When it comes to African safaris, there’s a time-honoured rule: nature should lead, and we should follow — respectfully, quietly, and, if you happen to be with Bushtops Safari Camps, in the most luxurious fashion imaginable. Come 1 June 2025, the standards of game-viewing will be irreversibly raised with the official unveiling of The Beest — Bushtops’ ground-breaking new safari vehicle designed to prowl the Serengeti with a roar of innovation.
Crafted over years of careful dreaming, tinkering, and engineering wizardry, The Beest is no ordinary 4×4. It’s a six-wheeled, steel-clad wonder, blending the tough grit of the outback with the refined elegance of a gentleman’s club — all against the jaw-dropping backdrop of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park.
Safari Innovation at its Finest
A true ‘beest’ of burden, this custom-built 6×6 marvel laughs in the face of rugged tracks, with a drive system that ensures not even the most stubborn mud patch will interrupt your lion-spotting adventure. The open-sided design, fitted with clever roll-down canvas screens, means guests can enjoy 360-degree panoramas while being shielded from sudden African downpours.
The vehicle’s high-tensile steel frame and roll cage prioritise safety, but Bushtops didn’t stop there. Inside, luxury is the law: hand-finished wood trim, ambient mood lighting, premium carpeting underfoot, and seating so sumptuous and heated you might believe you’re rolling through Mayfair rather than Maasai country.
And yes, there’s a YouTube reveal video if you fancy a sneak peek, though fair warning: it may trigger severe wanderlust.
Comfort in the Heart of the Wild
Forget dusty sandwiches and lukewarm water bottles. The Beest comes equipped with personal mini-fridges, power outlets for your essential gadgets, a fold-out bar, and a fully functioning kitchen ready to whip up meals worthy of a master chef.
For the truly adventurous, there’s an ingenious pop-up roof tent housing a 4×2-metre bed — the ultimate sleepout experience under a celestial African sky. Add a pressure hot shower and ablution facilities, and it’s clear: Bushtops have rewritten the safari playbook entirely.
The Ultimate safari ride, complete with rooftop tent for the truly adventurous
A dedicated driver and ranger accompany each journey, allowing for indulgent all-day explorations, far from the madding crowds. For those seeking the ultimate experience, pairing The Beest with Bushtops’ exclusive Roving Bushtops — soon relocating to the northern Serengeti — means an expedition of almost limitless luxury and freedom.
An Exclusive Privilege for the Fortunate Few
Access to The Beest is reserved exclusively for guests staying at Serengeti Bushtops or Roving Bushtops, adding an extra gleam to an already glittering experience. Starting at US$1,090 per person per night, 2025 promises to be the year Bushtops cements its reputation as the gold standard in East African safaris.
As Claudia Stuart, co-owner of Bushtops, enthused, “The Beest is a testament to our passion for innovation and delivering unrivalled guest experiences. Every element — from VIP heated seating to full off-grid capability — has been meticulously crafted to showcase the Serengeti’s wonders in a way never seen before.”
One imagines even the Big Five might pause their grazing to admire The Beest when it purrs past — all gleaming wood and low growl.
The Beest serves up Serengeti luxury: fine dining in the wilderness with a sunrise safari backdrop.
At a Glance: The Beest’s Features
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Power & Performance: 6×6 drive for unstoppable traction across the Serengeti’s wild heart.
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Design & Comfort: Open sides for uninterrupted viewing, with weatherproof roll-down panels.
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Safety First: Robust high-tensile steel frame and roll cage.
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Luxury Touches: Heated extra-large seats, mood lighting, plush carpeting, and stylish wood finishes.
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Complete Independence: Personal mini fridges, onboard kitchen, fold-out bar, and dining facilities.
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Sleep Under the Stars: Built-in pop-up roof tent, full ablution setup, and hot pressure shower.
About Bushtops Safari Camps
Bushtops operates celebrated luxury safari camps across Kenya and Tanzania, including Mara Bushtops, Serengeti Bushtops, and the peripatetic Roving Bushtops. The family-run brand is revered for its private game drives, sumptuous tented suites, and bespoke itineraries tailored to those who seek adventure with a touch of old-world sophistication.
As safari stalwarts know, the Serengeti itself needs no enhancement. But with The Beest, Bushtops hasn’t merely gilded the lily — they’ve set an entirely new gold standard.
By Michelle Warner
