The Logbook. June 2020. by TheLostExecutive

THE LOGBOOK J U N E

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You are running out of time to see the world

Contents Editors note ��4 Norwich to Edinburgh in a Skoda Kodiaq VRS ��6 ESSMA ��8 Brussels Airport Consulting ��10 Exclusive Tents ��14 Aterra Glamping ��16 Nile Safari Lodge ��18 Lima Escape �� 20 Lodg’ing �� 22 Glampro ��26 Glampsan �� 30 Tristar Africa �� 34 Ke Nako Biltong �� 36 Hotel Francis Arlene �� 38 Ebony Home �� 40 Traversing Africa ��42 Wild Gaze Safaris �� 46 Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ��47 Senait Ethiopia Tours �� 50 Mount Kili Adventures Ltd ��52 As You Like It Safaris Ltd ��55 Serengeti Balloon Safaris �� 58 Nande Junias Explorer Tours �� 60

Editors Note

t may seem an unconventional collaboration that a leading sport publication would join forces with a hospitality mag but given the recent circumstances regarding Covid 19 and the global Lockdown it is an innovation that has already produced results. SCRUM Magazine has over a ten year publishing history, become a leading and highly respected rugby focussed magazine. Based out of Edinburgh Scotland, they have covered every aspect of the sport including players, coaching, venues and suppliers with the highest standard of editorial content. As one of the most referenced sports publications in Scotland and the UK they are a voice for rugby as an industry and not only as a sport. The Logbook, was first published in 2018 and from its first publication date was focussed on all aspects of the travel and hospitality industry. Covering major hotels, travel groups and key suppliers to the expanding fringes of the industry like glamping, small safari and tour groups and food and drink producers.

WHAT DOES THE COLLABORATION MEAN? Functionally, with the two magazines combining forces while retaining their individual titles, their impact is expected to double. The audience numbers and engagement for both publications have already started to grow thanks to natural cross-over and the administrative strain that comes with running multiple magazines is now being shared.

WORKING TOGETHER TO BE STRONGER Neither SCRUM Magazine or The Logbook have had to sacrifice any of their content or relationships to create the collaboration. A happy connection that has cost neither entity anything, the focus has been entirely on what can be done to enhance the client and reader experience post Lockdown and into the future. With countries beginning to slowly open borders and revitalise industries, there are going to be many businesses collaborating to combine their strengths for the sake of their consumers. Many industries we considered powerful have atrophied due to this unprecedented low period while others have had the opportunity to rise above the canopy to become leaders. What businesses need to get rid of is the faith in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;historic business templateâ&#x20AC;?.

The Team Published by The Lost Executive LTD in association with Bell Johnstone & SCRUM Magazine Co-founder Don Campbell Head Writer Donnie Rust Copy proofreader Daemon Sands Magazine Designer Colin Tait

Working with glampinghub.com

NORWICH EDINBURGH IN A SKODA KODIAQ VRS

t’s 3am and I’m driving. My girlfriend, who kindly promised to stay awake to help me keep alert and on the road is curled up like a squirrel in the passenger seat and fast asleep. For the record, she does not snore as quietly as a squirrel.

And, during these times of non-ideal driving conditions, a vehicle can really demonstrate it’s true worth and value. It is during these times that a driver appreciates the actual thinking time that designers have taken to consider what it means to be a safe and reliable car.

The eight hour drive from Norfolk England to Scotland has only just begun and the roads are quiet and endless. In the prevailing darkness vehicles drift across the road like deep sea fish at the bottom of the ocean.

Thank god I was in a Skoda Kodiaq vRS2.0!

COMFORTABLE STYLISH DRIVING

There is a solemn courtesy of the road at this time of night, if you see lights ahead you dim your bright beams, you don’t act like an idiot, you drive carefully. At the Witching Hour every driver knows that every other driver would rather be in their bed than behind the wheel.

The Skoda Kodiaq is quite a handsome car. It has the heft that you would expect from a 4x4 and the interior space that suggests it can carry anything. It also has a very quick kick for a diesel that could match a petrol engine for its take-off speed. The driving position is very comfortable with everything being within easy reach of the driver’s fingertips. Skoda uses an intelligent design when it comes to the basic controls of a car. Everything is where you’d expect them to be, the start button is on the side of the steering column, the windscreen wipers, the indicators, the lights, the basic controls are all in the locations where your hands naturally expect to find them. These standardised controls mean that when you climb behind the wheel you don’t need a map on how to operate the system. The onboard computer is highly intuitive and assumes that the driver doesn’t have time to pull over to the side of the road to work out how to switch from radio to sat nav or how to connect your phone! So your eyes and your brain are never distracted from the road.

THE SPECS

I will be honest and say that the sport style bucket seats were a bit uncomfortable after several hours of driving, however I think this is more a case of functionality over design. Or it could be because there are surprisingly few cars made for a man of my size and height… or that I should have taken more stops to stretch along the way.

As you’ve probably guessed, I was impressed by how safe this vehicle made me feel while I was driving with only a couple of hours sleep. Cruise control, seven airbags, progressive steering, full LED headlights with an adaptive front light system and LED daytime running lights made me feel like we could survive almost anything. Combined with a Columbus satnav system that was reliable to the letter, even to avoiding the recently put up road works on the A1 and A17.

FUEL AND ECONOMY It cost us £65 to full the tank and that got us close to 700 miles. Keeping in mind most of the driving was not in cities and we stuck to the motorway as much as possible. We did get a chance to test out the performance on a variety of roads because you don’t get to Scotland without going through some snake bend lanes.

PERSONAL TASTE I am just under two metres tall and as a big guy I don’t fit into small cars. At all. Naturally, I prefer large and spacious cars that are reliable and intuitive and don’t require a great deal of skill to drive. This is one of the reasons I tend to enjoy Skodas and also why I would recommend the Kodiaq vRS. It doesn’t take a great deal of skill to drive but it will still make you look like you know what you’re doing, and most importantly, it is a joy to drive.

