US panel chooses top 7 out of 40 products

Southern Africa Tourism Update recently asked their readers to submit products they deemed suitable for the US markets, and received over 40 different suggestions. These were put to a judging-panel of APTA members in the USA, who narrowed them down to the following  top seven products… in no particular order:

• Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and Victoria Falls Safari Club
• Cape Canopy Tour
• Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
• La Petite Ferme
• Luxury Kruger & Cape Town Combinations
• Marine Dynamics Tours
• Tintswalo Safari Lodge

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The judges also added some suggestions and favorites of their own

• Sleep-outs under the stars. Treehouse/Platforms/Fly camps – call it whatever you want. It’s not something Americans get to do and see often, and it takes their breath away.
• Short-term volunteering. If anyone could offer a feasible way for guests to feel that they can make a worthwhile contribution anywhere in the course of a single day, that would be popular.
• Home-hosted dinners. If anyone could offer a practical way for guests to spend an evening with a local family over a home-cooked dinner, that would be popular
• Mandela Trail in Eastern Camp (Coffee Bay, Port St Johns, Mkambati Nature Reserve)
• Vundu Camp, Mana Pools (tie it in with Wild Dog conservation)
• Camp Amalinda and Mother Africa (tie in with community voluntourism)
• Singita Pamushana (tie in with rhino conservation on Malilangwe)
• Walking at Chem Chem (between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, Tanzania)
• East African Lodge Chain – One company that stands out in terms of locations, authenticity, excellent hosting and strong community commitment is Asilia Africa. They are a one-stop East Africa provider and are filling a gap in the market that has been sorely missing in East Africa.
• Best Gorilla Viewing Lodge – Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Very high specification. Best location and community-owned!
• Best new lodge in Africa? – Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in Namibia. There is simply nothing else like it. That day of driving out to the coast and then the scenic flight back – magic!