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Africa: Desert Kingdoms & Natural Splendors
February 14 - March 8, 2009
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Africa by Private Jet Explore the
Wonders of a Continent
Nothing prepares you for the majesty and diversity of Africa, and there is no better way to explore this great continent than on "Africa: Desert Kingdoms & Natural Splendors."
Desert Kingdoms
Africa is replete with cities full of ancient riches and timeless wisdom. Discover the secrets of the old walled section of Marrakech, including the ancient Koutoubia minaret, a landmark Islamic monument; the 500-year-old Saadian dynasty tombs, two exquisitely decorated mausoleums; and the Bahia Palace, created over a century ago and known for its beautiful gardens.
Experience the mystery of Timbuktu, the legendary city largely unknown to Westerners until 1828. Glimpse the Tuareg, the "blue men" of the Sahara who have made the desert their home for thousands of years.
Natural Splendors
Nature reigns in the African bush and countryside. Watch hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra crossing the plains in search of grazing land during the Serengeti seasonal migration. Delight on "Flight of the Angels," a dramatic helicopter ride offering unrivalled views of one of Africa's greatest spectacles: magnificent Victoria Falls.
Stand at South Africa's Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge, and which challenged explorers of centuries past as they struggled to circumnavigate the globe.
Welcome to an Africa that exceeds every expectation.
When the destination is extraordinary, getting there should be too.
This is the travel experience you’ve been waiting for: a journey by private jet encompassing the wonders of Africa, choreographed by A&K.
Join us on a journey that spans a continent and epochs, conducted in the comfort, convenience and style possible only with travel by private jet.
Step aboard our modified Boeing 757-200ER jet, which has been exclusively reconfigured for Abercrombie & Kent to accommodate 52 privileged guests. Our hand-selected crew attends to your every need, from remembering your favorite premium brand to suggesting the right wine at dinner. And with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:7, service is unobtrusive but ever-present.
Accompanying you throughout the voyage are a chef and chef’s assistant, who hand-select fresh local ingredients to make every in-flight meal a memorable dining occasion. Enjoy meals in our on-board lounge, where we will be happy to reserve a table for you, or simply gather with fellow travellers, striking up new friendships and sharing impressions of the extraordinary sights you have seen.
Your Abercrombie & Kent tour managers are the finest in the world, experienced and affable escorts who share intimate, often lifelong knowledge of the places you will discover.
Finally, Abercrombie & Kent is dedicated to preserving the natural environment, in the destinations we visit and throughout the world. Our wilderness properties in Africa operate in harmony with their surroundings, conserving resources and engaging local communities.
“Africa: Desert Kingdoms & Natural Splendors” unites Africa’s vast gifts into one unforgettable voyage — and embodies more than 40 years’ experience combining luxury and adventure in the greatest places on earth.
The Abercrombie & Kent Difference
Design Your DaySM Options
Make the trip your own with A&K’s exclusive Design Your Day feature. In select destinations, choose from an array of sightseeing excursions, sport, shopping and spa options, with many tempting alternatives on offer. Just make your selection and we’ll arrange a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, a shopping excursion in Marrakech, or deep-sea fishing in Mauritius— considered one of the best locations in the world for marlin fishing. Design Your Day makes it possible to experience the world in your own individual style.
Fine Dining and Entertainment
Throughout your trip, you’ll have many opportunities to experience unique local cultures and cuisines at their authentic best. The fresh spices of Mauritius. The award-winning wines from the Cape’s Winelands. Lunch in a traditional Marrakech mansion. Dinner by candlelight in the bush. A performance of the incredible Dogon mask dance. Your culinary adventures also encompass your destinations’ finest restaurants, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day of your journey; room service is included when you prefer the comfort of in-room dining.
Privileged Access
A&K’s exclusive invitation-only events turn an already remarkable journey into an unforgettable one. Your South Africa welcome dinner takes place at Groote Schuur, the official Cape residence of the former President of South Africa. Visit Robben Island on your own private tour guided by a former inmate. In Mali, join a museum curator for a private look at one of the best collections of social and cultural artifacts in West Africa, then share welcome cocktails with a U.S. Embassy official before dinner and a traditional music performance.
The Finest Accommodations
Your itinerary includes carefully selected hotels, resorts, and bush camps that reflect each destination’s spirit and style. You’ll stay at the elegant Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town and in Victoria Falls at the Victoria Falls Hotel, the preferred choice of visiting royalty, statesmen and celebrities for over 100 years. The Sheraton Addis is the choice of statesmen from all over the continent, and boasts seven presidential suites. Your luxurious safari accommodations in the Mala Mala Private Game Reserve and your simple lodging in the Serengeti National Park are classic Africa, each property blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
The A&K Touch
We provide a thoughtful and useful array of travel gear to make your A&K Private Jet trip a cut above the rest. Set out on your journey with a convenient rolling cabin bag, attractive tote, backpack, neck pillow and hat. To enhance your enjoyment, a state-of-the-art audio system enables you to clearly hear your guide’s commentary as you explore museums and sites at your own pace.
