COX & KINGS' NEW 2014 AFRICA BROCHURE INTRODUCES

GHANA, GAMBIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The world's longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Africa brochure for 2014, featuring new escorted tours to West Africa, Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, and Tanzania and many new suggestions for tailor-made itineraries throughout Africa.

Cox & Kings' passenger numbers to Africa have continued to increase, with a 20% growth in 2013 compared to 2012. Tailor-made bookings have seen a 50% increase over the same time. As demand grows for travel to areas off the regular tourist trail, Cox & Kings is introducing a new range of tours to Ghana, Gambia and Republic of Congo. Cox & Kings' Africa product manager, Louise Stanion, says: "A lot of our clients have travelled to the region with us before and want to discover places off the beaten track with authentic experiences. Ghana and Gambia are two of the friendliest and most colourful African countries. The Republic of Congo is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise, with possible sightings of rare, endemic species such as the wonderful sounding putty-nosed and moustached monkeys or the lowland bongo."

NEW - GHANA: One of Africa's friendliest nations, Ghana is rich in cultural heritage, lush rainforest and golden sandy beaches but remains unspoilt by mass tourism. The Ashanti people celebrate the Akwasidae festival every six weeks, to commemorate their ancestors. The King of Ashanti meets his subjects in the Royal Palace's courtyard and there is a colourful parade with drum beaters, dancers and singers. Colours of Ghana is an 11-day / 9-night escorted tour priced from £2,745 per person and includes meeting local farmers, artisans and chiefs, giving an 'under the skin' experience to the country. Each group departure coincides with the Akwisadae festival and there is an optional extension to Togo and Benin.

NEW - GAMBIA: A cruise along the Gambia River is an ideal way to explore the lesser-known fishing villages, national parks, colourful craft markets and historic river towns of Gambia. Cox & Kings is introducing an 11-day / 10-night Rivers of West Africa cruise priced from £2,595 per person. A river naturalist is on board throughout to spot the incredible flora and fauna with excursions either by foot, pirogue (local boat) or 4x4. There is an optional extension to a beach resort hotel in Senegal after the cruise.

NEW - REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The rainforest of Congo is so rich in wildlife that the recent Attenborough series Africa dedicated an entire episode to it: buffalo, forest elephants, monkeys, bushbuck and a plethora of birdlife. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is part of the world's second largest expanse of tropical rainforest and is home to three groups of western lowland gorillas. Congo: Rainforest Safari, priced from £6,895 per person, is a 12-day / 9-night non-exclusive group tour staying in the exclusive Wilderness Collection camps in the rarely visited Odzala-Kokoua National Park. The highlight of a visit to the national park is the opportunity to track western lowland gorilla in the Ndzedhi Forest.

NEW - NON-EXCLUSIVE GROUP TOURS: For 2014, additional tours in East Africa are being introduced that are non-exclusive to Cox & Kings, allowing tours to operate with fewer people. A selection of these includes:

Kenya: Scenic Air Safari - An 11-day/8-night tour in an 8-seater private place of some of Kenya's most spectacular landscapes. From £4,095 per person.

Kenya & Tanzania: A journey across the plains - A 13-day/10-night tour of the best of both country's wildlife, including Amboseli, the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Priced from £3,745 per person.

Splendours of Tanzania & Zanzibar - A comprehensive 14-day / 11-night tour combining the northern safari circuit with the more remote south and the famous Spice Island of Zanzibar. Priced from £4,375 per person.

Elewana Skysafari - A 10-day/7-night tour of Tanzania flying between each park by private aircraft and staying in luxury accommodation throughout. Priced from £4,995 per person.

Uganda: Primate Safari - A 12-day/9-night tour of the 'pearl of Africa' including a chance to track gorilla in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Priced from £3,845 per person.

All prices include international flights from London, transfers, excursions and accommodation based on twin sharing with breakfast daily and other meals as specified.

NEW - ZAMBIA: With the opening of Chinzombo, the new luxury Norman Carr lodge, a new level of luxury in Zambia is now possible. The South Luangwa valley has a reputation as a first-class park, and Cox & Kings has introduced an itinerary to explore the best of the country, staying in the most stylish accommodation. Zambia in Style is a 12-day/9-night private tour priced from £6,195 per person staying in Chinzombo, Mchenja or Kakuli Bush Camp and Tongabezi for 3 nights each.

Please see www.coxandkings.co.uk/africa for the full programme to Africa, which includes Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and the Seychelles and Uganda.

For more information or images, or to request a copy of the brochure, please contact Katie Parsons on 020 7808 5694 or email katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk

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PRESS INFORMATION: KATIE PARSONS

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