Cox & Kings, The Americas - Travel Journeys

Visit Brazil during the Summer Olympics 2016

The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held August 5 to 21 in Rio de Janiero. This is the first ever Olympics held in South America, and the second in Latin America (after Mexico City).



 Watch the video.

If you would like to be informed of our special tours to Brazil during the Olympics, please contact Viviana Gaeta at 1-800-999-1758.

 

Cox & Kings Website Launches with Improved Features

Our new website is now live! We hope you enjoy using its enhanced features, with more to be added soon.

From every page, you'll have three easy ways to find your next adventure: browse by Destination (such as Africa), Country (such as Kenya ), and by Journey Type within a Country (such as Private Journey).

You'll also be able to order one of our new destination catalogs for you and a friend.

E-News, November 2010

Japan in Winter: The White Season

At Sapporo’s Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Japan, artisans from around the world carve huge, fantastic designs in ice and snow, recreating landmark buildings, historical figures, and cartoon characters. There are lots of festival activities, plus skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling (the powdery snow is legendary). Stay at a luxury city hotel, or a traditional ryokan (guest house), ending each day with a soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring bath).

Further south, on the main island of Honshu, in the mountains northwest of Tokyo, there’s plenty of great skiing in Nagano, known as the Japanese Alps. This region is also famous for its Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaque).

Find more details and pictures on our blog. A visit to Sapporo or Nagano may be easily added to our Private Journey Treasures of Japan. Dates for the Sapporo Snow Festival are February 7-13, 2011. Please contact Denise Gogarty at 1-800-999-1758.


View Tanzania’s Great Migration Year-Round by Fly-in Safari

No matter what time of year, or wherever the great wildebeest migration may be in northern Tanzania, Singita will take you there. From their three luxurious lodges in the Grumeti Reserves of the western Serengeti, Singita flies you in to see migration herds with their own aircraft every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Your safari guide and a sumptuous lunch travel with you for the day, while a safari vehicle awaits—along with tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra.

For more information on Singita and their new migration flights, contact Logan Stine at 1-800-999-1758.


Travel + Leisure’s Trip of a Lifetime

Our Cartagena de Indias journey is featured in this month’s Travel + Leisure article 22 Trips of a Lifetime. Your first stop is Cartagena (at a private designer-decorated villa no less), then helicopter out (the last 90 minutes are by foot) to the mythical Lost City—Ciudad Perdida

To book this special itinerary, contact Rachel Robar at 1-800-999-1758.


Luxury Group Tour to Chile, Argentina & Brazil—Special Introductory Pricing

Join us on this fully escorted travel adventure, as we explore three of South America's largest and diverse countries—Chile, Argentina & Brazil. From Santiago to Rio, experience spectacular Alpine scenery, valleys of vineyards, cosmopolitan cities, and the incomparable Iguazu Falls.

Departures: Feb 12-24, 2011 (confirmed), and Mar 12-24, 2011; from $7215 per person double occupancy. See Chile, Argentina & Brazil or contact Rachel Robar at 1-800-999-1758.

The Ancient Observatory at Jaipur, India

India’s astronomers created several observatories; the largest and best preserved is in Jaipur, next to the City Palace. With amazing precision, Indian scholars built this Jantar Mantar (calculation instrument), used for measuring time, and tracking stars and the earth's orbit around the sun. The instruments are quite large, and include two giant sundials. Several Cox & Kings journeys include a visit to Jaipur and the Jantar Mantar.

To book your trip to India, contact Seema Prakash at 1-800-999-1758.


Past and Present in Alexandria, Egypt

This Mediterranean port city became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt. For three days you'll explore Alexandria’s past and present with a private Egyptologist by your side. Highlights include the ultra modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina library, built in 2002 near the site of the ancient library, and the Royal Jewelry Museum—a palace housing a large collection of jewels and fine art from the former royal family. Built in 1919, the palace itself is a work of art, and is the only building of its type open to the public.

Alexandria: Pearl of the Mediterranean is easily added to one of our classic journeys to Egypt. To book your trip, contact Nicole Beattie at 1-800-999-1758.


UNESCO World Heritage Sites—South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites at the Cradle of Humankind
The sites at Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, and Kromdraai provide scientists a deep understanding of how our ancestors lived and evolved 3.5 million years ago. Fossils of animals and plants during this era give further insight.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The Park contains critical habitats for a range of species from Africa's marine, wetland and savannah environments, including over 520 different types of birds.

Robben Island
Used from the 17th-20th centuries as a prison, a hospital for socially unacceptable groups, and a military base, its buildings are an eloquent testimony to its somber history.

Drakensberg Park
The site’s diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species. This spectacular natural area also contains many caves with paintings made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years.

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
This open, expansive savannah developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. The nearly untouched settlement sites help give us a picture of how social and political structures developed in the region.

Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
More species of plants are found here than for any similar sized area in the world. How plants in the area have uniquely adapted for survival is of particular interest to biologists.

Vredefort Dome
Dating back 2,023 million years, it is the oldest, largest, and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world.

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
The area sustains the pastoral, semi-nomadic Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as much as two millennia in southern Africa.

Visits to South Africa’s UNESCO World Heritage sites may be added to any Private Travel Journey to South Africa. To book your trip, contact Logan Stine at 1-800-999-1758.

Japan in Winter: The White Season

Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido

One of the most famous festivals in Japan takes place during the winter, on the northern island of Hokkaido. In winter, this mountainous island becomes a snowy wonderland. 

The festival has been held in Sapporo since the 1950's. Competing artisans from around the world carve huge, fantastic designs in ice and snow, recreating landmark buildings, historical figures, and cartoon characters. Lights illuminate buildings and carvings alike. Other towns and ski resorts in the region have their own snow and ice shows during the winter season — some are an easy day trip from Sapporo itself. Dates for the 2011 Sapporo Snow Festival are February 7-13.

There's plenty to do just during the festival: take an ice sculpture class, slide down a snow chute, take a hot air balloon ride, or help make the 10k+ snowmen needed to break the world record from the previous year. This is in addition to all the typical outdoor snow activities such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Stay at a luxury city hotel, or in a traditional ryokan (inn or guest house), ending each day with a soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring bath).  

Sapporo is a former Winter Olympics site, and world-class skiing can be found throughout Hokkaido, including Niseko and Tomamu — both are known for their outstanding quality of powder. The city also produces beer and chocolate (even a chocolate beer!).

   

Nagano, the Japanese Alps

Further south, on the main island of Honshu, in the mountains northeast of Tokyo, there's plenty of great skiing also. Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998.

This region is also famous for its Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaque). The best viewing of these monkeys is at the wild monkey park, where they enjoy lounging around in the outdoor hot springs, which is especially striking in the winter with the snow around (and on) the monkeys.

A visit to Sapporo or Nagano may be easily added to our Private Journey Treasures of Japan. Our Asia & Pacific product manager Denise Gogarty (1-800-999-1758) will help you customize your personal tour.

More on the Sapporo Snow Festival on Wikipedia

 

11th Safaricom Marathon completed at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

This past June, 1,000 runners from 20 different countries and about 3,000 spectators descended on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya for the 11th Safaricom Marathon. Runners competed on a dirt road course, through some of Africa's most breathtaking scenery at an average 5500 feet in altitude.

Under the guidance of the London-based Tusk Trust, the event raises funds for conservation and community development projects. Throughout the years, the Safaricom Marathon has raised over $2.25 million dollars. These funds are used in a wide range of projects benefiting sustainable development, education, healthcare and wildlife.

The marathon (as participant or spectator) may be easily incorporated with your African safari—for instance our Classic East Africa: Kenya & Tanzania. Accommodation for runners and spectators is limited. Deadline for entry is mid-May, 2011. Read more on the marathon.

For more information on this or other running events in Africa, please contact Logan Stine at 1-800-999-1758.

July 2010, Around the World with Cox & Kings: Fun & Games, Globally

Have you ever dreamed of journeys beyond the ordinary? Perhaps surfing in Peru or chariot racing in Jordan?

Our recent press story features journeys full of adventure activities and sports in exotic locations.

• Sea Kayak with Penguins...
• Pitch a Tent in Tahiti…
• Hang Ten in Peru…
• Ride Chariots of Fire in Jordan…
• Scuba Dive in the Seychelles…
• Tee Off in the Himalayas…
• Deliver a One-Two Punch in Thailand…

Learn more about these itineraries that are bound to take you to new heights of adventure!

Zimbabwe on the Upswing

By: Megan Bryant

Bradt travel guides are publishing their 1st edition Zimbabwe guide this year, while Footprint guides have one coming out in 2011. For the first time in 8+ years, we're seeing reputable publications talking about this country, and I'm excited. 

Zimbabwe is on the upswing from over a decade of really hard times and controversy. Let's hope this year, their 30th anniversary of independence, marks a new era for a more mature Zimbabwe. 

Having just returned from this beloved country that I like to refer to as "Zim," I have a new perspective. I never doubted Zimbabwe was a remarkable wildlife destination, but it's been of moral and economic controversy in recent years. These are my first-hand impressions on how things have changed and how this is a viable destination now more than ever:

How the country has improved:

• Since April 2009, the South African Rand and US Dollar have been used as the standard currencies of exchange, due to unmanageable hyper-inflation of the Zimbabwean dollar. Because of this positive currency change, supermarkets have stocked shelves again, and supplies are easy to obtain and are no longer an issue for hotels and safari camps operating in Zimbabwe.
• The US lifted its travel warning for Zimbabwe in April 2009, in part due to the currency change signaling a return of basic food, fuel and medical supplies.
• The proof is in the pudding: Visitors have increased by an astonishing 300% from last year to the upgraded Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools National Park and Little Makalolo Camp in Hwange National Park from last year. Most of this increase comes from North America.
• Accommodations have been completely upgraded (such as the camps mentioned above), while new camps, such as Davison's Camp in Hwange National Park, have been built. The investments are clear signs of stability and a positive shift.
• There is a coalition government in place, and while there is still political uncertainty, the country is extremely safe to visit, especially in remote wilderness areas. The people of Zimbabwe are incredibly warm and kind.

