History of Abercrombie & Kent
For more than forty five years, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has been internationally recognized as the first name in luxury adventure travel. Born in 1962 as a safari outfitter, Abercrombie & Kent's unparalleled travel and tour operations now extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. Travel with Abercrombie & Kent combines the convenience, service and security of a U.S.-based company, with support 24/7 from a network of 62 on-site offices that ensure "by invitation only" access in A&K's personalized, low-profile and intelligent style.
Since "the perfect holiday" is a subtle and very personal concept, A&K offers an impressive and enticingly varied choice of luxury and adventure holidays. Small group escorted journeys allow guests to confidently travel to places they might otherwise hesitate to go on their own, with a choice of itineraries at varying levels of luxury. Value-priced Discovery programs include the essentials for a relaxing holiday: an expert guide, a small group (just 18 to 24) and accommodations at the best four- and five-star hotels en route. Luxurious Connoisseurs travel features five-star hotels with the best available rooms below suite level, often with exceptional views. Adventurous Explorer travel is far off the beaten path, with unusual accommodations in remote and ordinarily quite inaccessible destinations. Family Holidays are tailored to the interests, attention spans and abilities of all ages, with comfortable hotels and comforting meals, and, most importantly, a friendly guide who understands children. Signature Series is a portfolio of A&K's most requested itineraries, including the best hotels and the services of a private driver/guide. Tailor Made Private Travel is completely customized, with meticulous attention to detail, safety and customer service.
Described by the Los Angeles Times as "a highly respected company dedicated to conservation and environmentally intelligent tourism," Abercrombie & Kent was featured by Robb Report in "Icons and Innovators Who Define Excellence" and chosen as one of the "World's Best" by Travel + Leisure and National Geographic Adventure. A&K has long been the choice of travel professionals: voted "World's Best Tour Operator – Luxury" by Travel Weekly; "Best Worldwide Tour Operator" by Porthole and "World's Best Cruises and Tours" by LuxuryLink, along with "Best Tour Operator Africa/Middle East" by Recommend and TravelAge West.
Geoffrey Kent was born while his British parents were on safari in Zambia. Indeed, he spent much of his childhood on the African continent. In 1962, he founded Abercrombie & Kent with his parents, Colonel John and Valerie Kent. In the 1970s, he entered into partnership with Jorie Ford Butler of Oak Brook, Illinois to expand the business. They continue to travel the world in search of adventures that will surprise and thrill their guests. Under their passionate and visionary guidance — Geoffrey Kent serves as Chairman and CEO, Jorie Butler Kent as Vice Chairman — Abercrombie & Kent represents the uncompromising best at every turn in the road.
Further distinguishing Abercrombie & Kent is the fact that the company owns luxury safari lodges in pristine wilderness areas, including Chief's Camp and Chobe Chilwero in Botswana (featured in Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure); exclusive rights to camps with some of Africa's finest game-viewing; a fleet of well-maintained ground transport vehicles; and the Sun Boats on the Nile, considered by Opinionated Traveler as "Cadillacs of the waterways, offering cleanliness, comfort and excellent food and service," and the first five-star boutique cruise ship in China, Yangzi Explorer. A&K also creates memorable travel experiences built around the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Royal Scotsman trains, The Road to Mandalay river cruiser and 35 canal and river cruisers on Europe's picturesque waterways.
A deep-rooted concern for the natural world infuses each and every Abercrombie & Kent journey: Geoffrey Kent and Jorie Butler Kent believe passionately in adventures that both respect the natural environment and benefit indigenous peoples. With a philosophy that is governed in equal parts by this unswerving commitment to conservation and a mission to provide "memories of a lifetime," A&K goes to seemingly limitless lengths to design travel that offers privileged access and cultural insights.
Among the prominent personalities who have "gone away with A&K" are James Brolin, Michael Crichton, Kristin Davis, Bill Gates, John Grisham, Tom Hanks, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Goldie Hawn, Lauren Hutton, Sharon Lawrence, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, Rachael Ray, Diane Sawyer, Jane Seymour, Barbara Walters, Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey.
Complimentary destination planning guides -- with suggested day-by-day itineraries, maps, weather charts, visa and health requirements -- are available on line at www.abercrombiekent.com or by calling (800) 554-7094.
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