Africa Made Accessible

Travelers pining to go but unwilling to rough it can explore the continent via package deals with a taste of poshness and wildlife, too

As a luxury destination, Africa offers an array of choices ranging from far out to familiar. Certainly, the continent's unique and relatively untouristed natural attractions -- vast savannas and deserts, undiscovered tropical beaches, and dense humid jungles housing stocks of rare and exotic wildlife -- make it an automatic favorite for sophisticated travelers in search of adventure.

But Africa also boasts modern cities with modern luxuries: world-class golf courses, high-end spas, stylish resorts, and swank country lodges.

LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS. Of course, visiting Africa can pose a challenge. The continent encompasses nearly 60 countries in various states of economic and political development, and hundreds of disparate cultures and languages. Many locations -- luxury or not -- are accessible only by chartered plane.

Travel itineraries tend to get complicated -- and costly -- thanks to a lack of infrastructure and the vagaries of multiple border crossings. In the luxury market, however, travel operators such as TCS Expeditions have put together private jet tours that allow well-heeled adventurers the opportunity to visit a broad swath of the continent's sights in one seamless package.

Compiled by Justin McLean

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McLean is a producer for BusinessWeek Online in New York

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