Botswana

Landlocked Botswana offers some of the last truly unspoiled wilderness on the continent, with some of the largest wildlife herds left in the world.  Botswana appeals to those seeking a taste of old Africa:  free-ranging animals that still follow natural patterns; people who live in harmony with nature; and dramatic landscapes unique to this country. Its very remoteness, once a deterrent, is now a large part of Botswana’s allure.  It also features excellent tourist facilities and premiere accommodations in small, private camps.  Two of the world’s most fragile environments cover a great portion of Botswana – Kalahari Desert with its eerie outlying ‘pan’ depressions; and Okavango Delta, a birding paradise in a vast maze of islands and channels, a small part of which has been set aside as the Moremi Wildlife Reserve.  Nearby, Chobe River, Linyanti Wetlands, and Savuti Channel ecosystem draw brilliant birds, strong herds of elephant, and large numbers of antelope, from the desert-adapted Oryx to wetlands-loving lechwe.

Botswana Highlights

7 Days from $3150 per person - Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Explore the pristine lands & abundant big game of the Okavango Delta, a gem in the heart of the Kalahari Desert

·         Discover in-depth the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, & learn why it is often said to be one of the most beautiful in Africa

·         See how many of the delta’s more than 400 species of birds you can spot, including ostrich, darter, hammerkop, greater & lesser flamingo, pygmy goose, African jacana, & bee-eater

·         Experience wonderful safari properties, including a luxurious tented camp for a genuine African safari adventure

·         Get close to Botswana’s astonishing wildlife on safaris by 4 x 4 vehicle, dugout canoe, boat & foot

Botswana Explorer

10 Days from $4690 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Experience legendary birding & big-game safaris in the remarkable Okavango Delta

·         Explore the diverse habitats found in Moremi Wildlife Reserve & Chobe/Linyanti Reserves

·         Relish two days in the magnificent Victoria Falls area, with optional tours, rainforest safaris, cultural outings & exciting Zambezi River activities

·         Select from exclusive, small camps or private lodges to customize your safari adventure

·         Enjoy a range of activities from fishing to bush walks to boat safaris

Botswana Discovery

13 Days from $6950 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Discover the stark and dramatic landscapes of the famed Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

·         Explore the world of the Okavango Delta, Africa’s largest and most beautiful oasis, brimming with wildlife

·         Spend an extraordinary day in the company of elephants, walking side by side with them in the bush to learn how they maneuver through their natural habitat

·         Savor the experience of classic tented camps that give you a true taste of the African wilderness

·         Encounter wildlife as the early explorers might have – on foot as well as safari by mokoro, dugout canoe, & 4 x 4 vehicle

South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana

Highlights:

• Discover cosmopolitan Cape Town, and tour Cape Point Peninsula & Cape of Good Hope
• Enjoy a variety of accommodations from deluxe stays in Cape Town & the Winelands to a true water camp in the famed Okavango Delta
• Learn about the winemaking traditions of noted wine estates of Stellenbosch, Paarl & Franschoek as you sample special wines and gourmet delicacies
• Experience wondrous Victoria Falls over two days, with rainforest walk, Zambezi ‘sundowner’ cruise & Mukuni Village cultural tour
• Savor big-game safaris and intimate luxury camps at award-winning Mala Mala Private Reserve and in Linyanti-Savuti wilderness

Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia

Highlights:

• Explore some of the most unique and dramatic landscapes in Southern Africa, from the stark Namib Desert to the watery world of the Okavango Delta
• Climb the celebrated red dunes of Sossusvlei, and take a safari by mokoro, dugout canoe, into the heart of the Okavango
• Journey into the unspoiled lands of Chobe National Park and Kafue National Park
• Discover the exquisite beauty of the Zambezi River and the unmatched dynamism of Victoria Falls
• Stay at luxury properties including small, exclusive tented camps and lodges

A-la-Carte:

