Africa Uncovered – Atlas Mountains to the Masai Mara by Private Jet – Departing January 2024
We love…
Sipping refreshing mint tea with the Atlas Mountains serving as our backdrop. Gliding over the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon as we watch the sun rise over the sun dappled savannah and its majestic inhabitants.
You want luxury? We’ve got luxury. Be whisked away on a privately chartered jet for a grand and unique journey like no other, discovering the wonders of Africa. We’ll begin in Marrakech, where culture and history intertwine with the hustle and bustle of the souks, before journeying through Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya. Staying in exquisite hotels and lodges, indulging in the most authentic and immersive African dining experiences, we’ll also be treated to an array of jaw-dropping once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We’ll trek for gorillas, fine dine on a steam train at Victoria Falls, toast to good health in the rugged bush, take a helicopter flight over the South African winelands, wander the sand dunes of Namibia and even zipline in the middle of the Atlas Mountains. Africa promises a stunning concoction of culture and nature, not to mention breathtaking views. We hope you’ll join us on this unmatched experience in the world of travel.
Day 1 – London – Marrakech
Your tour of Africa begins the moment you leave home as your private VIP driver whisks you away to the private jet terminal at London Stansted Airport. Here you’ll be greeted by our dedicated tour managers, operations director and cabin crew who’ll take care of you for the next three weeks. Once on board our privately chartered jet, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch during our flight to Marrakech. On arrival we’ll be transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free before an indulgent welcome dinner.
Excursions & visits:
Welcome dinner at the hotel (evening)
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech (5-star)
Day 2 – Marrakech
Our adventure truly begins as we spend the morning exploring the sights and monuments that bring the region’s incredible past to life. The maze of small alleys is a feast for the senses with a multitude of shops and stalls selling traditional food, herbs, spices and clothing. We’ll make our way to the Menara Gardens, the most peaceful place in Marrakech, before continuing through history at the Saadian Tombs, the ruined El Badi Palace, Dar Si Said and the famous Djemma El Fna square. In the afternoon you can either indulge in a relaxing, traditional hammam and massage treatment, or there’ll be the opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Moroccan food with a cooking lesson. You’re in for a real treat this evening, with an exquisite Moroccan dinner at the Selman Marrakech hotel.
Excursions & visits:
Walking city tour of Marrakech (morning)
Your chosen excursion (afternoon)
Moroccan dinner at the Selman Marrakech (evening)
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech (5-star)
Day 3 – Ourika Valley and Atlas Mountains
We’ll meet our jeep drivers bright and early for a full day of adventure. We’ll head south through Ourika, one of Morocco’s longest and most beautifully refreshing valleys, and the Jbel Oukaïmeden range where snow falls every winter, to our first stop – the Berber hamlet of Tahanaout. This picturesque village built at an altitude of 120m, is set against the majestic backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, and for those thrill-seekers amongst you there’ll be the opportunity to feel the rush of ziplining. After exploring the Berber trailhead town of Imlil, we’ll continue to a hilltop kasbah to enjoy a delicious authentic Berber meal. After a rest while you take in the spectacular scenery, we’ll re-join our vehicles to journey on to Agafay, where we’ll indulge in a dinner under the desert stars, entertained by local bands, belly dancers and fire eaters. Finally, after a full day’s activities, we’ll return to our hotel in Marrakech.
Excursions & visits:
Excursion to the Ourika valley and Atlas Mountains (all day)
Lunch in traditional restaurant (afternoon)
Private dinner in the Agafay Desert with entertainment (evening)
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech (5-star)
Day 4 – Marrakech – Accra
After breakfast we board our private jet, which takes us onwards to Accra, Ghana’s lively capital, where historic traditions and contemporary culture intertwine. With everything from traditional and contemporary art galleries to vibrant local markets and golden beaches, Accra is quite the unique destination. We’ll transfer to our hotel, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening.
