AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA, ZAMBIA, TANZANIA, KENYA, EGYPT & MOROCCO YOUR 2019 HOLIDAY Africa_Cover_2019_UK.indd 1 07/06/2018 10:06 BE A PART OF THE CULTURE ED GE CT T NE IN N SP O IR C E ET D G BECOME CREATE ONE OF THE YOUR OWN LOCALS STORIES TRAFALGAR CONNECTS YOU G E T D E I T WITH PEOPLE, PLACES N I V C O X AND EXPERIENCES E L V T E E TO REVEAL THE D G DIVERSITY OF THE WORLD DISCOVER MAKE A ICONIC SITES DIFFERENCE & HIDDEN WHERE YOU GEMS TRAVEL 2 Front Cover Photo: Leopard by Mike Myers Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 2 07/06/2018 10:13 72 years in the making, we introduce you to Africa; trips that we’ve cra ed with firsthand knowledge, heritage, stories and secrets. It’s the damp scent of acacia trees in the early morning sun, your eyes peeled for the sight of a leopard or lion. It’s the taste of G&T sundowners with the hippos, on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. It’s your view of Umhlanga’s iconic lighthouse from the five-star Oyster Box Hotel; a place that is sprinkled with our own family stories. It’s embracing endless freedom in the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti and the Kalahari Desert. It’s coming face-to-face with a lion, visiting local tribes in Namibia and tasting fresh oysters in South Africa’s own Garden of Eden. It’s realising how very small you are in this world; in this land of great contrasts and soul-stirring wonders. And, for us, it’s being able to share with you our love of Africa – our iKhaya, or ‘home’. The photos are our own, and from a dear family friend, Mike Myers. The highlights and tips are ours, sprinkled with family memories. Join us, discover the real thing and just live The Good Life. A Mike Myers Photo: Elephants drinking on the African plains 3 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 3 07/06/2018 10:13 OUR PROMISE TO YOU WHEREVER IN THE WORLD YOU WANT TO EXPLORE... CONTENTS 9 COUNTRIES. 10 HANDCRAFTED TRIPS. 72 YEARS IN THE MAKING. LET US SHOW YOU THE PLACE WE KNOW BEST; AFRICA, OUR HOME. The Real Thing 6 Free to Be 9 Your Happy Place 10 Ways to Explore 12 Ways to Save 13 The Best of Africa: 72 Years in the Making 14 Booking Conditions 32 Essential Information 34 AFRICA Days Page Best of South Africa 15 16 Victoria Falls Experience 4 18 Essence of South Africa 10 20 Botswana Delta Experience 5 22 Namibia Explorer 14 24 African Safari Adventure 14 26 Best of Egypt 9 28 Egyptian Voyager 9 28 Wonders of Ancient Egypt 12 28 Best of Morocco 10 30 TRIP STYLE KEY Country Explorer Regional Explorer Mini Stay Read more about our trip styles on page 12. 4 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 4 07/06/2018 10:13 OUR PROMISE TO YOU WHEREVER IN THE WORLD YOU WANT TO EXPLORE... Continents Countries Handcra ed Trips 8+ Awards million+ Happy Guests years Leading Guided Travel The Pyramids, Egypt 5 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 5 07/06/2018 10:13 THE REAL THING WE’LL WELCOME YOU INTO OUR FAMILY, SHARING A TASTE OF OUR LIFE AND OUR STORIES. YOU’LL SEE INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE UP-CLOSE, BUT ALSO GO BEYOND THE GUIDEBOOKS TO EXPLORE THE CONTRASTS OF AFRICA, COMPLETE WITH OUR PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS, FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS, FAVOURITE MEMORIES, AND ‘PINCH ME’ MOMENTS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR WORLD FOREVER. CONNECT WITH LOCALS DON’T MISS: The people you’ll meet A trip to the Mondesa Township in Namibia It’s the people who make the places we go so special. We’ll give you access to their stories over with your local guide. Here, you'll meet a home-cooked meals as they welcome you into their homes; we call them our Trafalgar Be My Damara family over co ee and fresh Guest Experiences. You’ll savour 'Roester broad' (roasted bread), 'Umngqusho' (samp and vetkoek (traditional African fried dough beans) and 'Gemmer beer' (ginger beer) in Tsitsikamma, traditional Cape cuisine - including bread) made in typical three-legged pots 'biltong' and 'bobotie' - at De Waal Winery in Stellenbosch, and a plethora of stories from the and served with apricot jam. people you meet. WHAT TRIP? Namibia Explorer (p. 24) 6 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 6 07/06/2018 10:13 THE REAL THING STAYS WITH STORIES The places you’ll stay We go out of our way to hand select exceptional hotels for every itinerary. So much more than just a bed for the night, each of these unique stays has its own special story. Live the legacy and hear the history as you rest your head. HIDDEN GEMS DON’T MISS: The Oyster Box Hotel, Durban - owned and operated by our family's Red Carnation The secrets Hotels, the Oyster Box has hosted royalty, from King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu