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SOUTHERN AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS


Fiona Malan UK and Ireland Marketing Manager Sun International


What kind of a year is Sun international having?


Meet the Operator


The last 12 months have been very good. Sun International’s UK market results, with its fi nancial year closing at the end of June, show sales revenues are up 29% year on year. In terms of 2013 most of our key partners have already delivered over 70% of the previous year’s production and with the September secondary peak booking season approaching we are hoping for a good second half of the year with more growth.


“March to May is the best time to see the Victoria Falls in their full glory, although the spray can make taking pictures difficult!”


NICK WILSON, PRODUCT MANAGER HAYES & JARVIS


Africa with the wilds of Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. For Imaginative Traveller Southern Africa is the perfect suggestion for the more mature, return passenger. “It attracts those who want a


different experience than the classic East African safari,” says the operator’s Rebecca Scrase. “Plus younger passengers wanting to enjoy the likes of bungee jumping at Victoria Falls or kayaking along the Zambezi.” Botswana is a country almost guaranteed to have clients raving about their holiday, says Africa Collection’s Chris Fortescue. “It is extremely diverse and


offers an abundance of wildlife, therefore clients’ experience will be greater than what they expect. Also, Botswana does not necessarily have to be expensive as there are some great overland fully serviced or participation safaris on offer.” Certainly there’s plenty of


Clockwise from top: Lions in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa; Giraffes in Zambia; Lounges by the river at the Royal Livingstone Hotel; Above: Namibia’s stark landscape


contrasting topography to choose from. Much of Botswana, for example, is formed of the Kalahari desert, and at times can feel like an enormous sandpit, yet it also hosts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa thanks to a particular feature: the Okavango Delta. The Okavango is the world’s


largest inland river delta, fed by a river which starts in the mountains of Angola and ‘fl oods’ in Botswana where it seeps away into the sand – but not before it has nourished a whole ecosystem. To help visitors explore this unique and mostly pristine game-rich environment are a range of small and exclusive game lodges. Here, numbers are kept deliberately low – which also means that prices are relatively high. But most of those who experience Botswana return feeling that the luxury wilderness experience on offer is worth every penny. Zambia’s story is more of a mix of


river and forest. “It is more rustic, with less pampering, but the game is very good,” says Somak’s Ash Sofat. There’s an authenticity here, and lodges are traditionally comfortable but simple. The South Luangwa is where the concept of walking safaris started, and it remains a unique experience. Meanwhile Zimbabwe, a destination which has a bit of everything – lakes, river, savannah – is edging back into the frame, but its credentials as an emerging tourism destination will be tested by elections later this year. Yet with its economy on a much better footing, hopes are rising. “Zimbabwe is cheaper than its


www.sellinglonghaul.com What’s new from Sun


International that agents should be aware of?


We undertook a seven-million- dollar refurbishment of the fi ve-star Royal Livingstone, on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia. It’s the closest hotel to Victoria Falls. The guest areas and rooms were upgraded, there is now Wi-Fi access in all rooms, along with a higher level of detail to ensure luxurious standards throughout.


Is there a Sun International ‘experience’ that agents should pass on to their clients?


They should recommend our vintage steam train, The Royal Livingstone Express (pictured above), a fi ve-star dining excursion in Zambia run in association with Bushtracks Africa. It’s a three-hour trip aboard a train with restored period carriages. Guests enjoy a silver service dinner, sunset views over the Zambezi and look out for elephant and giraffe. It’s a very special experience! suninternational.com


July/August 2013 21


SUN INTERNATIONAL


SUN INTERNATIONAL


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