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra (5-star)
Day 5 – Accra
The morning sees us exploring the highlights of this lively city and it’s a cultural feast for the senses. We’ll visit Black Star Square and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, dedicated to the first leader of Ghana’s post-independence period. We’ll also explore James Town, one of the oldest settlements in Ghana and meet the traditional chief of the area, smell the fish smoking on street stalls and watch the local ballet company’s traditional dances. We then pay a special visit to the suburbs of Accra to see the world-famous work of master craftsman Paa Joe, creator of the most ornate and elaborate ‘fantasy coffins’ in the world. These works of art to honour and symbolise a person’s life are truly a sight to behold. Our taste buds will tingle after a fusion cuisine lunch, before we finish our day exploring Ghana’s artistic history.
Excursions & visits:
Tour of Accra, including visit to Paa Joe’s workshop (all day)
Fusion cuisine lunch
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra (5-star)
Day 6 – Accra – Windhoek – Sossusvlei
Bidding farewell to Accra, it’s time to explore more of Africa by private jet. We’ll fly to Windhoek, Namibia, enjoying a tasty lunch on board. On arrival we’ll board smaller light aircraft for a scenic flight over one of Namibia’s most unique and awe-inspiring settings. Gaze out as you fly over the huge dunes and their ever-changing colours. Landing on a private airstrip in the late afternoon, we’ll travel the short distance to our lodge. Dinner is served on the lower terrace, where you’ll be able to soak up the atmospheric isolation of our spectacular surroundings.
Sossusvlei Lodge (4-star)
Day 7 – Sossusvlei
It’s an early start as we make the most of the stunning morning light and head off to explore the Namib Desert. Picture enjoying a full English breakfast right in the middle of this natural wonder of Africa, surrounded by the world’s tallest sand dunes – truly a moment that will stay with you forever. Next, it’s time to see the majesty up close as we head off in 4WD vehicles along the dry pans enclosed by these towering, rippled beauties that stand up to 300m high, and perhaps even spot a handsome gemsbok strolling nobly across the crests of the dunes. A climb over the dunes will take us to Deadvlei – a huge expanse of bleached cracked clay and camel thorn trees, which contrast beautifully against the red dune backdrop. Next, we’ll walk along Sesriem Canyon, a striking deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, where we’ll marvel at the stony walls rising sharply on both sides, the birds roosting in its crags, and the lizards darting along the ledges. After returning to the lodge for lunch, you’ll have some time to relax and take in your incredible surroundings. We head back out into the desert as the sun starts to drop from the sky for an atmospheric drive and sundowner, which will conclude with us an incredible alfresco bush dinner in the middle of the desert.
Excursions & visits:
Breakfast in the Namib Desert (morning)
4WD tour of the Namib Desert (morning)
Walking tour of Sesriem Canyon (morning)
4WD sundowner tour in the Namib Desert (afternoon)
Bush dinner under the stars (evening)
Sossusvlei Lodge (4-star)
Day 8 – Sossusvlei – Windhoek – Cape Town
We’ll board our fleet of light aircraft to fly over the most photogenic dunes in the world, taking in Devil’s Claw, Deadvlei and Sossusvlei. We’ll also hope to see the three Diamond Camps, colourful saltpans, beautiful flocks of flamingo and the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck. Arriving back in Windhoek, it’s time to board our private jet and swap the tranquillity of the desert for the captivating culture of cosmopolitan Cape Town. At our perfectly located hotel, you’ll have time to relax and settle into your new surroundings, before being welcomed in South African style with a sumptuous dinner and live entertainment.
Excursions & visits:
Scenic light aircraft flight Sossusvlei to Windhoek (morning)
Dinner and entertainment (evening)
Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)
Day 9 – Cape Town
We’ll depart on a city tour and discover what makes South Africa such a spellbinding country. We’ll take a spectacular cable car journey to the top of Table Mountain, for panoramic city views. The early afternoon is free for you to explore the beautiful V&A Waterfront, before we embark on a boat trip to Robben Island. For the ultimate immersive experience, we’ll take a private tour accompanied by Nelson Mandela’s prison guard Chris Erasmus, who’ll share a fascinating insight into the time Mandela spent here. Once back at our hotel, the evening is yours.