Suite upgrades, pre- and post-tour hotel nights and private jet transportation to and from New York can be confirmed at additional cost, subject to availability. Ask for details.
Expert Guidance
The accomplished Tour Director and Tour Managers accompanying this program bring you closer to the people and places that embody the character of Africa, becoming your indispensable travelling companions.
Tour Director, John Webley
Born and raised in Africa, John has turned his love of his homeland into a profession, joining A&K in 1990. Simultaneously, John embraced his love of the African environment, wildlife, cultures and conservation by being an active Board Member for many years with Friends of Conservation and an international Board Advisor to Friends of Africa.
Tour Manager, Linda Long-Innes
Born in Johannesburg, Linda's past experience as a travel product manager and marketer serves her well in her current vocation as a professional guide. Linda has been the popular leader of many Marco Polo Club Invitational Tours and has accompanied A&K's Private Jet tours worldwide.
Tour Manager, David Bromham
David Bromham began his safari career on the back of an elephant at age three. He is a keen birder, photographer and horseman with a deep understanding of East Africa's wildlife and culture. David's experience and knowledge make him a favorite of all his clients, from Princes William and Harry to hundreds of satisfied A&K travellers.
Tour Manager, Lynne Leakey
A self-taught naturalist and guide, Lynne's marriage into the wellknown Leakey family of paleoanthropologists started her on a career studying East Africa's wildlife, ecology and tribal life. Lynne's expertise and passion add meaning and depth to any safari adventure.
An Abercrombie & Kent Luggage Manager accompanies you throughout the program, ensuring your bags travel with you and are promptly delivered to your hotel room at each destination.
Contact us at 1.800.710.1008 or 415.864.4581
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| Call (800) 710-1008 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7025754 | | Abercrombie & Kent | | Offer valid through 2/14/2009 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | 1 | Funchal | Saturday, February 14
Transfer to your hotel in the heart of New York by private car. After settling in to your room, meet your fellow passengers this evening at a cocktail reception and welcome dinner.
Four Seasons Hotel, New York
| | 2 | Addis Ababa | Sunday, February 15
New York City - Funchal, Madeira Island
After breakfast, board your private jet for Madeira. Arrive in the evening and transfer to your overnight accommodations.
Choupana Hills Resort & Spa
| | 3 | Addis Ababa | Monday, February 16
Funchal - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your private jet whisks you east across Africa to Ethiopia, the ancient desert seat of the Queen of Sheba and among the first regions on earth to embrace Christianity. Addis Ababa, its capital, lies in the central highlands at an altitude of over 7,000 feet. It is a city rich in impressive architecture scattered between stretches of sun-bleached shacks. Arrive in the evening and check in to your deluxe hotel.
Sheraton Addis
| | 4 | Addis | Tuesday, February 17
Addis - Lalibela -Addis
Board a local charter flight to Lalibela - an isolated town partially modeled on Jerusalem and famous for its rock-hewn churches. Each church has a unique architectural style and is superbly carved out of the pink granite rock; they are among the unacknowledged wonders of the world. After lunch, return to Addis Ababa to view a replica of one of the world's most famous fossils at the National Museum. A curator explains the discovery of 3.4 million-year-old "Lucy" in Ethiopia in 1974. Her skeleton is preserved in a vault in the museum's basement. This evening dine à la carte at your hotel.
Sheraton Addis
| | 5 | Serengeti National Park | Wednesday, February 18
Addis Ababa - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - Serengeti National Park
On arrival in Kilimanjaro, board your bush plane to Serengeti National Park - true safari country. Your arrival coincides with the Serengeti seasonal migration, an annual wonder in which hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra cross the plains in search of grazing land, a spectacle you will observe firsthand in the ensuing days. After settling in to your lodge accommodations, unwind with a sundowner by the pool, followed by a bush dinner with local Maasai tribal dancers.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge (or Mobile Camping: on space-available basis at additional cost.)
| | 6-7 | Serengeti National Park | Thursday - Friday, February 19 - 20
Serengeti National Park
Famed throughout Africa and around the world, Serengeti National Park's 10,000 square miles are home to lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant. Spend two exciting days on safari, with morning and afternoon game drives. During your stay, take an optional morning excursion such as a hot air balloon ride (subject to availability and weather), a photographic safari, a birding expedition, or spend a morning at Olduvai Gorge where Louis and Mary Leakey made historic anthropological discoveries.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge (or Mobile Camping: on space-available basis at additional cost.)
| | 8 | Mauritius | Saturday, February 21
Serengeti National Park - Kilimanjaro - Mauritius
Set in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean, the island of Mauritius is a water sports paradise that combines sophisticated standards of hospitality with unspoiled island beaches. After your arrival, transfer to your luxurious hotel, the summit of tropical luxury and one of the most picturesque places on earth. You have time to relax and enjoy the resort's amenities before dinner.
