Go2Africa Celebrates 25 Years and Shares the Ultimate Safari Sojourn and What’s New for African Travel in 2023
Cape Town, South Africa (November 10, 2022): Go2Africa is pleased to share the ultimate safari sojourn and top experiences travelers can look forward to in 2023. With new flights being offered from the United States, new luxury safari camps opening and destinations that are perfect for every occasion from honeymoons to family trips, there has never been a better time to visit Africa. The Go2Africa team of experts has been committed to curating exceptional travel journeys since 1998, with 100% of the revenue remaining in Africa to support local communities and conservation projects. With an entire team of African born and raised specialists, including seven named as Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists in 2022, travelers are in excellent hands. Whether it is your first trip to Africa or you are planning to get further off the beaten path, travelers can start planning now with confidence that every detail from A to Z will be taken care of with 24/7 on-safari support.
ULTIMATE SAFARI SOJOURN
To celebrate its upcoming 25th anniversary Go2Africa has created the ultimate African safari itinerary, with a starting price of $93K per person taking in as many of the continent’s wildlife and natural wonders as possible in just three weeks. The result is a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime adventure, stretching from Cape Town to Nairobi, experiencing game drives, helicopter tours and marine safaris while staying in the best accommodations Africa has to offer.
Beginning in Cape Town, travelers will revel in ocean safaris and dramatic scenery, staying at Ellerman House - a firm fixture for opulent accommodation. They will then continue to Victoria Falls, taking a helicopter ride over the world’s greatest sheet of falling water, and enjoying this vibrant region for a few days. After you have filled your Southern Africa wanderlust, you will trek in dense forests to find endangered mountain gorilla families with a Dian Fossey Gorilla fund researcher in Rwanda before heading to Giraffe Manor. After a breakfast to remember, you will be introduced to conservation measures at the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage before entering the Masai Mara National Reserve - undisputedly East Africa’s most famous wildlife destination. Its wide-open plains provide a sanctuary for an abundance of animals like elephants, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyenas and the Mara’s famous big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah. The safari sojourn slowly winds down with a classic white-sand beach escape at Kenya’s Diani Beach. Diani is a coveted destination for beach-goers who want an easy, don't-make-me-think vacation. Spend your days snorkeling, diving and soaking up the sun before your last two nights at Hemingways Nairobi, a colonial-style boutique hotel harking back to the days when its namesake writer explored East Africa.Guests will fly private charter flights to each destination.
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2023
NEW FLIGHTS FROM THE US
New Flights from the US
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United Airlines is providing new direct flights between Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia and Cape Town International Airport. Flights begin on the 17 of November 2022.
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United Airlines has resumed three flights per week from New York/Newark to Cape Town, the only airline to offer nonstop flights from the U.S. to Cape Town.
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Delta Airlines will be adding a brand-new nonstop flight from Cape Town to Atlanta, effective on the 18 of December 2022. The proposed flight will complement Delta’s existing flight service between Johannesburg and Atlanta, three times a week.
“Go2Africa is thrilled that travelers will have a new option to fly from Atlanta non-stop to Johannesburg and Cape Town. This new route on Delta will allow US visitors to easily access some of Africa’s unique gems such as the winelands, Kruger National Park for safaris and the many food and art experiences offered in both Cape Town and Johannesburg.” Maija De Rijk-Uys – Managing Director
NEW LODGES
TANZANIA
OLKERI CAMP
Olkeri Camp is the newest addition to the Entara Lodges & Camps portfolio and offers eight spacious, self-contained guest tents that are located along seasonal watercourses. A dining area and lounge is nestled at the base of two ancient baobab trees that overlook a waterhole for the perfect armchair safari experience. The camp will be open throughout the year and activities will include game drives, walking safaris, fly camping, cultural tours, night game drives and hot air balloon safaris.
Tarangire National Park is in northern Tanzania and is a protected area of colossal baobabs, grassy plains and huge herds of elephants. The park is one of the most underrated of Tanzania’s safari destinations, receiving only a small fraction of the Serengeti’s visitors. Along with seeing Africa’s gentle giants, visitors will find huge herds of buffalo and healthy populations of lions and leopards. During the dry season, Tarangire has the highest concentration of mammals in the country and a new camp is set to get you closer to the action while enveloping you in sustainable safari luxury.
USANGU EXPEDITIONS CAMP
Usangu Expeditions Camp is a beautiful, tented, conservation-focused camp run by Asilia Africa deep in the isolated wilderness of Ruaha National Park. Combining a strong conservation ethos with sustainability and renewability, the camp is a true marvel. The camp itself is small and intimate, comprising only four spacious tents, each with its own private veranda and en-suite bathroom. The main area is open, airy and comfy, and where stories are shared around the campfire. You can experience a variety of activities that include boating, day and night game drives in 4X4 safari vehicles, conservation research and walking safaris led by experts in the field. The camp is right next door to the Douglas Bell Eco Research Station, where all conservation research for the region is conducted. You will be able to visit the research center and experiences will vary slightly depending on which researchers are on the ground at any given time. To add to an already exceptional safari experience, the trails camp offers an exciting sleep out under the stars.
