For those craving a truly unique and unforgettable holiday experience, escape to the exotic East African plains and immerse yourself in the culture and wildlife of the region with Crystal Yacht Cruises. The company has scheduled more than 10 voyages aboard the luxurious Crystal Esprit yacht setting sail from the Seychelles in 2017, and is offering guests the prospect of enhancing their trip with an exclusive safari adventure.

Organised and helmed by Crystal’s team of experts, the company’s renowned “Extended Land Programmes”, involving multi-night excursions that bring travellers deeper into a destination, presents for its 2017 Seychelles calendar, a post-cruise four-day safari through East Africa. The trip immerses travellers within the natural splendour of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, and includes game drives bringing Crystal guests into the habitats of the reserve’s vast population of Masai lions, Tanzanian cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and other magnificent animals that call the plains their home. Guests will also learn about the animals’ hunting, playing, grooming, and social habits in a carefully guided tour by an expert director from acclaimed safari operator Micato Safaris. An optional hot air balloon journey over the Mara Plain provides a grand perspective of the spectacular landscape below, a magical experience made more special by a lift-off illuminated by the region’s famous colourful sunrise. The programme also offers a more intimate engagement of the region’s cultural heritage, with guests paying a personal visit to Maasai Village. In their interaction with the local village residents, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about Maasai history and are also encouraged to participate in traditional singing and dancing.

“Our Extended Land Programs are an excellent way to seamlessly continue one’s luxury vacation ashore while still enjoying the Crystal attention to detail and seeing to all arrangements,” says Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s president and CEO. With a base fare of USD 3,495 per person, though prices are subject to change depending on the type of air transportation selected, the Crystal Esprit safari land programme includes: three-night luxury accommodations at the Norfolk Hotel and the Fairmont Mara Safari Club; air transportation from Victoria, Mahé, to Nairobi and up to two scheduled flights during the excursion; welcome amenities and gifts; game drive equipment and flight kits; and all gratuities to hotel staff and Micato Safari guides. The hot air balloon excursion comes at an additional cost, and guests are reminded that a Kenyan visa must be secured prior to arrival.

Setting sail from Mahé, Crystal’s 2017 round-trip Seychelles voyages also call in at pristine island destinations throughout the Indian Ocean, including St. Anne Island, Cousin Island, Praslin, La Passe, la Digue, Laraie Bay/Curieuse Island, Aride, and Big Sister Island. “Book Now” cruise fares start at USD 3,240 per person until the 31st of October. An inclusive pre-cruise land program in Dubai is also available for the voyages.

Crystal Cruises is the “World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line,” having earned more “World’s Best” accolades than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history. Crystal Cruises has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 22 years; has been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 consecutive years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Virtuoso for two-consecutive years (2014 & 2015). In the summer of 2015, Crystal embarked on a significant brand expansion, introducing three new classes of cruising, the recently launched Crystal Yacht Cruises (December 2015), Crystal River Cruises (July 2016), Crystal Exclusive Class Ocean Cruises (Fall 2019), Crystal Luxury Air (April 2016) and Crystal AirCruises (2017).

For more information: www.crystalcruises.com /  www.mirarmarexpress.hk / email: mecruises@miramarexpress.hk

this story was first published in Yacht Style