Award-winning adventure tour operator Tucan Travel has launched 40 new tours in East and Southern Africa. The tours range from 9 to 73 days and offer travellers the chance to experience stunning national parks, amazing wildlife viewing opportunities and urban highlights of the popular Nairobi to Cape Town route. The new Africa tours will operate from March 2011 and any bookings made 6 months before departure will qualify for a 5% early booking discount.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - September 2nd, 2010 - Award-winning adventure tour operator Tucan Travel has launched 40 new tours in East and Southern Africa. The tours range from 9 to 73 days and offer travellers the chance to experience stunning national parks, amazing wildlife viewing opportunities and urban highlights of the popular Nairobi to Cape Town route. The new Africa tours will operate from March 2011 and any bookings made 6 months before departure will qualify for a 5% early booking discount.

The tours include most park entry fees, transport and accommodation. Most departures in 2011 and 2012 are guaranteed, which means they will not be cancelled for lack of participation. There are also no local payments or kitties to pay on arrival and no compulsory single supplements for solo travellers as clients are paired up with travellers of the same gender.

Tucan Travel general manager UK & Europe Bec Whiffin said the new Africa tours were developed based on a combination of market research and customer feedback and were designed to include the highlights and hidden gems of each country.

“Feedback from direct enquiries and travel agents has shown us that many travellers would love to explore Africa with us, but very few have the time to commit to a lengthy overland tour. As a result of that, we have created 16 tours which are 21 days duration or shorter. Africa is an awe-inspiring continent and these tours will give more travellers the opportunity to spot the Big 5 and the great migration, meet a mountain gorilla face-to-face, climb the huge sand dunes of Namibia, relax on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, bungee jump over the Nile and explore Cape Town’s amazing markets, among many other amazing experiences,” Ms Whiffin said.

New Overland Expeditions will operate from March 2011, travelling in groups of 15-24 (max 34) on the most modern, comfortable vehicles in the continent and staying established campsites and hotels. Overland Expeditions offer travellers a chance to experience East and Southern Africa in comfort and security, with the peace of mind of travelling with experienced tour leaders and professional drivers.

For travellers who prefer more comfort and less camping, Discovery Tours are the perfect solution. Operating in southern Africa from June 2011, Discovery Tours stay in hotels and guesthouses, with short stays in pre-erected campsites in national parks. Discovery Tours also travel on Tucan Travel’s privately owned, professionally engineered, spacious expedition vehicles in groups of 15-24 (max 34).

For added convenience, the Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve and gorilla trekking permits are now included in the tour price (as applicable), but can be deducted on request at the time of booking if a traveller would prefer not to take part in these excursions.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS
Established in 1987, Tucan Travel was voted Small Tour Operator of the Year in the British Travel Awards 2009. With a passion for authentic adventures, we offer hundreds of high quality, affordable and exciting escorted group tours, Independent Travel packages and Expedition Cruises to destinations worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, Asia & Russia, East & Southern Africa, Latin America & Antarctica. Our Africa programme has been operating since 2008. Tucan Travel is fully bonded with the AITO Trust UK and Travel Compensation Fund of Australia.

LEAD IN PRICE - DISCOVERY TOURS
Vic Falls & Delta – 9 days – Johannesburg to Livingstone
Witness the wild highlights of southern Africa on this exciting tour of three fabulous countries. Starting in the urban metropolis of Johannesburg, we head for Chobe National Park with its incredible diversity of animal life and impressive elephant population. Gliding silently around Africa’s biggest wetland in a traditional canoe, your lenses will be quickly filled with amazing animal sightings. Camp under the stars in the middle of the Okavango Delta and enjoy the sounds of Africa around you.
Price: £960
Countries visited: South Africa, Botswana & Zambia
First departure: 16 July 2011 (guaranteed)
http://www.tucantravel.com/tour/vic-falls-and-delta/fdv/

Inclusions:
Accommodation: 6 nights in hotels & guesthouses, 2 nights camping
Meals: Most meals included
Excursions: Okavango Delta, Chobe NP
Transport: Tucan Travel vehicle, 4WD, boat, on foot

Not included: International flights, pre and post tour accommodation, tips, taxes, visas, spending money, optional excursions, personal items.

LEAD IN PRICES - OVERLAND EXPEDITIONS
Garden Route – 11 days – Cape Town to Johannesburg
The scenic stretch of the coastline known as the Garden Route is a truly beautiful area of South Africa. During this thrilling overland expedition there is time to discover the dramatic landscapes, waterfalls and indigenous forests of the Tsitsikamma wilderness area, then delve into the underground wonderland of the Cango Caves and enjoy a safari at Addo Elephant National Park. Travelling through the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho and the rugged Drakensberg mountains, we end on the Highveld in Johannesburg.

Price: £480
Countries visited: South Africa & Lesotho
First departure: 27 March 2011 (guaranteed)
http://www.tucantravel.com/tour/garden-route/fgd/

Included:
Accommodation: 90% camping, 10% hostels
Meals: Most meals while camping, lunches when travelling on Tucan Travel vehicle
Excursions: Cango Caves, Garden Route NP, Addo Elephant NP
Transport: Tucan Travel vehicle, 4WD, boat, on foot

Not included: International flights, pre and post tour accommodation, tips, taxes, visas, spending money, optional excursions, personal items.

###