Le Touessrok/Prince Maurice
| | 9 | Mauritius | Sunday, February 22
Design Your Day in Mauritius
Design Your Day as you please on the beautiful island of Mauritius. Take advantage of the island's pristine waters with snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and sailing, play a round of golf, or spend the day in complete indulgence at your hotel's spa. Dine tonight at the hotel or nearby island restaurants.
Le Touessrok/Prince Maurice Design Your Day
Sunday, February 22
Deep-Sea Fishing
The waters surrounding Mauritius are superb for year-round deep-sea fishing. Mauritius holds several world fishing records (IGFA) and is known for its large population of black and blue marlin. Yellowfin tuna, sailfish and hammerhead shark are also found in these waters. Cruise on the West Coast
Board a spacious, well-appointed catamaran and sail the tranquil waters of the island's west coast. Keep an eye out for dolphin as you swim or snorkel among the beautiful coral reefs. Lunch is served on board. Golf
Situated on a private island is an 18-hole par-72 championship golf course designed by Bernhard Langer. A state-of-the-art golf academy offers a teaching and practice facility for couples and singles. Spa
Take time off from sightseeing for a rejuvenating treatment at the resort's Given.
| | 10 | Mauritius | Monday, February 23
Mauritius
Begin your morning with a drive to Pamplemousses Botanic Garden, a 60-acre paradise with 500 plant species including stately palms, fruit and spice trees and giant Amazon water lilies. Continue on to Eureka, site of a historic colonial home. Later visit Curepipe, where beautiful model ships are made, before returning to your hotel.
Le Touessrok/Prince Maurice
| | 11 | Cape Town | Tuesday, February 24
Mauritius - Cape Town, South Africa
Today you fly to Cape Town, a thriving modern city surrounded by natural splendor. Transfer to the Cape Grace Hotel, stopping en route at Signal Hill for magnificent views of Cape Town. Built in a classic style, the Cape Grace provides the elegance of a luxurious small hotel amid the vibrant activity of the waterfront. For dinner tonight you may dine at your hotel or at one of Cape Town's many fine restaurants.
The Cape Grace Hotel
| | 12 | Cape Town | Wednesday, February 25
Cape Town - Cape Point - Cape Town
Board your private 53-foot luxury catamaran and sail along the Cape coastline to bucolic Hout Bay valley, with its bustling fishing harbor, white sand beach and picturesque village. Your journey continues to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at the end of the Cape Peninsula. The southern tip of the reserve lies at Cape Point, a great pinnacle of rock. You can climb the steps or ride a funicular railway to the top to observe dolphin and a variety of seabirds. Next, visit Boulders, a lovely beach sheltered from the wind and famous for its colony of endangered African penguin. Return via a breathtaking helicopter flight along the rugged coast of the Cape Peninsula. For dinner, choose from a selection of recommended restaurants on the waterfront (transportation is provided).
The Cape Grace Hotel
| | 13 | Cape Town | Thursday, February 26
Design Your Day in Cape Town
After breakfast, continue exploring Cape Town on your own or select a Design Your Day option, including a trip to the winelands, a visit to beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens or a relaxing spa sojourn. Relax before a private dinner at Groote Schuur. The former residence of Cecil John Rhodes, a British colonial statesman, financier and one of the main promoters of British rule in South Africa, Groote Schuur was the official Cape residence of the former President of South Africa.