Also, when a hairpin turn appears out of nowhere and you’re travelling at sixty miles an hour I can assure you that this car grips the asphalt as if it were on rails.

FUNCTIONALITY More of a city 4x4 than a heavy duty truck, the Kodiaq vRS does offer quite a spacious boot area with the furthest back seats pushed down. But it wouldn’t suit a builder or labourer and while it would probably be strong enough to handle a dirty job, it’s not really suited for it. I would imagine this is a great car for an executive travelling for work or for hauling people around. I was using it to collect an apartment’s worth of clothes, bedding and boxes and boxes of books from a container in Norwich so it’s definitely strong enough for that.

Seriously though, she doesn’t snore like a squirrel at all. See more about this great vehicle at:

https://www.skoda.co.uk/new-cars/kodiaq/vrs

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WITH ESSMA

How Juventus have tackled COVID-19 was the subject of a recent ESSMA webinar

he European Stadium & Safety Management Association (ESSMA) was founded in 1996 by former PSG President Lionel Dreksler. Since 2008, John Beattie (Stadium and Facilities Director at Arsenal FC) has been President of the Association.

Several European rugby organisations including IRFU and LNR (Ligue Nationale de Rugby – France) and its members (Aviva Stadium, Stade Toulousain, Connacht Rugby, etc.) are part of the ESSMA Community. Furthermore, FC Barcelona, Arsenal FC, PSG, AFC Ajax, FC Bayern München and other top clubs are long-standing ESSMA Members.

In 2011, ESSMA created its new Executive Committee and Advisory Committee with respected members from various European top clubs and federations.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 The (temporary) lockdown across all Europe competitions has disrupted the industry. Even though, most competitions are gradually re-starting again, the long-term consequences cannot be underestimated. According to ESSMA research the short-term challenges linked to matchday operations are focussed on selection of personnel that can attend, testing procedures & protection for staff and modified safety protocols.

ESSMA offers a platform to stadium professionals where they can share, learn and discuss topics related to ESSMA’s areas of expertise: Development & Construction, Operations & Ticketing, Sustainability & SMART, Safety & Security, Fan Experience & Hospitality and Pitch Management In 2021, they will celebrate their 25th anniversary and hopefully kick-off the festivities during the annual ESSMA Summit, which should take place next January at Allianz Stadium.

Clubs should also take a look into improving the circulation/crowd management, sharing information towards their supporters and perhaps even thinking about decreasing the overall stadium capacity.

The Lost Executive recently caught up with ESSMA Managing Director, Cyril De Greve, to find out more about what they do.

From ESSMA's perspective, the most significant impact has been the cancellation of their annual Safety & Security Workshop in Marseille, as well as monthly visits to members across Europe.

ESSMA work closely with over 350 European clubs, stadiums, leagues and federation on the further development of the industry. With this strong European network, they discuss industryrelated topics, reach common insights and organise networking events to share knowledge and best practices.

To overcome this period without physical knowledge sharing opportunities, they launched a webinar series mid-March to stay connected with members. Later this month, they also plan to launch their fifth ESSMA

Webinar where Borussia Mönchengladbach will share their experiences on organising matches behind closed doors. Topics of the previous webinars include:

First of all, expanding the stay of fans inside the stadium is a key challenge. Not only from a commercial point of view, where having people longer inside the stadium will make them spend more, but also to decrease the waiting lines at entry points and concession stands. And of course, stadium design plays a major role in this.

• Tackling COVID-19 at Juventus • Building the best fan zone with insights from SL Benfica and Brøndby IF

ESSMA recognises that when stadiums offer a convenient space with entertainment, people come earlier.

• Turning your matchday staff into club ambassadors at Milwaukee Bucks • The impact of hospitality segmentation on the development projects of Everton FC and Liverpool FC

At the old White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur FC had the worst score in terms of fan arrivals, in the newly-built stadium, opened just over a year ago, they are topping the list.

THE CHANGING INDUSTRY

Secondly, the importance of experiences cannot be underestimated. Giving people a qualitative offer, both towards hospitality guests and the general public. Apart from the quality, the range of offers seems to increase as well. An interesting evolution is that the price range

It’s a challenging time for sports venues worldwide. Research amongst ESSMA members shows that 57% believe the stadium capacity will be reduced while 35% believe the stadium capacity will become more flexible. Furthermore, out of the participating clubs, 92% of them believe that the willingness of fans to attend matches will decrease.

is expanding as well, as the cheapest ticket options became cheaper and the premium products became even more expensive. This all helps to provide a more segmented and personalised offer.

“To run a stadium in an profitable way, a vaccine seems indispensable. Even when social distancing is reduced to one meter, it will be below the lower limit to efficiently run a business," said Declan O’Brien, Operations & Events Manager at the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and long-standing ESSMA Executive Committee Member - However, research conducted by ESSMA also showed that there will be a faster breakthrough of several technologies such as thermal CCTV, high-pressure cleaning, contactless access and self-testing kits.

Lastly, with the terror threat, the priority of safety and security is understandable and stadiums should look for ways to close the gap between safety and matchday experience. Looking at research on people who never attended stadium events before, their primary reason not to attend is the fear of violence. It is ESSMA's mission to entise these people into stadiums by organising safety and security below the surface, while also providing them with a fantastic experience they will never forget.

In Europe several competitions are re-starting their season behind closed doors. As fans are not allowed yet, clubs are looking for creative solutions to get in touch with their fans and to still get them involved during matches. For example, Aarhus GF developed a virtual grandstand so fans can join the game via a livestream. While Borussia Mönchengladbach installed doppelgangers of its fans across the stadium.

