For the past five years, the number one destination missing from Contiki’s product offering - as identified by passenger surveys, social media and third-party research - has been Africa.

Despite covering Morocco and Egypt in northern Africa, the call of wild adventures in eastern and sub-Saharan Africa has been strong, and today the global youth travel brand has announced a suite of new trips to the region. 

While the brand has continually grown trips across Europe, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North America, the announcement marks Contiki’s first new region since launching Latin America in 2010.

The move also represents the growing footprint of the millennial traveller seeking unfiltered adventure.

Four new trips will allow 18-35-year-old clients to explore South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya, plus five extension trips to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, relax on the beaches of Zanzibar or get up close to Gorillas in Uganda.

Accommodation is a strong point of differentiation.

While other youth operators in the region have opted for traditional camping, Contiki has hand selected renowned properties that offer the creature comforts of home, including Sentrim Hotels & Lodges.

Whether staying in hotels, safari lodges or permanent luxury safari tents, clients can look forward to comfortable beds, en-suites, patios and swimming pools after a big day of adventure.

Experiences make the trips.

With Contiki, clients have the opportunity to see the big five game (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo) in Kruger National Park, witness the great migration of the wildebeest in the Serengeti or Masai Mara, tick off one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World at the thunderous Victoria Falls, visit a baby elephant sanctuary and feed giraffes, all included in the cost of the trips.

In their free time, those who aren’t relaxing poolside can choose to spot tree-climbing lions from a sunrise hot air balloon over the Serengeti, bungee jump over the Victoria Falls, white water raft down the Zambezi River, go hippo spotting on the Chobe River or wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.

All entry fees are included.

Approximately 20 passengers per trip means swapping large coach travel instead for seven-seater pop-top safari vehicles across Eastern Africa and luxury mini buses in Southern Africa.

Flights are included from Cape Town to Johannesburg and Johannesburg to Victoria Falls allowing clients to spend more time on the ground, making the most of what the destination has to offer.