Sh10m per head Africa jet excursion

The National Geographic is set to take-off a private jet trip that will see 49 guests spend about Sh10 million ($98.4) each on a plane ticket – about Sh500 million in total in a 19-day nature expedition in Africa.

Targeting top-notch Africa national parks and hotels starting this August, this is a rare lavish expedition that Kenya will however miss out on.

The American digital cable and satellite television network’s private jet of wealthy guests, will be in six African countries, including being in time for the great wildebeest migration in neighbouring Tanzania’s Ngorongoro national park, a stone throw away from Kenya’s Masai Mara Gae Reserve – the destination for one of the world’s animal spectacular migration usually occurring between July and August.

Other countries to benefit from the multi-million expedition include Madagascar, Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Kenya’s nature and hospitality, rated highly by National Geographic will miss in the luxury itinerary.

National Geographic communications co-ordinator Hannah Sedgwick, upon queries, could not confirm or deny if there were deliberate efforts to exclude Kenya in their itinerary and if past travel advisories imposed by some western countries against the country may have scared off its wealthy guests.

Through email correspondences with Business Daily, Ms Sedgwick, maintains that Kenya will not be included in the current luxury schedule.

But all is not lost. Arrangements have been made to include the country in yet another package for independent travellers wishing to exclusively tour the country.

“In the case of Africa by Private Jet, we have an itinerary that is operating and selling well, so we are not planning on making any changes at this time. However, we do support travel to Kenya and have just launched a new Kenya Land Expedition,” she said.

According to their new facelift website with additional content after inquiries, the National Geographic explains that the Kenya private expedition, “is specially crafted itineraries designed for independent travellers that combine guided excursions, all year round,” with lower prices ranging from $7,995 to $12,495, and less pomp.

Departing from Nairobi’s Boma, the Kenyan expedition include two destinations—Chyulu Hills national park nestled between Amboseli and Tsavo national parks, and Olare Motorogi conservancy, a private concession adjacent to Masai Mara National Reserve.

In its earlier posts on its website last month, the firm explicitly said: “Please note: We are currently monitoring travel alerts for Nairobi, Kenya. We expect to operate this trip as planned, but will continue to closely monitor events in the region and will alter the itinerary if necessary.”

Value for Sh10m

Meanwhile, the National Geographic has released a schedule running from August 15 to September 2, 2018 (waiting list), with double occupancy fare at $85,950, and single occupancy $94,900 per person.

Next schedule is December 27, 2018 to January 14, 2019 (reserve only) where guests will pay $89,495 for double occupancy, and single occupancy at $98,440.

Further, the 49 guests whose identities the company has declined to disclose, will fork out additional $8,945 for single room on the December 2018 departure and $9,495 on the August 2019 departure. Transportation by private Boeing 757 jet and other conveyance is included in the expedition cost, the firm says. Airfare to and from Lisbon is not included in the expedition cost. “For your protection, all payments are secured in a bank escrow account,” the firm’s website reads.

“This marks our first expedition aboard our smaller capacity Boeing 757 jet, which features a newly refurbished, spacious interior with 49 fully-reclining flatbed seats. As we are whisked in exceptional comfort from one destination to the next, we’ll meet with National Geographic grantees in the field and stay in world-class accommodations that reflect the beauty and authentic character of each destination.”

“On this expedition, we will stay in some of the world’s finest accommodations. Each one has been chosen for its fine amenities and prime location. In remote areas where choices are limited, we have selected the very best available accommodation to ensure your comfort.

The expedition will also have on board an engaging world-class team of experts to share their knowledge and insights with guests and bring each destination to life that include Steve Boyes, conservationist, biologist, Luke Dollar, biologist and conservationist and Jason Edwards, the National Geographic photographer.

The trip’s schedule coincides with the wildebeest migration – one of eight wonders of the world – with peak from late June to October. The wildebeests usually reaches the Masai Mara in July and remains until October when they move back to Serengeti in Tanzania.

Foreign guests will skip Masai Mara for neighbouring Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater, according to its schedule.

Other nature sites they will explore include Madagascar’s wildlife, South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and Winelands, Namibia’s skeleton coasts, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Botswana’s Okavango delta, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park. The flight departs and ends in Lisbon.

Daily activities will include city walking tours, visits to sites, game drives, or easy hikes, with options for more physical activities such as hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and biking. The new website also introduced new private jets expedition routes besides Africa and around the world.

emboya@ke.nationmedia.com