Gabriel Moreno
Expedition Leader
Overview
Meet fellow guests, your expert trip leaders and dedicated guest services staff for a welcome dinner. As your adventure begins, enjoy the atmosphere of one of the world’s most iconic cities. We depart for Morocco in the morning.
Accommodations
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Alternate Destination: Kigali, Rwanda
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Featured Experiences
Accommodations
Overview
Our journey ends in London, where you will stay at the stately Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square for an overnight stay before catching your independent flight home the following day.
Accommodations
Meet fellow guests, your expert trip leaders and dedicated guest services staff for a welcome dinner. As your adventure begins, enjoy the atmosphere of one of the world’s most iconic cities. We depart for Morocco in the morning.
Accommodations
Fresh, posh and inspired by Hyde Park greenery, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane boasts a classical contemporary ambience, balancing eclectic British sophistication and sleek modern style. Enjoy a cocktail at Bar Antoine while taking in views of the city, or relax with a massage at the rooftop spa.
One of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Fes began to flourish during the 9th century and has long been considered the cultural and historical heart of the country. At the center of the city is its original walled medina, which remains largely unchanged since medieval times. As you explore these labyrinthine ancient quarters, step into a colorful jumble of souks, cafés, squares and elaborate monuments—and discover surprises around every corner.
Featured Experiences
Travel back in time as you wind through the alleyways of Fes el Bali. Wander the R’cif and La Kissaria markets where stalls overflow with fresh produce and local delicacies, and observe artisans as they use traditional techniques from centuries ago. Relish historic sites including the Al Qarawiyyin mosque, Al-Attarine Madrassa Islamic School, Slat Al Fassiyine, Moulay Idriss II sanctuary and the Nejjarine square.
Featured Experiences
Shop for treasures in the former riad of a wealthy Moroccan family. Peruse high-end antiques, scarves and spices in the medina’s artisan quarter. Visit a local cooperative that makes Moroccan pottery and mosaic furniture. Watch their designs come to life as they create objects before your eyes.
Featured Experiences
Visit the old Jewish cemetery, where rows of sun-bleached tombs line the southwest slope of the mellah and hear stories about the rabbis and others buried here from one of the cemetery guardians. Next, marvel at the beautifully restored Ibn Danan and Slat Al Fassiyine synagogues and see the famous seven bronze gates of the Royal Palace.
Featured Experiences
Take a two-hour cooking class with a local family at their Medina riad (home). Get a taste of local life as you make Moroccan bread, salads, tagine and couscous in an authentic setting. Enjoy your homemade meal for lunch in sight of the country’s largest Medina.
Accommodations
Located in the ancient city center of Fes, Riad Fes immerses guests in an inviting atmosphere with warm colors and beautifully restored Moorish architecture. Enjoy refined Moroccan cuisine at L’Ambre Restaurant, or head to the Andalusian patio for a cocktail at L’Alcazar Bar.
Arrive to Kigali and enjoy dinner at your leisure before departing the next day on an approximately three-hour drive to spend two nights in the verdant mountains of Volcanoes National Park, where Dian Fossey famously studied mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Accompanied by an expert naturalist guide, hike through beautiful bamboo forests to get up close with a family of gorillas.
Featured Experiences
Travelers 15 and older will make their way up the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains through the heart of the Rwandan rain forest and into the natural habitat of peaceful and powerful mountain gorillas. In an intimate, hour-long visit, watch a gorilla family interact with one another for an unforgettable experience.
Accommodations
Nestled into the foothills of the Virunga Volcano range, this new lodge offers an upscale base for encounters with mountain gorillas. Enjoy produce grown in the lodge’s on-site garden and relax after a day of trekking at the spa, which draws on African traditions for its treatment menu.
Opt to spend three nights in Kigali instead of gorilla trekking in the mountains and get a feel for the growing city’s cosmopolitan culture amid its wide tree-lined boulevards and lively markets. Guests choosing this alternate will meet up with the rest of the group before heading to our next destination.
During our stay you will not only enjoy the wonders of safari in Chobe National Park in Botswana, but you will also experience the marvel of Zambia’s UNESCO-listed Victoria Falls.
Accommodations
Chobe Game Lodge is a five-star, ecotourism-certified safari lodge and the only property located inside the world-renowned Chobe National Park. Set on the banks of the famous Chobe River, the lodge offers an all-encompassing safari experience on land and water. Enjoy your elegantly designed terrace room, find a quiet spot on one of the many expansive viewing decks, walk along the private jetty or lounge on the boardwalk.