Chitabe Walking Tour

3 days – Request Rates

Highlights:  If you seek a taste of the Africa early explorers might have experienced, then Chitabe Trails Camp is for you. It is located in one of the Okavango Delta's finest areas for walking safaris. Enjoy an exciting two-night trail walk through the wilderness in the company of armed, professional guides. Scout for some of the reserve’s cheetah, lion, leopard, wild dog and numerous birds in the mornings as you walk at your own pace to a pre-selected brunch site. An afternoon walk brings you to a “hide,” which is your camp on an elevated platform. In the evening, enjoy delicious meals cooked over an open campfire and served on an elegant table beneath the stars. These back-to-nature safaris are somewhat flexible, according to your needs. A back-up vehicle is available should you prefer a mix of walking and driving between the hides. Unlike any other form of safari, bush walking is a feast for all the senses. Walking in the wilds with eye-level wildlife encounters gives you an unrivaled experience of Africa.

Makgadikgadi Pans

3 days from $850 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:  Botswana's desolate Makgadikgadi Pans are like no other landscape on Earth. This vast, hazy depression is the remains of a prehistoric lake, and is virtually featureless until the arrival of the annual rains. Between December and April, the pan comes to life with large herds of zebra, gemsbok, wildebeest and springbok. They come to feed on the fresh grasses. Huge flocks of pink flamingo gather to nest in scattered saltpans. You discover this immense, little-traveled wilderness in 4 x 4 vehicles. Relish every minute spent in the nostalgic ambiance of your fully equipped camp set along a remote savanna surrounded by shady palms.

Okavango Delta

3 days from $1490 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:  Your lodge is located near the southern edge of this complex network of habitats. The maze of waterways is home to a wide variety of wildlife including crocodiles, leopards, and some 400 bird species. Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, mokoros (water levels permitting) or boat cruises.  Glimpse the world of the elephants of the Okavango while you observe semi-habituated African elephants up close in their natural environment; enjoy an interactive walk with them, learning about the incredible bonds of kinship between the elephants and their human guardians forged over more than a decade.

Chobe National Park

3 days from $990 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:  Begin your safari in this expansive wilderness reserve. The park boasts great animal concentrations, and you have the chance to venture out on both day and night game drives.  Famed for its high populations of elephants, this ecological zone also supports a high density of lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah as well as an annual zebra migration.

Mashatu Game Reserve – Tuli Block

3 days – Request Rates

Highlights:  At the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers in the remote eastern corner of Botswana lies Tuli Enclave. This diverse wilderness of savannas, marshland and sandstone outcrops, is home to 75,000-acre Mashatu Private Game Reserve. The habitat supports a variety of wildlife and about 366 species of birds. The excitement of Mashatu is found in the large herds of elephant, prides of lion and families of cheetah. Along the river, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra. At night, bat-eared fox, African Wildcat and the magnificent leopard search for prey. The reserve provides refuge for the largest, single population of elephant on privately owned land in Africa, estimated to be in excess of 500. The relic herds of Shashe are the last living testament to the great herds that once populated the entire Limpopo valley. Activities include: game viewing from the comfort of open 4 x 4 vehicles, on mountain bicycles, on horse back, or, for a more personal connection, on walking safaris. Take time to explore some of the ancient ruins, reminiscent of Great Zimbabwe. Select your accommodations, Mashatu Main Camp or Mashatu Tent Camp. Main Camp is the larger and more luxurious of Mashatu's camps offering air-conditioned rooms and family suites. Tented camp is an exclusive and intimate camp of seven twin-bedded tents. This idyllic camp is rustic but comfortable, with en suite facilities, a boma for evening dining under the stars, and a welcoming plunge pool.

Xigera Mokoro and Walking Trail

3 days – Request Rates

Highlights:  Xigera is located in the heart of the Okavango delta.  Climb into a mokoro (dug out canoe), and set off into the wilderness, encountering varied wildlife en route. End the day in mobile tents, which are designed with netting at the top to retain the feeling of sleeping out under the stars while staying safe and secure in comfortable bedrolls.  Enjoy a morning walks where you are likely to spot owls, cranes, skimmers, kingfishers and a variety of raptors.

