We asked our readers for products suited to the US markets and received nearly 40 different ideas. We put them to a judging panel in the US, who narrowed them down to the top seven products. They are published, in no particular order, below.
1. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and Victoria Falls Safari Club
Close to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Africa Albida Tourism’s flagship property, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, and its nearby ultra-luxurious Victoria Falls Safari Club, provide visitors with an unforgettable African holiday. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was named in the Condé Nast Traveler Best Resorts and Safari Camps in Africa: Readers’ Choice Awards 2014, for the sixth time. It has a sunset-facing lodge and a multi-level open-plan tree house overlooking a central waterhole, that attracts elephant, buffalo, kudu and hyena year-round.
Submitted by Marianne Betts, Africa Albida Tourism
2. Cape Canopy Tour
Cape Canopy Tour is the latest addition to the Canopy Tour Group, which is a South African-based adventure tour experience consisting of seven adventure tour sites nationally. We are based in a World Heritage Site – the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve – in the Elgin Valley area approximately 70km from Cape Town. We have partnered with Cape Nature to take visitors into a previously inaccessible and pristine part of this amazing World Heritage Site. Only one hour from Cape Town, we offer a fully guided adventure activity for nature enthusiasts aged five to 75!
Submitted by Craig Bennett, Cape Canopy Tour
3. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Nestled between mountain and sea, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a five-star eco-paradise showcasing the incredible flora and marine life of the southern tip of Africa. Home of the Marine Big Five (whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins) and the unparalleled diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, Grootbos offers a one-of-a-kind luxury African experience. Grootbos is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World for its commitment to sustainability and exceptional guest experiences. Only two hours from Cape Town on the way to the world-renowned Garden Route, Grootbos is perfectly situated between the classic attractions of the Cape.
Submitted by Casey van Niekerk on behalf of Jan Lutzeyer, Managing Director of D.R.O.I.D. (Developing Return On Investment Digitally).
4. La Petite Ferme
La Petite Ferme is a four-star accommodation, restaurant and wine-farm high up on the Franschhoek Mountains. World-famous for country cuisine, the family-owned and operated restaurant offers guests a culinary experience. Home to staff who have been with the restaurant for over 30 years, La Petite Ferme offers warm and personalised service. The owner, Mark Dendy Young, has been crafting the farm’s award-winning wines, such as the popular Pinot Noir, for 20 years and his one-on-one cellar tour makes La Petite Ferme one of the more intimate wineries in the winelands.
Submitted by Casey van Niekerk on behalf of Mark Dendy Young, Owner of La Petite Ferme.
5. Luxury Kruger & Cape Town
The Luxury Kruger & Cape Town tour is the ultimate private safari combined with the luxury of Cape Town – the two most desirable activities in Africa for the American market. The accommodation featured in this tour, such as Sabi Sabi in Sabi Sand and the Cape Grace in Cape Town, are well-known names globally, regularly featured in the popular American travel channels and luxury travel magazines, and therefore are both enticing and reassuring. In addition, this tour is just eight days long, deliberately short to fit in with the shorter vacations taken by the US travellers, averaging just a week to 10 days.
Submitted by Glenn McKeag, CEO – Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris.
6. Marine Dynamics Tours
Shark cage diving with Marine Dynamics Tours in the world’s hotspot, Gansbaai in the Western Cape, is a bucket list adventure not to be missed. Enjoy a five-star outing with a company committed to the research and conservation of the legendary Great White shark. Experience an incredible adventure on board our custom-designed boat, Slashfin, with an on-board marine biologist and the best crew who will educate you as you get up close and personal with this amazing apex predator. Certified by Fair Trade in Tourism, Marine Dynamics lives by our motto of ‘Discover and Protect’.
Submitted by Reuben Mein, Sales and Marketing person for Marine Dynamics Shark Tours in Gansbaai, South Africa.
7. Tintswalo Safari Lodge
One of two properties in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Tintswalo Safari Lodge sits on one of the lowest vehicle density areas in the Greater Kruger region. While offering absolute luxury, Tintswalo Safari Lodge is a true African bush experience, where guests can enjoy leisurely game drives, often spending up to an hour on a single sighting. With the expertise of fully accredited rangers and local trackers, Tintswalo guests can expect to see a variety of game. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the local African people and hear some of their fascinating stories.
Submitted by Kirsty Coetzee, Executive Assistant to Michelle du Plessis
The judges also had some suggestions of their own
• Sleep-outs under the stars. Treehouse/Platforms/Fly camps – call it whatever you want. It’s not something Americans get to do and see often, and it takes their breath away.
• Short-term volunteering. If anyone could offer a feasible way for guests to feel that they can make a worthwhile contribution anywhere in the course of a single day, that would be popular.
• Home-hosted dinners. If anyone could offer a practical way for guests to spend an evening with a local family over a home-cooked dinner, that would be popular
• Mandela Trail in Eastern Camp (Coffee Bay, Port St Johns, Mkambati Nature Reserve)
• Vundu Camp, Mana Pools (tie it in with Wild Dog conservation)
• Camp Amalinda and Mother Africa (tie in with community voluntourism)
• Singita Pamushana (tie in with rhino conservation on Malilangwe)
• Walking at Chem Chem (between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, Tanzania)
• East African Lodge Chain – One company that stands out in terms of locations, authenticity, excellent hosting and strong community commitment is Asilia Africa. They are a one-stop East Africa provider and are filling a gap in the market that has been sorely missing in East Africa.