Arguably the world’s oldest desert, the Namib Desert has existed for about 43 million years. Its stunning landscapes are in constant flux with sand dunes and plains of all sizes and shapes stretching along its coast. As a testament to the importance of this starkly beautiful environment, Namibia is the first African country with an environmental conservation clause in its constitution.
Featured Experiences
Explore the enormous clay pan of Sossusvlei, surrounded by walls of towering sand dunes that change colors as the day progresses. Walk along the cracked earth beneath the enigmatic skeletons of camelthorn trees in the unforgettable landscape of Dead Vlei. Then witness the effects of time and nature upon the desert landscape at the nearly two-mile-long Sesriem Canyon.
Featured Experiences
Get your boots on the ground and immerse yourself in this fascinating landscape, which is home to a diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents. Walk along a dry riverbed, discover the sunbaked earth of the clay and salt pans, or take a mesmerizing nighttime stroll under the stars.
Featured Experiences
Wake up before the sun and greet the day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vast Namib Desert. Soar over the ocean of sand dunes and mountains, taking in the endless vistas of shadow and light before landing to enjoy breakfast amid the striking desert landscape.
Accommodations
Wolwedans Desert Lodge, located in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, melds seamlessly into the Namibian desert with its wooden structures, canvas blinds, and raised platforms offering panoramic dune vistas. The lodge boasts ample amenities including two lounges, sundowner decks, a fireplace, tea deck, library, wine cellar and dual dining rooms, all opening to breathtaking views. The spacious tented rooms prioritize the awe-inspiring desert panorama, designed for guests to immerse in the serene surroundings.
Accommodations
Experience this stark yet enchanting region from your luxurious stone-and-glass villa set upon the curve of an escarpment overlooking the desert. Relax on your private veranda, enjoy a crackling fire, and count the stars in the southern skies through the skylight above your comfortable bed. Other amenities include a fireside bar in the main lodge, a lantern-lit dining room and a desert swimming pool fed by an underground spring.
Accommodations
This tented lodge, located deep in Namibia’s striking NamibRand Nature Reserve, sits amid a vast 200,000-hectare desert wilderness. The 12 air-conditioned chalets feature canvas walls and thatched roofs. Each chalet comes with its own stargazing platform, allowing guests to take in the expansive night sky. Enjoy the main dining area and lounge in addition to the swimming pool. All feature stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape.
With more than a thousand miles of pristine coastline, Mozambique is one of Africa’s undiscovered jewels. Maputo, its capital city, is a fascinating mix of African and Portuguese influences, while the offshore islands in Maputo Bay showcase the country’s stunning natural beauty.
Featured Experiences
Crisscross the Bay of Maputo by speedboat to Inhaca Island and the Santa Maria peninsula. In Santa Maria, opt to snorkel through the crystal-clear waters, which have been designated as a marine reserve, for a chance to spot several varieties of reef fish and turtles.
Featured Experiences
Visit the highlights of central Maputo en route to the neighborhood of Mafalala. This community is a testament to Mozambique’s multicultural heritage. Enjoy a guided tour of this historic and lively district with its bold murals, including a visit to a newly opened community museum.
Accommodations
Located on a leafy boulevard in an exclusive residential district, Polana Serena Hotel has been a landmark in Maputo since 1922. Classic charm meets modern amenities in this historic colonial building, where comfortable guest rooms offer views of either the city or the sea.
An immaculately preserved island paradise set in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles could have been taken directly from the pages of your favorite travel magazine. Nicknamed “The Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” the islands serve as sanctuary to a spectacular array of wildlife, from giant Aldabra tortoises to tropicbirds. Island culture is a colorful mix of Asian, African and European heritages, creating multiethnic customs that will leave an unforgettable impression.
Featured Experiences
Transfer to the island of Praslin. Upon arrival, tour the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, home to well-preserved natural palm forests filled with the coco de mer palm and a variety of bird species, including the Seychelles black parrot. Then travel by boat to the pristine island of La Digue to enjoy lunch and explore the beaches, famous for their white sand and granitic boulders. Later in the afternoon, sail back to Mahé Island.
Featured Experiences
Start with a visit to the Natural History Museum. Explore a market, where locals sell fruits, spices, jewelry and traditional clothing. Then visit the island’s only Hindu temple, which serves as a place of worship and festivals for the large population of Hindu Seychellois. We end at the National Botanical Gardens to view towering palms, native orchids and a colony of giant tortoises, some over 150 years old.
Accommodations
Set high on a hillside, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is a luxurious island sanctuary. From serene villas, relax indoors amid Creole furnishings or outdoors cooled by soft breezes from the Indian Ocean. Enjoy a refreshing dip in your villa’s private pool and savor fresh seafood, island fruit and Creole flavors in the resort’s restaurants and bars.