Egypt

Sunny Egypt sits in a vast desert watered from end to end by the River Nile.  Its magnificent monuments are so renowned the world over that they hardly need an introduction.  Travelers come to marvel at the eternal pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx.  They venture into Cairo’s historic mosques, towering obelisks, gigantic colossi, monumental temples, and richly painted tombs that depict everyday life some 4,000 years ago.  The Greek historian Herodotus called Egypt “The Gift of the Nile,” and it is from the Nile that travelers can best appreciate the beauty of the country and most easily explore its ancient sites.  Our programs include the finest antiquities of the Nile from Aswan to Luxor and beyond.  Enjoy excursions to the amazing locales of Cairo, Memphis, the pyramids at Sakkara and Giza, and the rock temple of Abu Simbel.  The cruise ships we select are elegant luxury vessels, specially designed for voyages of discovery.

Egypt Highlights

6 days from $2250 per person  Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Explore Cairo at a leisurely pace, and ponder the ancient, mythic Great Pyramids & Sphinx

·         Wander the respected Egyptian Museum & its rich collection of ancient art, statuary & the famed Tutankhamen collection

·         Discover the foremost antiquities of Aswan, Luxor & Alexandria, centers of ancient glories

·         Experience fine hotels & special activities, including a Karnak Sound & Light show & a breezy felucca sailing on the Nile

·         Travel with an Egyptologist, who offers you insights into the many remarkable aspects of ancient Egypt

Egypt Explorer

7 days from $2190 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Sail down the Nile, probably the most famous river in human history, on a deluxe four-night cruise

·         Visit the grandest monuments of Aswan and Luxor, including the Unfinished Obelisk and Valley of the Kings

·         Encounter the phenomenal monuments of the Giza Pyramids & Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum’s beguiling Tutankhamen collection during a luxury stay in Cairo

·         Enjoy special activities such as a Karnak Sound & Light show & a breezy felucca sailing on the Nile

·         Delight in a sunset felucca sailing around beautiful Elephantine Island

Egypt Discovery

9 days from $4150 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Explore Cairo at a leisurely pace, and ponder the ancient, mythic Great Pyramids & Sphinx

·         Wander the respected Egyptian Museum & its rich collection of ancient art, statuary & the famed Tutankhamen collection

·         Discover the foremost antiquities of Aswan, Luxor & Cairo, centers of ancient glories

·         Experience fine hotels & special activities, including a Karnak Sound & Light show & a breezy felucca sailing on the Nile

·         Travel with an Egyptologist, who offers you insights into the many remarkable aspects of ancient Egypt

Extraordinary Egypt

10 days from $5350 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Experience the newest ship on the Nile, the luxurious Oberoi Zahra, during a 7-night cruise

·         See monumental structures from the Pyramids of Giza to Valley of the Kings

·         Savor a private tour and reception at the temple of Hathor at Dendara

·         Explore Egypt’s fabled cities including old Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Abu Simbel

·         Fully escorted throughout by your own exclusive Big Five guide – from arrival in Cairo, on board the Oberoi Zahra, to departure from Cairo

Egypt and Kenya

13 days from $5350 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Enjoy a deluxe four-night cruise on the legendary Nile River, a luxury Cairo stay & special activities

·         Experience thrilling big-game safaris & cultural interaction in the teeming wildlife lands of the Masai Mara & Sweetwaters Game Reserve

·         Explore the riches of Cairo’s renowned Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids & the magnificent Sphinx

·         Set out on safari in Aberdare’s lush highlands and overnight at one of the famed “tree lodges”

·         Savor a relaxing day at one of Africa’s most exclusive resorts – Mt. Kenya Safari Club

A-la-Carte:

Alexandria

4 days from $490 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights: 

·         From Cairo, you are driven through the Nile delta valley north to the port city of Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt.