More reasons to visit:

• Unique and abundant game sightings:  The elephants of Mana Pools are the only ones known to stand up on their hind legs to reach up to the trees in the winter months, and Hwange National Park boasts very large herds of game, which is unique in southern Africa.
• It is a more affordable but equally remarkable safari destination that is easily accessible.
• Mana Pools is a brilliant alternative to the sometimes crowded Lower Zambezi National Park (Zambia), while Hwange is an affordable alternative to the Linyanti and Chobe areas of Northern Botswana.
• There are opportunities from classic safari camps to adventure activities, like the Mana Canoe Trail - 3 days of canoeing and camping on the lower Zambezi River - which I've just experienced first-hand in May 2010!!
• Traveling to Zimbabwe greatly benefits the people in need and the wilderness areas at risk, while very little revenue goes to support the current regime. See more information on sustainable projects in Zimbabwe.

NEW Special Packages for Zimbabwe:

I'm pleased to present some new suggested itineraries and special offers that incorporate this truly wonderful safari destination. 

• Classic Zimbabwe Safari — 8 nights from $4250 per person
• Botswana + Zimbabwe Safari — 11 nights from $8170 per person
• Singita Southern Africa Safari, South Africa + Zimbabwe — 8 nights from $8960 per person

See my Zimbabwe photos on Facebook.

For customized itineraries and other travel planning contact me at mbryant@coxandkingsusa.com or ask for Megan at 1-800-999-1758.

New Press Release: World Cup 2010 VIP Travel Packages

COX & KINGS OFFERS EXCLUSIVE "FOLLOW TEAM USA" WORLD CUP 2010 PACKAGES

VIP travel packages include accommodation in South Africa's top hotels, soccer match experiences, and safari adventures.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (MARCH 11, 2010) — Cox & Kings, the longest-established travel company in the world, is now offering sports fans the ultimate adventure getaway with their exclusive soccer-and-safari packages, "Follow Team USA." The packages — bookable through late March 2010 — allow guests to experience the best of South Africa during this year's World Cup, the premier international soccer tournament. Cox & Kings' "Follow Team USA" packages feature special offers and guaranteed matches for the USA national soccer team, as well as remarkable wildlife safari experiences in world-renowned safari camps.

View the full release.

Read "World Cup 2010 Update: New VIP Packages" story.

View World Cup 2010 journey details on coxandkingsusa.com.

World Cup 2010 Update: New VIP Packages

World Cup 2010 Update: New VIP All-Inclusive Packages Now Available

On June 11, 2010 the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, where 32 teams from around the world will compete for the coveted title of World Cup champion, including South Africa‚ Äôs national team, Bafana Bafana.

Cox & Kings has created some very special all-inclusive World Cup VIP Packages which include luxury accommodations, guaranteed matches, and unforgettable safari experiences. With private transfers, unparalleled service, knowledgeable staff and world-class accommodation, our dedicated local staff will be at your service from the moment you touch down in South Africa and throughout your stay. 

Every Soccer & Safari package includes Category 1 tickets and VIP services and events. Please note that space on each departure is on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is going quickly, especially now that the "Final Draw" is complete, which determines which national teams are in which of the eight groups and which teams will play each other in the first round of matches! 

Each of our eight packages includes three guaranteed matches, which vary from 12-17 days in length. Our packages fall over various dates between June 14-July 17, 2010 and all include stays in Cape Town, South Africa's oldest city and an idyllic base for the World Cup 2010. Several departures include Round of 16, Quarter and Semi-Finals matches as well as the coveted Finals match in Johannesburg on July 11, 2010. 

Other matches may be added to a customized tour package. We are holding guaranteed space at the brand new Taj Hotel in Cape Town, and can arrange other trips such as cage diving with Great White sharks or a gastronomic food and wine extravaganza through the Cape Winelands.

We are happy to customize any itinerary for your personal interests. A $250 non-refundable planning fee is required to customize a World Cup 2010 package. This cost is fully applicable to the trip costs should you decide to book with us.

Take advantage of our expertise and passion for Africa. Experience the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, and explore more of this fascinating country or sub-Saharan Africa‚ all in luxury and style.

For more information on our VIP World Cup/Safari packages or a custom-tailored trip, contact Megan Bryant or Logan Stine at 1-800-999-1758.

View World Cup journey details on coxandkingsusa.com.