Inhabited by a series of empires from the Phoenicians and Romans to the Ottomans, the history of modern-day Tunisia spans thousands of years. While exploring some of North Africa’s finest museums and impeccably preserved city centers, discover how this small country has been shaped by the intersection of different cultures over the centuries.
Featured Experiences
Established by the Phoenicians, Carthage was the metropolis of the Punic civilization and eventually conquered by the Romans in the second century C.E. Discover the archaeological site overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, where the ruins of the ancient city’s forum, theater, baths, temples and residential structures remain.
Featured Experiences
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Medina of Tunis is one of the finest examples of a traditional Arab city in North Africa. Take a walk through its maze of narrow streets and alleyways to view its well-preserved souks, residential buildings, monuments and gates.
Featured Experiences
Take a day trip into the countryside to visit another of Tunisia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites—the archaeological site of Dougga. This ancient settlement flourished under Roman and Byzantine rule, and its impressive ruins are considered North Africa’s finest example of a Roman town.
Accommodations
In the heart of Tunisia’s vibrant capital, Four Seasons Hotel Tunis is a modern beachfront escape on North Africa’s Mediterranean coast. Relax by the indoor and outdoor pools, stroll the hotel’s private beach, or treat your senses with a ceremonial hammam at the luxurious spa. Five restaurant options offer a mix of Mediterranean cuisine, fresh seafood and international dishes.
Our journey ends in London, where you will stay at the stately Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square for an overnight stay before catching your independent flight home the following day.
Accommodations
Overlooking Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge occupies a landmark art deco building that was once home to the Port of London Authority. Enjoy city views from light-filled rooms and savor afternoon tea under the beautiful domed ceiling of the Rotunda.
All-Inclusive Price
per person double occupancy. $14,995 solo supplement. Contact us for applicable terms & conditions of the operator-participant contract.
SOLO TRAVELER OFFER
50% off on solo supplement when you book by December 31. Terms apply.
The price of this all-inclusive expedition covers everything from travel by private jet, hotels, and all meals and beverages (including select beer, wine and spirits aboard the jet and at group lunches and dinners), to ground transportation, all daily activities, top-of-the-line guides and every single tip. See below in the FAQs for a full list of what is included.
This expedition includes some Explorer Destinations—off-the-beaten path stops chosen for their remote beauty, wildlife access or historical and cultural significance, rather than luxury lodging and dining.
Embark on a journey of limitless potential on the new A321, the best-in-class plane for group jet expeditions. This aircraft offers so much more than the comfort of flatbed seats, the reliability of a new plane and in-air connectivity—it also becomes a welcoming home away from home during your travels. The moment you board the private jet, you can breathe deep and leave your worries at the door.
Aircraft is operated by Titan Airways Limited.
PIONEERING INNOVATION
Travel aboard the newest jet in the Group Jet Expedition category, with one of the largest cabins by height and width of all single-aisle aircraft in the market. The Airbus A321 is approximately 30% more fuel efficient than a Boeing 757 and for your safety, incorporates the most up-to-date, hospital-grade air filtration system that renews the cabin air every few minutes.
COMFORT & EASE
The private jet becomes your home in the sky for the entire tour. Your comfort is assured with a roomy interior custom-configured with only 52 flatbed Italian leather seats that offer 6.5 feet of personal reclining space.
EXPERIENCED STAFF & CREW
Taking care of you is an exceptional 18-member team of flight crew and staff. Your experienced expedition leader and two assistant leaders manage all logistics and handle all details, making your trip hassle-free. Also flying with you are an on-board chef, photographer, two subject matter experts, and an emergency-room trained physician.
IN-FLIGHT AMENITIES
Onboard amenities include Bose noise-cancelling headsets, iPads for streaming curated content and L’Occitane products. Onboard connectivity features an enhanced in-flight presentation system, on-demand entertainment and WiFi.
Expedition Leader
Guest Services Manager
ON-TRIP EXPERT
A scholar of world religions, Paul has studied the cultural traditions practiced across Asia for decades. He has lived in Nepal and is the founder of Meet the Oceans, an educational nonprofit that explores how cultural practices and folk tales interact with local ecosystems.
ON-TRIP EXPERT
Photographer
A once in a lifetime trip is one of the best investments you can make, but as with any investment, you also want to safeguard it against the unexpected. We have partnered with Red Point Insurance to offer a best-in-class trip insurance program available exclusively to guests on our group jet expeditions. Learn more
Flying direct where possible means spending less time in the air and at airports and fewer layovers. On the ground, maximize your time in the local culture by enjoying special access to sites and fewer logistical hassles.
