Takeaways from Goway Travel's Africa and Middle East event
Goway Travel’s Africa and Middle East program ranges from ruins to rhinos — and has a host of other exotic critters and attractions in between as well. The tour operator recently held a Toronto event detailing what it offers in those parts of the world, having its suppliers describe their offerings to attending agents,and stating its commitment to Africa and the Middle East is unshakeable.
“We are really passionate about the Middle East and Africa,” the company’s Ian Smyth told attendees.
Among those speaking was Moataz Nabil of Cairo-based Emeco, who said, “Egypt has it all. We can say Egypt is the destination of variety.” He noted the country’s history dates back thousands of years, adding his homeland has around a third of the world’s antiquities and Emeco clients will be certain to gain insights into Egypt’s long past. “We say we use Egyptologists and not just tour guides.”
Balloon rides over Luxor’s storied archeological sites are available, Nabil added.The Cairo-area Grand Egyptian Museum is mostly open and has over 25,000 artifacts, he continued. Nabil also said Egypt has a long Red Sea coast that can accommodate sunseekers.
Another Middle East destination available from Goway is Saudi Arabia, with Vito Anzelmi of Experience AlUla noting its clients view Hegra, a Nabataean archeological site that dates back more than 2,000 years. The site was built by the same people who built Petra, Jordan. “It’s quite a stunning destination,” Anzelmi said of Hegra, found near the Jordanian border. Anzelmi said Saudi Arabia has a “fantastic” infrastructure and is “very safe” and populated by people who welcome tourists.
Debbie Addison of Wild Frontiers — which offers Uganda and Rwanda — said those two countries offer “more than just gorilla trekking,” although viewing those large primates is a big draw in both nations. Addison said Wild Frontiers also has treks enabling people to see chimpanzees, which tend to be more physically active than gorillas. Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for tree-climbing lions, said Addison, who added Rwanda and Uganda can easily be combined on the same vacation.
Andy Hogg of Zambia’s The Bushcamp Company told agents that his company has eight bush camps in South Luangwa National Park, each with only 4 chalets, creating what it calls an “exclusive, intimate experience.” The park is where “walking safaris started,” reported Hogg, whose company uses the slogan, “From a vehicle you see Africa. On foot, you feel, hear and smell Africa.”
Zambia shares dramatic Victoria Falls with Zimbabwe, Hogg noted, while also pointing out that the country’s Kasanka National Park at times sees millions of bats on the move, which means it is “home to the largest animal migration on Earth.” Warren Green of Zimbabwe’s Wild Horizons has lodges in Zambezi National Park and Victoria Falls National Park for those eager to see a site where millions of liters a minute plunge down.
Green said his company also works with orphaned elephants, and can take clients on game drives, showcasing herbivores and predators as well, which he assured are viewed in a non-dangerous manner. “Obviously we like to do repeat business so we keep our guests quite safe.”
Also offering Victoria Falls visits is Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, with its Wendy Bourne reporting that the falls are also known as “The Smoke That Thunders,” a reference made to the roar of the water crashing down and the mist rising from it “Certainly in March, April and May it does come thundering down,” Bourne stated. Bourne said all lodge rooms look onto a national park.
Andrea Hugo of Botswana’s Desert & Delta Safaris said those on hand for massive zebra migrations will find “thousands of zebras right in front of you.” Boat trips can provide close-up sightings of elephants crossing the Chobe River, Hugo continued. “You’re going to be in the boat right next to them.” Hugo said Botswana has healthy wildlife populations and visitors are “going to see animals. That’s for sure.”
James Haigh of Lemala Camps and Lodges — which operates in Tanzania and Uganda — reported that it decided to open a lodge on the upper reaches of the lofty Ngorongoro Crater, with those who book it able to go on “nature walks around the edge of the crater.” An indoor heated pool is part of the lodge. Lemala has both lodges and tented camps, he continued.
Michael Njogu of Kenya’s Sense of Africa said that DMC will look after visitors “from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart. We’re in the destination,” he continued.. “We have our people there. They’re going to give you the real destination.” Nadine Kruger of Sense of Africa in Namibia in turn said Namibia has the type of wildlife that attracts tourists to Africa, including “elusive desert elephants” and the “largest population of free-roaming cheetahs.”
Namibia — known for its desert landscapes — also has lions and varied bird populations, she added. Fly-in safaris are among options available for wildlife enthusiasts, Kruger continued.
Themba Ndayi of South Africa’s Sun International vacation retreat noted visitors can golf, possibly safely spotting crocodiles while on the links and go on hot-air balloon rides. Ndayi noted famed golfer Gary Player noted “there is no place” like Sun International elsewhere. Sun International also has a game reserve, Ndayi reported.
Also from South Africa was Shelley van Rensburg, who said her Shamwari Private Game Reserve has several lodges, one named after a leopard that “survived lion attacks and gave us many leopard cubs.” Shamwari has a wildlife rehabilitation center that works with sick and injured animals, eager to release them into the wild once they’re healthy, she reported.
Taqi Moledina of ARP Africa Travel — which offers East Africa — said clients can view wildlife from a company vehicle “or walking beyond the vehicle.” The company has a fleet of custom-built vehicles for clients. Moledina said the region’s famed migrations are actually ongoing. “There’s always a time to come and see it.” February sees huge numbers of wildebeest born, a spectacular sight, he continued.
Goway’s own Moira Smith praised South Africa-based Rovos Rail Tours, noting it has multiple trains and clients will find “Ewardian-style accommodation” on them. Rovos is the “only luxury rail train in the world that has its own private station,” Smith continued, adding that the station is in Pretoria.
Goway’s Smyth provided an update on Ghana’s Landtours Ghana DMC, adding interest in Ghana is on the upswing with African Americans eager to trace their heritage. The country had departure points for slaves being shipped to the New World, with visitors able to view the “slave dungeons,” a poignant experience, Smyth said. Smyth said Ghana has a welcoming population eager to host tourists.
The event was also told by Goway’s Shirley Rourke that Goway’s GroupsOnly will “take the hassle out of travel for you… Our groups specialists know the in and outs of group travel.” GroupsOnly last year worked with over 500 groups and this year expects to deal with over 700. “We even had a group of funeral directors. Can you believe that?” Rourke asked.
