COX & KINGS INTRODUCES PAINTING HOLIDAYS TO AFRICA

WITH ART SAFARIS

Cox & Kings has partnered with Art Safaris in Africa to offer a collection of small-group holidays aimed at those inspired to paint and sketch the stunning wildlife and landscapes of Botswana, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. Whether a beginner or an experienced artist, Art Safari's professional team of tutors and guides will encourage guests to sit, look, observe and sketch the surroundings, using observation as a way of learning about the land, people and wildlife.

Among the tours on offer by Cox & Kings is Zambia: Large, Grey & Unmistakable, a 10-day / 7-night non-exclusive group tour from £2,895 per person departing 11 October 2014. Led by expert art safari guide Mary-Anne Bartlett, this tour gives travellers the chance to get up close to elephants and big cats, sketching from open vehicles.

Exploring Zambia's extraordinarily beautiful and wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park, which has been described as 'another Eden', the tour includes expert tuition and guidance on capturing the landscape and animals on canvas. The itinerary includes night drives with an experienced spotter and allows plenty of time to linger in the park to paint wonderful river landscapes, dry lagoons teaming with wildlife and twisted trees full of birds, while staying in Art Safari's own riverbank lodge. On morning and afternoon wildlife drives, guests are encouraged to sketch and paint large groups of elephants, lions, antelopes and zebras. There is also time to relax and paint from the lodge with its resident giraffe and elephant meandering through the grounds.

Talking about her inspiration to set up Art Safaris, Barlett says: "The most rewarding times I have had travelling have been when sketching - it causes an interaction that is seldom found between tourists and local people. It's also thoroughly absorbing and addictive. For me, a satisfying picture is that moment when I feel a total empathy with the subject, either the adrenalin of being near animals, or the sense of calm when they are peacefully distant in their landscape."

Prices include flights from London, transfers and guided excursions and daily sketching and accommodation with breakfast daily and other meals as specified.

For more information, and to see the full range of tours on offer, please visit www.coxandkings.co.uk/art-safaris

RESERVATIONS: 020 7873 5000 / www.coxandkings.co.uk

PRESS OFFICE: 020 7808 5694 / katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk     

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.

Mary-Anne, a travel and wildlife artist, set up Art Safari Ltd in 2002, taking artists around the world to learn to paint wildlife and landscapes. Bartlett is the great-great-granddaughter of explorer doctor and botanist Sir John Kirk. She studied fine art in Exeter and in Strasbourg where she developed a habit of carrying watercolours and sketchbooks with her wherever she travelled.