EVOLVING THE FAN EXPERIENCE Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the stadium industry is experiencing new and difficult challenges linked to social distancing and playing matches behind closed doors, or with a limited capacity.

At ESSMA, they are trying to gathering insights across Europe and are trying to support their members on how to deal with the current COVID-19 crisis. Recently, ESSMA launched a preliminary report on the impact of COVID-19 on sponsorship alternatives and enhancing the (virtual) matchday experience.

In terms of the evolution of the matchday experience, Cyril believes technology will become an increasingly important aspect in the upcoming years. In particular reference to 5G technology, which is bringing a new approach towards the matchday experience.

THE THREE MAIN CHALLENGES

In the USA, 5G is already quitespread in the NFL competitions, while in Europe, there are only a few clubs including FC Bayern München, VfL Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona who have already implemented the technology.

Even though every stadium has its own unique challenges and taking the cultural differences between countries into account, according to ESSMA's research there are three main challenges.

BRUSSELS AIRPORT CONSULTING AIMS TO IMPROVE STADIUM EXPERIENCES

W stadiums.

ith expertise in the airport sector, their initial target was there, but they are also looking at public venues, hospitals and

Bart explained: “We have five core competencies - airport operations, security, safety, customer experience and cargo. “Some of them are really focused on airport because of the background of the company. But most of the capabilities we have could be translated to other

The Lost Executive caught up with Maxime Prouvost, Marketing and Sales Manager, and General Manager Bart Seuntjens, to find out more.

industries such as safety, security, and that’s why we have recently become a partner of ESSMA.”

“We aim to providing services to the airport sector, but also other industries, such as stadiums, public venues, and hospitals,” Maxime explained.

One of their projects has been at Royal Antwerp FC, as the ambitious club looks to ensure it’s Bosuilstadion home is fit for purpose should they earn a spot in one of European football’s major tournaments.

Whether that is through helping with customer flow, improving the fan experience at a stadium or increasing security measures through the installation of new technology, Brussels Airport Consulting aims to help businesses, whether they are international airports, or top-class sports teams, look to the future.

Bart said: “They had specific requests to evaluate, initially, their security level. “They are very ambitious and would like to play on the European level, so, looking at their development over the last five years, it is clear that they have to increase their maturity in terms of safety and security

Brussels Airport Consulting launched last year with the aim of improving customer experiences at venues

“Information is really related to the communication, like signs and speakers; and management is related to all different kinds of management in the stadium.”

“They asked us to do an independent evaluation of where they were to define the elements that have to be put in place, even to come to a minimum standard. “That was what we did in the in the first phase, and then in the first half of 2020, we have developed with them their security plan. “We also created a tool by which they are now much more efficient in staffing stewards, and they understand what costs are implied by staffing different kinds of stewards.”

Bart explained that ICE is related to ingress, circulation and egress - ensuring fans flow efficiently around the stadium before, during and after the match.

Brussels Airport Consulting also looked flow management at the nearly-13,000 seater stadium. “We applied the DIM-ICE methodology, the DIM stands for Design Information and Management. So, when you when you try to evaluate the safety and security at that stadium, you just look into these three elements in terms of the infrastructure of the stadium.

And as the business attempts to stabilise following the disruption caused by COVID-19 all over the world, Bart admitted it has been a period of re-evaluating.

He knows that innovation may be key going forward. “It drives us also to be innovative, to look into maybe other ways of generating business,” he said, while adding they have had to make alterations to their original plans because of the impact of COVID-19. Bart does, though, believe experience of overcoming difficult situations previously will stand them in good stead.

Maxime Prouvost

Bart Seuntjens

“After the terrorist attacks Brussels Airport was confronted with on the 22 March 2016, you quickly saw the restart of the airport.

“We applied the DIM-ICE methodology, the DIM stands for Design Information and Management. So, when you when you try to evaluate the safety and security at that stadium, you just look into these three elements in terms of the infrastructure of the stadium."

“This is a different situation, but it does mean, I think, that we are credible to also support other organisations with the restart. “That is maybe one of the opportunities that are currently there. When asked about their desire to grow the business further still, the duo are completely aligned. Maxime emphasised the ambition of Brussels Airport Consulting: “we have a vision and an ambition to be a global consulting firm. “We are in the start-up phase, and our current focus is on Europe, including the UK.”

D ON’ T C H O O S E BET WEEN EFFICIENCY,

SECURITY & SAFETY OR FAN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THEM ALL.

OPERATIONS EFFICIENCY

SECURITY

SAFETY

FAN EXPERIENCE

The world is our canvas

Over 60 glamping tent designs! From 100 sq ft Over 60 glamping tent designs! 10,000 ft & larger! From 100 sq ftsq - 10,000 sq ft (929m2) & larger!

www.exclusivetents.com

EXCLUSIVE TENTS: IT’S IN THE NAME With celebrities, boutique resorts and government departments as their customers and friends, Exclusive Tents International has become one of the leading suppliers for safari-style tents, and one of the most trusted suppliers worldwide

he family-run business has reached this level by the simplest approach, which we can be broken down in three points: style, quality and authenticity. Prior to foundin Exclusive Tents, Paul Zway worked for 17 years as a game ranger at Kruger National Park in his native South Africa. Taking inspiration from this period of his life, Exclusive Tents products are aesthetically bias towards the African safari style of light khaki canvas stretched over an external frame. “We not only manufacture and sell tents but also offer partial or full turnkey solutions,” Paul said, while adding: “If requested, we go out to set up tents for our clients, even if they are small projects.”

The luxurious tents are particularly popular with the sorts of industries that require the highest and most exclusive standards. This is why they count some of the biggest glamping sites and safari operators as their regular customers. Exclusive Tents are one of the vendors and partners of the Global Glamping Summit, and according to Paul, in recent times glamping has blossomed up all over the world. For Paul, quality accounts for more than just the quality of the tents and extends further to the customer service, relationship retention and the extended longevity of the tents.

