APT Offers More of Africa to Meet Increased Demand
06 August 2013: APT has stepped up its Africa brochure for 2014 in response to a significant increase in demand from guests wanting to explore the length and breadth of this magical continent. As well as creating two new itineraries, Australia’s top travel company has launched its very own luxury tented camp in the Serengeti, more than doubled departures on its two-night Chobe River cruise on board the Zambezi Queen and is offering two new tour extensions.
Commenting on the success of its Africa programme, APT General Manager Marketing, Debra Fox, said, “Last year’s sales for this destination were phenomenal. Within just three months of launching our 2013 brochure we were adding new dates to keep up with demand.
“Guests praise us for our small group sizes, all inclusive value, cultural Signature Experiences and world class luxury. It’s these four pillars of success that continue to underpin our Africa programme and with the new itineraries, product, departures and extensions we’ve added, we’re really excited about what lays ahead in 2014,” concluded Ms Fox.
APT tour group sizes are limited to 28 guests, with a maximum of eight guests on 4WD game drives. Included in the price of APT’s Africa tours are the services of a dedicated local APT Tour Director and local guides; custom built 4WD’s with personal drivers and trackers on all safaris; all flights within Africa; in East Africa two small plane rides and access to a flying doctor service; most meals; all tipping, airport transfers, game park fees, sightseeing and porterage.
Exclusive APT Signature Experiences for 2014 includes a visit to a remote Maasai village; African drumming; a private tour of Kenya’s ‘Cradle of Mankind’, Olduvai Gorge; a private performance by the Kenyan Boys Choir; intimate outdoor bush dinners; and sundowners overlooking Mt Kilimanjaro.
Also exclusive to APT are hotels such as South Africa’s Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, Boardwalk Hotel & Spa in Port Elizabeth and the Turbine Hotel & Spa in Knysna, and the Royal Swazi Spa Hotel in Swaziland. Game lodges include the Lion Sands Tinga and Lion Sands River Lodge in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and the Escarpment Lodge in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara.
New Itineraries for 2014
The 23-day Great Game Parks includes nine nights in South Africa and Victoria Falls followed by a two night Chobe River cruise on board the Zambezi Queen in Botswana and eleven nights in Tanzania and Kenya, taking in the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Priced from $17,995, per person, twin share, the price includes 51 meals, six African game park experiences; eight Signature Experiences; two nights at APT’s luxury mobile tented camp in the Serengeti National Park; and various Freedom of Choice sightseeing options including an elephant back safari or a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls.
The 18-day Rovos Rail Journey Cape Town to Dar es Salaam offers three nights at Cape Town’s five-star Table Bay Hotel, followed by a 14 day luxury Rovos Rail Journey through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. Guests can choose from one of two suites, the Pullman or Deluxe and enjoy access to open air balconies, a lounge and club car and 24-hour room service. Included are all fine dining meals and drinks on the train; a two night stop at Madikwe Game Reserve to watch for Africa’s famous Big Five (buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard and rhinoceros) and a night at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Culminating with a night at the Hyatt Regency in Dar es Salaam, the trip is priced from $14,995 per person, twin share, and includes 42 meals and other APT standard inclusions.
New APT Tented Camp in the Serengeti
As well as hosting guests at tented camps such as Karen Blixen Camp and Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp in the Masai Mara, and Thanda Tented Safari Camp near the border of Zululand, new for 2014 APT has launched its very own luxury mobile tented camp in the Serengeti. Set up exclusively for APT guests, the accommodation style harks the bygone era of Hemingway and Roosevelt, blending comfort, intimacy and splendid isolation with an authentic safari adventure.
Doubling Departures on the Zambezi Queen
APT is the only Australian tour operator chartering Chobe River cruise safaris on board Botswana’s Zambezi Queen. Departures for 2014 have more than doubled with the 18-day African Journey offering 10 dates and the new 23-day Great Game Parks itinerary offering a further seven. Sailing though the Chobe National Park, guests have the chance to see hippos, elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards congregating along the river banks. With just 14 suites, the Zambezi Queen features a reading room, gift shop, internet access, plunge pool, sun deck and shaded area, fine dining restaurant and an open lounge area with panoramic views.
APT’s ‘Big Five’ Trip Extensions
Two new trip extensions have been added to APT’s Africa portfolio for 2014, taking its total to five. New additions include:
Five Day Okavango Delta with Orient Express – guests enjoy game drives and star gazing during their two night stay at the Moremi Game Reserve, staying at the Khwai River Lodge by Orient-Express, Transferring by light aircraft to Eagle Island Camp, a luxury tented paradise perched on the island of Xaxaba in the heart of the Delta. Another Orient-Express camp, here they’ll spend two nights relaxing and enjoying the chance to spot wildlife by taking canoe, walking and boat safaris. The trip is priced from $8,755 per person, twin share.
Two day Giraffe Manor & Elephant Orphanage – for $895 per person, twin share, guests can stay at the unique Giraffe Manor Hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi, famous for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild Giraffe who join guests for breakfast by poking their heads through the enormous windows. At dusk guests head to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage where they adopt their own Elephant.
In addition to the new extensions, guests can choose from: a four day Rovos Rail extension; a four day gorilla encounter in Rwanda; or four days relaxing at Breezes Beach Club on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar.
Most popular lead in itinerary is the 16-day South Africa Highlights from Cape Town to Victoria Falls including the Garden Route, Zululand, Swaziland, Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls. Priced from $8,695 per person, twin share, it includes two private game park experiences, 15 nights luxury accommodation, 29 meals, the chance to visit penguins at Cape Town’s boulder’s beach and Robben Island, a traditional outdoor boma dinner around a bonfire, bushwalking and the chance to see Zambia’s breathtaking Victoria Falls.
APT is offering a companion fly free deal (just pay taxes from $845 per person) for bookings made by 31 December 2013, representing a saving of up to $2,000 per person.
To book call 1300 278 278, visit www.aptouring.com.au or contact your local business development manager.