Last year, we asked the trade for products that were well-suited to the US market, We then surveyed our readers, asking them to select the best. Here are the five winners in order:
- Springbok Atlas Kruger, Vic Falls and Chobe Highlights Tour
This Guided Highlights Tour combines some of the most desirable activities and most popular destinations in Africa for the US market. The tour includes three nights in the Kruger National Park for a Big 5 safari experience, one of the top draw-cards for this market. This is followed by two nights in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and two nights in Chobe, Botswana, both favoured destinations. Extensions to the very popular destinations of the Okavango Delta or Cape Town are highly recommended, but the main tour is just ten days, fitting in with the shorter vacations taken by US travellers, averaging a week to ten days.
- The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance
Times are changing and the US market is much more informed and conscious about what is right and wrong environmentally. Social media has had a lot to do with this awareness, nothing can be hidden any more and with all this info being available, people are able to make more informed decisions relating to their travels. As result, we will see the end of the pet play wildlife industry soon. Our multi-award-winning sanctuaries: Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani don’t condone wildlife interaction, and the US market also appreciate the fact that we are Fairtrade accredited.
- Wow Cape Town Tours
This tour includes three nights in the Kruger National Park and four nights in Cape Town. The itinerary includes early-morning and full-day game drives, sightseeing tours and adventure activities in Cape Town plus a night to remember with locals. This includes a Malay cooking evening, dinner and a taste of typical Cape Town ‘live’ jazz in a private home. Here we share stories about District 6, Malay and township culture. Our package includes four- or five-star accommodation, luxury transport and local tourist guides. Each package is tailor-made to the client’s needs, based on group size, average age and budget.
- Active Africa – Adrenaline Adventure
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Active Africa - Adrenaline Adventure is geared toward adventure seekers who enjoy activities that thrill and require exertion. While there’s no shortage of options in South Africa, we’ve selected some activities that create an amazing experience for these travellers. It’s a nine-day adventure that includes kayaking in Cape Town, bicycling, horseback riding on the beach, shark-cage diving, a walking safari and more. While this is a great package for any age, it’s especially great for the young US millennial generation.
- The Victoria Falls Hotel
Steeped in history and one of the oldest hotels in Africa, The Victoria Falls Hotel remains the landmark accommodation facility to view the popular attraction, the wondrous Victoria Falls.
One of the world’s Classic five-star hotels commands a prime location overlooking Victoria Falls, an acclaimed Natural Wonder of the World. A proud member of Leading Hotels of the World the Edwardian-style hotel, built in 1904, serves as a reminder of the distinguished and elegant era into which it was born, combining traditional majesty with modern sophistication. For more than 111 years The Victoria Falls Hotel has been a luxury African icon.
Other products that were mentioned included: La Clé des Montagnes, a day trip digging for science!; Lawson’s birding and wildlife set-departure tours; Bubezi Safaris; Acacia Farm Lodge; AM Lodge; Dare to Explore; The Mozambique Collection; Drifters’ Private Camping Tours; Ngoma Safari Lodge; Victoria Falls Safari Club; Culture Connect; West Coast Way; and Mantis Mutara Tented Camp