“We are proud that this is a family-run operation on both the sales and manufacturing sides,” he told The Lost Executive. “We are not a typical corporation and we are all pretty laid back but have a passion for our work, which is in itself an adventure.” The team behind Exclusive Tents are always looking for ways to improve their offering. Their first-class relationship with suppliers is such that they are always updated on innovations and new products ahead of time. “There is no future-proofing better than to remain ahead and be constantly vigilant for improvements in safety and materials and to diversify tent designs to meet the growing need for uniqueness. “Our main effort is to always be ahead in the industry by improving our product and making it even safer to use without compromising on design, structure and style. “This is how we bring the best quality to the market with the most affordable price.” Paul’s wife Angelika and his three sons, Zane, Anders and Brian, are all part of the daily operations. “We all do sales and share work with each other when necessary but together with Johan and Louwrie, who focus on the manufacturing side of the business. This family-based approach to the business is important to Paul - as is the long-lasting relationships they have built up with customers all across the world. For instance, when one of their customers, the 4-Rivers Floating Lodge in Cambodia, was devastated by a huge flood, Paul and his family immediately donated replacement parts for them to ensure the business would be able to re-open as soon as possible.

“We are friends with the owner who almost lost his wife and children in the flood,” Paul explained. “We had to do what we were able to. I don’t believe that business is always about the sale. “Sales are important as is revenue. But it is more about building relationships that last a long time and being blessed to find new friends around the world.” And when he’s not hard at work producing custommade tents for clients around the world, what does Paul do to unwind? “I love my work, and we live it,” he said. “We live in a jungle in our tents and when we have time off, we like to relax and enjoy time with our dogs.” For more information: www.exclusivetents.com

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE THROUGH ATERRA GLAMPING

ffering a unique and wholesome glamping experience aiming to reconnect guests to nature and themselves, Atera Glamping Aterra Glamping is an ecological campsite located on the south-west coast of Alentejo in Portugal.

The resort has a hybrid element that combines Portuguese and regional specialties with other parts of the world. Such as the strong and immediately recognisable Indian connection and affection.

Founded in 2012 by Francisco and Claudia de Brion, guests often comment on the immense beauty of the location and the warm and welcoming hospitality.

THE ATERRA ENVIRONMENT

“Aterra offers guests a unique combination of comfort and contact with nature,” Francisco told The Lost Executive. “They get to have an ecological experience surrounded by animals and nature whilst relaxing in very comfortable and beautiful surroundings.” Aterra is secluded, yet close to the local town and beaches, while it possesses an exotic feel, combining aspects from Asia and other destinations around the world that the couple have travelled to and been influenced by. Aterra Eco Camping is especially popular with families and offers everything that guests can expect of a successful glamping site. Francisco and Claudia seek to provide guests with a taste of the freedom, peace and tranquillity that they enjoy themselves. And, to achieve this goal they have approached it with a holistic, healthy philosophy. “Aterra is a chance to reconnect with nature and has been carefully designed to reflect our experiences,” Francisco said. “Having lived abroad and travelled widely, Aterra reflects the influences and inspirations that we have had from different cultures and styles.”

Accommodation at Aterra includes romantic Rajasthani tents, stunning yurts and stylish tipis. Each one of these abodes offers a unique experience for the guest which colours the visit in a deeply personal fashion. Considering that, when many of us wake most mornings in drab rooms with right angled walls and flat expressionless ceilings, it sets the entire day on a fresh tone to wake up somewhere unexpected, airy and beautiful. “It’s a happy surprise first thing in the morning that gets the mind excited for what other unexpected but beautiful things are to come,” Francisco explains, “For some of our guests who have come to us for breaks from their busy professional lifestyles, this is enough to change their entire outlook.” Then of course there are the views. The camp is near Sao Teotonio near the Vicentina Coastline, an area of outstanding natural beauty that offers stretches of beautiful beaches Days can be enjoyed participating in one of the many activities on offer, such as horse riding, cycling, yoga and kayaking. As Aterra is surrounded by gardens, fruit trees and a mixed forest, the only sounds that guests hear come from the trees or the animals from the free range farm. They have a range including ducks, chickens, peacocks and geese, horses, donkeys, and of course resident dogs and cats. So, upon returning from a day’s activities, guests are able to relax and not be disturbed by sounds of traffic, noisy neighbours or loud music. And the Attera approach has been noticed - they were awarded the coveted Green Award by Trip Advisor and were ranked in the top 20 best sites for Glamping by The Times recently. For Francisco and Claudia, the real reward is for guests to leave feeling refreshed and renewed and wanting to return. For more indormation: www.aterra.pt

NILE SAFARI LODGE The New Nile Safari Lodge In Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

ne of the first tented lodges along the Nile River in Uganda, the Nile Safari Lodge was founded in 1993 by Zahid Alam. Opened under the name Geo Lodges it was designed to be a place of natural beauty, where the presence of guests would have little or no impact upon the thriving wildlife of this legendary area. It was a worthwhile legacy, so in 2017 when the camp had begun to succumb to the marathon of time the family owned company NOVAM Ltd took over the premises. Their aim was to uphold the legacy, restore the lodge to its former glory and add some tailored appeal for the discerning modern-day traveller.

“Enjoying the beauty of nature has never been academic,” she points out, “People need to make the journey and see what this world is like. They need to experience it with all of their senses and allow themselves to be changed by it. This is the truth of travelling to Africa, you do not leave the same person as you arrived.”

THE LODGE There are thirty locally employed, highly trained staff members at the Nile Safari Lodge which is located at the limit of the national park and right on the riverbank. But what is truly unique about the location is that the lodge is elevated from the mighty Nile River and this offers guests an uninterrupted view of the wildlife that congregates upon its shores, drawn in by the life giving waters.

