The new programme, launching in June, will offer expeditions covering southern Africa ranging from four to 46 days, with many including stops in Swaziland and Lesotho.
Other highlights of the new offerings include the seven-day Kruger, Swazi & Beach package starting from £325pp, containing a Big Five game drive in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a river cruise from the coastal town of St Lucia in Natal, a tour of the Hluhluwe game reserve and an opportunity to mountain bike through Swaziland’s Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
Also on offer is the 19-day Kruger to Cape Town expedition from £825pp, giving holidaymakers the chance to drive through the Drakensberg Mountains (pictured), explore South Africa’s historic battlefields – including a guided tour of Rorke’s Drift – and visit a Lesothian shepherd village.
Arno Delport, sales and marketing manager at Acacia Africa, said the new itineraries would offer travellers the chance to experience a lesser-visited part of the continent.
“Both Lesotho and Swaziland are difficult to reach, even by private hire vehicles, so it’s an ideal landscape for tour operators. The roadways are particularly hard to navigate and they are often in poor condition,” he said.
“Logistically it makes sense for clients to book themselves on organised tours so the launch of our new expeditions is well timed and good news for agents. Both locations are rarely visited, even by neighbouring South Africans. The destinations offer unrivalled opportunities for adventure and both countries have realised the potential of community tourism.”
Delport added that the new tours would “bolster what are already strong sales for South Africa”.
“Over the last five years sterling has doubled in value against the rand and the budget-friendly destination appeals to our core market of youth travellers,” he said.
