a remote location. You might even stop complaining that schools are still closed. A new offering designed to make it easier for families to work, study and take a safari holiday all at once is the “Wildchild” programme.
To tame the little beasts, part of the programme uses nature as a classroom, with educational activities including wildlife tracking in the bush. While available in various Andbeyond properties in Africa, the programme is highly recommended in the lodges within the Phinda Game Reserve, as they’re best placed to welcome large families.
A SECLUDED BUBBLE IN NAMIBIA
Keeping to your social distancing habits doesn’t mean you must limit your family gatherings to villa staycations or yacht trips. For Joss Kent, founder of Andbeyond, his top pick would be a weeklong escape to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia. “The tranquillity and extraordinary clarity of light make this area one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes,” he says. Guests spend a week at the desert in accommodation that stands out for being sophisticated and sustainable in design. “It is the very harshness of the desert environment that has been harnessed to power these impactful initiatives,” says Kent.
CHASING SNOW LEOPARDS IN THE HIMALAYAS
Nicknamed Asia’s “mountain ghosts”, an encounter with a snow leopard is so rare that getting the chance to seek them out is an unmissable opportunity. Located in the Indian-himalayan region of Ladakh, popularly known as “Little Tibet”, this destination is considered one of the last frontiers for wildlife tourism.
A 12-day winter expedition requires travellers to meet the elements head-on while in search of the elusive snow leopard and local wildlife. “If we want these incredible animals to continue to thrive under protection, we must relish the chance to see them in their natural habitat,” says Kent. andbeyond.com