Selected for proximity to sights and ease of access, the properties on your trip are five-star and unique wherever possible, depending on destination remoteness or level of development.
Enjoy elevated culinary experiences in-flight and on-ground, often showcasing local flavors. We can also accommodate individual dietary preferences.
This once-in-a-lifetime trip is the perfect way to spend quality time with your partner or to treat yourself to an adventure you’ll never forget. Adults of all ages take our trips, sometimes with a companion and sometimes by themselves. You will meet fellow guests with a curiosity about the world and come away with unforgettable memories and special friendships. It can also help you memorably mark a special occasion, whether it’s an anniversary, birthday, retirement, honeymoon or other milestone.
The minimum age to take our expeditions is 12, but we will consider younger guests on a case-by-case basis.
Shortly after booking, your guest services manager will email you more details about your trip. This dedicated professional will be your main point of contact. He or she will provide you additional information leading up to your departure and is available to answer any questions via phone or email.
Prior to departure, you will receive a set of amenities for your trip. These may include a wheeled bag, a backpack, packing cubes and other useful travel items.
Our trips are a unique opportunity for like-minded travelers who are interested in learning and exploring to come together. The strong friendships forged on our trips continue long after guests return home and open the door to more travel adventures.
On expeditions with 48 or more travelers, daily activities will be divided into intimate groups of 6 to 12, so you never feel like you’re part of a crowd. On all trips, we offer numerous activity options at each destination such as: guided small-group sightseeing, curated shopping, and exclusive visits to museums and landmarks. Other examples include more active options like hikes or snorkeling, as well as unforgettable moments like an intimate guided exploration of Angkor Wat and our hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.
TCS World Travel is committed to maintaining the quality and safety of the expedition for all participants. Overall, our trips give you the freedom to set your own pace. Each destination on every itinerary offers a variety of options with different activity levels. In some, you may only be walking for short periods of time and have more downtime between excursions, while in others, you may spend the entire day touring or walking over uneven terrain. You may, of course, choose to have a day off and relax at any location.
On all our expeditions, you can expect the following:
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate participants with special needs; however, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements can be made for private touring at each destination. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the participant.
Destination Safety
Before TCS travels to any destination, we vet it for safety. We and our consultant medical advisors, Dr. Thomas Burke and the BostonMD team, closely monitor all health situations. We monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), the US Department of State, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other third-party destination experts, and are consulting with our trusted local suppliers to evaluate travel to all locations featured on our expeditions.
The beauty of private jet travel is the ease of pivoting. If we need to change an itinerary for any reason, we can use our contacts in countries worldwide to assist us with making alternate arrangements for our group. These changes could be made well in advance of arrival or even while we are in the air en-route to a given location.
On-Trip Resources
On many expeditions, a trip physician will be available to consult with you at your request about general medical health issues such as upper-respiratory infections or gastro-intestinal upsets, which are not uncommon on this type of trip. Should you become seriously ill en route, the trip physician will be able to liaise with local physicians at your request and, if necessary, your medical providers back home, to assist in determining what further care you may require.
On-Trip Activity Level
This is an active program which requires a serious health assessment. There will be walking excursions at nearly every location, and you will need to climb stairs at some of the sites, as well as when you board and disembark the aircraft. There are some airports where you will be responsible for transporting your small wheeled overnight bag. We will have some early-morning departures and late-night activities, and may travel through multiple time zones.
As part of our commitment to climate and nature action, we’ve joined our sister companies across the Travelopia Group* to partner with Blue Marine Foundation.
Our objective is to help conserve the stunning coastlines and marine life that enrich your travel experiences and help restore ocean ecosystems that are vital in tackling climate change. Together with our sister travel companies, the group intends to donate at least £1 million (roughly USD$1.25 million at current exchange rates) over three years, with an aim to support the conservation and restoration of 7,000 hectares of vital marine ecosystems through seven global projects.
*TCS World Travel is a member of the Travelopia group of travel companies which has come together to partner with Blue Marine Foundation.
Our luggage allowances are based on the type of aircraft on which the expedition is offered. On the custom Airbus A321, luggage typically is limited to two checked bags: the wheeled bag we mail you and one additional large suitcase of your own. On expeditions on smaller aircraft like the Fokker 70, guests are allowed the wheeled bag we mail you and one additional smaller bag due to weight restrictions. Bags will be stored in the hold of the jet during our flights, but you will be allowed to take your backpack and another small personal item, such as purse or camera bag, along with you in the cabin.
