Kiwi interest in Africa remains high and given it’s often a once in a lifetime destination for many, it’s important to get it right says Ynot Concepts which focuses on higher-end travel to the region.
The company works locally with wholesalers such as World Journeys, Adventure World and Viva Expeditions and offers a selection of boutique properties in Africa.
Ynot sales and marketing manager James Wallace Smith says its portfolio features ‘some of the most beautiful properties in Southern and Eastern Africa’ such as The Sabi Sabi Collection, Desert & Deltas, Wild Horizons, and Lemala Camps & Lodges.
Staying in properties such as these, he adds, makes an enormous difference to a client’s experience in the destination.
On a recent Tanzania and Uganda famil with Lemala Camps and Lodges in Apr (considered the off season, when wildlife is harder to find) he says the team at Lemala was excellent and the guides found at ‘extraordinary amount of wildlife’.
“The lodges are obviously spectacular and beautiful, but the professionalism of the Lemala team was outstanding,” he says. “They were able to show us a great safari experience even in the off-sea son period.”
. . . Selling Tips
Wallace Smith urges agents to book the properties at least 12 months in advance due to high demand, especially in peak season, and to qualify clients’ interests.
Southern Africa is very different from East Africa, he adds. “The Serengeti actually means ‘end less plains’ so it’s a huge expanse of wild country with thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and buffalo and hippo and lions, whereas in Botswana, you’re probably more doing short flights to different lodges, and can experience a very diverse safari.”
His other piece of advice for agents is to understand Africa’s different sea sons, to help set expectations.
Ynot works closely with the wholesalers to ensure they are as knowledgeable as possible on this, he adds.
Ynot Concepts makes annual visits to New Zealand to meet with wholesalers, and Wallace Smith stresses that wholesalers are its key focus. However, agents looking for more details on the properties can see more HERE.