·         “The Pearl of the Mediterranean,” Alexandria radiates southern Mediterranean ambiance. Your hotel offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and Montazah Gardens. 

·         Explore the antiquities of Alexandria, the center of learning in the ancient world. Start with Pompey’s Pillar, erected between 284 and 305 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian.

·         The catacombs of Komel El Shokfa are the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, consisting of three tiers of tombs and chambers cut into rock. Constructed in the 2nd century A.D., they were later expanded to hold more than 300 individual tombs.

·         The Roman Amphitheater also dates back to the 2nd century AD. Its well-preserved terraces were rediscovered in 1963, but an even earlier theater is believed to exist beneath the medical university.

·         The Fortress of Qait Bay is located on the Island of Pharos. This impressive 15th-century fortress stands on the site where the Great Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) once stood.

·         The newest attraction is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library that commemorates the fabled Library of Alexandra, said to have been founded by Aristotle’s pupil, Demetrius of Phalerum in the 4th century B.C. By the middle of the 1st century B.C., the library was the largest in the world, and may have contained 700,000 manuscripts on papyrus.

Hurghada

4 days from $590 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Hurghanda is a secluded haven on the Red Sea Coast that celebrates the timeless beauty of sea and its rare marine life.

·         Nature’s colors dazzle you at the exclusive luxury resort, Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, situated on 48 acres with a private white sand beach surrounded by aquamarine waters and vibrantly hued fish.

·         Enjoy water sports from snorkeling to “moon dives” to floating down a “lazy river” that meanders through caves and grottos.

·         This family friendly resort offers a diving program called Bubble Maker, which allows children between eight and 12 to experience the world of scuba.

·         In an ambience designed to inspire serenity, you can savor time spent at the spa, where you are offered a variety of heat treatments such as sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi.

·         Therapies include massage, aromatherapy, and other Oriental and Western techniques designed to awaken the senses, restore the balance of the body and quiet the spirit.

Sharm El Sheikh

4 days from $690 per person 
Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         At the southern extremity of the Sinai Peninsula lies Sharm El Sheikh, where the mountains gradually run down to the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea.

·         Developed for its spectacular location, this city is world-famous for its striking coral gardens and aquatic wildlife including tropical fish such as Napoleon fish, reef shark, manta ray and green turtle.

·         The South Sinai is also an important footprint in the chronicles of history.

·         Capturing the warmth of the summer all year round, visitors are offered an array of experiences.

·         Ras Mohamed was once an important city for travelers heading for Mecca. In 1989, however, it became a national park in order to protect the region's marine and desert life. Foxes and gazelles were reintroduced to the area. This is also the farthest site north in the Northern Hemisphere where mangroves flourish. 

·         Stay at the luxury Hyatt Regency Resort, poised on the edge of an aqua oasis, embraced by the spectacular land and seascapes. 

·         Enjoy spectacular snorkeling in Na’ama Bay

Ethiopia

One of the largest and most diverse countries in Africa, Ethiopia boasts a wide range of historic and natural attractions unique in the continent.  Adventuresome and sophisticated travelers will delight in exploring ancient ruins and ruggedly beautiful scenery.  The only African country never colonized, Ethiopia was ruled for 3,000 years by emperors said to be descendents of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, making it one of the oldest nations in the world. Located on the high plateau of the “Horn of Africa,” Ethiopia’s terrain encompasses lush forests, savannas, stark volcanic deserts, and amazing highlands that range from 5,000-foot mountains to 4,000-foot-deep gorges.  A string of Great Rift Valley lakes includes Tana and Tiss Issat Falls, the source of the Blue Nile.  The “Historic Route” enchants travelers with island monasteries of Bahar Dar, imperial castles in Gondar, and 1,000-year-old rock-cut churches in Lalibela.  The holy city of Axum claims to be the final resting place for the Ark of the Covenent. Travelers view ancient ruins of kings, a palace of the Queen of Sheba, and the crowns of the emperors.  The capital city, Addis Ababa, tempts shoppers with the largest open marketplace in Africa.

