Award-winning tour operator presents 2008 holiday highlights including an exclusive new South Africa eco-trip.

Somak Holidays (www.somak.co.uk), is delighted to unveil the best of its new hotels and itineraries for 2008, spanning the specialist operator’s India, Africa, Far East, Middle East and Indian Ocean programmes. The experts at Somak Holidays have also set their predictions for what will be the long-haul holiday hot spots of 2008.

New luxury lodges for 2008 include the Tijara Beach in Mombasa and the Matemwe Retreat in Zanzibar. The recently opened Tijara Beach is an exclusive four-cottage retreat set on a seaside bluff in five acres of colourful gardens just south of Mombasa Island and overlooking the Indian Ocean. At the foot of the cliffs on which the resort perches is its own private beach. A magnificent fresh water pool and al fresco dining area complete this enchanting hideaway which hosts a maximum of just eight guests.

Matemwe Retreat is a brand new addition to Matamwe Lodge and is nestled on its own stunning stretch of private land, just north of the main lodge and right opposite the Mnemba Atoll. The retreat consists of three fabulous villas, each featuring a private cocktail bar, an air-conditioned bedroom, a bathroom with double basins, shower, and large romantic bathtub overlooking the Indian Ocean. The villas have their own small beach right in front of them and there’s also a plunge pool on the private roof terrace, complete with sun and shade decks.

Due to re-open on 5th March 2008 after extensive refurbishment is the romantic haven of Dugong Beach Lodge in the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mozambique. Overlooking the azure Indian Ocean, the lodge which consists of 14 luxurious thatched chalets, offers the beauty of pristine surroundings, tranquility, solitude and warm, personal service.

2008 will also see the creation of a brand new eco-tour, exclusive to Somak Holidays. A South African Journey offers a combination of breathtaking nature reserves, luxurious accommodation in hotels which follow best policy with regards to the environment, and the opportunity to learn more about responsible tourism.

Highlights of the 12-day eco-adventure include breathtaking Cape Town, where guests will stay at Winchester Mansion Hotel. The hotel employs local people, is committed to reducing waste and the conservation of water, and also educates guests about sustainable development. Excursions in and around Cape Town include a visit to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and Spiers Wine Estate, where natural resources are used wherever possible in order for the Estate to develop in a sustainable way for years to come.

Following Cape Town guests experience two nights at the Phantom Eco Reserve in Knysna, a masterpiece created solely from sustainable building materials, before continuing through Plettenberg Bay to the Hog Hollow Estate, a private nature reserve on the edge of an indigenous forest and a member of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa.

The tour ends at the Motswari Game Lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve in the Kruger. This luxurious lodge has implemented its own successful Environmental Management Plan, which recycles waste and conserves water. Organic cleaning products are used and guests can wander through indigenous vegetation instead of manicured lawns in the grounds of the Lodge. Prices start from £2606 per person for a private tour with driver guide. For a full and detailed itinerary please see www.somak.co.uk.

Finally, Somak Holidays has identified a number of hot spots and trends to look out for in 2008. Destination-wise, Somak predicts that Western Tanzania and Mozambique, especially with the re-opening of Dugong Beach Lodge, will be high on the holiday wish-list. Mozambique is re-emerging as a premier tourist destination and it makes a welcome return to Somak Holidays’ Africa programme next year. A major new tourism draw for Western Tanzania is the Mahale National Park featured by Somak Holidays for the first time next year. Mahale is one of the best locations in the world for viewing chimpanzee in the wild. Reached only by boat across the enormous Lake Tanganyika, Mahala is one of Africa’s most remote and spectacular national parks.

Somak is also programming Rwanda and Uganda in 2008 for the first time and is offering both destinations as standalone holidays or as extensions to a Kenya or Tanzania safari or beach break. Somak is programming the newly opened Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda, a luxury retreat comprising five cottages and two suites. Built in partnership with the local gorilla conservation programmes, the lodge is adjacent to the Parc National des Volcans and is at the foot of the Sabyinyo Volcano offering guests the perfect base from which to go gorilla trekking!

Oman is also set to be a popular destination for 2008 particularly following the launch of a new airline route from Gatwick to Muscat with Oman Air in November 2007. The Al Bustan Palace in Muscat will draw further visitors when it reopens in May 2008.

Lastly, the eco-trend will continue to grow with Somak Holidays’ customers seeking greener, more upmarket, unspoilt and remote accommodation.

For more information go to www.somak.co.uk or call 020 8423 3000