For Liz Bean Crookston, a celebratory 40th birthday safari through Kenya and Tanzania sparked a major life change. After returning from Africa, Bean Crookston quit her job in advertising and traveled solo for six months. Then, in 2003, she decided to form her own travel company — The Archer Group Inc. — which led to the creation of an on-the-ground operator and portfolio of private safari lodges now known as Bush & Beyond.
Collectively, the Nairobi-based Bush & Beyond team carries more than 250 years of safari experience. Additionally, all the properties in the company’s portfolio are owner-operated, with these individuals acting as the hosts, guides and managers for Bush & Beyond clients.
We sat down with Bean Crookston to learn about the company’s adventure offerings.
Can you tell us a little more about Bush & Beyond and its philosophy?
Our philosophy is simply stated as “Kenyan safari destinations as varied as the habitats they occupy and as unique as their owners.” What this means is that we have wonderful safari destinations that are in some special locations — including Lake Turkana, the Northern Frontier, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Laikipia, Maasai Mara and Nairobi — and all our properties are individually owned and operated.
What do you believe sets Bush & Beyond apart from other safari companies servicing Kenya?
Our people. We treat each of our clients as individuals, and we like to think that our clients come for the wildlife but leave with stories about the people. We are proud to have our people included in those stories.
Who is Bush & Beyond's ideal client?
I don’t think we have any one “ideal” client, as we have had clients from all countries in the world who are from the age of 8 months to 91 years. We’ve had singles, couples, families, multigenerational groups, bachelor parties and more, too.
Our clients are all interested in learning more about the place they are visiting, whether through its wildlife, culture, history or the landscape, and they are open to trying new things. We offer so much more than just game drives, and it is wonderful to watch our clients try horseback riding or do a camel trek or jump off a cliff into a waterfall — things they didn’t think were possible to do while on a safari.
What do you suggest to clients who are looking for a unique experience?
I always tell people that if they have a chance to do a bush walk, get out and do it. Whether it is a gentle walk, a vigorous hike or a multiday walking safari, it is the best way to connect with the landscape, the wildlife and the people. It is very different to be on the ground versus in a game drive vehicle. There is a quote from a famous walking guide that I like to use: “Looking at animals and the landscape from a vehicle is like seeing the movie, walking in the bush is like reading the book.” I love nothing better than a good book.
What is one tip or piece of advice that you would give someone who is visiting Kenya for the first time and looking to be active?
Make sure you visit one of the many private conservancies in Kenya, as it is within these conservancies that you will have the chance to do bush walks, horseback riding, camel trekking, mountain biking, kayaking or canoeing and various other activities, versus just traditional game drives.
Kenya is blessed to have private conservancies throughout the country, and as almost all our national parks and reserves are not fenced, the wildlife moves on their traditional migratory paths in and out of the parks, reserves and private conservancies. You have just as abundant wildlife in the conservancies as you would in any of Kenya’s parks and reserves.
The Details
Bush & Beyond
www.bush-and-beyond.com
