This is my second trip to Africa in 5 months. I wasn’t planning on returning so soon, but South Africa Tourism hosts a fantastic travel trade show in May, so here I am. I arrive to Durban after two days of travel, a bit worse for the wear, but immediately pumped up by the excitement in the air. Durban hosts Africa’s Travel Indaba every year and they make a big deal out of it. Murals painted across the airport walls, a welcoming party, everyone is excited --- it’s time for Indaba!
I’m scheduled to the hilt every day from 7 AM to nearly midnight. Meetings with our existing partners across the continent as well as some 35 meetings with new safari lodges, tour operators in new destinations, ski resorts (not lying!) --- anything I think our travelers might be interested in is in my crosshairs. I LOVE trade shows. I learn more in 3 days than I have in 6 years of planning trips to South Africa. That is how valuable these shows can be.
It doesn’t hurt that the setting is Durban. Located up the coast from Cape Town, Durban is on the Indian Ocean, surrounded by lush sugarcane fields. It’s a bit off the beaten tourism path (due to its grittiness), but the Maharani Hotel, at which I’m staying, and the conference center, are both modern and lovely. The best part of Durban is the promenade – which is wide, charming and runs along the beach. The morning after the trade show ends, I stroll along the promenade with a huge number of Durbanites. It’s Sunday morning and I’m shocked at how many people are out exercising with their friends and loved ones. I spend a half hour out on a pier, watching the local surfers at their craft, before heading back to the Maharani Hotel to catch my Uber for the airport. Time for safari!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.