Incredible Africa

Welcome to Athens, the capital of Greece, and to the first day of your grand adventure. Athens offers a convenient yet fascinating stopping point to recover from international flights before heading to northern Africa. Meet your fellow travelers and your expedition host and personalize your two-day stay with a choice of experiences: the Acropolis and National Archeological Museum; Cape Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon; the picturesque island of Hydra; or relaxing and unwinding at the beautiful resort.

Embark on a journey through time as you wander Historic Cairo, join the bustle at Khan Al Khalili bazaar, and discover ancient artifacts at the Egyptian Museum, including treasures of the boy king Tutankhamun. Next, venture to the Giza Plateau – the site of the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.  We are met by renowned archeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass for a special access tour of the paws of the Great Sphinx.  At the architectural site of Saqqara, enjoy private access to Wahtye’s Tomb, uncovered in 2018 and richly adorned with hieroglyphics and reliefs from 2,450 BC.

Arrive in the great plains of the Masai Mara in time for sunset, and enjoy a cultural talk and cocktails hosted by a Maasai guide. The Masai Mara lies on the Tanzanian border in the southwestern part of Kenya, and it is home to the Maasai. The star attraction is the annual migration of 1.5 million wildebeests and zebras which surge up from the Serengeti Plains in their annual search for the seasonal grasses that sustain them. Their magnificent figures stand in striking contrast to the vast span of land under a brilliantly blue sky and offer iconic images of African safaris.

For two days, relax into a schedule of morning and afternoon game drives in an area unrivaled for its constant wildlife. For those who want to stretch their legs, optional bush walks, and balloon safaris offer a uniquely insightful, close look at this complex ecosystem.

Experience the awe-inspiring natural wonder of Victoria Falls, the world’s largest body of falling water, rightly known as “The Smoke That Thunders.” Climb aboard the Royal Livingstone Express, a restored steam train, for a scenic ride that culminates at the Victoria Falls Bridge at sunset for picture-postcard views. Next, sit back and enjoy an unforgettable five-course dinner on board. On the second day of our stay, you’ll visit a unique art workshop in the company of a herd of rescued elephants, then choose from a range of optional activities such as river cruises and scenic helicopter flights.

Bypass Cape Town’s bustling cityscape to the quaint village of Franschhoek in the heart of the magnificent Cape Winelands. From here, venture out on your own with a private car and driver, or choose from intimate, artfully crafted tours with expert guides. Visit the elegant wine estates of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch or see Cape Point and Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins. If you prefer, you may spend time exploring Cape Town’s neighborhoods and gardens and visit Table Mountain. Our group will reunite for a private tour of the renowned Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and relish an exclusive rooftop dinner with breathtaking views.

You’ll hop on a bush plane for the next bucket-list experience, flying to the heart of the Botswana wilderness. Here, life-giving waters meet with the vast Kalahari Desert, ancient mopane forests, grasslands, and floodplains, creating one of the most magnificent animal sanctuaries in Africa. The UNESCO-designated Okavango Delta in Botswana is among Africa’s most mind-blowing wildlife areas.

To ensure your wildlife viewing in intimate settings with the best naturalist guides, the group splits, staying in two small, authentic camps. Each camp offers seasonal, water-based activities in wildlife-rich, private reserves made famous by conservationists and National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

Kigali is known for its proximity to an awe-inspiring expedition encounter: a chance to observe rare mountain gorillas in the wild. Imagine yourself deep in the jungle, trekking with a small group to locate and view gorilla families up close while limiting stress on the gorillas. You will be briefed on proper etiquette before mountain gorilla trekking.

After a scenic drive to your lodge and an informative visit to the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, you’ll be ready to search for gorillas with expert trackers the next day. The duration of the jungle trek can vary from two to six hours, and it’s a richly rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime effort. Once we find the gorillas, you will spend an enchanting hour watching them interact and invariably comparing their behavioral characteristics to human behaviors – grooming, hugging, and vocalizing among themselves.

From the leafy tranquility of the forest, you’ll jet off to the splendor of Luxor Temple, viewed at sunset with stones aglow. After an evening of relaxation, you’ll venture deep into the past with guided visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites of ancient Thebes. The Valley of the Kings is home to 63 royal tombs, most notably Seti I and the boy king Tutankhamun, and the Karnak Temple ruins are the Egyptian New Kingdom era’s most important place of worship. What better way to top off our journey of exploration than with a felucca cruise crossing the Nile from West Bank to East Bank with lunch aboard. Back at the hotel, we will celebrate together and relive the experiences we’ve shared over a scrumptious farewell dinner.

After flying from Luxor to Athens, you’ll stay in an ideally situated hotel in the shadow of the Acropolis. Walk to the Plaka, a colorful village of its own within the city. Enjoy your last evening at your leisure before your international flight home the next day.