Excursions & visits:
Cape Town city tour with cable car to Table Mountain (morning)
Robben Island visit with prison guard Chris Erasmus (afternoon)
Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)
Day 10 – Cape Town
This morning we’ll be greeted by a fleet of classic cars, ready to whisk us away for a day exploring the Cape Peninsula. On arrival at Cape Point we’ll gather for a glass of bubbly, before taking the funicular up to the lighthouse for stunning views. We’ll then continue to Boulders Beach, protected from the wind by ancient granite boulders, which makes it the ideal home for its cheeky African penguin inhabitants. After getting up close to these adorable birds, we’ll enjoy a tasty seafood lunch of fresh local ingredients in Kalk Bay. We’ll then return to Cape Town.
Excursions & visits:
Car tour of Cape Peninsula (morning)
Visit to Boulders Beach (morning)
Seafood lunch at Kalk Bay (afternoon)
Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)
Day 11 – Cape Town
A visit to Cape Town is not complete without visiting one of the beautiful wine farms. We did lots of driving yesterday, so we’re firing up the helicopters. On this scenic aerial voyage we’ll soar into the winelands region with 360-degree views, to an exclusive estate for a private tasting and cellar tour. We’ll then be treated to a fine-dining experience like no other. One of the top 10 chefs of South Africa will carefully plan and pair each course with the wines we’ll have just learned about. With memories to last a lifetime we’ll return to Cape Town.
Excursions & visits:
Helicopter flight to the winelands region (morning)
Tour of a wine estate with wine tasting (morning)
Lunch with wine pairing prepared by a renowned chef (afternoon)
Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)
Day 12 – Cape Town – Victoria Falls – Chobe National Park
This morning we head by private jet to Victoria Falls. We’ll then travel by land into Botswana for three nights in one of the greatest safari destinations in Africa, staying at a stunningly positioned lodge. On arrival there’ll be some time to relax into your surroundings, before an evening of incredible sightseeing and animal encounters. We’ll embark on a sunset cruise along the Chobe River, where we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the huge variety of wildlife that comes to the river at sundown. You may see rare and endemic birds, herds of cape buffalo visiting the river for a drink, fish eagles swooping overhead and hippos grazing lazily at the water’s edge.
Excursions & visits:
Sunset cruise on Chobe River (evening)
Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe National Park (5-star)
Days 13-14 – Chobe National Park
You’re the boss in Chobe and you’re free to select whichever activities you’d like to participate in each day. Perhaps you’ll be tempted by a classic game drive in the morning and a tranquil boat safari in the late afternoon. Or maybe you’ll want to try something slightly different and take a back of house eco-tour, where you’ll discover how the lodge works to preserve and protect the environment. Our stay is fully inclusive, so you’re welcome to do as much or as little as you please. In the evening of day 13, we’ll enjoy a traditional Boma dinner, where a marimba band will play for your entertainment.
Excursions & visits:
Your chosen excursions from a selection of activities
Traditional Boma dinner (evening day 13)
Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe National Park (5-star)
Day 15 – Chobe – Victoria Falls
Following an early breakfast, we’ll depart for Victoria Falls, where we’ll enjoy a private guided tour, seeing the majesty and might of one of the world’s natural wonders up close. Known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world, columns of spray can be seen from miles away, making this a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur. After checking into our stunning hotel, which opens out onto the Zambezi River, the middle of the day is yours to relax and enjoy your surroundings and the fantastic hotel facilities. Late this afternoon, we’ll be treated to a special five-course dinner on board the Royal Livingstone Express. As we dine, the vintage steam train will take us on both a journey back to Victoria Falls and a journey through time, as a guest speaker talks us through David Livingstone’s discovery of Victoria Falls in 1855 and his lasting influence on Africa.
Excursions & visits:
Guided tour of Victoria Falls (morning)
Dinner on board vintage train with guest speaker (evening)
Palm River Hotel, Victoria Falls (4-star)
Day 16 – Victoria Falls – Entebbe – Kampala
This morning our private jet will fly us to Entebbe International Airport, where we travel the short distance to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. We’ll overnight at our hotel overlooking Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria. Simply seeing it isn’t enough though, so we’ll embark on a magical sundowner cruise as the sun’s final rays set on its shimmering waters. Marvel at the stunning scenery and enjoy the sublime serenity of your natural surroundings, as we pass local fishermen casting their final nets of the day and spotted-necked otters frolic on the shore. To finish off this incredible experience, we’ll return to the hotel to enjoy dinner out on the terrace, where we can continue to bask in the dynamic kaleidoscope of colours on the horizon.