The Cape Grace Hotel Design Your Day
Thursday, February 26
Kirstenbosch Gardens
This morning (weather permitting), ascend Table Mountain by cable car for panoramic views of the city and sea. Then visit Kirstenbosch, one of the top 10 gardens in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, have a delightful lunch at the garden's Silvertree Restaurant. Winelands Excursion
Explore the Cape Winelands, home of some of the world's finest wines, accompanied by a specialist guide. From here, continue to Stellenbosch, where you are guided on a walking tour of the picturesque Dutch town before stopping for lunch at a local historic estate. Robben Island
Since the end of the 17th century, Robben Island has been a place of exile for social outcasts, rebels and political prisoners under apartheid, most notably Nelson Mandela. A morning or afternoon transfer to the Cape Town waterfront brings you to the Nelson Mandela Gateway, the starting point of your cruise and your private visit to Robben Island, guided by one of the institution's former inmates (subject to operating conditions). The Spa
Rejuvenate in an environment where nature and technology blend seamlessly. Using innovative beauty products of the highest quality, the result is a unique synthesis that regenerates and restores, leaving you with a feeling of deep relaxation and balance. Sweeping views of Table Mountain, the city and the yacht marina add to your sensory experience. Shopping
Cape Town is a shopper's paradise. From upscale malls and boutiques to open-air craft markets and curio shops, the treasures waiting to catch your eye are endless. Where do you begin? With your own personal shopper. Spend the morning or afternoon comfortably shopping with your tireless local "friend."
| | 14 | Mala Mala Game Reserve | Friday, February 27
Cape Town - Kruger Mpumalanga - Mala Mala Game Reserve
Take your private jet to Mpumalanga International Airport, where you board a bush plane bound for the Mala Mala Game Reserve. Part of a conservation region of more than 5.5 million acres, Mala Mala boasts some of the finest "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo) habitat on the African continent. After lunch and leisure time during the heat of midday, enjoy a late afternoon game drive.
Mala Mala
| | 15-16 | Mala Mala Game Reserve | Saturday - Sunday, February 28 - March 1
Mala Mala Game Reserve
You have two full days of wildlife viewing in this private game reserve. Your daily schedule here is determined by the habits of the animals you have come to see. Rise early for morning wildlife drives, then return to camp for breakfast. All drives are conducted in open Land Rovers for optimum viewing, and your professional guides are experts on the flora and fauna of South Africa. The custodians of this reserve are deeply committed to wildlife conservation and to the preservation of this sanctuary. The atmosphere at your camp is relaxed, with an emphasis on superb animal viewing in a peaceful, harmonious environment. After a leisurely lunch and perhaps a short nap, a late afternoon game drive is another chance to spot lion, leopard, elephant and much more - over 200 species make this area their home. Following a stop for sundowners at dusk, continue your search for nocturnal animals before returning to your camp in time to freshen up for dinner. Each evening as your day of wildlife viewing draws to a close, relax with your fellow travellers and recall the extraordinary events of the day.
Mala Mala
| | 17 | Victoria Falls | Monday, March 2
Mala Mala Game Reserve - Mpumalanga International Airport - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
After an early morning game drive, transfer to the airstrip for a local flight to Mpumalanga airport. There you board your private jet for Zimbabwe. On arrival in Victoria Falls, transfer to your elegant hotel. This afternoon take a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River above the falls. Glide down the river looking for hippo, elephant or buffalo coming to drink at the water's edge. Relish the quietness of the African bush as sunset brings the day to a close, sometimes in a fiery farewell, sometimes in a myriad of blended colors.
The Victoria Falls Hotel
| | 18 | Victoria Falls | Tuesday, March 3
Victoria Falls
Take the celebrated "Flight of the Angels," a dramatic helicopter ride offering unrivalled views of one of Africa's greatest spectacles: magnificent Victoria Falls. In addition to the falls themselves, keep a keen eye out for wildlife; the Zambezi National Park is home to elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and giraffe. Continue your explorations on a privately guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, with scenic outlook stops along the way. Transfer to the Elephant Wallow for a memorable afternoon with these gentle giants. After a barbecue lunch, interact with the elephants and experience their intelligence and majesty face to face. This afternoon includes a choice of activities that make for an extraordinary conclusion to your safari. Choose from an elephant-back safari, canoe trip or wildlife viewing by jet boat on the upper Zambezi. Late in the afternoon, board a restored 1922 Class Ten steam train to experience the romance of a bygone era. Enjoy champagne and canapés during a stop on the famous Victoria Falls Bridge. Tonight's dinner is outdoors and features local entertainment.
The Victoria Falls Hotel
| | 19 | Bamako | Wednesday, March 4
Victoria Falls - Bamako, Mali
Transect the vast continent to arrive in Bamako, the capital of Mali. Bamako was a prosperous hub of the gold, ivory and salt trades, and its character is the result of centuries of foreign invasions and influences. Yet remnants of the ancient Ghana Empire still linger in present-day Mali. The Bozo people of the Niger River Valley trace their roots back to the 10th century; they remain experts at fishing, and their arts and crafts are found in markets throughout Bamako. En route to your hotel, visit the National Museum of Mali, considered one of the finest museums in West Africa for its extensive collection of ethnographic artifacts. A museum curator leads your privately guided tour. Afterward, witness the Dogon mask dance, an incredible spectacle of colorful masks and ritualistic dances performed on stilts. This evening, enjoy cocktails, dinner and a welcome talk by an officer from the U.S. Embassy.