• Best Gorilla Viewing Lodge – Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Very high specification. Best location and community owned!
• Best new lodge in Africa, must see? – Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in Namibia. There is simply nothing else like it. That day of driving out to the coast and then scenic flight back – magic!
Meet the judges
Yvette De Vries, Senior Travel Consultant at African Portfolio
Although raised in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch, South Africa, some of Yvette’s fondest memories are of vacations spent far away on her grandfather’s farm in the foothills of the Drakensberg. Hiking through the mountains and sleep-outs beneath the shimmering stars helped to instil in her the love of Africa’s wildness that she shares with her clients today.
After completing her studies at Stellenbosch University, she spent a decade working in the local wine industry, meeting and hosting visitors from all over the world. In the late nineties she made a fortuitous move to the United States and joined African Portfolio Inc, to become an African Safari Specialist. Since then she has travelled extensively all over Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the United States, to develop a keen sense of the expectations and aspirations her clients bring to the African Safari experience, and how they can be met and exceeded. The satisfaction she derives from helping her clients navigate the myriad of considerations, options and challenges in planning and preparing for their adventures in Africa, is eclipsed only by the pleasure she takes in the wonderful stories and images they share upon their return.
Yvette is a Certified Travel Associate and Africa Destination Specialist of the Travel Institute, and the current president of the national Association for Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA)
Alison Nolting, Co-owner of the Africa Adventure Company
Alison has over 25 years of experience in the travel industry. She was born and grew up in Zimbabwe. After completing her Cordon Bleu course in Cape Town, she found her way into the safari industry managing Sanyati Camp in Matusadona for three seasons. After a short time living in London, Alison moved to the USA in 1991.
Alison has travelled with her husband, Mark, and their two boys to over 12 countries in Africa. Beyond going on numerous safaris in Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, Alison has been canoeing on the Lower Zambezi, gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda, adventuring in the Skeleton Coast, and honeymooned in the Seychelles.
Over the years she has taken 25 or so trips, many of which comprise visiting 15 camps in 10 days in the Okavango Delta and the Serengeti. Establishing a relationship with camp guides is the key to offering refreshing trips each year. A prior trip to Zimbabwe led to the development of the award-winning safari documentary ‘Eyes on Elephant’ by National Geographic. The enjoyment of sharing the close-up encounters with elephants, Wild dogs and lions with her two sons in Hwange and Mana Pools put this at the top of her all-time favourite wildlife experience!
Terry von Guilleaume, President and CEO of Destination Southern Africa
Born and raised in South Africa, Terry decided to visit the USA to learn more about where his mother was born and where his father had studied. As a teacher, he spent four years in positions all over the country. During the summers he spent his time working at a summer camp outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After four great years, however, it was time for Terry to head back to his motherland, but a chance meeting with a young lady interrupted this decision! Wanting the best of both (Africa and Holly) – it seemed a natural decision for him to start a travel company specialising in Africa. Shortly after a wedding and honeymoon in South Africa in 2001, Destination Southern Africa (DSA) was born in Tucson, Arizona – Holly’s hometown.
Almost 15 years later Terry continues to convince everyone around him that South Africa is the best vacation spot on the planet. His wife and three young children have had the great pleasure of joining him on numerous African expeditions. When not travelling to Africa, or some other great international destination – road trips across the USA that include camping and hiking are how he spends his time relaxing. Having graduated from Stellenbosch University in South Africa – the heart of the wine lands – it comes as no surprise that a great red wine accompanies any opportunity Terry has to braai (grill) or make a campfire. Passionate about places and people, Terry enjoys planning trips to Africa that meet and exceed one’s expectations.
Chris Liebenberg, President and founder of Piper & Heath Travel
Chris Liebenberg is the president and founder of Piper & Heath Travel, an African tour operator whose greatest strength is vast knowledge and strong relationships in Africa. Piper & Heath operates in 18 countries across the continent. The company has its origins in the family history in Africa going back over 300 years and the more than two decades that Chris has been guiding safaris in Africa.
Born and raised in Namibia, Chris has always had a passion for conservation and travel in Africa. “When I was six a teacher asked me what I want to be when I grew up and I responded that I wanted to drive a Jeep in the bush.” Chris’s passion for wild places led him to working in game reserves when he was only 14. “I just wanted to be in the veldt and made a nuisance of myself with anyone who would listen and this led to some great experiences.” Chris’s passion for this land is all-encompassing and he is able to share his passion and expert knowledge on birding, African history, cultural diversity, zoology, ecology, geology, photography and a number of other disciplines in a natural dialogue. His home country of Namibia is his first love, “I can’t get enough of this place; I want to know it all, every nook and cranny, and then make sure it is looked after.”
Chris now lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, Emily, and together they share their passion for Africa through Piper & Heath Travel. Chris seldom misses an opportunity to travel back home and once a year he leads the Exposé Expedition to some new special place in Africa.
APTA is a non-profit, volunteer association of travel professionals on a mission to promote Africa and her islands as tourist destinations to the retail travel agents and tour operators in the United States. To find out more about APTA, click here.