We spoke with Nathalie Van Pée of Nile Safari Lodge regarding what the lodge stands for and why this legacy is worth maintaining. She explains, “Having grown up in Uganda and having lived here for over twenty years, we want to both share the beauty of the country and conserve it for future generations.”

There are eight bandas in total. These include six standard bandas, a Family banda that includes a very popular private child-friendly nine person pool and one exclusive Honeymoon banda which comes with a private plunge pool and an outside star bed. According to Nathalie, with little or no light pollution in the area, the available opportunities for night-time gazing at the cosmos are quite spectacular.

According to Nathalie, once you understand that the thriving abundance of life in this area is nevertheless reliant on a fragile eco-system, wanting to protect it becomes second nature. And, sharing the experiences that can be had here with international visitors is the surest way to inspire people from across the globe to do the same.

those currents, while all the creatures in the grass and leaves surrounding you buzz and sing and chirrup just for you. The clever use of space in the sleeping areas and the bathing areas has created another aspect which sometimes goes unappreciated. Uncluttered living space. Nothing feels as luxurious as having a lot of uninterrupted room to move around in; be it to slow dance to some romantic music with a lover after sunset, or to chase your children around before tickling them to tears. Africa is all about dancing and laughter after all.

CUSTOMER SERVICE While there is no denying that the lodge is certainly an impressive sight providing the most breathtaking and Instagram worthy views, the team understand that the real strength of hospitality comes from the attention paid to the smallest details of guest satisfaction.

The lodge is built using eucalyptus poles and grass thatch as the dominant materials. Stilts have been used to deal with slopes and these have created spectacular views from the various cantilevering decks. Meanwhile, the steep geometry of the roofs allow the impressive structures to sink organically into the surrounding trees as if they had sprouted from the branches themselves.

“Understanding that many of our guests will have certain expectations,” Nathalie explains, “We make sure to keep lodge and suite cleanliness above the usual standard one would expect. With this in mind we implement a daily procedure sheet designed to effectively train our employees and ensure they always have the best resources and equipment to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness.”

With a unique selection of Rampel designed furniture, the bandas are a combination of comfort and simplicity with a big dose of luxury. The interiors offer the calming smell of thatching and eucalyptus, along with providing an exclusive style and ambiance that immerses the guest into the spirit of the location.

Relationship building is also a key aspect for them, and Nathalie reveals that to build these relationships they focus on exceptional communication. As mentioned, many of their clients come from faraway lands and different time zones.

“This is important to us,” Nathalie explains, “We wanted an eco-lodge that would blend seamlessly with nature, hence the architectural design of the lodges that has allowed us to provide spacious accommodation for our guests while keeping them in touch with the everinspiring Nile.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPACE While often understated, a sure way to determine the standard of luxury at any accommodation is the state of the ablutions. In the same way that a restaurant can be immediately judged on the state of its kitchen, so too can a resort or lodge be lauded or condemned by the state of their guest bathrooms. Bluntly, the kings of the Nile would feel quite at home here. Imagine sinking into a tub in one of these spacious rooms, soaking the activities of the day out of your muscles while watching the steam dance across the thatching. Or, languidly peering out the window at the Nile and imagining yourself drifting lazily upon

REVIEW

LIMA ESCAPE Glamping, Portugal

ffering a rustic escape to nature, Lima Escape was created in 2012 by Anna and her boyfriend Artur. Together they had won a public competition for the opportunity of developing an old campsite which had become quite rundown. The glamping concept was eagerly applied, introducing the very recognizable tents and of course the treehouses, which were designed and carefully made by Artur.

Living in an era of people fettered to their phones, too many of us spend our lives experiencing the world through our devices. When we see something beautiful, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appreciate it unless we get a picture of it on our phones. It seems that we are slowly losing our ability to appreciate the beauty of something just for what it is and not for the responses we get from our social peers. At Lima Escape, the real escape is being able to sit and enjoy the sound of birds in the trees, the leaves being moved by the wind and the sound of the small waterfall trickling down to the river that surrounds the site.

According to Anna the inspiration for the project came from a deep love of nature and the outstanding beauty of the area located in the very heart of Peneda-Geres National Parc (biggest natural parc of Portugal). The concept is intended for people with the same desires i.e., those wishing to escape the over-connected hubbub of daily life. The only television or internet connection is at the reception area and the restaurant, encouraging guests to explore the surroundings.

ACCOMMODATION When they began in 2012, they had two lodges and two tents. Today, the site offers eight units in total comprising of one apartment, 5 treehouses and Coloured Lodges and five glamping tents which are in place during the long Portuguese Summers lasting from May until the end of October.

LOCATION

The tents offer an oriental crossed Portuguese style and the lodges are modern and simple with some wood elements to enhance the feeling of wilderness and freshness. Anna explains that the aim was to offer something simple but comfortable as to not detract from the unique experience of feeling surrounded by nature.

Sitting on a peninsula flanked by the rivers Lima, Froufe and Tamente and with Serra Amarela in the background, Lima Escape Camping and Glamping is a true nature retreat. Smoothly aligning camping areas with romantic glamour tents and charming wooden bungalow made in the style of treehouses and shepherd huts.

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT

2020

At Lima Escape, guests can glamp and camp their own way as there are not too many rules and it isn’t as official or boring as a hotel business. Their main offering is the chance to enjoy the “simple pleasures” and to drop a gear or two and just enjoy relaxing.

In the upcoming year there are plans to improve their bar, which plays a significant community role and to put up another treehouse lodge and a fully restored double decker bus where guests can feel like rockstars on holiday. Otherwise, to continuing welcoming guests new and old.

