INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS ANNOUNCES NEW "INVENTING SOUTHERN AFRICA" DESK: CUSTOM TRAVEL OPTION ALLOWS MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
"Best of Southern Africa" Small Group Departures; Personalized Pre and Post Programs Available
From the Garden Route to the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, International Expeditions' new Inventing Southern Africa custom desk creates itineraries for travel in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia. Catering to honeymooners, couples celebrating anniversaries and birthdays, small groups of friends, multi-generational families, time-pressed executives and independent travelers, the Inventing Southern Africa option allows guests complete flexibility to travel when they want, where they want and with whom they want.
International Expeditions' easy-to-reach U.S.-based Inventing Southern Africa experts arrange personalized itineraries that suit even the most specialized requests. In addition to boasting in-depth firsthand experience and a solid, longstanding relationship with a trusted ground operator, the desk's dedicated experts can book any choice of lodging and activity, as they have no contractual allegiances to hotels and tour companies.
While each Southern Africa program is crafted to accommodate personal interests, most custom itineraries range from 12 to 14 days and cost an average of $7,500 per person, excluding international air.
One of the most popular experiences in South Africa is a safari in the private game reserves adjacent to Kruger National Park. Not only do the reserves offer renowned game viewing day and night in open four-wheel drive vehicles, they are also home to the luxurious five-star lodges Lion Sands, Singita and Londolozi. A candlelight dinner in the bush is also a favorite experience, as is a visit to Cape Town "” a food, wine, culture and adventure capital. From great white shark diving to winelands tours and drives along the famed Garden Route, travelers regularly choose South Africa as a destination on their journey.
Botswana's Okavango Delta is one of the most spectacular ecosystems anywhere: a vast inland system whose waters dissipate in the Kalahari Desert. The wildlife viewing is tremendous, and the camps are intimate and elegant. In Botswana, guests also like to see one of Africa's largest elephant populations at Chobe National Park.
Namibia has acquired a deserved reputation as one of Africa's most interesting and varied countries. The deserts of the Skeleton Coast are among Southern Africa's remotest regions. The Etosha National Park, or "Place of Dry Water," is known for the elephants and other animals that gather at its water holes. The amber sand dunes of Sossusvlei and the interior of Damaraland are particularly appealing to second, third and tenth time travelers to Africa.
Naturally, Zambia's mile-wide Victoria Falls is a must-see for many, while some seek respite on a tropical beach in Mozambique.
To ensure smooth transitions between the elements of each trip, all private groups are met and cared for by International Expeditions representatives along the way.
For those travelers who prefer a ready-made trip, International Expeditions offers six small group departures in 2008. The Best of Southern Africa is a comprehensive, exhilarating expedition featuring South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Highlights of the trip include the world's tallest sand dunes at Sossusvlei; viewing the great abundance of wildlife (especially elephants) congregating at the water holes of Namibia's Etosha National Park; the waters and animals of Botswana's 6,000-mile Okavango Delta; and the prolific predators (including lions) of the Linyanti Reserve.
The per person price for the 13-day journey departing May 22, July 12, September 22, October 20, November 10 and December 22 starts from $8,398. Customized pre- and post-trip extensions can be arranged by the Inventing Southern Africa desk.