On many trips, a dedicated expedition staff member handles your luggage throughout the journey. In many destinations, our staff will transfer your luggage directly from the plane to your hotel room. In others, you may be required to walk your bags through customs before handing them over to our staff, but we take over from there. Secure vehicles accompanied by a dedicated expedition staff member are used to transfer luggage between the airport and the hotel on arrival and departure. Often times, your bag is in your room by the time you’re checked into the hotel.
We suggest you bring comfortable clothing that can be layered. One of your most important items is a pair of comfortable shoes for walking. Our guests generally dress up a little for the welcome and farewell dinners, but this is their choice and is certainly not required. Also, you will find slightly more formal dining options at many of the hotels where we stay. For this reason, you may want to bring a few nicer outfits. A more detailed packing list with specific clothing recommendations will be sent to you closer to the departure date. While you’re packing, please keep in mind that laundry services are available at most of our hotels. We also recommend you leave extra space in your suitcase to bring home souvenirs of your journey.
TCS World Travel is committed to safeguarding the security of its guests on every expedition. The company has implemented a set of security processes throughout the journey – from before guests depart to when they touch down in a destination. These processes have been fine-tuned over two decades and more than 300 private jet expeditions and thousands of custom trips to help ensure peace of mind for everyone involved.
All guests must have valid passports to participate in this program. Passports must be valid at least six months beyond the end date of your expedition. If visas are required for the expedition, a visa kit will be sent to you approximately between 6 and 3 months prior to departure depending on destination requirements. We work with an expediting service that helps make getting your required visas easier. Although you’re still required to fill out your visa forms and cover the application costs, they will review the application to make sure it’s complete and liaise with the necessary consulates and embassies to process your visas.
We pre-fill your customs and immigrations forms at every stop—all you have to do is sign. Where possible, our guests enjoy special privileges, such as expedited customs and immigration formalities. We may have a dedicated customs counter for our group and are occasionally allowed to go through without individual clearance.
The price of your expedition incorporates large items like the jet, hotels, transportation and meals, but it also includes many other things, such as activities, top-of-the-line guides, private dinners in restaurants, beverages and every single tip (guides, restaurants, hotel staff, drivers, etc.). In addition, we give you some “walking around money” in the local currency at each stop. We also supply you with all the bottled water you can drink all day every day. We even provide you with postcards that we mail for you—all you have to do is write.
Your expedition includes:
Your expedition does not include:
*Aircraft operated by Titan Airways Limited.
Reservation Process
To reserve your place on the Tour, you must complete and sign the Reservation Form and pay your deposit. The deposit can be made by wire transfer or by a major credit card such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card. To cover the cost of processing a credit or charge card transaction, and pursuant to applicable state regulations (including, with respect to Colorado, section 5-2-212, Colorado Revised Statutes), TCS charges a surcharge of 3.0 % for credit card payments. This surcharge is not greater than our merchant discount rate for credit card transactions and does not apply to payment via debit card, ACH or check or redemption of a gift card, or to credit card payments with a billing address in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Puerto Rico. Your place on the Tour is not reserved until the deposit and signed reservation form are both received.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your reservation or change your plans, your right to receive a refund is limited, as set forth in the trip payment schedule. All cancellations will become effective as of the date of the postmark or email receipt. All requests for refunds must be sent to TCS World Travel in writing via mail, fax or email.
If you are traveling solo and prefer the privacy of your own room, you will be charged a solo traveler supplement. This ensures that individual travelers will get the same type and size rooms as our double occupancy travelers.
The Jet tour is operated by TCS World Travel, dedicated to delivering immersive, worry-free travel experiences for the globally curious and modern luxury traveler. The aircraft is operated by Titan Airways, an IOSA-certified airlines with over 30 years of experience in bespoke air charter travel.
We strongly recommend purchasing insurance to protect your travel investment. We offer a best-in-class trip insurance program available exclusively to guests on our group jet expeditions. Our program provides unique benefits that you won’t find anywhere else in the insurance market, including:
Our insurance program also includes these additional benefits for your peace of mind:
If you would like a personalized quote, or have any questions about our insurance program, please contact our Guest Relations team at 800.454.4149.
Global health institutions like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now categorizing COVID-19 as an endemic disease, similar to other infectious diseases we live with daily. In response to this changing global scenario, most countries have now relaxed or dropped their COVID-19 vaccine and testing regulations – so TCS has adapted our policy as well.
Choose Private Custom Travel if our group jet expeditions aren’t quite what you’re looking for. You pick the dates and destinations, and we plan and execute every last detail for you. We are your one-stop resource for all kinds of personalized luxury trips using private jets or commercial airlines.
Great itinerary, great expedition team, great plane and crew, wonderful accommodations and exceptional service throughout makes for the Best of Africa.