At its 100 Club event in Chicago last month, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) unveiled a series of new product updates, property openings and brand expansions planned for 2026 and beyond.
Here’s a look at what's new and upcoming.
A&K Sanctuary Expansion
A&K Sanctuary, the company’s collection of luxury retreats, currently includes 13 safari lodges and camps across Africa’s national parks, as well as six riverboats sailing the Nile and the Amazon. Most recently, the company expanded into South America with the launch of a riverboat in Peru.
Kitirua Plains Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Set to open June 1, Kitirua Plains Lodge marks A&K’s return to Kenya’s Amboseli region, the birthplace of the company, where Geoffrey Kent pioneered the luxury safari experience in 1962.
Located on a 123-acre private concession bordering Amboseli National Park, the 13-suite lodge offers views of Mount Kilimanjaro, front-row access to one of Africa's largest elephant populations and organically designed standalone suites.
Nile Seray, an A&K Sanctuary
In late 2026, Nile Seray, an A&K Sanctuary riverboat, will become the newest and most sophisticated vessel in the brand’s Nile fleet.
Designed for 64 guests across 32 suites, the riverboat features 355-square-foot entry-level suites, each including floor-to-ceiling windows and waterside Juliet balconies.
Guests will also have access to Egypt’s most coveted archaeological sites, such as the tombs of Nefertari, Seti I, Ramses VI and King Tutankhamun.
Utah Desert Retreat, an A&K Sanctuary
A&K Sanctuary is also expanding into the American West with a luxury retreat in Moab, Utah, which is set to launch in 2027.
Located near Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the 40-guest property includes standalone one- and two-bedroom suites set among dramatic canyons and private trails.
Gorilla Forest Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda reopened in summer 2025 following a complete renovation designed to better harmonize the property with its natural surroundings.
This eco-conscious, 10-suite property is known for its wildlife encounters, with gorillas frequently visiting the lodge. Forest rangers also help ensure gorilla sightings for travelers on every trek.
The lodge also plays a role in conservation efforts, as every stay funds A&K Philanthropy (AKP) projects that support and conserve local communities, wildlife and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary
Launched in summer 2025, Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary riverboat, offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries through Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary riverboat, features 12 suites, a top deck, a gym and more.
Credit: 2026 A&K Sanctuary c/o Damian RussellThe vessel features 12 suites and cabins with windows for panoramic views, along with a spa pool on the top deck, wellness space, a gym, a lounge and a restaurant serving local and international dishes.
Baines’ Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, Botswana
Baines’ Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary property in Botswana’s UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, has also reopened following an extensive redesign.
With only six suites perched above the Boro River, it is the smallest and most intimate property in A&K’s portfolio.
Located within a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, the lodge is raised on stilts and connected by wooden walkways. Open-plan spaces defined by columns rather than walls create seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors, framing views of the Okavango Delta.
A&K x Crystal Cruises
A&K is partnering with sister brand Crystal Cruises to launch a new chapter of cultural voyages onboard Crystal’s ships.
The collaboration begins with a pilot program in August 2026, featuring A&K’s acclaimed cultural cruises onboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.
The inaugural 12-day Mediterranean voyage from Rome to Venice accommodates 50 guests before expanding to 125 guests in 2027. The voyages will feature A&K’s Expedition Team, included shore excursions and exclusive accommodations in Crystal’s Sapphire Veranda Suites.
The itinerary includes two nights of sightseeing in Rome, with pre- and post-cruise extensions available.
A&K Private Jet Journeys
A&K’s Private Jet Journeys combine exclusive access with a fully customized private jet that features lie-flat seating, a dedicated crew and an onboard tour director.
A&K's Private Jet Journeys offer itineraries that include around-the-world expeditions.
Credit: 2026 Chris LeipeltUpcoming itineraries include around-the-world expeditions linking destinations such as the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Mozambique and Portugal, as well as nature-led journeys through Fiji, Australia, the Seychelles, Brazil and Costa Rica.
A&K Philanthropy
AKP, the nonprofit arm of the company, focuses on education, enterprise, health and environmental initiatives. Today, the organization operates in 24 countries across all seven continents, impacting lives and helping preserve some of the world’s ecosystems.
AKP continues to grow rapidly, with donations increasing from $2.7 million in 2024 to $3.3 million in 2025.
Since 2017, the nonprofit has distributed 966 LifeStraw filters and implemented the Safe Water for Schools Initiative in India, Kenya, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia. AKP has also drilled 2,065 wells with 16,840 beneficiaries, delivered 11 containers for Project C.U.R.E. and distributed 23,007 bikes since 2015. The organization currently operates five bicycle shops in Egypt, Jordan, Uganda and Zambia, two of which are women-owned enterprises.
Project highlights include:
Galapagos
In partnership with sister brand Ecoventura, AKP is launching an education initiative in the Galapagos that will allow every 12-year-old on the islands to join a structured program focused on ocean awareness, conservation and swimming.
Led by Galapagos naturalists, the initiative aims to deepen local children's knowledge of marine ecosystems and the role conservation-led tourism plays.
“One of the most exciting partnerships in the new AKTG is Ecoventura,” said Justin Dolan, travel advisor and director of sales at CTA Travel. “They are showcasing the Galapagos in a completely new way of luxury, built around their ‘Perfect Match’ program, which puts together travelers of specific interests and abilities for a more enjoyable experience."
Uganda
AKP continues to support schools, clean-water projects and community facilities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, while also funding local enterprises including bicycle and bead workshops.
Just minutes from Gorilla Forest Lodge sits Uganda Nursing School Bwindi (UNSB), an institution that’s training the next generation of healthcare professionals in one of Uganda’s most remote regions.
Guests staying at Gorilla Forest Lodge can visit the campus through special-access experiences that include meetings with students and instructors, tours of training labs and insights into how sustainable education initiatives in rural settings are shaping health outcomes.
A&K can also arrange visits to remote schools bordering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the Kisoro side of the park that are supported by AKP. This experience offers travelers the opportunity to connect with teachers and students while learning about life at the edge of one of the world’s most important ecosystems.
