Going To Africa With Goway

with Caroline Booth

Goway and 25 of its supplier partners gathered at Toronto’s downtown Marriott Hotel earlier this week for the 6th annual consumer and agent Africa training event. An estimated 230 guests were in attendance, all wanting to know more about travelling to Africa.

“It’s an opportunity for trade and consumers to meet with specialists in different areas," said Moira Smith, General Manager for Africa & the Middle East at Goway. The event also marked the launch of the Africa Experts 2015 brochure that features an expansion on the luxury offer, expanded product range in Uganda, Rwanda, Morocco, East & South Africa, and (big news) the launch of Ethiopia. “It is the most comprehensive product plan on Africa for North America,” added Smith.

Some of the suppliers that Open Jaw had a chance to speak with included Rovos Rail, which offers all-inclusive luxury train journeys throughout Africa with regular itineraries lasting from 48 hr. to 15 days. An example of a regular itinerary includes the 3 day Cape Town to Pretoria. Rovos hosts up to a maximum of 72 pax per journey in 36 well appointed suites.

Mark Rushmere, Managing & Marketing Director for Kariega Game Reserve, was eager to speak about Settlers Drift, which is a new lodge opening October 1st. The lodge will offer unique tented safari experiences combined with 5 star luxury. Kariega is a private reserve stretching across 10,000 hectares of wilderness in the Eastern Cap, situated along the famed Garden Route, making it the ideal Big 5 African safari. Rushmere mentioned that they are seeing more and more Canadians, typically 2nd timers to the continent who have already visited Kruger National Park and want to try something new.

During the formal presentation portion of the evening, Smith shared some updates and visitor tips on destinations that are most popular and well known to travellers.

South Africa offers incredible diversity, having been branded by the tourism board as the “World in One Country”. Visitors can witness wildlife, spectacular scenery, wonderful cuisine and 11 official languages, each of which is attached to different cultures and habits. In the City of Cape Town, Smith recommends a 3 night stay at the very minimum, although guests can easily stay longer. While there, travellers should not miss Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for so many years and where visitors can take a guided tour by a former inmate. The experience gives a true insight into how far South Africa has come since the time of Apartheid.

Sir Winston Churchill called Uganda “The Pearl of Africa” and it’s the place to go if you’re a birder. The country is home to over 1000 species of birds, 600 alone in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Highlights of Ethiopia include the monolithic churches of Lalibela in the North, known as one of the Wonders of the Word. South Ethiopia offers a vastly different, more cultural experience where many of the tribal groups’ lifestyles have not changed for hundreds of years.

So why travel to Africa with Goway? "Stability, trust, knowledge and reputation," says Smith. With 44 years experience they ensure that product quality is impeccable and perform constant site inspections. “Clients want to know they’re being looked after throughout their trip.”

Smith also made a special mention regarding Ebola wanting to dispel any myths seeing as it’s a very hot topic of concern right now. “Do not choose not to travel to Africa if you’re worried about Ebola. Are you at risk? The answer is a resounding NO!” Africa is such a huge continent and all of the destinations that Goway supports are thousands of miles away from infected areas.

Smith's lasting words for the evening: “If you go to only 2 continents in your life, go to Africa twice!”