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Dragoman, one of the world’s most respected and reputable adventure travel operators, is launching 30 new trips in its 2012 brochure, out at the end of November.
The company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year (2011), is now the only major UK operator to offer overland trips to Georgia, Malaysia (and Singapore), Mongolia and Morocco, and several more countries in West Africa including Angola, The Congo, DRC and Gabon – destinations new to the company for 2012.
As a result of adding these new West Africa destinations to complement Dragoman’s existing comprehensive South, East and North Africa portfolio, travellers will now be able to overland around almost the entire African continent, from Casablanca to Cape Town, Cape Town to Cairo.
Dragoman is also launching a new range of ‘in-depth’ Africa overland adventures in response to customer feedback. "Customers have told us they want the option of experiencing overlanding ‘like it used to be", says Charlie Hopkinson, Dragoman’s Managing Director. "You could say that we’re going back to our roots," he adds. Customers can now choose from classic ‘standard’ overland routes, many of which were pioneered by Dragoman, and more immersive adventures (with additional inclusions) operated at a more considered, relaxed pace.
The soaring popularity of Nile adventures, Central Asia and China trips has led the company to significantly increase its departures there.
The 2012 brochure is also previewing trips to be launched in 2013, including a truly epic overland journey of almost 10,000 miles from Anchorage to Ushuaia. It’s anticipated that the North America section will see overlanders’ swap the usual purpose-built Mercedes Benz 4WD trucks for a specially adapted iconic American school bus. As well as journeying through North America, Canada and Mexico, the company will be launching new trips through Central America, from Mexico City to Antigua, Antigua to Panama City from where travellers will join trips already operated by the company, overlanding down the entire South American continent to Ushuaia at its southern-most tip.
As well as showcasing 30 new trips in its 2012 brochure, Dragoman, a company which has always been committed to offering responsible, sustainable and culturally immersive ‘grass-roots’ adventure, has increased the number of homestays it uses (everything from gers, yurts and traditional local homes) by over 50%, in Asia, Africa and South America.
The company has also invested significantly into building new trucks and refurbishing others in its 24 strong fleet for the start of 2012, with plans for further improvements during the year, to optimise customer comfort and safety.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
