Kenya in 2020: Kayla’s Unforgettable Safari

I went on vacation to Africa in 2020. A few months ago, I wasn’t sure I’d get to write those words. Since I joined Travel Beyond almost 9 years ago, I’ve traveled internationally every year, some years, I went on multiple international trips, and I believe my record was 8 different countries in one year. Read more…

August 2020 Kenya & Tanzania Trip Report

I am writing this on August 22, 2020, and I just got back from Africa! On July 2, with no advanced warning, Kenya opened their borders to American tourists with an effective date of August 1. The next day, I began planning my first trip to Africa since November 2019. Since leaving the military in Read more…

Hot air ballooning over the The Great Migration herds

Africa’s Great Migration: A Year-Round Event

In my first conversation with travelers planning a trip to Kenya and Tanzania, I’m always asked, “When does the Great Wildebeest Migration take place?” Pictures and discussions of the event always make it seem like an annual festival, occurring once a year at a specific time. However, the Great Wildebeest Migration is always taking place. Read more…

Going Beyond the Kenyan Safari: A Look into Conservation

Kenya is known for its abundance of wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Many travel to the country for the incredible animal encounters and scenery. Yet not everyone takes the opportunity to dig more deeply, to learn all that goes into their protection. On a recent trip, I took a step behind the scenes in order to Read more…

Travel Beyond Named “World’s Best” of 2019!

For the third straight year, Travel Beyond has been honored as a “Top 10 Safari Outfitter” in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards! The annual World’s Best Awards are voted on by Travel + Leisure readers, who rate and review the tour operators, hotels, cities, cruise lines and other travel companies and destinations they’ve Read more…

Craig Beal Named to Travel + Leisure A-List for 9th Year!

For the 9th straight year, Travel Beyond owner Craig Beal was named to the elite Travel + Leisure A-List as a Safari Specialist! As Craig’s 2019 member profile on Travel + Leisure’s website explains, “Safari travel runs in Beal’s blood. His mother founded Travel Beyond — the company he now owns — and he has Read more…

The Third Time’s a Charm!

When I am asked what my favorite African country is, Kenya is always one of the few I name. (Yes, I have a couple of favorites and cannot narrow down my choice to just one country!) Why? I first saw Kenya on the big screen, in the movie Out of Africa, and it shaped my early Read more…

Safari Guides: Storytellers, Zoologists and More

Bleary-eyed, we raced over the plains of the Masai Mara, the chilly morning air whipping around us as we gripped our thermoses with one hand and the vehicle with the other. Far in the distance, our guide had spotted a cloud of dust rising from a rocky outcropping—to our untrained vision, yet another feature of Read more…

Kenya: Beyond the Game Drive

Kenya has recently risen to the top of my list as one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Why? Kenya offers so much more than just a typical morning and afternoon game drive routine on safari. While you will still spend time in a safari vehicle, there are plenty of alternatives to get you Read more…

Craig Beal Named to Travel + Leisure A-List for 8th Year!

For the 8th straight year, Travel Beyond owner Craig Beal was named to the elite Travel + Leisure A-List as a Safari Specialist! As Craig’s 2018 member profile on Travel + Leisure’s website explains, “Safari travel runs in Beal’s blood. His mother founded Travel Beyond — the company he now owns — when he was Read more…