you’ll hear of the Zulu nation, to the honeymoon of Learn the secrets that only a local Monaco's royal couple. It is a true national family could know. With our roots, treasure, with a special place in so many history and heritage as a guide, travellers' hearts. your Travel Director will help you WHAT TRIP? Best of South Africa (p. 16) uncover the magic moments of Africa, revealing Hidden Gems and secret spots that you may never have the chance to discover alone. DIVE INTO CULTURE The things that you’ll do With us, you won’t just tick off the icons – you’ll dive headfirst into culture. Not just to see, but to experience like a local. Whether it's learning about Swazi culture on a visit to a local Chief's village, or meeting the very last semi- nomadic people of Namibia, these are the moments you’ll remember and forever want to share. 7 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 7 07/06/2018 10:15 THE REAL THING MAKE A DIFFERENCE By travelling with us TRAVEL TODAY, SUSTAIN TOMORROW. WE STRIVE TO LEVERAGE TOURISM AS A TRUE ‘FORCE FOR GOOD’. WE ARE PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE ‘ME TO WE’ SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE WORLD AROUND US. SHANGILIA CHILDREN’S HOME 'ME TO WE' EMPOWERS TRAVELLERS TO In the small village of Vihiga, you’ll visit Shangilia Children’s Home, an TRANSFORM LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES orphanage that takes in abandoned and vulnerable children in Kenya. BY SHIFTING ‘ME’ THINKING TO ‘WE’ ACTING. Here, these children find a family and a loving home, with nutritious meals, THROUGH TRAVELLING WITH US ON A ‘ME TO housing, clothing and education. WE’ VOLUNTEER TRIP, YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE WHAT TRIP? African Safari Adventure (p. 26) TO REAL TRANSFORMATION ON THE GROUND IN AFRICA – BEING WELCOMED INTO A TENTED CAMP IN THE MAASAI MARA, SUPPORTING THE We appreciate just how spectacular this planet WATER PROJECT IN KENYA, AND JOINING THE is every day, and take great pride in creating WOMEN OF THE MAASAI TO LEARN THE CRAFT OF experiences of a lifetime across the globe. BEADING, A TRADITION PASSED DOWN THROUGH Exploring the world and gaining a deeper THE GENERATIONS. IT’S SO MUCH MORE THAN understanding of each destination helps forge JUST A TRIP. IT’S A WAY OF LIFE. TOGETHER, WE lasting connections to the history, culture and COME TOGETHER AND TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE. natural elements that makes each special. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ‘ME TO WE’ PROJECT AT TRAFALGAR.COM/METOWE_KENYA As such, we are an active partner and supporter of the not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation’s sustainability work and projects. Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that Invest In Local Protect The Partner For A works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit Communities Environment Better Future remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 50-plus sustainable projects worldwide. 8 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 8 07/06/2018 10:15 FREE TO BE Travel with complete freedom, not a care in the world. 72 YEARS IN THE MAKING, WE’VE HANDCRAFTED THESE TRIPS TO ENABLE YOU TO BE TRULY IN THE MOMENT, CONNECTED AND INSPIRED BY THE SOUL-STIRRING MAGIC OF AFRICA. OUR DEDICATED TEAM ARE OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY; PEOPLE WE’VE KNOWN, LOVED AND TRUSTED FOR DECADES. YOUR TRAVEL DIRECTOR Your expert Travel Director will bring your holiday to life, creating an experience that is absolutely e ortless. They are locals themselves, specially trained to fulfil your travel dreams. YOUR LOCAL SPECIALIST Your carefully selected Local Specialists will share stories and anecdotes, enabling you to discover the Africa on a deeper level. This is their home, and they’ll invite you in; transforming you into a local yourself. YOUR TRANSPORT With your dedicated Driver or driver guide on hand, you’ll never worry about getting lost. Just recline, relax and watch the beauty of Africa go by. 9 Africa_Intros_2019_UK.indd 9 07/06/2018 10:16 REAL YOUR GUESTS HAPPY FEEDBACK PLACE INDEPENDENTLY RATED BY FEEFO OUR GUESTS ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. THESE REVIEWS AND It’s that ‘special moment’ THIS FEEDBACK FUELS OUR MOTIVATION TO CRAFT SIMPLY THE BEST HOLIDAYS. THAT FEELING OF PURE JOY. WHEN YOUR EYES ARE EXCITED BY THE WORLD AROUND YOU, AND YOU JUST CANNOT WIPE THE SMILE OFF YOUR FACE. IT’S THE THRILL OF AFRICA. Go to trafalgar.com/reviews to see for yourself Whether you find it sipping sundowners on the banks of the Zambezi River, or a 4x4 journey in search of the black rhino, we’ll bring you the moments that will let your best self shine.