Trip Report by Keith Holshausen, Lazy Lizard Travel LLC
Even though I grew up in Southern Africa, every visit ‘home’ is filled with excitement from the moment I step onto the South African Airways flight in JFK, to the first sight of the rising sun and that unforgettable orange glow as we wing southwards. SAA is an award winning airline with three South African airports ranked the best in Africa which are also currently rated higher than any American airport (Skytrax survey).
INDABA is owned by SA Tourism and attracts some 13,000 delegates with 750 exhibitors. At INDABA you can discover all the latest travel products available and window-shop for travel opportunities, as well as network in an industry that thrives on connections. I squeezed in 38 meetings in three days not to count the various ‘sundowners’ and cocktail events that go with the territory. Show organization is top notch and the service and efficiency is undoubtedly ‘first world’ but with a delightful flavor of Africa. May is a perfect time to be in South Africa as you get to experience Autumn at its best.
INDABA is owned by SA Tourism and attracts some 13,000 delegates with 750 exhibitors. At INDABA you can discover all the latest travel products available and window-shop for travel opportunities, as well as network in an industry that thrives on connections. I squeezed in 38 meetings in three days not to count the various ‘sundowners’ and cocktail events that go with the territory. Show organization is top notch and the service and efficiency is undoubtedly ‘first world’ but with a delightful flavor of Africa. May is a perfect time to be in South Africa as you get to experience Autumn at its best.
Numerous African countries are represented, including the hearty Southern African contingent of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique (not forgetting the host country, South Africa) to the East Africa clan of Tanzania and Kenya with a special contribution from the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and Reunion.
The South African Minister of Tourism was also visiting INDABA as tourism is a leading earner of foreign currency, even overtaking gold exports. They say that one job is created for every 12 foreign arrivals in South Africa.
No visit to INDABA would be complete without a few ‘site inspections’ and the travel industry is always ready to showcase their splendors. I traditionally visit the game reserves in the Kruger National Park area and my sightings of leopard at Mala Mala this year were breathtaking to say the least. I then dropped in at Kapama Private Game Reserve which stretches over 30,000 acres and has four sophisticated bush camps. In Cape Town the Table Bay Hotel on the waterfront boasts stunning views of Table Mountain and you are also pampered with exceptional service. The scenic Cape Winelands have been described by many overseas wine experts as the most beautiful in the world. The Cape wine industry dates back to the 17th century with the Dutch settlers and French Huguenots. My wife’s ancestors were wine farmers and settled their Paarl estate ‘Den Soeten Inval’ as far back as 1688.
So next time you are looking at your ‘bucket list’, I strongly suggest you write in Africa and perhaps even write it in twice.
Hamba kahle….travel well.