Since opening, there has been a steady increase of guests returning year on year, saying that they have a very special feeling about the place. Considering the challenge involved in getting return business in the hospitality industry, it is a mark of how strong their appeal is.

PRICE: Lodges from 45.00€ per night (minimal booking is 2 nights), tents – from 50€ per night, with breakfast normally served at the tent’s terrace WEBSITE: www.lima-escape.pt TELEPHONE: +351 258 588 361

Anna reveals that while the location and the accommodation and the access to nature is a strong element, it is their commitment to guest relations that has secured the loyalty of their guests. Upon check in at the reception, guests are introduced to the site or updated on new developments, they’re also made aware of the “secret” places like the hidden waterfalls and small lagoons where the special memories that last a lifetime are made.

MOBILE: + 351 964 969 309 351 926 503 332 EMAIL: info@lima-escape.pt

REVIEW

LODG’ING Glamping Tent Suppliers, France

purred on by the desire to develop an innovative tourism concept that focussed on glamping accommodation experiences, Simon Louvard founded Lodg’ing in March 2018. An individual creation this business was inspired by his experiences acquired during the last 10 years in the hotel and tourism industry in France and abroad including Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, beyond the tents Lodg’ing also offer on-site assistance such as customer reception, daily cleaning, security and other concierge services to support the guest’s overall experience. In terms of capacity they can host up to 120 people comfortably in their tents in the same site and have provided event accommodation for a number of businesses and major events across France.

THE TEAM Lodg’ing is first and foremost a family business with Simon’s father being his business partner, and together the plan is to position itself as the number one pop up glamping hotel in France. Offering tailor-made services so that guests can gain an unforgettable accommodation experience near an event or in an exceptional natural setting.

THE TENTS Offering the highest quality, custom designed tents is just one part of the business and Simon explains that the maintenance of the equipment is the other. This includes disassembly and packaging, cleaning and repairing of the tents and the general maintenance of the product to ensure its longevity not only for Lodg’ing but the client as well.

SERVICES

ADVANTAGES A quote by another innovator, Leonardo Da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, is one of Simon’s favourites. As such, their glamping tents are simple and very comfortable. Once set up and fully furnished in these exceptional natural places, they are unique and stunning. Also, there is always Lounge area installed nearby which is the ideal place to relax and interact with other people from different backgrounds.

There are two main types of services available: “DESTINATION EVENTS” For a Destination focussed event, the nomadic Lodg’ing village is erected for a short time during cultural, sporting, or private events which could include weddings or corporate meetings. For these events they offer bespoke services to organizers looking for an original and exclusive accommodation offer. This is particularly useful for event organisers that don’t have accommodation nearby to offer guests and want to offer an innovative solution that is complementary to the event and suitably impressive.

RELATIONSHIPS Relationships are very important, and Simon prefers to work with people, both customers and partners alike, on a relationship based on trust and respect. After all, he decided to work in hospitality and tourism because he loves working with people.

“NATURE DESTINATIONS” For these events, they offer stays (short or long) in the heart of a nomadic village that they create with their tents which includes all necessary infrastructure. To do this, they find exceptional natural locations (eg. https:// www.lodg-ing.com/destination- nature-luberon/) in order to partner with the land owner and create a special location for tourists seeking a nature product while enjoying high-end services.

2020

According to Simon, in both situations, and more particularly the “Nature Destinations”, their aim is to offer clients a package-type solution, combining accommodation and discovery of the region.

TELEPHONE: +33 6 83 92 62 45

2020 will be a year to confirm the durability of their young company, with new services to come and the opportunity to properly consolidate their current position in the market. In the meantime, they are well worth a look for event organisers and site hosts. PRICE: on website

EMAIL: contact@lodg-ing.com WEBSITE: www.lodg-ing.com

“This is without a doubt one of the most mesmerising and humbling places of beauty you will ever find,” she says, “It’s beauty never lessens whether it’s your first night here or your twentieth year and guests always leave with a great sensibility to their place in this eco environment.”

“Seize the opportunity to escape the ordinary,” Nathalie adds. PRICE: $370- 715 per night depending on season and the room. TELEPHONE: +256 772 363362

“To exceed the expectation of our guests and ensure their comfort during their stay,” Nathalie says, “We make sure that we are present at the lodge and are open to guest enquiries or complaints. It makes it easy to address any problem and find the solution.“

EMAIL: info@nilesafarilodge.com WEBSITE: www.nilesafarilodge.com

RECOGNITION Their above-and-beyond approach to customer focus has won the Nile Safari Lodge a handful of Trip Advisor awards in the past as well as featuring in 1000 places to go before you die:

https://www.africanpearlsafaris.com/safari/nilesafari-lodge-in-murchison-falls-national-park/

THE LODGE Since NOVAM took control of the lodge in 2017, it has been fully renovated to its current status and 2019 has been a new start for them. “We believe that each year is an opportunity to offer something new, exciting and worthwhile for the guests,” Nathalie says, “This includes not only things pertaining to guest comfort and the general luxury of the lodge but also making sure we are doing everything in our power to protect this remarkable and vibrant area we’re lucky to find ourselves.” As a National Park, the area is protected. However, the modern sensitivity of global travellers to their own impact on the environment is growing and this is something that NOVAM plan to encourage.

REVIEW

GLAMPRO

Glamping Supplier, Slovenia

ith a talent for turning ideas into reality and manifesting their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dreams for them, Glampro have quickly become a go-to business for topâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;notch glamping resorts around the globe.

Founded in 2015 with the aim of bringing innovative products to tourism and hospitality the company, which was founded by Borut Kokelj, smoothly combines engineering design with more than a little creativity. With this, they entered into the glamping industry with a flourish and soon made a name for themselves as glamping maniacs. With no two sites looking the same, their designs range from luxurious glamping tents to adrenaline parks, bio pools and other unique designs and creations to suit the needs and tastes of every imaginable client.