Ethiopian Highlights

8 days from $2750 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

·         Tour Addis Ababa, gateway city to a proud and ancient civilization

·         Travel the Historic Route to Gondar’s castles, Lalibela’s famous rock-hewn churches & the Queen of Sheba’s palace in Axum

·         Investigate the ancient island monasteries of Tana Lake, the largest lake in Ethiopia

·         Explore the dramatic nature of the Blue Nile, Tiss Issat Falls & the Simien Mountain range at the ‘Roof of Africa’

·         Easily arrange extensions to visit the Rift Valley lakes, or the desert Hyena Men & fascinating old walled-city of Harar

A-la-Carte

The Rift Valley

2 days from $590  
Highlights:  Depart overland for a day in the Rift Valley.  Make your way to the lake region.  Seven lakes of the Rift Valley sit in a wide, fertile valley that runs between Addis Ababa and the Kenyan border. This is one of the best areas in Ethiopia for bird watching and other wildlife amid rugged volcanic landscapes.  Overnight in the Ghion Hotel.

Contact me for more detailed itinerary


 

Dire Dawa and the Hyena Men of Harar

3 days from $950 

Highlights:  Arrive in the industrial city of Dire Dawa to see the Moslem face of Ethiopia. Explore this city born of a railroad in the 19th century. Tour points of interest, such as the traditional Kefira Market, a colorful area where people still wear traditional costumes. Stroll among the wide variety of local produce and handicrafts. You may even see a camel train from the north. Continue on a great scenic drive to the fascinating old walled city of Harar.  Spend the day sightseeing. Explore the contrasting old walled city and Moslem market with the culturally distinct Christian market. For centuries, Harar has long been a major commercial center, linked by the trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. This evening, venture to the edge of the desert to watch the famed Hyena Men of Harar men bravely feed the wild hyenas, by hand and by mouth.  Contact me for more detailed itinerary
 

Kenya

Magnificent scenery, world-famous wildlife and fascinating tribal cultures combine to make Kenya one of the world’s most popular and best-organized safari destinations. When it comes to game viewing, Kenya encompasses the variety of animals, landscapes and accommodations that make for award-winning safari adventures.  Remarkably comfortable and unique hotels, lodges, camps, game ranches and private estates provide exceptional settings for viewing vast concentrations of big game and birds.  In the Great Rift Valley region, you’ll discover spectacular Mt. Kenya, second highest in Africa, and Lake Victoria, largest lake in Africa and second largest freshwater lake in the world. There is still more to Kenya, including excellent beach resorts along the sun-drenched coral coast and cultural diversity with more than 40 distinct tribal groups.  Kenya is a classic.

Bateleur Camp at Kichwa Tembo

This exquisite nine tented camp will truly transport you to the heyday of the romantic colonial safari. A Virtuoso Camp, it is set amongst forests just below the spot where scenes of the famous film "Out of Africa" were filmed. The magnificent appointment of the camp ensures shade from a dense forest canopy and unobstructed views of the game-rich plains. On hand is the ultimate indulgence - a personal butler service. Expert guides and resident naturalists will reveal the wonders of the Masai Mara and bring alive the magic of untouched Africa as it was hundreds of years ago on interpretive game drives and bush walks.  
Contact me for more detailed itinerary


Virtuoso guests receive:

• Full Breakfast in restaurant or via room service already included in rates
• Private Bush Meal
• Virtuoso Body Safari Bag containing Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Body Scrub
• 12 noon early check-in, subject to availability
• 4 pm late check-out, subject to availability

Kenya Highlights

7 days from $2190 per person

Highlights:

