Africa
Casablanca to the Cape by Private Jet, 18 Days - $38,950
Morocco, Mali, Benin, Cameroon, Namibia, South Africa
Trip Summary
The souks of Marrakech. The timeless cave-dwellings of the Dogon. A centuries-old fishing village built on stilts. Ancient west African art and access to today’s artisans. Game drives in the Kalahari Basin. And this is just how our story begins. Imagine a grand journey that sweeps a continent, that begins in cosmopolitan Casablanca and ends at the southern-most tip of Cape Point, giving you an experience of Africa unlike any other. This is a trip only possible via private air – one that takes you to one of the oldest and most mythic deserts in the world – the Sahara, as well as deep into the Congo Basin, and over the spectacular Skeleton Coast in the space of 18 days. Even if you know Africa well, join us on a trip that reveals places few travelers have seen, or experienced: from spotting rare and exotic wildlife like lowland gorillas, to encountering BaAka (Pygmy) trackers, to gliding through “Africa’s Venice” by boat, your daily encounters will be remarkable in every way. So bring your camera, binoculars, and your capacity for wonder, and join us on this grand tour of Africa’s western, hidden treasures.
This itinerary represents the southbound journey. The northbound journey includes all the same accommodations and excursions, beginning in Cape Town on October 8, 2011 and ending in Casablanca on October 25, 2011. Visit Cape Town to Casablanca for more information.
Highlights
- Enjoy the comfort of a private jet throughout your journey and stays at accommodations in authentic settings with first-class amenities.
- Discover the exotic souks and mouthwatering cuisine of labyrinthine Marrakech.
- Ride a traditional pirogue on the Niger and experience river life in the lively port of Mopti.
- View the astonishing cliff-side dwellings of the Dogon people, and enjoy the dramatic and colorful spectacle of a traditional mask dance and walk the ancient alleys of Timbuktu.
- Visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey and view the bas-reliefs depicting three centuries of history and culture of this powerful, slave-trade based empire.
- Glide through watery alleyways and meet the fisherman inhabitants of Ganvié, Africa’s largest lake village built entirely on stilts.
- Explore the pristine rainforest in Central Africa home to forest elephants, lowland gorillas, and BaAka Pygmies.
- Walk along Foumban’s Rue des Artisans, one of the most important centers of traditional African art.
- Take guided game drives in Etosha National Park, home to 114 mammal species and 340 bird species and one of Africa’s largest and best game-viewing parks.
- Admire the sparkling beauty of Walvis Bay from your private jet, with a closer look at the prolific birdlife, Cape fur seals, and dolphins on a marine cruise.
- Walk the sands of the world's oldest desert and spend the night under canvas in an exclusive, private tented camp.
- Explore Cape Town’s diverse neighborhoods and museums and take in the natural beauty of Table Mountain.
Trip Details
Price:
| Per Person, double occupancy | $38,950 |
Departure Date:
- October 25, 2011
Itinerary
Days 1 - 2
Casablanca, Marrakech, and Ourika Valley, Morocco
On arrival in Casablanca from your international flight, continue to Marrakech and check in to the Jardins de la Koutoubia Hotel, a splendid light-filled hotel just yards from the famous Djemaa el Fna square and its labyrinth of souks. Enjoy a welcome dinner your first night in Marrakech. On the following day, explore Marrakech’s Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace, or walk the souks and shops brimming with silken slippers, carpets and shimmering glass. Alternatively, take a day excursion to the Ourika Valley and the grand Atlas Mountains, enjoying the striking landscapes and traditional Berber villages along the way.
Lodging: Jardins de la Koutoubia
Days 3 - 6
Mopti, Djenné, Dogon Country, and Timbuktu, Mali
This morning is free to explore Marrakech’s medina and souks on your own. Then board your private jet for a scenic flight over the Atlas Mountains, arriving in Mopti at the place where the Bani and Niger rivers meet. The next day board fourwheel-drive vehicles and explore the Bandiagara escarpment, home of the distinctive Dogon people. Their mud villages and masked dances are extraordinary, colorful, and vibrant. The next day set off for Djenné and its 15th century Sudanese architecture, including the largest mud building in the world, the Grand Mosquee. On the following day, take your private jet to Timbuktu for the day. Modern transportation takes away none of the mystery or isolation of this ancient stop on the caravan route filled with architectural treasures like West Africa’s oldest mosque. After your return flight to Mopti, take a relaxing river cruise aboard traditional pirogues before dinner at your hotel.
Lodging: Kanaga Hotel
Days 7 - 8
Cotonou and Abomey, Benin
Today fly by private jet to Benin— once one of the most powerful empires in Africa. This is also the birthplace of Voodoo and your local Beninese expert Guy Catherine will help interpret this fascinating and misunderstood national religion, followed by dinner at a Beninese restaurant. The next day board a quaint, narrow gauge train for a private excursion that travels northwards into the countryside of Benin, through traditional villages and markets and lush landscapes. On arrival at the small town of Bohicon, disembark and enjoy lunch with Prince Glélé at the colonial guest house Auberge d’Abomey. Then explore the impressive and daunting Royal Palace of Abomey (a World Heritage Site), followed by a meeting with the King of Abomey and the Fon tribe before driving back to Cotonou.
