The 12 Days of Kusini Festive Season

All of us at The Kusini Collection are wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season! In the spirit of celebrating the season, we’ve put our spin on things by creating a list of the ’12 Days of Kusini Festive Season’ – a compilation of some of the innovative and transformative new travel experiences for your travelers from our partners.

1. 1. On the first day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…A brand new Kusini website – Our beautiful new website will launch in January and will have more features for agents like fact sheets, easier access to itineraries, rates, photos and videos, and more! Many thanks to those who participated in our 2017 survey on how we can better serve you.
   2. On the second day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Two new glamping experiences in Guatemala – Maya Trails‘ new four day trek from Antigua to Lake Atitlan gives guests the chance to explore everything from the highest ridge lines surrounded by volcanoes, to trails ambling through highlands, rivers, plantations and coffee fincas. Evenings bring fireside chef-prepared meals, followed by deep sleep in high-tech tents with real queen size beds. Those looking for a lighter glamping experience can opt for Maya Trails’ two day, one night option.
   3. On the third day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…A three hour canoeing trip in Rwanda – Classic Africa Safaris is excited about a new half day canoeing safari near Virunga NP. Your clients will enjoy birdwatching, soaking up incredible views, learning about the local flora and fauna, and engaging with local communities. Kids from 7 and up are welcome – there are no hippos or crocs in the water.
   4. On the fourth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Four new Colossus tents on Espiritu Santo for multi-day kayaking trips – Todos Santos Eco Adventures is taking the adventures they offer in the Sea of Cortez up a notch! Guests camp on several of the island´s beautiful beaches in walk-in Colossus tents with 6 windows, comfortable cots, sleeping bags and real pillows. The on-site chef makes wonderful meals every day and puts on a great happy hour! Stays are ‘as you wish’ with kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming with sea lions, and bird watching; investigating hidden lagoons and deserted beaches; along with swimming, stargazing, and so much more! Adding on a few nights at Camp Cecil is a nice way to finish.
   5. On the fifth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…A stay five/pay four special at The Manta Resort – As though having a little slice of paradise on Pemba Island wasn’t enough, The Manta Resort is offering a new stay five/pay four (or stay 8/pay 6!) special from March 1 – December 20, 2018 (Underwater Room not included). That means extra time for your clients to disconnect – to enjoy sunshine, camaraderie, gently lapping waves, amazing food, beautiful underwater adventures, and of course – to soak in Kwanini culture.
   6. On the sixth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Six days it used to take to reach St. Helena from Cape Town – But not anymore! New Frontiers has ‘tamed the winds’ on the journey to St. Helena, as direct flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg are now offered to the remote and rugged island in the South Atlantic. Guests on New Frontiers’ ‘Discover St. Helena‘ itinerary will discover culture and history, incredible marine life, dramatic scenery just begging to be explored and more. And don’t forget Longwood House – Napoleon’s residence, which is now a museum (though it took him 10 weeks’ at sea to get to St. Helena when he was banished there in 1815!).
   7. On the seventh day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Seven extra years in Ethiopia and a new boutique lodge in Lalibela – In case you’ve forgotten, Ethiopia is on a 13 month calendar, giving you seven years back when you visit (so yes – they just ushered in the new year – 2010 – back in September). We feel younger every time we go! Travel Ethiopia is also excited to announce that the beautiful new Mezena Lodge in Lalibela is fully operational. The hotel is set within 17 acres of land, is eco-friendly, and is raising the accommodation standard in Lalibela.
   8. On the eighth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Eight tents at Ultimate’s new Sossus Under Canvas – Located on the private 24,000 hectare reserve bordering Sossusveli, Ultimate Safaris‘ new Sossus Under Canvas camp is just thirty minutes’ drive from the Sossusvlei gate. The camp will open in April 2018, and will be bookable on an exclusive basis with a two night minimum between April and November. Two of the camp’s eight tents are suitable for families, and a stay six/pay five special is available when combined with //Huab Under Canvas.
   9. On the ninth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…A nine night/ten day cycling safari from Kili to Natron – for your keen cycling clients, Albatros East Africa has developed a fantastic cycling safari that allows an exploration of Kilimanjaro’s slopes, through forests and savannas, past volcanoes and soda lakes and more – all via pedal power. Days distances covered range from 26 – 72 kms, and evenings are spent in comfortable camps and lodges. It’s a totally new way to experience Tanzania and some of its iconic spots.
   10. On the tenth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…A ten course tasting menu at Elements in Quito – Get ready for Quito’s most sophisticated dining experience! Tropic Ecuador has let us in on the soon-to-be-out secret of Elements – a new popup restaurant in Quito’s Cumbaya suberb. Chef Alvaro Reinoso is the first in a line of celebrity chefs whipping up amazing food that showcases Ecuador’s superb agricultural offerings. Dinner makes for a perfect last stop before a late flight, but real gourmands should consider a cooking class or a market tour.
   11. On the eleventh day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Eleven tents at Bomani with the addition of the new Sable Family Suite – Family travelers can rejoice in the splendid new digs at Imvelo Safari Lodges‘ Bomani Tented Lodge. The Sable Family Suite accommodates families in style and elbow-room comfort. The 2 bedroom, 2 bath suite (complete with outdoor showers!) accommodates up to six when extra beds are added. It’s perfect for families or small groups, and guests can take advantage of all that Bomani has to offer, including its new plunge pool!
   12. On the twelfth day of Kusini Festive, our Collection gave to you…Twelve days experiencing what pura vida feels like in Costa Rica – Costa Rica Sun Tours’ new itinerary explores three of Costa Rica‘s adventure jewels – rafting the Pacuare river, experiencing the new family-owned Isla Chiquita glamping getaway and exploring the cloud forest of Monteverde. Complete with CRST special experiences, like home-hosted meals, best guides in the country, and many special surprises! CRST also offers an eight day option for those seeking pura vida but facing time challenges!