Africa encompasses a great many wonders both natural and man-made: the rock-carved churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia; the wildlife-rich Serengeti plains; awe-inspiring Victoria Falls; the vanishing mountain gorillas of Uganda; and the bustling medina of Marrakech, Morocco.
This itinerary takes guests on a comprehensive journey across the breadth of Africa. Begin in the sands of Ethiopia and continue south through the game-rich regions of Tanzania and Botswana. Experience the finest in both nature and culture in South Africa, and visit Uganda to track the mountain gorilla, one of our nearest genetic relatives, in its natural habitat. End your journey in Morocco with an amazing desert camping experience, followed by a visit to dazzling Marrakech.
NOTE: This tour is no longer available. Visit the Abercrombie & Kent site to see the latest itineraries by private jet.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Arrive in Madrid and transfer to your accommodations at the Villa Magna, where you will meet your tour leadership team and fellow guests over cocktails and dinner, sharing the anticipation of the incredible adventures ahead.
Your private jet whisks you to Ethiopia, the ancient desert seat of the Queen of Sheba and among the first regions on earth to embrace Christianity. Set out from Addis Ababa on a charter flight for a day in Lalibela, an isolated town famous for its ancient churches carved directly from the pink granite earth. A local priest sheds insight on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; afterward, enjoy a presentation of traditional religious songs.
On return to Addis Ababa, view a replica of “Lucy,” one of the world’s most famous early human fossils, at the National Museum, where a curator describes the discovery and its significance. Meet with special guests and local dignitaries at a cocktail reception before dinner at the hotel.
Your private jet takes you to the sweeping, hill-dotted plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park — true safari country. Serengeti is home to the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, rhino and elephant), along with giraffes, gazelles, zebras and much more. Your arrival coincides with the seasonal migration, an annual wonder in which hundreds of thousands of wildebeests, gazelles and zebras cross the Serengeti plains in search of grazing land, closely watched by the animals that prey on them.
Arrive at your luxurious lodge for three days of unforgettable game drives. Observe the Serengeti’s priceless living bounty in the company of the continent’s best driver-guides, unwinding at the end of the day with a gourmet meal. Between game drives, experience the varied pleasures on offer in the Serengeti.
A
morning hot air balloon flight is an unforgettable way to observe life on the
plains, followed by a Champagne breakfast in the bush. You also meet members
of the local Maasai tribe, who stage a performance just for you, and learn about
two of the Serengeti’s top predators, lions and cheetahs, from conservation
experts working to preserve these animals.
South Africa presents a landscape of modern cities and tended fields nestled alongside mountains and game-rich scrubland. Arrive in Cape Town and board a revolving cable car for the short ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting); later, pause at Signal Hill, which overlooks the city’s scenic coastline.
The next day, start with a helicopter flight over the Cape Peninsula. Arrive at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at the end of the Cape Peninsula and visit Cape Point, a great pinnacle of rock. Reach the top either by climbing the steps or riding a funicular railway — the Flying Dutchman — for spectacular views and to glimpse a variety of seabirds. Traveling back through the reserve, stop for a beautiful beach barbecue set up on a private area within the Cape Point Nature Reserve. After lunch, visit Boulders, a lovely beach sheltered from the wind and famous for its colony of endangered penguins. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant, and savor the vibe of the waterfront while feasting on world-class cuisine.
The next day, enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing on a tour of the Cape
Winelands, featuring tastings and lunch at an off-the-beaten-path wine estate in
Stellenbosch. In the evening, transfer in a fleet of vintage cars for a magnificent
dinner paired with exquisite local wines.
Your journey now takes you to Botswana, whose abundant waters mirror the boundless African skies and provide life-giving sustenance to a variety of wildlife. Fly to Sanctuary Chief’s Camp in the Moremi Game Reserve, widely acknowledged as the “predator capital of the world.” Take advantage of game-viewing opportunities led by deeply experienced driver-guides as well as more intimate views from your own private viewing deck. Then fly northeast to Chobe National Park, passing over forests, floodplains and marshlands en route.
During your stay at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero you will explore wildlife-rich terrain during game-viewing activities. The Chobe plain features elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, kudu and hippo, all of which you may come across during guided game drives through Chobe National Park. Cap the evening with a lazy cruise down the Chobe River, cocktail in hand.
Departing Botswana for Zimbabwe, watch from the window of your private jet
as the landscape gradually transforms into verdant plains carved by flowing
waters. Take to the air by helicopter for an unforgettable view into the chasms of Victoria
Falls — the best way to appreciate its staggering scale — then
enjoy a luncheon set against the mighty falls. The Zambezi River flows evenly
over a bed of basalt before tumbling down a ravine more than a mile across and
350 feet high, sending a cloud of spray hundreds of feet into the air. After lunch,
embark on a walking tour of the Victoria Falls rain forest. Always shrouded
in fine mist, the forest is a fairyland of exotic plants thriving in the humidity.
Follow its cool, moist tunnels to the edge of Victoria Falls, where spectacular
views through a dense spray are most impressively delivered. Tonight, enjoy a
special dinner overlooking the falls.
Leave Victoria Falls behind for the mountains, crater lakes and lush rain forests of Uganda. Your destination is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.
Your first day includes a visit to the Bwindi Community Hospital and the Bwindi Nursing School, supported by A&K Philanthropy. The centerpiece of your stay is your gorilla-tracking adventure, a rare opportunity to meet one of our closest biological relatives up close and in its natural habitat. Set out with your experienced forest guide into the jungle in search of a gorilla family; the hike is challenging, but the rewards are more than worth the effort as you spend an hour observing these magnificent creatures, watching them forage, play and interact. Learn more about these amazing animals during a special lecture by the head ranger.
While in Bwindi, you may also visit the village of Buhoma to meet with a
medicine man. The Batwa Experience provides a unique encounter with living
history, a chance to talk, hike and engage in a mock hunt with this renowned
African tribe.
Arrive at Morocco’s Errachidia airport, where your A&K desert team is ready to escort you by four-wheel-drive vehicle through the city of Rissani and into the desert across the dunes. Mount a camel for a ride up the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes to your private tented camp. Enjoy cocktails while watching a spectacular sunset over the dunes, and then enjoy an unforgettable night in the Sahara, complete with a traditional performance by Gnawa tribesmen and stargazing under vast desert skies.
The next day, fly over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, arriving in time for lunch and an exclusive demonstration of Arabian horsemanship. Drive to Souk Smarine, a maze of stalls bursting with textiles and handicrafts, for a shopping extravaganza and a chance to take in the city sights. Your final day starts with a visit to the Ben Youssef Madrassa and the Bahia Palace, followed by bustling, lively Djemaa el-Fna square, a kaleidoscope of activity. Later, enjoy a carriage ride to the Majorelle Gardens, known for its vivid cobalt-blue buildings and enchanting gardens. For your final evening, gather at A&K’s exclusive Palm Grove camp for a lavish Berber feast, an unforgettable celebration of your world-spanning adventure.
The next day, board your private jet bound for Madrid, where you connect with your international departure flight.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
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