Cultural Wonders of Africa

A Journey by Private Jet

Experience the astonishing diversity of Africa on an expedition by private jet that will bring us from Egypt’s temples to spectacular Cape Town and from the wildlife-rich isle of Madagascar to the timeless medinas of Marrakech. Come face to face with history in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, at Nelson Mandela’s island prison, and on Senegal’s Gorée Island. Delve into rich and ancient cultures in the sacred sites of Ethiopia and Benin. As we follow the continent’s contour through nine countries, get a close-up view of iconic wildlife, venture to tropical islands and desert dunes, and meet artists and entrepreneurs defining contemporary culture across Africa.

OUR EXPERTS

A team of National Geographic Experts will accompany this trip.

Conservationist, current National Geographic Fellow, and TED Senior Fellow Steve Boyes has dedicated his life to preserving Africa’s wilderness areas and the species that depend upon them. A native of South Africa, he founded the Cape Parrot Project with support from National Geographic, and is the scientific director of the Wild Bird Trust. In 2015, Steve launched what has become the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project to promote broader protection for the Okavango Delta’s watershed and its wildlife. Steve’s work takes him all over Africa, studying wildlife rehabilitation and biodiversity, fighting the wild-caught bird trade, and planting thousands of trees in forest restoration projects.

Wildlife biologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Luke Dollar coordinates conservation and research programs focusing on carnivore ecology, habitats, and preservation. While most of his own research is focused in Madagascar, he also manages the Society’s Big Cats Initiative, which has funded more than 65 field-based programs worldwide, nearly two dozen of which are in southern Africa. Much of Luke’s efforts are concentrated on facilitating grassroots education and sustainable employment programs seeking to empower local people in predator range areas, creating newfound wildlife caretakers rather than killers of carnivores. He is a professor of biology at Pfeiffer University and an adjunct professor at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

National Geographic Fellow (2019) Sandesh Kadur creates wildlife documentary films and photography books that expose the need to conserve threatened species and habitats. His films have appeared worldwide on the National Geographic channel, the BBC, Discovery Channel, and elsewhere. Sandesh joined Steve Boyes and the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project team in Botswana to create a 360-degree video series, The Okavango Experience. His many awards include CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year and the International Conservation Photographer award.

ITINERARY | 2 3 DAYS

MAY 14–JUNE 5, 2023

LONDON, ENGLAND AND LUXOR, EGYPT

SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY, MAY 14, 15, AND 16

Arrive in London and enjoy a welcome dinner in the historic UN Ballroom. The next day, fly by private jet to Luxor, Egypt. Visit the temple of Karnak, and venture to the Valley of the Kings to see the tombs of Tutankhamun and Seti I. Admire the murals in Nefertari’s tomb and stop at the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square; Luxor Hilton

KARNAK TEMPLE | LUXOR EGYPT

ADDIS ABABA AND LALIBELA, ETHIOPIA

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, MAY 17 AND 18

In Addis Ababa, get acquainted with Ethiopia’s cultural heritage and natural history on a visit to Unity Park. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela, where11 subterranean churches were carved out of the bedrock in the 12th century and still draw worshippers today.

Sheraton Addis Ababa

KIGALI AND VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY, MAY 19, 20, AND 21

Fly by private jet to Kigali and travel to Volcanoes National Park. During a full day of gorilla trekking, experience the thrill of observing these endangered creatures up close. Search for golden monkeys with a biologist, and hear from a researcher at the Karisoke Research Center. Or stay in Kigali to visit the inspiring Akilah Institute and the Ethnographic Museum, and meet with survivors at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Amakoro Songa Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge, or One&Only Gorilla’s Nest; Kigali Marriott Hotel

NOSY BE, MADAGASCAR

MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MAY 22 AND 23

On the island of Nosy Be, take a guided walk in Lemuria Land, a nature reserve that harbors endemic lemurs, lizards, chameleons, orchids, and more; and visit a ylang ylang distillery. Travel to Lokobe Reserve for a hike in wildlife-rich lowland rainforests.

Ravintsara Wellness Hotel

CAPE TOWN | SOUTH AFRICA

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, MAY 24 AND 25

From beautiful Cape Town, ride a cable car up Table Mountain, explore Cape Peninsula National Park, and see the penguins of Boulders Beach. Or examine South Africa’s complex history and heritage on an excursion to Robben Island, the District Six Museum, and the Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Alternatively, head to the Cape Winelands for tastings at renowned wine estates.

One&Only Cape Town

CAPE TOWN BEACH | SOUTH AFRICA

OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY, MAY 26, 27, AND 28

Touch down in Maun and continue by light aircraft to one of several intimate camps nestled amid these lush floodplains. Enjoy two full days to explore these wetlands, on the lookout for elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, and much more on morning and afternoon game drives, excursions by boat or mokoro (dugout canoe), and bush walks.

Camp Moremi, Camp Xakanaxa, Xugana Island Lodge, Shinde Camp, or Kanana

COTONOU AND OUIDAH, BENIN

MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MAY 29 AND 30

Arrive in Cotonou and drive to Ouidah, a center of the animist Vodun, or “voodoo,” religion. Meet an elder to learn about this ancient belief system, and visit sacred Vodun sites. Tour a museum housed in a Portuguese fort that was once a transit point for enslaved Africans. Ride boats across Lake Nokoué to the fascinating stilt village of Ganvié. Novotel Orisha Cotonou

DAKAR AND GORÉE ISLAND, SENEGAL

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, MAY 31 AND JUNE 1

Fly by private jet to Dakar and take a city tour. Ride the ferry to the World Heritage-listed Gorée Island, once a notorious hub for the slave trade. See an excellent collection of West African art at Dakar’s IFAN Museum, and meet local artists in their studios. Or travel to Lake Retba, known as the “Pink Lake,” and visit a Peul (Fulani) village.

Radisson Blu Dakar

TRADITIONAL SPICES | MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO/LONDON, ENGLAND

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY, JUNE 2, 3, 4, AND 5

In Marrakech, stroll Majorelle Garden and its museum; see stunning madrasas, palaces, and mosques; and explore the medina. Alternatively, enjoy a Moroccan cooking class or head into the Atlas Mountains to visit timeless Amazigh (Berber) villages. Soak up the lively atmosphere of Djemaa el Fna before a farewell dinner. A final flight brings us to London, where we’ll catch commercial flights home the next day.

La Mamounia; Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square

INFORMATION

DATE: May 14–June 5, 2023

COST: $94,995

Price is per person, double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Transportation by private Boeing 757 jet and other conveyance, as noted in the itinerary, is included in the expedition cost. Airfare to and from London, England is not included. This trip will be operated by National Geographic Expeditions on flights operated by Icelandair. Visit natgeoexpeditions.com/AfricaT&C to view the Terms and Conditions and Operator-Participant contract for this trip.

Cultural Wonders of Africa: A Journey by Private Jet will be operated on a Boeing 757 customized for 57 guest travelers in two-by-two VIP-style seats. Visit our website or call for details.

YOUR TRIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The National Geographic Society funds research, conservation, and exploration, including the Okavango Wilderness Project—a multinational collaboration led by National Geographic Fellow Steve Boyes to survey the biodiversity of the vast Okavango Delta and protect its unique ecosystems and wildlife populations for future generations.

1-888-227-7265 | NATGEOEXPEDITIONS.COM/PRIVATEJET