From getting up close to gorillas in Rwanda to camping in luxury tents in Kenya, Australians are embracing Africa like never before. Travel to sub-Saharan Africa has risen by more than 200 per cent over the past decade, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, and travel companies are adding more tours to cater for growing demand.
Sunset above the African River |
Andrew Kelleher, who is product manager for Scenic Tours and Evergreen Tours, says that while backpackers travel on overland trucks in off-the-beaten-track destinations in Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, older travellers are embracing luxury lodges in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. Kelleher says they prefer longer stays of three nights at each 5-star lodge. "They prefer to travel in July, August or September which is peak time for the Great Migration in Kenya," he says.
Lionesses fighting over prey |
Kelleher says there is also growing interest in the luxurious Rovos train trip in South Africa and the Blue Train between Pretoria and Cape Town. Scenic Tours has introduced a six-day itinerary to the Okavango Delta in Botswana next year. "We only put the brochure out a month ago and we already have people booked on it," Kelleher says. "It's expensive but it's top of the tree with everything included from massages to ... safaris and you're in an area where there's no other people."
Travel Directors marketing manager Helen Power says they have introduced more tours to Africa in the past few years because of demand. "Up until three or four years ago we didn't focus that much on Africa but our clients were saying ' ... why don't you do more in Africa?' so we're really ... expanding our product," Power says.
A pack if African Gorillas taking a stroll |
The company is offering a companion-fly-free deal (excluding taxes) from $795, for bookings before December 31, saving up to $2040 a couple.
Source:http://www.news.com.au/travel/holiday-ideas/expanding-frontiers-in-africa/story-e6frfqd9-1226478698473