AFRICA - DESERT KINGDOMS AND NATURAL
SPLENDORS ITINERARY:
Day 1:
Arrive New York City, New York
Transfer to your hotel in the heart of Manhattan by private
car. After settling into your room at the historic St. Regis
Hotel, built in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV for his visiting
friends, meet your fellow passengers this evening at a cocktail
reception and welcome dinner. St. Regis Hotel D
Day 2: New York City - Funchal, Madeira (Flight Time: 6
hours)
After breakfast, board your private jet for Madeira. Arrive
in the evening and transfer to your overnight accommodations.
Choupana Hills Resort & Spa B, L, D
Day 3: Funchal - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Flight time: 6 hours)
(Tech stop en route)
(Flight time: 4 hours, 50 minutes)
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. Your home in
Ethiopia is the deluxe Sheraton Addis, the only hotel in the
world with seven presidential suites. Sheraton Addis B, L, D
Day 4: Addis - Lalibela -Addis
(Local flight time: 1 hour, 15 minutes each way)
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 B, L, D
Day 5: Addis Ababa - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - Serengeti
National Park
(Flight time: 2 hours, 20 minutes)
(Local flight time: 1 hour)
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 B, L, D
Day 6 & 7: Serengeti National Park
Famed throughout Africa and around the world, Serengeti
National Park's 10,000 square miles are home to the "Big Five"
(lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, 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
ride in a hot air balloon (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 B, L, D
Day 8: Serengeti National Park - Kilimanjaro - Mauritius
(Flight time: 4 hours, 10 minutes)
(Local flight time: 1 hour)
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 luxurious Le Touessrok,
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 B, L, D
Day 9: 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 B, L, D
Day 10: 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 Givenchy
Spa. Dine tonight at the hotel or nearby island restaurants.
Le Touessrok B, L, D
DESIGN YOUR DAY
Day 10
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.
Mauritius Independence Day
Begin your Independence Day celebration at Champs de
Mars, the Southern Hemisphere's oldest racecourse. Watch the
races with refreshments from the comfort and security of Crown
Lodge, former private box of the Racing Stewards.
Cruise on the West Coast
Board a spacious, well-appointed catamaran and sail the
tranquil waters of the island's west coast. Spot dolphins and go
swimming or snorkeling before sitting down to lunch on board.
Golf
Situated on a private island opposite the resort 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.
Givenchy Spa
Take time off from sightseeing for a rejuvenating
treatment at the resort's Givenchy Spa. Choose from programs
developed specifically for Givenchy, including facial and body
treatments, massages, hydrotherapy, sauna and herbal wraps.
Day 11: Mauritius - Cape Town, South Africa
(Flight time: 5 hours, 30 minutes)
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. Dinner tonight is à la carte at your hotel. The
Cape Grace Hotel B, L, D
Day 12: Cape Town - Cape Point - Cape Town
Board your private 53-foot luxury catamaran. Sail along the
Cape coastline's 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 southern right
whale, 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.
Relax before a private dinner at Groote Schuur. former residence
of Cecil Rhodes, a British colonial statesman, financier and one
of 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 B, L, D
Day 13: Design Your Day in Cape Town
After breakfast, continue exploring Cape Town on your own or
select a Design Your Day option. For dinner, choose from a
selection of recommended restaurants on the waterfront
(transportation is provided).
The Cape Grace Hotel B, L, D
DESIGN YOUR DAY
Day 13
Kirstenbosch Gardens
This morning, 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 the John
Platter Wine Emporium. 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).
Santé Wellness Spa
Visit the Santé Wellness Center in the Winelands, the
only spa in South Africa to offer Vinotherapy®, a treatment that
uses crushed grape seeds and grape seed oil applied in massage,
hydrotherapy and body scrubs.
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."
Day 14: Cape Town - Kruger Mpumalanga - Mala Mala Game
Reserve
(Flight time: 2 hours, 15 minutes)
(Local flight time: 30 minutes)
Take your private jet to Kruger Mpumalanga, where you board
a bush plane bound for the Mala Mala Game Reserve. Mala Mala is
South Africa's legendary safari destination. Internationally
acknowledged as one of the top safari camps of the world, it is
beautifully situated on the banks of the Sand River. After lunch
and leisure time, during the heat of midday, enjoy a late
afternoon game drive. Mala Mala B, L, D
Day 15 & 16: 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, rhino, 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 B, L, D
Day 17: Mala Mala Game Reserve - Kruger Mpumalanga - Victoria
Falls, Zimbabwe
(Flight time: 1 hour, 40 minutes)
(Local flight time: 30 minutes)
After an early morning game drive, transfer to the Mala
airstrip for a local flight to Kruger Mpumalanga airport. There
you board your private jet for Zimbabwe. On arrival in Victoria
Falls, transfer and board the restored 1922 Class Ten steam
train to experience the romance of a bygone era. Enjoy champagne
and canapés en route to The Victoria Falls Hotel, with a stop on
the famous Victoria Falls Bridge.
Arrive at your elegant hotel where lunch is served on the
terrace. 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 B, L, D
Day 18: 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, rhino,
hippo, crocodile and giraffe, so have your camera ready.
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. Your choice of afternoon activities includes an
elephant-back safari, rhino game drive, canoe trip or wildlife
viewing by jet boat on the upper Zambezi. Tonight's dinner is
outdoors and features local entertainment.
The Victoria Falls Hotel B, L, D
Day 19: Victoria Falls - Bamako, Mali
(Flight time: 6 hours, 55 minutes)
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 B, L, D
Day 20: Bamako - Timbuktu - Bamako - Marrakech, Morocco
(Flight time: 3 hours, 20 minutes)
(Local flight time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Each way)
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. 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. 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. Sofitel B, L, D
Day 21: 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 survey of Marrakech
treasures concludes fittingly 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, where
fireeaters, mime artists, snake charmers and street musicians
perform at every turn. For dinner, choose from a selection of
recommended restaurants (transportation is provided). Sofitel B,
L, D
Day 22: 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 outside the city limits in
a palm grove, featuring local musicians and colorful
entertainers. Sofitel B, L, D
DESIGN YOUR DAY
Day 22
Atlas Mountains
Drive high up into the Atlas Mountains, North Africa's
greatest mountain range, 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.
Marrakech Gardens
This morning board a horse-drawn carriage for a leisurely
visit to the beautiful gardens dotted around the city, including
the Menara Gardens, set in an extensive olive grove. At its
center is a rectangular pool with a spectacular view of the
Atlas Mountains. The Jardin Majorelle was designed by the French
artist Jacques Majorelle, who took residence in Marrakech and
turned his garden into a tropical paradise, surrounded by vivid
cobalt blue buildings with verdant groves, lily-covered pools,
and enormous sculptural cacti.
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.
Day 23: Marrakech - New York
(Flight time: 3 hours)
(Tech stop en route)
(Flight time: 6 hours, 20 minutes)
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. B, L, D
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