3 of the Best Travel Incentives in Africa – by Dragonfly Africa/Green Route Africa
Have you heard the thrum of the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara? Or woken to the chorus of crickets? Beyond our borders lies a continent partially untouched with constantly changing landscapes, a wealth of experiences and a promise of an incentive trip like no other.
This week we hear from Dragonfly Africa and Green Route Africa – Southern and East Africa’s leading DMC and long-term inVOYAGER for a round-up of the best luxury travel incentives they've arranged across Africa and a taste of what’s to come when you join us later this year in Cape Town.
1. Immerse yourself in Tanzania’s Pride lands
Arusha – Serengeti – Zanzibar
Picture the scene: it’s 2019 and we have 50 of the top global sales partners in scientific research looking to delve into an incentive filled with innovation, inclusivity and diversity. On paper, it’s a rewards trip – but the way we see it, it’s a chance to engage and inspire the group with an exceptional journey of discovery through Tanzania’s Sacred Serengeti while connecting with the company’s ethos on diversity. We’re talking safari experiences, island escapes, wildlife sightings, luxurious accommodation and impactful connections with the local communities.
The programme:
The group arrive and we kick the programme off with a welcome breakfast in Arusha. We want to prepare the guests for their incredible Serengeti experience as well as begin forming those personal connections with the communities, so we fly in a Game Ranger from the lodge in time for the breakfast along with sixteen children from the Rehoboth Children’s Centre to receive donations from our guests and treat them to a musical performance.
Then it’s time to move the group from Arusha to the Serengeti with five different private charter flights and a game drive transfer to the Four Seasons Serengeti Safari Lodge. The next few days consists of a welcome Jazz night by the pool, immersive safaris with resident Maasai Warriors, 4x4 game drives, custom-tailored Maasai workshops with local artisans and CSR projects empowering the local community. On the final night, we surprise the group with a luxurious authentic bush dinner under the African night stars – made all the more special by the Kenyan astronomer who drove down for the evening to share his knowledge of the southern night sky and the telescope we set up for the night.
The rustic African island of Zanzibar is next as our guests fly by private charter aircraft to the beautiful and exotic island off the Tanzanian coast. Staying at The Residence Zanzibar, the group enjoy a tour to Stone Town (once a bustling slave trade centre and birthplace of Freddie Mercury), trekking colobus monkeys in the Jozani Forest, and snorkelling off Prison Island, home to the ancient Aldabra giant tortoises. Highlights also include an Arabian-themed awards dinner with stalls featuring traditional food items and crafts-stations from local artisans and a fun-filled farewell beach party.
The results:
Upon returning to their home destination, the client confirmed that the programme exceeded all expectations. “Please know our executive hosts, Inner Circle winners, and their guests were all beyond impressed with the once-in-a-lifetime experience you all created and will cherish it forever. The rest of our global sales organisation has major FOMO after seeing elements of the trip plastered all over Facebook and Instagram.”
1. Sponsor a child’s education in Zambia:
Livingstone, Zambia
During Springtime in March, we receive a call from an International Consulting Firm hoping to take their newly elected Partners out of their 5-Star Hotel and into a local community in Livingstone, Zambia. The firm want to create awareness of the greater social issues surrounding local education and the idea is hatched that we invite them to a dinner at the Tongabezi Trust School – a local school founded on the generous sponsorship of donors from around the world. It’s a perfect opportunity to collaborate with the school (bringing potentially 500 sponsors) and show the group of delegates the world beyond Victoria Falls and Zambia.
The Programme:
As neither the school nor Dragonfly Africa and suppliers have planned a large-scale dine around dinner in a school before, we end up needing to get creative with our solutions. We decide to dress each of the classrooms for small group discussion panels with decorations created by the children and teachers dressed up in traditional outfits. The local Women’s Sewing Group is brought in to make colourful Chitenge tablecloths for the classrooms and the children get to work making beautiful paper chains and balloons for the classrooms and Amphitheatre. Fairy Lights light the pathways and adorn the classroom entrances and in preparation for the dinners, the school paint their classrooms and the kitchen facilities receive a re-vamp with new equipment and solar panels.