BOTSWANA
OKAVANGO EXPLORERS CAMP
Shaded by silvery-green leadwood trees, beside the remote Selinda Spillway, is where you will find the timeless tents of the Okavango Explorers Camp. This is another addition to new safari camps in Africa and it creates a safari experience reminiscent of exploring the unknown African hinterland in a 1920’s style. It exudes a spirit of the romance of yesteryear and can be booked exclusively, perfect for friends or families wanting to take the whole camp for extended stays.The Selinda Spillway is an ancient watercourse linking the Okavango Delta to the Kwando-Linyanti River drainage system. With water, of course, comes wildlife. Wild dogs and big cats are known to hunt here, and large herds of elephants congregate in the dry season.
KIRI CAMP
Kiri Camp is set on a private concession in the Okavango Delta, offering a superb and exclusive game viewing experience. Kiri Camp is named after the Kiri channel which flows past the island that the camp is set on. The camp is raised on wooden decks and the luxury tents have been designed to incorporate the surrounding ebony forest, leaving a featherlight footprint on the environment. The use of wood, canvas and reeds are primary to the architecture of this gorgeous safari camp. Kiri Camp offers a combination of both game drives and water activities. As it is on a private concession, these activities will take you to some of the more remote areas of the Okavango Delta, previously inaccessible. When you aren’t enjoying game drives (both night and day), walking safaris and mokoro excursions, you will relax in the luxury of this addition to new safari camps in Africa.
ZAMBIA
LOLEBEZI SAFARI LODGE
This should be on your list for trips to Africa in 2023. Set in a prime location along the Zambezi River, Lolebezi Safari Lodge combines all the swankiness of a luxury lodge with a down-to-earth closeness with nature. Lolebezi Safari Lodge is the ideal safari sojourn for the eco-conscious traveler, the lodge is powered by an off-the-grid solar farm, and the water supply and wastewater are managed to ensure that no pollution enters the river. During the build, trees were used in the design and the dining area was built from reclaimed railway sleepers - luxury working in harmony with the surrounding environment. This raw and untamed part of Africa is best known for its sightings of buffalo and elephant as well as some safari favorites including lion, leopard and hyena. Zambia is also well known for its high caliber of safari guides that will take you through acacia forests on walking safaris, help you glide serenely on canoe safaris and lead you on thrilling game drives. When you aren’t exploring the wilds, you can retreat to practice your sun salutations on the deck during a yoga class or pamper yourself at the on-site spa.
PUKU RIDE CAMP
This is one of the best new safari camps in Africa.The hillside that is home to the remote, semi-tented camp at Puku Ridge Camp provides awe-inspiring views of the Kakumbi Dambo floodplain, located in a private area of the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. This game-rich area offers wildlife of all kinds: from predators like lion and leopard, to herds of elephant, giraffe and zebra, and the camp’s namesake, the Puku antelope.Puku Ridge Camp is small and intimate, offering eight luxury, oversized semi-tents with wrap-around views of the area. Sip your morning coffee from the cushioned seat on your private decked balcony (complete with private plunge pool) as you watch the activity in the floodplain below.
SOUTH AFRICA
LOAPI TENTED CAMP
Tswalu is one of the top places to consider staying at when looking into a place to stay in South Africa’s Kalahari. Opening in March 2023, Loapi Tented Camp is an eco-friendly, luxury tented camp in South Africa with six private safari homes offering an immersive wilderness experience. It is the newest addition to the celebrated Tswalu collection, and Loapi translates from Setswana to ‘the space below the clouds’. This is an exclusive safari adventure that comes complete with a dedicated butler, private chef, private safari vehicle, guide and tracker. This wonderfully varied eco-system is mainly made up of desert-like savannahs scattered with African bush shrubs. You are likely to find some of the rarest species of wildlife within the African bush here, from wild dogs and brown hyena to aardvarks.
WATERSIDE AT ROYAL MALEWANE
Waterside at Royal Malewane forms part of the Royal Portfolio of lodges and hotels and is the epitome of safari glamor in the Thornybush Game Reserve. The Waterside presents an immersive setting that will engage your senses, rest your mind and reawaken your soul. The lodge provides a bold African context with opulent, bright and breath-taking designs that draw on the timeless luxury that Royal Malewane has been synonymous with. Think private plunge pools, jewel-toned oriental rugs and expansive decks. Spend your days unwinding poolside, enjoying soothing wellness treatments, yoga and meditation and relishing world-class wine tastings. For those in search of photographic opportunities, there is a hide that overlooks a waterhole frequented by wildlife. While on game drives, you can take advantage of master trackers that guide you through the wild and leave you with cherished African memories.
