On the eve of its 50th anniversary, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent is delighted to release
its 2012 Africa, Egypt & Arabia Brochure. The bold sleek design reflects just how far the company has come since the early days of pioneering safaris in the African bush. The strong, imposing cover image provides an inkling of the style and calibre of travel presented within.
Core to A&K’s success is the provision of seamless and inspiring travel experiences the world over, personally tailored to suit the individual and enhanced by unique Insider Access opportunities. A&K’s experience ensures excellence and reliability, which means peace of mind and security for guests – A&K’s most important commodity. All of this is made possible by the wealth of knowledge and experience that the company’s collective network brings with it – a handpicked staff of over 2,200 and 60 offices worldwide.
“In the 2012 collection we are pleased to present some exciting new travel ideas,” says A&K Australia’s Managing Director, Sujata Raman. “Perennial safari favourites such as Zambia and Botswana still feature prominently in our portfolio, as do destinations such as Oman and Israel. Sales to East Africa remain a key strength of our business, with A&K recording a 19% year on year increase in sales to Tanzania and an even more impressive 29% growth in business to Kenya.”
After a tumultuous start to 2011, Raman is also pleased that Egypt is re-emerging as destination of choice for travellers. “A variety of Nile cruise options still remain the favoured way to experience Egypt – especially at this historic time when iconic sights are largely empty of visitors and the place exudes a distinct air of optimism.”
What’s new?
A&K rates multi-generational travel as an increasingly dominant trend. Providing for this, the company has released a family friendly safari in South Africa where wildlife encounters and tailored activities to suit children are part of the excitement at MalaMala Main Camp. A stay in Cape Town adds an urban slant with a cable car ride up Table Mountain, bread baking lessons and a cycling trip through the townships and a portfolio of family friendly safari lodges is also a new feature.
A&K’s ‘A Family Adventure in South Africa’ from $6630 per adult and $3980 per child (based on family of 4).
In Egypt, family recommendations include sailing the Nile on a luxury cruise boat and searching for treasure in the Cairo bazaars or for a special family gathering an exclusive charter of A&K’s dahabiya (traditional Egyptian vessel), a delightful alternative to a conventional Nile cruise.
Full 7 night charter onboard Zein Nile Chateau from $37,790.
In Central Africa, Uganda is one of the continent’s most surprising destinations. A&K’s new programme there includes a variety of different wildlife adventures from chimp observation and traditional game drives to tracking the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi.
A&K’s ‘Primates of Uganda’ from $7,655.
Guests looking to extend after a safari in East Africa have new choices including a short visit to an island camp on Lake Victoria in the far west of Kenya and a relaxing stay at Lake Malawi where the beach is beautiful white sand and the clear waters full of marine life.
A&K’s ‘Lake Victoria Extension’ from $1,550 per person.
In Namibia a highly recommended add-on is the adventure to Serra Cafema in the far north-west of the country. The experience is about dramatic landscapes and the nomadic Himba culture.
A&K’s ‘Serra Cafema Extension’ from $4,355 per person.
Zanzibar’s Stone Town is another idyllic location for post-safari rest and relaxation. Weathered Arabic buildings and fascinating sights give it a unique style.
A&K’s ‘Stone Town Extension’ from $610 per person.
An exciting new addition to the portfolio is a Small Group Journey to Iran. With no more than 14 guests, there is just one exclusive departure and highlights include beautiful Isfahan, ancient Persepolis and the gardens and bazaars of Shiraz.
A&K’s ‘Pearls of Persia’ departs October 2012 and is priced from $3,990 per person.
Lebanon is another fascinating destination open to A&K guests with an abundance of ancient sites including Byblos and Baalbek plus the cosmopolitan attractions of Beirut.
A&K’s ‘Jewels of Lebanon’ from $3,535.
A new addition to the Jordan portfolio is a short stay at Ma’In Hot Springs where the beautiful resort oasis Evason Ma’In complete with Six Senses Spa is home for two nights.
A&K’s ‘Jordan in Depth’ from $3,860.
Nearby the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is another resort choice to experience the health-giving qualities of the mineral laden waters.
A&K’s Dead Sea Extension from $795.
In Morocco there’s a new coastal experience to add on to one of the longer explorations of the country combining the ancient port of Essaouira with the charming fishing village of Oualidia and bedding down in exquisite hotels.
A&K’s ‘Essaouira & Oualidia Extension’ from $2,365.