Delegates take a trip down memory lane as they sit at traditional school desks and chairs for the dinner and take in their incredible surroundings as the school children put on a performance for the delegates with drummers on arrival, a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, three songs by the school choir and songs and dances from the pre-school class. The delegates reciprocate with a speech and song and teach the children some words from their various international languages.
It’s a truly special evening and both parties leave with memories that’ll last a lifetime.
The Results:
The program left a legacy that could continue well after the incentive had finished.
By sponsoring a child each at the school, the group had a meaningful opportunity to dramatically influence the children’s futures as well as the pleasure of getting to know the kids, with regular school reports and pieces of artwork shared to follow their progress. It was an experience like no other.
1. Discover the world less-travelled in Namibia
Windhoek – Etosha – Swakopmund – Sossusvlei
It’s February 2018 and a leading medical supplies company reach out to Dragonfly Africa looking to head up an incentive to reward 60 of their top sales representatives. They're on the hunt for a unique, off-the-beaten track experience in recognition of their hard work as well as the chance to network between the departments, so we agree on an eight-day itinerary in Namibia. As a destination, Namibia is a mystery for most guests and decision-makers alike and is often overlooked when selecting a destination for upcoming incentive journeys. It may not be the obvious choice, but with its ability to offer a flawless combination of safari, sand and sea all in one, it poses an incredibly unique and authentic option and is a wonderful chance to explore the less-travelled parts of Africa.
The Programme:
The group arrive and we welcome them into the tranquil setting of WIndhoek’s Country Club Resort before heading off for two incredible nights at the Mokuti Etosha Lodge within Etosha’s famed Game Reserve. Etosha is one of the best places for game-sightings with its abundance of wildlife and natural water holes, perfect for close-up encounters. The wildlife there have been drinking at the water holes there for decades and aren’t put off by vehicles or game-seeking visitors meaning your chances of spotting the Big 5 (Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Rhino and Buffalo) are always high. Whilst there, we treat our guests to twice-daily game drives and a private open-air bush dinner.
Then it’s time to pack their bags and head to the beautiful coastal town of Swakopmund for three days filled with action-packed activities from Sand Boarding, Camel Riding and Quad Biking to 4x4 Dune Drives and a Mini Living Desert Tour. It’s an incredible three days and our delegates soon begin to test their limits and form long-lasting bonds with each other. Away from the desert, they head out for a spectacular day exploring the many riches of the Atlantic Ocean’s Skeleton Coast with an early-morning marine cruise. Guests get up close with pelicans, seals and the indigenous Mola Mola fish, whilst savouring the fresh ocean breeze during their exclusive gourmet lunch on the beachl.
After this our delegates are treated to an “Out-of-Africa" experience by embarking on a self-drive adventure to Sossusvlei in 4x4 vehicles, each fitted with 2-way radios. In fact, many visitors opt to explore Namibia in this way as it’s the best way to really experience the off-beaten-tracks and immerse yourself in the contrasting landscapes. We stop for an authentic lunch at the Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge and soak up the grandeur of the jagged mountains and desert plains.
Now in Sossuvlei, our delegates embark on two memorable nights on the salt and clay pan, surrounded by red dunes in the southernmost part of the Namib Desert. The group stay at the custom-built Tented Camp – an incredibly authentic and rustic pad, nestled under centuries old camel thorn trees. A stop at Deadvlei to visit the iconic centuries-old petrified trees completes this once-in-a-lifetime-experience.
The Results:
We wanted to create memories that would remain imprinted in the delegates’ hearts forever and in the client's words: “The organization of the trip was flawless. The team on site was very professional, helpful and flexible. We really felt like they were part of our group. Thanks to them, Namibia will stay forever in our hearts and is for sure a destination we recommend.”
Dragonfly Africa and Green Route Africa will be partnering with us as we head to Cape Town in June for our much-anticipated Q2 event.
So, join us there and discover their world for yourself! Click here for more details.