SALA BEACH HOUSE
Sala Beach House is a new and luxurious, five-star coastal escape perched above the sea and providing private access to the tidal pool and beautiful beach at Thompson’s Bay. Activities in the area include snorkeling, coastal walks, deep-sea fishing, golf, and surfing, making Sala Beach House the perfect place to create a memorable holiday and celebrate special occasions. The North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is well known for its picturesque scenery and gorgeous beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean. This stretch of coastline is also known as the Dolphin Coast, named after the bottlenose dolphins that play in these coastal waters. Several sought-after, seaside holiday spots hug the North Coast. Thompson’s Bay is one of them, a naturally protected cove situated in the Ballito and Shaka’s Rock area. A safe swimming beach and tidal pool make Thompson’s Bay an ideal place for a safe and secluded beach vacation.
KATEKA
Kateka is a new ultra-luxury lodge located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Opening on September 1st, 2023, Kateka will host up to 16 guests across three Classic Suites, two Deluxe Suites, and one Villa. All accommodations are beautifully finished with five-star amenities such as private plunge pools, king-sized beds, indoor and outdoor showers, and more. Guests will have access to a variety of activities and facilities including spa & body treatments, yoga, gym, twice daily game drives, waterhole viewing, wildlife photography, bush walks, stargazing, and helicopter canyon adventures. Guests can explore the Klaserie on a guided game drive traversing over 14,500 hectares with opportunities to see wildlife (including the big five) and scenic terrains. The area prides itself on a very low vehicle density, providing travelers with a holistic wilderness experience.
THE ORPEN
The Orpen is a new four-star lodge that is situated at the doorstep of both the Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Bordering both reserves less than 100m of each entrance gate, The Orpen is a modern safari lodge that offers travelers a luxury safari experience with extraordinary wildlife sightings of the classic Big5 and open-air bush boma dinners. Opened in November 2022, the lodge features 10 freestanding chalets with private patios, bush views, and either a candlelit outside bath or shower. Guests can also indulge in the lodge’s facilities which include a swimming pool, game drives, boma, wildlife rehabilitation, bush walks, and cultural experiences. The Orpen is a partnership between the Mont d’Or Hotel Group and the community-operated Wild Olive Cooperative, supported by Indalo Inclusive South Africa and funded partially by the Industrial Development Corporation.
NAMIBIA
ONGUMA CAMP KALA
Onguma Camp Kala is an ultra-exclusive lodge that is set within the Onguma Nature Reserve in Namibia, a prime safari wilderness area, bordering the Etosha National Park. Elevated on wooden decks, the camp offers panoramic views and overlooks a waterhole nearby. With its conical, mud-plastered central tower resembling a termite mound, the emphasis is on total relaxation in this wild landscape. The suites feature their own deck with fire pit, outdoor shower and wood-fired tub and there is a walkway that will take you to a private, shaded sala with a king-size outdoor daybed – the perfect place for an armchair safari or to sleep out under the stars.
MOZAMBIQUE
BANYAN TREE ILHA CALDEIRA
When Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts opens their new Ilha Caldeira property in Mozambique in December 2023, it's going to be the essence of a stirring island escape. This luxury beach resort villa will be found in a previously uninhabited island in the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago.This is Africa's largest marine reserve, home to intact living corals with an abundance of marine creatures. Spend your days whale-watching, kayaking and scuba-diving (exploring shipwrecks), and then head back to your private pool villa, set in lush tropical surroundings with uninterrupted ocean views. True to Banyan Tree's commitment to the environment, the resort will be 100% solar-powered. All water on the island is desalinated, making it an eco-tourist oasis and one of our top trips to Africa in 2023.
Plan your Safari with Go2Africa now.
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About Go2Africa:
Go2Africa is a multi-award-winning tour operator based out of Cape Town that curates exceptional, personalized African vacations, specializing in safaris, plus wineland and gastronomy experiences, city escapes, beach, diving, and golf tours across the continent. Since 1998, the team has been committed to building first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge and activity they recommend from their 3000+ partners. Working across 15 countries in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, 100% of their revenues stay in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects, making a difference long after their clients return home. With an entire team of African born and raised specialists, including seven named as Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists in 2022, travelers are in expert hands. From spotting the Big 5 to following the Wildebeest Migration, trekking into the rainforests to encounter endangered mountain gorillas, enjoying world-class scuba diving and whale watching or simply enjoying sundowner drinks on an endless savannah, Go2Africa can help create the perfect experience to immerse oneself in the magic of Africa - one of life’s most incredible experiences.
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