Contiki has announced the launch of its first expansion into the Southern and Eastern regions of Africa. These new trips come in addition to Morocco and Egypt trips in Northern Africa, creating a more diverse collection of trips for young travelers. While the brand has continually grown trips across Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia and North America, this announcement marks the first new region since launching Latin America in 2010.
Contiki will offer travelers four new trips and five new extensions to explore South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya; climb Mt. Kilimanjaro; relax on the beaches of Zanzibar or get up close to gorillas in Uganda.
New trips include:
Cape, Safari and Falls (11 days)
Traveling from Cape Town to Kruger National Park where travelers can see the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant & Cape buffalo), before carrying on to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls. The trip wraps up in Chobe, Botswana over a sunset wildlife cruise surrounded by pods of hippos. From $2,365.
Taste of Tanzania (7 days)
Traveling from Arusha to Tarangire, Serengeti and Karatu, this trip is a week of safaris, taking in the Serengeti as well as the Ngorongoro Crater, where travelers will witness the highest density of big game in the world. Travelers can also opt for a sunrise ride in a hot air balloon over the plains of the Serengeti. From $2,355.
Kenyan Highlights (7 days)
Traveling from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Lake Elementaita and Amboseli, travelers can experience the Great Migration in Africa. From seeing the backdrop of "Out of Africa" at Lake Naivasha, to visiting a giraffe center and elephant rehabilitation sanctuary in Lake Elementaita, the trip is a weeklong adventure filled with wildlife and scenery. From $1,759.
East Africa Safari (13 days)
Combining the Taste of Tanzania and Kenyan Highlights itineraries, this trip covers the most ground, liking safari experiences in both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. From $4,169.
These itineraries represent a new wave of Contiki trips, with a variety of offerings and inclusions:
Luxury Accommodations: While other youth operators in the region have opted for traditional camping, Contiki has hand selected properties that offer the comforts of home, including Sentrim Hotels and Lodges. Whether hotel, safari lodge or permanent luxury safari tents, travelers can expect comfortable beds, en-suites, patios and lounges, and swimming pools.
New Included Experiences & Add-ons: With Contiki, travelers have the opportunity to see the Big Five game in Kruger National Park, witness the great migration of the wildebeest in the Serengeti or Masai Mara, tick off one of the seven natural wonders of the world at the thunderous Victoria Falls and visit a baby elephant sanctuary, all included in the cost of the trips. In their free time, those who aren’t relaxing poolside can choose to spot tree-climbing lions from a sunrise hot air balloon over the Serengeti, bungee jump over the Victoria Falls, white water raft down the Zambezi River or wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.
Waived Entry Fees: With wildlife and scenery front and center of the experience, all entry fees for game reserves are included in the cost of the trip. Also included are the majority of meals, with hot breakfasts, buffet lunches, picnics and starlit African BBQs just some of what’s on the menu.
Smaller Group Sizes: The smaller group sizes (approximately 20 passengers per trip) means swapping large coach travel instead for seven-seater pop-top safari vehicles across Eastern Africa and luxury mini buses in Southern Africa. Flights are included from Cape Town to Johannesburg and Johannesburg to Victoria Falls allowing travelers to spend more time on the ground.
For more information, visit www.contiki.com.
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