Leading luxury and adventure travel company Abercrombie & Kent has just released its new portfolio of luxury private journeys to Africa, Arabia and Persia. The collection comprises ready-to-book safari holidays to destinations throughout Southern, East and Central Africa as well as grand adventures through North Africa, the Middle East and Iran and island getaways in the Indian Ocean.
The collection offers an almost limitless number of options for travelling in style across the continent and beyond, putting all that makes the region so unique and so breathtaking front and centre. There are 36 ready-to-book private journeys mapped out in the brochure for individual travellers, and many more available online. Each one has been created through a meticulous process of research by A&K’s product professionals, consultation with in-house Travel Specialists and coordinators on the ground and with guest feedback in mind. They are all tried and tested and present each destination in the best possible manner in seamless style and comfort whilst ensuring that travellers have the most inspiring experiences and authentic local encounters wherever they visit.
In addition to the ready-to-book journeys, A&K gives travellers the tools to customise their own made-to-measure journeys with lists of the foremost sights and locations in each area, exceptional activities and exclusive opportunities to consider, a wider range of hand-picked accommodation choices as well as ideas for extending a journey to gain a deeper appreciation of the place. These ideas are provided to inspire guests who wish to develop their own bespoke journey in close consultation with an A&K Travel Specialist.
A&K’s Africa and Arabia Product Manager Patrick Clementson has been visiting the African continent since 1997. He knows the pattern of the seasons, where the greatest wildlife experiences are, the best time to see them, how to get there and where to stay. His intimate knowledge has shaped this portfolio and it is A&K’s most extensive ever.
Asked for his favourites from the new collection, Clementson said, “I’m particularly excited about the Bush to Beach journey which combines a safari adventure in two of South Africa’s outstanding private game reserves with a glamorous beach stay on Benguerra Island, Mozambique. With acres of bush to cover and abundant wildlife to find, a safari is a dynamic adventure that packs in a lot of excitement so time to unwind and relax on a beach provides the perfect conclusion.”
“Another destination close to my heart is Zambia and it’s one of Africa’s best kept secrets. Many will know it’s the home of the walking safari and so guests head out on foot with expert guides during extended stays in the South Luangwa National Park providing extraordinary up-close encounters from a new and more intimate perspective. Enriching this safari experience is a visit to the Lower Zambezi National Park, one of the most beautiful parts of southern Africa with unforgettable sunsets and chances to explore by canoe and motorboat as well as on foot.”
What’s New in Africa?
A new flight schedule between the Masai Mara and Entebbe gives rise to another excellent safari combination: the new 11-day Wildlife of Kenya & Uganda journey introduces guests to Kenya’s wildlife wonders at the Loisaba private conservancy through an exciting range of activities from game drives and mountain biking to horse riding and Maasai village visits. A star bed sleep-out is an optional highlight before guests wing their way to the Masai Mara and Cottar’s 1920’s Camp which echoes the era of the vintage safari adventure and delivers an abundance of wildlife. Flying into Uganda guests then spend three magical nights at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park tracking the magnificent, and endangered, mountain gorilla. Prices start from $16,855 per person.
Increased accommodation choices in Madagascar have enabled enhancements to A&K’s popular 10-day Classic Madagascar private journey: Maison Gallieni in the capital Tana is a stylish boutique hotel with strong environmental credentials situated on the site of Madagascar’s first bank. While at Andasibe, guests seek out the island’s incredible endemic species including dozens of different lemurs, from Mantadia Lodge which is a welcome addition to the local offering situated just a few kilometres from the forest. Prices start from $6,685 per person.
A brand new offering from the sublime Singita safari stable underpins A&K’s new 12-day Wildlife of Tanzania & Rwanda private journey. Just opened, Singita Kwitonda on the edge of Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans makes gorilla tracking easily accessible for its guests. Named for a gentle silverback who made the park his home, Singita Kwitonda is amongst the country’s most luxurious and sustainably designed lodges. Guests staying here will contrast the forest environment with the savannah surrounds of Singita Faru Faru adjacent to the Serengeti National Park where four days of extraordinary wildlife sightings is included. Prices from $28,630 per person.
Amongst A&K’s bespoke options in Africa, there’s an exclusive tour in Cape Town for contemporary art lovers at the ground-breaking Zeitz MOCAA with a curator. There’s the opportunity for an up-close and adrenalin pumping cage dive with sharks for travellers along South Africa’s Garden Route. In Tanzania, guests are invited to experience a rural village like the locals – on board a tuk tuk. And in Kenya’s Masai Mara, an ‘Out of Africa’ picnic experience awaits, complete with wicker basket, tartan rug, campaign furniture and a spread to remember.
What’s new in Arabia?
With Egypt enjoying a triumphant comeback, A&K welcomes back Sanctuary Nile Adventurer which returns to the river this month after a significant refurbishment. With a colour palette evoking Egypt in the ‘golden hour’, interiors are washed in shades of cerulean blue, hints of honey and burnished gold promising a new level of sophistication. With just 32 cabins, she joins sister ship Sanctuary Sun Boat IV on A&K’s best-selling ‘Nile in Style’ private journey. Prices start from $7,440 per person.
Also making a return to the portfolio is the 12-day Kasbahs & Caravans private journey in Morocco which contrasts the fascinating imperial cities of Fes, Marrakech and Meknes with an exclusive desert experience and a dreamy stay in a converted kasbah. Guests will wander through ancient ruins at Volubilis, trawl vibrant souks, marvel at shimmering sunsets, put themselves on set at Ait Benhaddou and stroll through beautiful gardens and palaces. Priced from $13,065 per person.
Some of the captivating opportunities which can be included in a bespoke Arabia journey include a sustainable wine experience in Jordan where the climate and terrain combine to provide a distinctive terroir where over 40 grape varieties are grown. Guests meet the winemakers at Zumot Winery and taste their organic wines.
In Iran, a chef-led guided market walk and hands-on cooking class reveal age-old secrets of Persian cuisine with a tasty feast to finish. In Oman, an Arabian Sea adventure takes guests off-shore on a traditional dhow in search of dolphins, humpback whales and turtles. And in Egypt, A&K can arrange special behind the scenes access to Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum and its restoration labs before opening late in 2020.
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