Going, Going, GO: A&K To Auction Holidays Online

For all those fellow travelers out there seeking some excitement and spontaneity–as well as a bargain–Abercrombie & Kent is offering a “once in a lifetime” one-day sale auctioning holidays online with up to 60 per cent off selected trips. The action begins at 10am (AEST – that’s Australian Eastern Time) on Wednesday, April 29, and finishes at 4pm on the same day or when sold out. And therein lies part of the catch – this opportunity was run several months ago on A&K’s American website and is no longer available there. However, we’ve discovered a similar opportunity being offered on their Australian site, and since winners are responsible for their airfare, it really doesn’t  matter if you come from Down Under or Uptown Manhattan.  Similar to ebay or Luxury Link, every hour the price drops further, giving you control of the price of your booking. Availability is strictly limited, so use your gambler’s instinct and be ready to pounce on the best price. (Who knew booking a trip could be so exciting). Starting prices are definitely in the luxe category, ranging from $10,485 to $18,995 (AUS$).

Three trips will be on offer: A cruise in Western Australia’s Kimberley region; an independent journey through South Africa, Botswana and Zambia; and a tour of Egypt by land and water. Each trip includes a bespoke A&K itinerary chock full of sightseeing experiences and luxury accommodation.

Those seeking outback adventure can cruise the King George River and enjoy an ever-changing panorama of spectacular gorges, indigenous rock art, majestic waterfalls, and extraordinary wildlife, with an on-board naturalist to guide you. Guests are welcome to throw a line off the side of the boat and fish for ‘barra’ (barramundi) or stop to view the “Bradshaws” – ancient rock art considered to be the oldest drawings known to man. Other activities include a remote heli-picnic and tour of the Mitchell Falls while dining on ‘black-lipped’ oysters. And if watching the crocs in the mangroves and billabongs on the Hunter River proves too much for your nerves, opt for a visit to a Kailis pearl farm off Winyalkin Island instead, or just sit quietly under Phillip Parker King’s famous boab tree.

In Africa, get up close and personal with the big five–elephants, lions, rhino, buffalo and leopard–on a game drive or guided walk. If being on the ground is too confronting, take a light aircraft flight over the Okavango Delta with its sprawling network of lagoons and channels, and view the herds of elephants and buffalo from above. Don’t miss the river trip to Victoria Falls for a chance to view the source of the Nile that eluded Burton, Livingstone and Speke for so long.

In Egypt, take a leisurely grand tour of the pyramids and tombs in Giza and visit the Sphinx. Explore the Valley of the Kings and Queens and watch the other end of the Nile unfurl from the comfort of your luxury Nile cruiser. Bon chance!