12 hours ago
Contiki expands its roster of African safaris for young travelers
Contiki, a tour operator specializing in trips for travelers ages 18 to 35, is expanding its Africa portfolio with four new itineraries.
Contiki says itineraries in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Eswatini deliver "the classic safari experience with added adrenaline and cultural immersion, without the premium price tag."
The tour operator said there's a rise in demand for travel to Africa, with year-over-year bookings up 11% for Tanzania and 46% for Eswatini.
"One of the standout features of these trips is that the entire group travels together in a single custom safari vehicle, which adds to the game-viewing experience, helping travelers see over the long grass for full views," said Kyle Junkuhn, a safari guide and Contiki's operations manager in Africa.
The "Kenya & Tanzania Adventure" itinerary covers five national parks in 11 days, including the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. Travelers will take a hot-air balloon ride over the plains. The trip begins in Nairobi and ends in Arusha.
The "Kenya Adventure" itinerary begins and ends in Nairobi, taking travelers to five cities in six days. Itinerary highlights include game drives to see the "Big Five," mountain biking, a hot-air balloon ride and whitewater rafting.
The "Tanzania Adventure" itinerary visits six cities in six days and includes exploring the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. The trip includes daily game drives, and travelers can go on treetop walks, cultural village visits and a night safari to spy big cats after dark.
The itineraries include a custom overland vehicle and premium campsite accommodations. Tents will be pre-assembled by the team with amenities taken care of, the company said. The itineraries will be led by trip managers who are trained safari guides. There also will be a driver and a chef.
Contiki also launched a new version of its "Cape, Safari & Falls" itinerary called "Cape Town, Kruger & Bushfire Festival." This version includes the MTN Bushfire Festival, one of Africa's biggest music events. The nine-day itinerary features game drives in Kruger National Park and three nights at the Bushfire Festival.