THE TEAM Many established sites as well as newcomers to the industry are attracted to working with Glampro thanks to their philosophy and approach to the creative design of their sites. This approach values being different, being unique, standing out and letting the projects tell the story.

THE KEY INGREDIENT TO THE BEST SITE

Working with a team that can range between ten and thirty people at a time depending on the project requirements, Borut explains that the time lines can range from 6 months to three years depending on size and scale. Details such as timescales and budget, levels of difficulties and potential hurdles are all discussed with the client ahead of time for the benefit of troubleshooting issues before they crop up.

Over and above the creation of classic luxury tourist resorts, Glamproâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialty lies in creating resorts in an urban environment where small or limited spaces call upon an innovative layout. The projects where the designers can focus on the sustainable solutions and charming details. In cooperation with Adria Home, they also create glamping tents, which are usually placed in their projects.

PAST PROJECTS

FACILITIES Based in Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia), Glampro keeps a studio there for design and project management while partnering with a range of international suppliers and key business partners that they have worked with over the years.

A number of projects that Glampro have been involved with are worth mentioning, including Garden village Bled, Herbal resort, Chateau Ramsak resort, Glamping Olimia and other resorts in as far afield as Korea, China, Philippines, Japan, Costa Rica, Canada, UAE, Austria, Croatia, Portugal and Italy ... to name a few.

WHAT CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT In addition to project control, clients are also given creative control to ensure that their dream is manifested as they saw it in their mind, physical possibilities withstanding of course. Borut says that he has learnt the importance of these relationships as the quality of the completed project relies on it.

2020 The upcoming year is going to be a busy one with Glampro already designing approximately fifteen new resorts, as well as planning to build their own resort in the future. As glamping continues to expand and diversify, we expect to continue to see great things from this young and vibrant company. COMPANY ADDRESS: Zemljemerska ulica 12, 1000 Ljubljana / Slovenia - EU TELEPHONE: 00386 41 521 766 EMAIL: borut.kokelj@glampro.eu WEBSITE: www.glampro.eu

GLAMPSAN

The ‘Flattest’ Tanks available for waste storage and collection

THE RANGE

egular exhibitors at the annual Glamping Show, Glampsan is a leading UK manufacturer of plastic tanks for the capture and holding of toilet waste from outdoor structures. While this includes toilet blocks and site welfare facilities, it is the company’s involvement in the glamping industry, especially glamping pods, shepherd huts and log cabins that is gaining a lot of attention.

Glampsan specialises foremost in the provision of tanks from 160 to 1000-gallons and more, both for above and below ground. They also provide a range of complementary products and these include sewage lifting stations, waste pumps, rainwater harvesting tanks, sewage treatment plants, septic tanks and water pressurisation and pumping solutions.

While glamping can be a very personal and bespoke enterprise, one of the challenges, where standards cannot be lowered, is how a site handles effluent waste. Not every site is able to lay down reliable sewage mains to and from the individual glamping units. So, one solution is to rely on waste collection tanks. Such collection tanks need to be completely reliable and also discrete as to not disrupt the “atmosphere” promised by glamping.

Effectively they are a “one stop shop” opportunity for dealing with effluent waste that has proven very popular with glamping and hospitality site business owners seeking and straightforward waste sanitation solutions for their unique set up. “One of our major product lines is the market-leading Flat Tank,” Jonathan says, “This is an above ground, flat, low-profile waste holding tank that is perfectly suited to the glamping environment. It is easy to use and durable with a low environmental impact. It can also be easily located under or nearby any glamping unit.”

We spoke with Glampsan’s General Manager, Jonathan Trelfa, regarding how his business has provided solutions to this essential and delicate matter. “Our niche is operating in a particular area of hospitality that owners and hosts want to work efficiently, reliably and most importantly, discreetly in the background,” he says, “They are not looking for reviews on how good their waste management is, they’re looking instead for solutions that will mean it’s never mentioned at all.” Whether it is a five star hotel or a unique cliffsidetreehouse-glamping site there is never a time when an owner wants to hear that somethings gone wrong with this part of their business. Eliminating this fear by providing robustly tested products that have endured some of the most peculiar challenges that glamping has thrown at them, is what Glampsan does.

THE MOST ROBUSTLY TESTED TANKS IN THE UNIVERSE (PROBABLY)

Now on the fourth generation, Flat Tanks are ideal to meet the ever-changing needs of portable sanitation suppliers, caravanners, campers and glampers. They are a more reliable, easier-to-move and cost-effective alternative to old-fashioned steel waste tanks. Contrary to steel, this product will not corrode and will always appear fresh and hygienic. In addition, Jonathan says, “Our Flat Tanks feature inbuilt lifting handles, access hatches and ports, all of which are fully sealable against odours and spillage.”

The glamping industry is driven by unique experiences in unique locations. Every site is striving to offer something ‘bespoke and different’ that other sites do not. “At Glampsan,” Jonathan says, “We believe that the challenges site owners will be facing in the future in terms of their waste management infrastructure are only going to get more interesting and more complex. In no uncertain terms we are encouraging this, and perhaps even laying down a challenge with our innovative Flat Tank.” Jonathan goes on to point out, “Considering that the Flat Tank originally started its life in the construction industry. Collecting waste from toilet blocks, showers and sinks for a high number of construction sites where no permanent sewage facilities are available, when we say it’s been ‘robustly’ tested… we really do mean it.”

THE LATEST PRODUCTS Flat Tanks are an effective and simple solution to dealing with effluent waste for start-up glamping sites and many hospitality venues too. Earlier, Jonathan talked about future needs becoming more complex, “One of the problems that glamping owners sometimes have to overcome is how to deal with and remove waste from glamping units located in remote fields. Sometimes perhaps a hundred metres or more from any vehicle access point and an additional problem, “ he adds, “Is how to deal with collecting and removing waste that has to go uphill. The solution to both of these problems is a lifting station.”

