Exploring Africa by Private Jet

Arrive in vibrant Barcelona and settle into your hotel on the elegant Passeig de Gracia, located just steps from Gaudí’s renowned La Pedrera. Meet fellow guests, your Smithsonian Journeys Expert, and your trip staff at a welcome dinner, and set out the next day to discover Barcelona and the region on your choice of excursions. Take a walking tour of the historic center and its architectural triumphs or explore Barcelona’s history through its cuisine on a food tour. In the evening, gather for a special New Year’s Eve dinner and celebration. (B,L,2D)

Your first flight by private jet takes you across the Mediterranean Sea to Aswan, Egypt, where you’ll arrive in time for lunch aboard a boutique river boat—your luxurious home on the Nile for the next three nights. On an afternoon tour of Aswan, visit the market, the ancient Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk, and take in views of Elephantine Island. Then set sail down the legendary Nile, enjoying dinner and entertainment on board. Awaken in Kom Ombo and pay an early morning visit to its remarkable “twinned” temple, where symmetrical sanctuaries are dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. During a leisurely morning of cruising, pass through the Gebel Silsila, where the Nile narrows between sandstone cliffs and hills that once sourced stone blocks for temples such as Karnak. Participate in cooking demonstration, tour the ship’s wheelhouse, or simply take in the views of life along the Nile. In Edfu, tour a beautifully preserved temple to Horus, finished during the Ptolemaic era in 57 BC. Arrive in Luxor, and a memorable evening on the West Bank of the Nile, visiting the pharaohs’ tombs of Valley of the Kings during a special after hours tour. See the 45-foot pharaoh statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, explore the extraordinary temples of Luxor and Karnak. (B,L,D Daily)

Touch down in Tanzania and continue by private charter aircraft to your choice of two extraordinary wildlife reserves: the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park. Fly by light aircraft to the Ngorongoro Highlands to for a full-day safari inside the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. Measuring approximately 10 miles in diameter and 2,000 feet deep, this natural amphitheater creates a home for one of the densest populations of large animals anywhere, including rhinos, lions, Cape buffalo, zebras, elephants, Thompson’s gazelles, cheetahs, warthogs, and much more.

Alternate: Those who visit the Serengeti will embark on game drives and optional walking safaris in this awe-inspiring World Heritage site, observing the abundant wildlife that teems amid its grassy plains and acacia woodlands. Watch herds of zebra and wildebeest interact and seek out predators such as lions, crocodiles, and leopards, as well as hundreds of bird species.

Both groups will enjoy a special bush dinner under the stars on your final evening in Tanzania. (B,L,D, daily)

Your next flight by private jet brings you south to Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River plunges some 350 feet into a narrow basalt gorge, creating mists that can be seen for many miles. Known locally as “the smoke that thunders” and stretching more than a mile in width, the falls form a natural boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Touch down in Livingstone and settle into your historic hotel, set on the banks of the Zambezi just down from the falls. Take in extraordinary aerial views of this natural wonder on a helicopter sightseeing tour and get a closer view on a guided walk into the mists. In the late afternoon, set sail on a sunset Zambezi cruise, watching for wildlife along the water’s edge. Sit down to an elegant dinner alfresco in the hotel gardens tonight. (B,L,D)

Fly to Namibia, admiring views of the desert and the coast as you land in the seaside city of Swakopmund. Set out on a walking tour of this appealing town, soaking up its unique blend of German and African culture. The next day, choose an excursion into the Namib Desert, one of the world’s oldest, which stretches the entire length of Namibia’s Atlantic coast. Learn about the unusual creatures that have adapted to this harsh habitat, from birds to unusual reptiles and insects as you explore the dunes with a naturalist guide. If you wish, venture further into this otherworldly landscape on a quad bike adventure. Alternatively, gain insight into local culture on a Swakopmund township tour, meeting the residents and learning about everyday life. Then head into the nearby desert to discover the fascinating Welwitschia mirabilis, a prehistoric plant that can live more than a thousand years, surviving on morning fog that rolls in off the Atlantic. Gather for a special sunset dinner with views of the spectacular canyons of the Namib Desert. (B,L,D daily)

The private jet brings you next to Kigali, where you’ll journey into the lush slopes of Volcanoes National Park and check in to one of several delightful mountain lodges. Here, among verdant, conical peaks, Dian Fossey spent 18 years conducting groundbreaking studies on one of the planet’s few mountain gorilla populations. Join a gorilla trekking guide for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with these endangered creatures, hiking through bamboo forests in search of gorilla families. Once you find them, settle in for a thrilling hour, observing these peaceful giants up close as they munch leaves, groom each other, and play. Later, you may visit the Ellen Campus, a state-of-the-art research center that is part of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Relax over cocktails in the evening, and attend a talk on mountain gorillas by a local expert. Return to Kigali the next day and choose to take a coffee tour or visit the Genocide Memorial to learn how the country has found rebirth and renewal after the tragic events of the 1990s. Instead of visiting Volcanoes National Park, you may opt to stay in Kigali and get acquainted with this cosmopolitan and innovative city. (B,L,D daily)

Board your final flight by private jet to Madrid, and settle into your hotel, a historic landmark in the heart of the city. Toast your adventures in Africa at a celebratory farewell dinner. Depart on independent flights the following day. (2B,L,D)