From luxury tented safari camps to early-morning hot air balloon rides, Africa offers luxury experiences that are completely unique. Three personal travel managers (PTMs) were therefore thrilled to be invited to represent TravelManagers on a recent eleven-day African safari famil, conducted by African Wildlife Safaris.
All of the famil participants were required to have sold Africa holidays previously, but PTM Rose Febo, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Wynnum, QLD, says the first-hand experience she now has in Kenya has increased her confidence in selling the destination.
“With Africa, it’s so important to know the destination,” she explains. “I now have greater assurance in structuring the right itinerary thanks to a clearer understanding of travel times and distances, and having experienced various lodges and safari camps, I am much better equipped to explain to my clients what they are getting for their money.”
The three PTMs joined other travel professionals in Perth for their South African Airways flight to Johannesburg and then on to Nairobi, where they spent the night before continuing to the iconic and historic Mt Kenya Safari Club, which is set on the slopes of Africa’s second-highest peak.
For TravelManagers’ Rose Febo (right), spending time in a Maasai village was an enduring experience during her Kenya famil
“The views and location were spectacular,” Febo reports, “and although we were able to take part in viewing safaris on two of the nearby game reserves, everyone was very excited to get to our next base: Elephant Bedroom Camp in Samburu National Reserve.”
Participants spent two nights at Elephant Bedroom Camp, which is a small and exclusive camp set on the banks of the Ewaso Ny’iro River. Accommodation consists of twelve luxury tents that are furnished in rustic African style, but as Febo explains, there are plenty of creature comforts on hand.
PTM Rose Febo in search of the Big Five on one of many game drives during her time in Kenya
“We were treated to excellent game viewing in spectacular settings, returning after each game drive to gourmet meals served either under the African sky or inside the well-appointed dining area.”
From here the group flew to another camp, this time in the heart of the Masai Mara, close to the Tanzanian border. Tipilikwani Mara Camp is an exclusive, intimate camp of just twenty tents which features magical views across the Mara plains. Here, they were free to join game drives accompanied by local expert guides, take bush walks and watch the dawn from the perspective of a hot air balloon.
PTM Giulia Gentiluomo prepares for an unforgettable dawn balloon flight over the Maasai Mara
Febo was one of the famil participants who took advantage of this unique opportunity and cites it as one of the most memorable moments in an itinerary that was packed with highlights, with both she and her fellow PTM, Erryn Morris, in agreement that their time in Kenya was all about the animals.
Incredible wildlife encounters were all in a day’s work for three TravelManagers PTMs on their recent Kenya famil
“Africa is all about the game viewing,” states Morris, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Gooseberry Hill, WA. “Any leopard or cheetah day is a great day, and I really appreciated the special touches provided at the safari camps, such as great food and hot water bottles in the bed after a day bouncing around in a Land Rover.”
(L-R) TravelManagers’ Giulia Gentiluomo, Rose Febo and Erryn Morris spent a total of eleven memorable days experiencing some of the best safari camps in East Africa
Both Morris and Febo also took full advantage of the photographic opportunities presented during their time in Kenya, with Morris offering some valuable packing advice: “if you have a good camera and lens, take it. It can be hard with weight restrictions on small aircraft, but it’s worth sacrificing the extra clothes – there no need for high fashion when on safari!”
Spending time with the Masai people was a highlight of her time in Kenya for TravelManagers’ Erryn Morris
“It’s a photographer’s dream destination,” Febo adds. “My camera finally reached maximum capacity on my last day!”
Although not the first visit to Africa for these experienced PTMs, the Kenya famil introduced them to new regions, experiences and camps, and both confirm that they would be happy to return to this destination again and again.
PTMs Erryn Morris (left) and Giulia Gentiluomo boarding the flight that will deliver them to the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara
“There’s so much to see and do, and I never tire of seeing the incredible wildlife and meeting the very friendly local people,” Febo explains.
For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers please contact Suzanne Laister on 1800 019 599.
TravelManagers’ representative for Balwyn North in Victoria, Giulia Gentiluomo, takes a quiet moment to enjoy the low-key luxury of the Bateleur Tented Camp on the Masai Mara.
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