“This is why we travel!”
It’s a phrase I hear probably once a day, if not more — I’ve joined one of Abercrombie & Kent’s around-the-world private jet tours, and it’s a statement made with gusto by numerous guests on the trip, usually during a particularly spectacular moment. The journey I’ve joined, Africa: Across a Continent by Private Jet, sees a maximum of 48 travelers embark on a three-week-long voyage covering Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa, Benin and Morocco.
Day One
I land in Benin, West Africa, but long before I’ve set foot on the continent, Abercrombie & Kent does a grand job at building excitement. A few weeks before I fly, I receive a branded box containing a sand-colored duffle bag and a safari hat ready for the trip (the duffle bag is used for a night in the Sahara — more on that later). Not many stones are left unturned: I’m provided with a thorough packing list and all the requirements that need to be sorted prior to departure (vaccines, visas, etc.), but an A&K representative checks in to make sure I’m on track, so these chores need not be handled alone.
Upon arriving in Benin late at night, I’m ushered straight into my suite at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa — check-ins are all taken care of — for a good night’s sleep. The following day, we explore historic sites like the Sacred Forest and Ganvie, and uncover why this area of West Africa is known as ‘Venice of Africa.’
That evening, we gather in the hotel for a barbecue — succulent lamb and kebabs — and don boubous (traditional Benin attire). I mingle with the guests and notice very quickly that I am sticking out like a sore thumb; they have been traveling together for two weeks at this point and have become remarkably close. The group is relatively small, so they all know each other well at this point and their comfortable camaraderie is apparent.
Day Two
The following morning, I catch my first glimpse of the A&K jet — a customized Boeing 757. There are 50 lie-flat leather seats in a two-by-two configuration, and guests tend to have the same seat for the entire duration of the trip (but naturally hop around the jet to socialize and sip champagne in the sky). Guests can also fill the jet with any weird and wonderful souvenirs from the trip — I’m told there are crates of wine from South Africa on board and, soon, rugs from Marrakech will be stowed away.
We are flying to Morocco, and the excitement is palpable — I hear many guests commenting about how this is the part of the trip that they’ve been most excited about. At Errachidia Airport, we hop in a fleet of black 4x4s and make our way into the Sahara for some serious off-roading through the vast sandy expanse — the slipping and skidding of the vehicles through the sand elicits yelps of delight from myself and my fellow passengers. We soon spot other camps dotted throughout the Sahara, but A&K’s campsite is movable, so it can always be hidden away from other tourists (sometimes, a ‘decoy’ camp is even set up to ensure total privacy).
But we aren’t going to arrive at our camp by 4×4 — instead, with our heads wrapped in shawls to protect from the sun and sand, we mount a flock of camels and are led deeper into the desert to the campsite.
In an utterly surreal setting, the Berber-style tents are dotted along a sand dune with a central communal tent and a bar tent, with a pathway of twinkling lanterns and Berber rugs scattered between. Inside each surprisingly spacious tent is a comfy double bed (with a heated blanket for those cold desert nights) and a hand-held shower, toilet and sink.
We gather at the bar tent and guests are dotted around the camp — there are plenty of cozy spots to relax, with free-flowing Dom Perignon, all illuminated by those flickering lanterns. As the sun begins to streak the sky a shocking shade of pink, we are collectively mesmerized by the view.
The firepit is lit and a traditional dance by Gnaoua tribesmen takes place; many of the guests join in and dance around the fire before we retreat to the dining tent for a traditional Moroccan feast of chicken tagine (and more champagne). With the sky now pitch-black and the stars and galaxies above astonishingly clear, we join an expert astronomer to learn more about the heavens above.
Day Three
The following morning, we all wake with the sun to watch it rise over the dunes and create another awe-inspiring scene; the dunes glow orange and look suitably Mars-esque. We hop back into the 4x4s to leave the desert and fly on to our next destination — Marrakech.
In between each destination, the crew on board the jet change their attire to match the location — and even pick up gifts for each guest, which are handed out during the flight.
In Marrakech, we are staying at one of the city’s most famous hotels — the Oberoi Marrakech. My villa has its own swimming pool and a pretty Moroccan courtyard and, even in the cooler early Spring months, I still find myself napping under the sun on the lounge chair. Most guests relax for the evening — visiting the gym, getting spa treatments and dining at one of the three restaurants.
Day Four
As with the rest of the trip, guests can do as little or as much as they want — on the agenda today is a trip to the bustling Djemaa el-Fna Square (guided, of course; as anyone who’s ever visited before knows, the labyrinth of stalls is seemingly never-ending) and a visit to Jardin Majorelle — a vibrant botanical garden and cultural landmark with a rich history and deep ties to the legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Tonight is the last evening of the trip, and a surprise is promised. We are led by horsemen to Palm Grove (a palm oasis of several hundred thousand trees outside of Marrakech) where A&K’s private camp awaits — we’re greeted by camels, including a baby, and hundreds of flickering tea lights illuminate the path. Inside, there’s a sumptuous dining tent, a bar and a hookah tent, all forming a crescent shape around a central ring.
As we sip drinks around the firepits, a mysterious cloaked figure on horseback begins weaving through the crowd and takes to the ring — we are treated to a display of incredible showmanship, as horse and trainer put on a captivating show. We sit down to a Moroccan dinner (complete with dessert shaped like a traditional fez hat) before fire-breathers (yes, really) begin a hair-raising performance that concludes with a grand finale — a sign that reads ‘best trip ever’ is set alight, much to yelps of delight from the guests.
Day Five
Throughout the trip I’m constantly aware of the bond between the guests — and as we board the jet to fly back to London, one woman announces that she and her husband have booked another of A&K’s private jet tours for 2026, and she encourages others to book the same trip for a reunion in the sky. It does seem that doing a once-in-a-lifetime trip just once is not quite enough.
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From $149,950 per person. Contact Victoria Manuel, vice president, sales and reservations, usaprivatejet@abercrombiekent.com, +1 844 304 6779