Hotel Salam
| | 20 | Marrakech | Thursday, March 5
Bamako - Timbuktu - Bamako - Marrakech, Morocco
Depart your hotel and board a local charter flight to Timbuktu, an intellectual and spiritual hub and a center for the propagation of Islam throughout Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries, lost to Saharan dunes until its redicovery by a French explorer in 1828. Its three great mosques, Djingareyber, Sankore, and Sidi Yahia, are a testament to Timbuktu's golden age. Today, visit the different mosques and the Library, with its remarkable manuscripts. You may glimpse the Tuareg "blue men" of the desert, so named for their indigo-dyed clothing. Even today this remote outpost is most often reached by camel or goat, as flights are infrequent. Return to Bamako by local charter and board your private jet to Marrakech, the most famous city in Morocco. After an early evening arrival, transfer to your hotel in time for dinner.
Es Saadi Palace/Menara Palace
| | 21 | Marrakech | Friday, March 6
Marrakech
This morning, discover the secrets of Marrakech, for centuries the last stop of the trans-Saharan caravans. Most of the city's architectural attractions are inside the Medinat, the old walled section of the town. Built in the 12th century, the Koutoubia minaret is a landmark Islamic monument. Next, pay an evocative visit to the Saadian Tombs. Discovered in 1917, two exquisitely decorated mausoleums house approximately 60 members of the Saadi Dynasty, dating back to the late 16th century. The detailing and delicate use of Italian marble, cedar, inlaid tile, and traditional stucco make this one of the most beautiful structures in Marrakech. The Bahia Palace is a masterpiece of domestic architecture and a glimpse into the lives of the privileged during the 19th century. Your exploration of Marrakech concludes at the Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts. Formerly Dar Si Said palace, the museum houses stunning collections of traditional woven carpets and Berber silver jewelry. This afternoon, stay and shop or explore the nearby souk. As evening approaches, head to the city's main square, Djemaa el Fna, where mime artists, snake charmers and street musicians perform at every turn. For dinner, choose from a selection of recommended restaurants (transportation is provided).
Es Saadi Palace/Menara Palace
| | 22 | Marrakech | Saturday, March 7
Design Your Day in Marrakech
Today you may continue exploring Marrakech on the Design Your Day excursion of your choice. Alternatively, you may venture out to browse or shop Marrakech on your own. Tonight's festivities include a private dinner featuring local musicians and colorful entertainers.
Es Saadi Palace/Menara Palace
Design Your Day
Saturday, March 7
Atlas Mountains
Drive high up into the Atlas Mountains, where you will then walk or ride donkeys up a rocky path to Kasbah De Toubkal. Restored from an ancient Berber fortress, the Kasbah is a mountain retreat with 360-degree views of the mountains and surrounding valleys from its rocky hilltop location. This excursion includes a stop at one of the many Berber villages. Cooking Lesson at La Maison Arabe
Shop for fresh market ingredients with a local chef and learn how the exotic flavors of Morocco's cuisine come to life. Afterward, visit the kitchens of La Maison Arabe, where you prepare a Moroccan salad and a tagine stew of your choice for lunch. Marrakech Gardens
Board a horse-drawn carriage to the beautiful gardens dotted around the city, including the Menara Gardens, set in an extensive olive grove. The Jardin Majorelle, designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, is a tropical paradise surrounded by vivid cobalt blue buildings with lilycovered pools and enormous sculptural cacti. Its museum contains the private antique collection of Yves St. Laurent. Afternoon at the Spa
Indulge in the restorative spa treatment of your choice at your hotel. Choose a facial, massage or manicure - it is our treat.
| | 23 | New York | Sunday, March 8
Marrakech - New York
Board your private jet for the last time to cross the Atlantic en route to the U.S. Following a fuel stop in the Azores, you arrive in New York City in the afternoon. After clearing U.S. arrival procedures, connect to an evening commercial flight to your home city or stay in New York for a few post-tour nights. Hotel reservations are available on request.
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| | | | | | The price shown is in USD. Price is per person, based on double occupancy.
Price per person
$84,895, per person/share basis
$8,225, single supplement
* Holiday surcharge will apply. Call for Time Out For Myself details.
Departure dates, prices and availability may change at any time.
Prices and departures may vary from what is displayed on this web site. Please call us at 800-710-1008 to confirm the latest pricing and departure information. |
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