We consistently try to keep up with digital trends and the latest buzz in the safari travel industry, but we still value the connections and networking built from face-to-face meetings. One of our top priorities is attending travel trade shows, both locally and internationally. Within this crowded digital world, physical representation is still key to maintaining and building relationships. Our recent presence at WTM Africa will attest to this. Both Mallory and Monique forged new relationships, answered questions from our long-established agents, and showcased our properties.
Mallory and Monique said, “Our experience at WTM was nothing short of amazing! Our schedule was packed to the brim for all three days, meeting with new agents, reconnecting with existing ones, and showcasing exciting updates within our company and portfolio. It was lovely to put faces to names for some of the wonderful agents we’ve dealt with over the years. It’s such a phenomenal experience to be a part of, showcasing loads of gems within the industry. The positive feedback we received was great, and we couldn’t be happier with how the show turned out!”
We’re not surprised that WTM was hit, given that ATTA had this to say “This year’s WTM Africa saw a significant 53% increase in attendance compared to the previous year. Unofficial figures suggest participation from a whopping 88 countries worldwide, highlighting the growing momentum behind African tourism”
And when is our next trade show? Next up is Denmark, Sweden and Norway! Mallory will be attending the Africa Showcase roadshow with On Show Solutions. Tapping into our growing Nordic market face-to-face is a first for Sun Destinations, and we’re excited to introduce our properties to this burgeoning market. The roadshow takes place from 17:00 to 21:00 over 3 days in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Tune into our social media platforms, where we’ll share a few updates from our Scandi roadshow.
If you’re wondering what’s in store for the future in terms of roadshows, we have you covered. Our team will be at Africa’s Travel showcase from 14 – 16 May in Durban and 1 – 3 July at Experience Africa in London. We understand that not everyone can attend trade shows, which is why we offer virtual product meetings where you can tailor and steer the meeting according the products you’d like to hear about.
To recap, these are the camps and lodges across Kruger portfolio. Next week, while Mallory presents at the Nordic roadshow, we’ll introduce our Botswana portfolio.
Africa on Foot is located in the heart of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, a Big 5 reserve sharing unfenced borders with neighbouring reserves. The small and intimate camp specialises in professionally guided walking safaris in the morning and game drives in the afternoon. Walking safaris aside, Africa on Foot offers its guests a romantic treehouse; two swimming pools; and warm hospitality.
nThambo’s claim-to- fame is its wooden cabins on stilts that offer elevated views of endless bushveld terrain. There are only 5 chalets, which means a personalised safari experience. Guests are afforded abundant opportunities to spot game on game drives, or from camp. It’s not uncommon to spot elephants drinking from the camp’s swimming pool.
Sitting comfortably on an old anthill raised above the landscape, rests a simple and sophisticated camp called Nambu. The location in the heart of the Big 5 Olifants West Nature Reserve, combined with its stellar guiding and warm hospitality, makes Nambu a sought-after lodge in the Greater Kruger. This family-owned camp offers twice-daily game drives and an elevated sense of luxury.
Located in the lesser-known Maseke Game Reserve, charming Chacma Bush Camp offers the perfect big five safari experience in 8000 hectares of undulating landscapes punctuated with rocky outcrops. The camp sleeps a maximum of 10 people, in just 3 stone thatched chalets, ensuring a personalised safari experience. Right in front of the raised patio and pool area, is a waterhole favoured by the local elephant herds. Guests often sit on the pool loungers just watching the elephants frolicking.
Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails
Wilderness Trails is the sister company to Africa on Foot, and offers a scheduled 3-day walking safari through the Maseke Balule Game Reserve. Nights are spent cocooned in dome tents in a secluded location. Each tent is equipped with beds and en-suite showers, and offers spectacular wilderness views. Trails offer an immersive experience into the heart of the Greater Kruger.
Bundox River Lodge is ideally located on the banks of the burgeoning Olifants River in the northern reaches of the Balule Nature Reserve. Bundox sets a new standard of luxury with its glamorous river facing Meru style tents, each built on raised wooden platforms overlooking the bend in the river below.
Bundox River Lodge’s pride of place on the water’s edge combined with its luxury canvas suites, exudes that iconic Okavango Delta camp atmosphere, making it unique to the Kruger. In keeping with the understated sophistication of the Bundox brand, this camp marries light wood with classic canvas to create a lodge in harmony with its environment. Only the finest linen, textiles and fixtures are used throughout. The 5 tented suites are spacious and designed perfectly to let in streams of natural light.
The classic Sausage Tree Safari Camp is an idyllic destination for guests seeking an understated “Kruger under canvas” style camp. Located in the heart of a Big 5 region in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, Sausage Tree is a sanctuary for all things wild. The entire camp sprawls across terrain dotted with Marula, Acacia thorn and Sausage Trees; and has commanding views of the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. There’s no mistaking it —Sausage Tree is a captivating place. Your accommodation is a choice of five expansive Meru-style tents resting comfortably on raised wooden platforms with views of the surrounding area. Tents have private decks, an outdoor shower, indoor bath, ample floor and storage space, and eco air conditioning.
Resting comfortably on the banks of the seasonal Mohlabetsi River in the Greater Kruger’s Balule Nature Reserve sits the inimitable Nyala Safari Lodge. Distinct in design, this 5-bedroomed lodge offers thatched accommodation in an iconic rondawel style, an archetype of Kruger accommodation. Nyala’s main area has a wrap-around viewing deck mimicking the curves of the river, and runs the full length of the lodge.
The entire lodge is shaded by weeping Boer-beans and ancient Jackalberry trees, ensuring respite from the heat during the sizzling summer months. There’s also a swimming pool on-site-and decking area to ensure the most is made out of those balmy summer days. Don’t be surprised to spot bushbuck and vervet monkeys while lounging around the pool area.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside
Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside is ideally located in the heart of the Sabie Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger. This well-established lodge overlooks the seasonal Sand River and offers daily game drives in a traverse known for its leopard sightings. Bush walks are also available upon request. In total, there are 10 rooms, some of which are interleading. The superior rooms each have an outdoor shower and four of them overlook the Sand River. Most of the rooms have an outdoor seating area, complete with camping chairs and relaxation spots.
Ezulwini Game Lodges
Situated in the heart of the Olifants West Nature Reserve, sit two luxurious sister lodges Ezulwini River Lodge and Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge. Ezulwini River Lodge lies low on the banks of the Olifants River with a timber viewing deck under sweeping fig and mahogany trees. This luxury lodge is situated in the heart of the Big 5 Olifants West Nature Reserve. Accommodation at River Lodge is stylish and boasts interiors inspired by the natural elements of the surrounding bushveld. There are four luxury chalets, four superior suites and one honeymoon superior suite.
Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge is a grand structure accentuated with leadwood pillars and thatched ceilings, and features a raised skywalk that leads to a private waterhole. An open-air boma and a wine cellar built into a natural rock cave with handcrafted display table add to the unique merit of Billy’s Lodge.
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