• See Africa’s “big five” – leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino & elephant, as well as a myriad of African wildlife at premiere game parks such as Masai Mara
• Experience cultural interactions at Samburu Game Reserve & famed Masai Mara Game Reserve
• Visit Mt. Kenya National Park, with up-close viewing of big game at the lodge’s water hole
• Explore the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley & Thompson’s Falls
• Take in the fascinating birds of Lake Nakuru, a world-renowned bird sanctuary & haven for rhino, reedbuck, waterbuck & Rothschild giraffes

Kenya Discovery

10 days from $5650 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

• View the great herds of the Masai Mara & Amboseli, as well as the unusual northern species on Kenya’s Northern Frontier
• Stay in exclusive, intimate & atmospheric lodges & camps in the wilderness
• Discover the Africa of yesterday at Loldia House, settled by pioneers over a century ago along Lake Naivasha, the Great Rift Valley’s highest and purest lake
• Enjoy guided hikes, horseback safaris, & night game drives that offer you an authentic safari experience
• Fly to all destinations for maximum game-viewing time and an “Out of Africa” experience

Kenya and Tanzania

15 days from $7550 per person Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

• Venture on safari into the fabled wildlife lands of Serengeti, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Sweetwaters & Northern Tanzania
• Explore Tanzania’s Lake Manyara known for its phenomenal bird life, & Kenya’s Samburu rich with rare northern species
• Treasure interactions with other cultures such as the striking Masai people & the colorful Samburu
• Savor luxurious & exclusive lodgings – Sweetwaters, Governors Camp, Tortillis Camp & Serena Lodges
• Enjoy the benefits of six convenient flights that offer you maximum comfort & game-viewing time

Balloon Safari

Imagine gliding above the vast savannas as the sun comes up – the plains dotted with elephants and lanky giraffe, with herds of zebra and antelope in the company of wildebeest. And, savor the silence, except for occasional blast from the balloon’s burners. There are few better ways to see the Mara than by hot-air balloon. You are in for a powerful experience as you gather at dawn at the launch site to meet your professional pilot. Then, lift off for an hour-long flight of breathtaking panoramas and photo opportunities. Drift gently over the landscapes as morning unfolds. Upon landing, celebrate with a traditional champagne toast, followed by breakfast freshly cooked on the balloon burners amid the Mara’s rolling plains. You receive a certificate to commemorate your flight. Return to your lodging, viewing game along the way.  Please note: We urge making advance reservations to ensure availability. Balloon safaris do not operate in inclement weather.

Masai Mara Game Reserve

4 days from $1650 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

• Welcome to the rolling grassland and wooded savanna of the great Masai Mara Game Reserve. On arrival, your ranger greets you and escorts you to your camp, where game animals abound.
• Accommodations in the posh tented camp, Governors’ Camp
• Enjoy two full days in the Mara where you will have a wonderful chance to see vast numbers of animals, including the famous big five as well as many species of birds.
• Take the opportunity to indulge in optional activities such as hot-air ballooning, fishing in Lake Victoria, and a visit to a Masai village 

Chyulu Hills, Lewa Downs and Masai Mara

7 days from $4850 Contact me for more detailed itinerary

Highlights:

• Fly to Chyulu Hills to begin your safari.
• With Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, you travel to your exquisite camp, spotting animals along the way.
• Set within a vast private ranch, your camp specializes in providing you with a personalized, low-impact safari experience, while helping the Masai people preserve their lands and traditions.
• Take the extraordinary opportunity to track animals on foot with experienced Masai trackers. Walk through prime safari country, exploring grasslands, woodlands, and cool mountain forests.  Game drives are also available. Complete the day with a gourmet dinner and drinks beside the fireplace
• Fly to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy along Kenya’s Northern Frontier to your out-of-the-way, luxurious camp on a historic, working game ranch.
• You encounter some of the unusual animals of the Samburu region.
• Set out in search of rhino, wild dog and Grevy’s zebra. View herds of eland, elephant, antelope and other plains game.
• Optional activities such as guided hikes and horseback safaris enhance the safari experience in this setting of pristine beauty and solitude.
• Fly to the world-renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve, where the legendary herds thrive. The savanna supports a profusion of game animals and big cats, nomadic zebra and wildebeest.
• Enjoy game drives across the rolling terrain from your award-winning, exclusive camp.
• On your drives, capture vivid images of life on the plains as you seek out Africa’s big five – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard.
• You may elect to take an optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara (pre-paid supplement) – an extraordinary way to see the Mara.
• Tonight, relax in this magnificent setting and listen to the night sounds of animals down by the river.