Excursions & visits:
Sundowner cruise on Lake Victoria (evening)
Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa (4-star)
Day 17 – Kampala – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
It’s an early start as we travel the short distance to Kajjansi Airfield for our light aircraft flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Lodges here are respectfully small and our group will split and head onwards to a selection of intimate, luxury lodges. After time to relax in your lodge we’re in for a cultural treat as we walk around the neighbouring community, meeting local people and learning more about their way of living in this beautiful part of the world. You’ll need an early night tonight, as tomorrow we’ve got a full day of gorilla trekking.
Excursions & visits:
Visit to local village (afternoon)
Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (4-star)
Day 18 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Get ready for a real highlight on our tour, as we head off in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking for the mountain gorilla is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth and observing the world’s largest living primates is a privilege that’s certainly worth the effort of the trek. The park’s also home to forest elephants, chimpanzees and more than 350 species of bird. In the evening you’ll enjoy a well-deserved, hearty meal – the perfect opportunity to reflect on a memorable day with your companions.
Excursions & visits:
Gorilla trekking (all day)
Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (4-star)
Day 19 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Kampala – Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
This morning we’ll fly by light aircraft back to Kampala and reunite, ready to board our private jet for the flight to Nairobi, Kenya, and onward charter flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Our luxurious tented camp is set inside the reserve, Africa’s most famous safari destination. Vast savannahs dotted with acacia trees and an incredible diversity of wildlife; the Mara is the quintessential safari experience. Once settled, we’ll head out for a late-afternoon game drive and enjoy a sundowner in the bush, where you’ll nibble on hot and cold canapés and sip drinks surrounded by the buzzing of nature, before returning to camp for dinner.
Excursions & visits:
Game drive (afternoon)
Sundowners served in the bush (evening)
Ashnil Mara Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve (5-star)
Day 20 – Masai Mara National Reserve
Today we’ll watch the sunrise on a whole other level – up in the sky by hot air balloon. Enjoy unparalleled views of the Mara Plains, where the landscape below is a never-ending mixture of riverine forests, rugged rivers and sprawling savannahs. We’ll top off this exhilarating experience with a champagne breakfast in the bush. Upon returning to camp, we’ll spend the rest of the morning at leisure, before enjoying a hearty lunch to set us up for an extensive afternoon game drive. The Masai Mara is home to a huge and exciting collection of wild beasts, so keep your eyes on the horizon to spot your next unforgettable sight. Look out for lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala, elephant, hippos and even crocodiles.
Excursions & visits:
Hot air balloon flight (early morning)
Champagne breakfast in the bush (morning)
Game drive (afternoon)
Ashnil Mara Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve (5-star)
Day 21 – Masai Mara National Reserve
For our final day we’ll head out on another early morning game drive, followed by breakfast at the camp. Later this morning we’ll take a cultural break and visit a local Masai village, for a glimpse into the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the tribe who lives there, still adhering to many aspects of their traditional culture. Established as fierce warriors, their lively cultural dance, vibrant clothing, and beautifully crafted handiwork is a sight to behold. After lunch at the camp, we’ll embark on our final extensive game drive, before indulging in a spectacular farewell gala dinner in the bush with entertainment from local Masai dancers.
Excursions & visits:
Game drive (morning)
Visit to local Masai village (morning)
Game drive (afternoon)
Gala dinner with live entertainment (evening)
Ashnil Mara Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve (5-star)
Day 22 – Masai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi – London
It’s time to head home. After breakfast at the camp, a local charter flight will take us back to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where our private jet awaits. A late morning departure will see our private jet land at London Stansted Airport early evening, where your private VIP vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Masai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi – London
Price From £39,999 per person
departs 18th January 2024
£3,755 deposit per person to book