Lodging: Novotel Cotonou
Day 9
Ganvié, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon
This morning depart for Ganvié, an exotic wood and thatch fishing village of some 30,000 inhabitants, built on stilts on Lake Nokoué and only accessible by boat. Using water taxis explore Africa’s largest lake village, weaving your way between fish farms and fishermen casting nets from traditional pirogues. On arrival at the village, glide through alleyways lined by houses on stilts, past floating markets and schools, before lunch at a restaurant in the village. Then return to Cotonou for your private flight to Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Lodging: Yaoundé Hilton
Days 10 - 12
**Wildlife Viewing Option** Dzanga Sangha Ndoki National Park, Congo Basin
For more active adventurers, fly by private air to Bayanga and discover one of the most untouched parks in Africa, the Dzanga Sangha Ndoki National Park, where you’ll take river cruises in traditional pirogues, meet the BaAka (Pygmy) trackers, and visit several traditional villages. In the cool rainforest you may spot clouds of butterflies, forest elephants, red forest buffaloes, giant forest hogs, mangabey monkeys, raucous hornbills and flocks of noisy African grey parrots. This park also offers you the rare opportunity to track habituated western lowland gorillas with BaAka trackers and guides.
Lodging: Doli and Sangha Rainforest Lodges
Days 10 - 12
**Cultural Option** Foumban and Bamenda, Cameroon
Fly by private jet to the town of Foumban, an important center of traditional African art located in Cameroon’s cool green highlands. This afternoon is free to enjoy comfortable lodgings surrounded by gardens and lake views, and optional excursions such as lake hikes, kayaking, or a scenic drive to a coffee plantation.
The next day drive to Bamenda and visit the Kingdom (or Fondom)of Bafut, and see striking traditional dances. Enjoy lunch in the Fulani village of Sabga and a horse parade organized by the Chief before exploring the extensive handcraft markets of Bamessi. Then drive to Bubungo and visit the Fon’s (or King’s) Palace that houses one of Cameroon’s most impressive art collections, before returning to your lakeside lodge.
On the following day explore Foumban. Visit the Palais Royal and Sultan’s Museum that houses the royal treasures and artifacts of the Bamoun people in a beautiful chateau-like palace facing the Grande Mosquée. See a huge “talking” drum and explore the artisan’s village and markets where sculptors, basket-makers, weavers, leatherworkers, and embroiderers demonstrate their crafts. Return to your lakeside lodge for lunch followed by an afternoon of leisure and optional activities.
Lodging: Hotel Domaine Du Petpenoun
Days 13 - 14
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Fly by private jet from Yaoundé direct to the regional airport of Ondangwa near Etosha National Park. Then board raised, open four-wheel-drive safari vehicles with naturalist guides, and take a game drive through the park en-route to your comfortable thatched safari lodge. Dominated by expansive plains and mineral pans of the Kalahari basin, search for gemsbok antelopes, elephants, giraffes, black rhinos, black manned lions, and large strutting birds called kori bustards. The next day enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with naturalists and lunch at the lodge, or a full day excursion with a picnic lunch in the park. This evening a private bush dinner under the stars will complete your Etosha safari experience.
Lodging: Kempinski Mokuti Lodge
Day 15
Walvis Bay and the Namib Desert, Namibia
Today your private jet takes you from Etosha’s big game savannas to the Atlantic’s cool Benguerra current rich with marine life. On arrival board boats in Walvis Bay and cruise via Bird Island before cutting across the lagoon to see inquisitive seals surround the boats. Pelican Point is next, where you might encounter heavyside and bottlenose dolphins. Then alight on a deserted beach for a light lunch of fresh oysters, salads, and fruit accompanied by cold sparkling wine.
After the marine safari, board fourwheel-drive vehicles and head into the Namib for a living desert adventure. From Swakopmund drive slowly along sand dune fields, and learn about fascinating geological formations. Your guide will stop frequently to look for tracks and share his knowledge about each desert plant or animal and their unusual survival strategies.
Then arrive at your private desert tent camp set in a protected canyon and lit by stars, hundreds of candles, and a large camp fire. Complete with seated dining area, an outdoor cocktail “lounge”, tables draped in linens, and comfortable sleeping tents with all the amenities, your desert experience will be complete and comfortable.
Lodging: Private Desert Camp
Days 16 - 17
Cape Town, South Africa
Today fly along the rugged Namibian and South African coastline to Cape Town, a beautiful cosmopolitan city with Table Mountain’s sheer rock as a striking backdrop. After lunch at your stylish waterfront hotel, explore the trails and beautiful spring gardens and fynbos (fine bush) of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens alive with King Proteas and buzzing sunbirds. The following day customize your activities—choose a full day experience on the dramatic Cape Peninsula or explore the wine-country and Cape Dutch architecture of Stellenbosch and Franchoek. This evening celebrate this unique West African experience with a special dinner party.
Lodging: Cape Grace Hotel
Day 18
Cape Town and International Flights Home
This morning choose from a range of optional excursions: take a ferry to the infamous Robben Island, a prison that once held Nelson Mandela; or a cable car to the top of Table Mountain; or visit the old Cape Malay Quarter with its minarets and Mosques and the unusual District Six Museum; or explore the many shops and restaurants of the waterfront before international flights home.
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