Linsey McNeill reports
OPERATORS have reported an increase in bookings for Kenya and Tanzania as East Africa comes back into fashion, with top-of-the-range safaris and activity-based holidays selling particularly well.
The growth in bookings to Kenya and Tanzania is an indication that UKvisitors have not been put off the destinations by the recent murder of holidaymakers in neighbouring Uganda.
Jill Morris, from About Africa, the UK general sales agent for Southern Cross Safaris, admitted business went quiet for about a week after the incident in Uganda, but she said sales have bounced back.
“It is really difficult to say what the long-term effect will be because we don’t know how many people who would have booked a safari holiday were put off,” added Morris.
“But our forward bookings are looking good which would indicate it has not had an effect.”
Somak marketing director Stuart Britton added: “We had a couple of cancellations but we thought we would get a lot more people wanting to change holidays.
“Fortunately, most people realise that the safari parks in Kenya and Tanzania are a long way from Uganda.”
Kuoni said that business to Kenya was stronger than it had been for the past couple of years and, as a result, the operator has launched a dedicated Kenya brochure for the first time.
To stimulate the market further, the operator has cut up to £200 off the price of beach holidays and up to £120 off its safaris.
Product manager Ellis Jones said over the past two years, Kenya had seen slower growth, but reported an increase in demand this year.
Included in the standalone brochure is a new two-centre air safari with flights between the Masai Mara and Samburu National Parks to give clients more time for game viewing.
“This safari offers three game drives a day instead of the usual two, which means clients will have more opportunity to see the wildlife,” said Jones. Its Intrepid Air Safari costs from £998 for a week.
Other operators are beginning to cater more for the family market after seeing an increase in demand for safaris tailored towards children.
Abercrombie and Kent has added a family safari which provides a nanny and a child-friendly sightseeing programme.
Departures are available during August and December and cost from £1,860 for adults and £1,115 for children for seven nights’ full-board. The minimum age is eight years.
To cater for the more adventurous traveller, Abercrombie and Kent has also introduced a private camping safari, with walking in the north of Tanzania near Lake Eyasi, as a three-night extension to other holidays.
Upmarket operators report rising demand for more exclusive tented safaris and luxury lodges in spite of the higher cost.
Elite Vacations said its biggest seller in Kenya is the top-of-the-range eight-night Connoisseur’s Safari priced from £1,260 including flights, while its most popular Tanzanian safari is a seven-night Serengeti Trail tour from £1,215.
A new exclusive camp with six luxury lodges will open in the Meru National Park in northern Kenya in July.
Elsa’s Kopje, built on the site where Born Free was filmed, is being featured by a handful of UK tour operators including Wildlife Worldwide and Worldwide Journeys.