Madgascar

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, and has been evolutionarily isolated for 165 million year.  This Noah’s Ark of an island has created a paradise with more than 20,000 distinctive species of flora and fauna; some 80 percent of which are found nowhere else on Earth.  Known for its amazing varieties of lemur, a special group of primates found only on Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, the island is also home to more than 1,000 species of orchids, and more than 70 percent of the world’s population of chameleons.  Madagascar is a nature-lovers destination where you can swim in secluded coves, snorkel and dive coral reefs, water-ski, enjoy bird watching, take a hike, and venture out on guided nature walks in national parks and reserves.  Madagascar is on every savvy traveler’s must-do list.

Madgascar Al-a-Carte

10 days  – Request Rates
Highlights:

• Arrive in Antananarivo (Tana), where your representative welcomes you and escorts you to your hotel.
• Tana displays all the bright colors of a child’s finger painting in its French colonial architecture, multi-story houses and narrow alleys. 
• Fly to Fort Dauphin in the southeast where you are met and taken to Berenty Reserve, traveling through remote villages before reaching the “spiny desert.” 
• Focus on the world of lemurs, a special group of primates found only on Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Lemurs are captivating creatures with a distinctive wide-eyed charm. Many varieties inhabit the reserve, including ringtail, Sifaka, brown, lepi-lemur and mouse lemur. 
• Fly back to Tana to begin a journey by car to the eastern rainforest region of Perinet, one of the densest rainforests in the world where you will have an entire day to explore with your guide.
• Witness the jungle at dawn, the best time to see the largest of all lemurs, the ape-like Indris, when they are most active. Hearing its distinctive siren-like calls emanate from the mist-covered canopy above you is one of the most memorable experiences of Madagascar. 
• You may opt to visit the wilder rainforest of Mantadia National Park, where the wildlife is more diverse. The park was created in the 1990s. Its paths are at times more rugged than those at Perinet. Indri, diademed sifakas, and black-and-white ruffed lemurs are found deep in the forest on sometimes steep trails. 
• Fly to Nosy Be, a series of beautiful islands off the northwest coast where you are welcomed and ushered to your hotel.
• This ‘Perfumed Isle’ envelops you in scents and spices of vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, pepper, cinnamon and sugar cane. 
• Enjoy a full-day excursion to Nosy Komba, known for black lemurs, and to Nosy Tanikely, where you have the opportunity for some excellent diving and snorkeling among beautiful coral reefs.
• Independent activities include: discovering charming fishing villages, enjoying superb diving or shopping the bustling island markets full of embroidered white lace, colorful sarongs, handicrafts and wooden carvings. You may choose an optional full-day excursion to Lokobe Special, the last remaining lowland rainforest found on the island. 

Morocco

Exotic, colorful Morocco offers visitors both old world charm and modern vitality, historic walled cities and first-class shopping and golf courses. The sophisticated coastal cities of Casablanca and Rabat boat of an abundance of gardens and parks, long white beaches and picturesque rocky coves.  Inland cities are warm and exotic, set among hills, palm groves, and, frequently, have a background of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.  The minarets and mosques of older cities such as Fes and Marrakech reflect the continuing vitality of old customs and a style of life that has disappeared elsewhere.  The mystique of ancient medinas, with their nosy crowds and narrow, winding the streets, compete for your attention with the fashionable cafes, shops and boulevards just outside. The casbahs, with their turreted walls and towers, recall a courageous and romantic past.

Morocco Highlights