TUFFEST VS FLATTEST

Due to demand, they have recently added lifting stations which are plastic tank structures with in-built pumping units and a 240v electric supply to their range. This not only extends the usefulness of their products but enables them to offer a more sophisticated option for their glamping customers.

The big-brother company, Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd, supplies this sector in particular and here the tanks are appropriately known as Tuff Tanks. They’re similar products to those offered through the Glampsan division, but with subtly different applications. Ultimately, whether you have a building site toilet or a glamping hut with an inbuilt toilet and shower, the same ‘waste product’ is produced and needs to be controlled and collected effectively. And, for glamping and hospitality there is the Flat Tank. This 500, 750 and 1000-gallon plastic effluent holding tank and its smaller counterpart, the Mini Tuff Tank (160 gallons) are constructed from robust and recyclable polyethylene and are easy to deliver and position.

With regards to innovation, Jonathan continues, “Some of our glamping customers want to install environmentally sustainable composting toilets. Whilst this option is not for everyone, they are growing in popularity and acceptance and we are able to supply composting toilets of the same reliability.”

Their flexible, low profile and lightweight design means they are ideally suited to the changing needs of the leisure sector. As sites grow and units are moved the Flat Tank can be easily transported with them without risk of damage, for example, when empty four men can easily move one.

In 2017, as they were outgrowing their old site, they purchased new premises outright and after some essential refurbishment moved in early 2018. According to Jonathan their growth plans have also meant the laying on of extra production tooling to keep up with demand and the employment of further staff in sales and warehousing. Two years ago Jonathan started the Glampsan brand, which, as was already mentioned, is a division of Plastic Solutions. From 2019 the the Glampsan strategy has been to grow by making use of all available tools. This included heavy investment into the website as well as the development of a strong social media strategy.

FUTUREPROOFING Jonathan predicts that in the long term, the glamping industry will of course inevitably mature. With it, even more sophisticated solutions will become more and more popular.

On the technology front Plastic Solutions have invested heavily over the last year and a half in

“For example, we think that more underground septic tanks and soak-away systems will be an obvious solution for maturing glamping sites,” he says, “For these sites another option could also be to invest in a complete mini sewage treatment system. However, these are substantial investments.” Long term, Glampsan will most likely add these to their product portfolio. But in the meantime, Jonathan believes that there is sufficient ‘growing room’ to supply their customers with simpler and hence more cost effective solutions. software to aid their sales and customer support staff. Jonathan explains that throughout his working life he’s always been agitated if a ringing phone wasn’t picked up within three rings. To make this possible he created tools and the environment so that their staff don’t get bogged down by too much cumbersome tech.

LEADING BY EXPERIENCE Jonathan Trelfa is a veteran of the portable sanitation industry and has over 25 years-experience under his belt. He was the Managing Director of Europe for a toilet manufacturing company between 1991-2008, and from 2011-2014 was the MD for a manufacturer of ground and surface water monitoring equipment. It was March 2014 when he decided to take up the challenge of driving forward Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd.

THE REAL DEAL BEHIND GLAMPSAN Jonathan says, that even though they sell stacks of their Flat Tanks and ancillary products, what really defines both Glampsan and Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd is their focus on core service excellence for which they have become very well known.

“I’ve known the business owners since I advised and helped them start their toilet rental business in 1994,” he says, “That business is still running successfully today. The company was one of my favourite customers up to the point I left that industry in 2008. When the owners were looking to fill the GM role, they asked me to come along for a cup of coffee and a chat: I was looking to do something different at that time and it seemed like a very good fit for both sides.”

“It takes four things,” he explains, “Our strong customer service, our complete understanding of the industry, excellent business ethics and always going the extra mile for our customers.” Glamping guests are spending their hard-earned money to stay “off grid” but expect to have the same comforts as they would at home. Any site owner knows the value of hot and cold running water, a shower and working toilets. Also, they are acutely aware of how important it is that guests be completely oblivious to where things go afterwards.

They started in 2010 and made steady progress until 2014 at which point, they developed a range of new products and brought in a focussed business and marketing plan. Since then they have tripled their turnover in the construction industry. It was soon after that they recognized that there are a wide range of industries and sectors that could benefit from their services and products.

“Glampsan may only cover a few of the solutions needed for the overall glamping experience,” Jonathan admits, “But, they are the most important parts and hosts are no doubt relieved that we apply ourselves fully to this job.” COMPANY ADDRESS: Merchant’s Way, Aldridge, West Midlands WS9 8SW TELEPHONE: 0800 334 5742 +44 (0)1922 716725 WEBSITE: w ww.plasticsol.com

www.glampsan.com

EMAIL: sales@plasticsol.com

info@glampsan.com

TRISTAR AFRICA SKIMMER SAFARIS MAKING PLANS FOR TOURISTS TO RETURN

The tourism industry has all-but ground to a halt in the last few months, Coronavirus putting holidays on hold as the world has gone into lockdown

ristar Africa Skimmer Safaris, founded in 2010 by Elia Lutaaya, aims to show tourists the best of “The Pearl of Africa.”

Each safari takes between three to five days and all of the tour guides are trained by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Elia has been a professional tour guide for many years and has a personal passion for travel. Combining a thorough appreciation for what tourists want to see and strong relationships with the area’s best hoteliers, he has created a system to produce those special, “once in a lifetime” adventures. And he hopes that, with some new measures in place, the tourists will return when air travel restrictions are lifted. He said: “We have not yet started welcoming tourists back to Uganda because the airport is still closed, but we are ready. “When we get tourists, we will offer them face masks and hand sanitiser.” The impact of COVID-19 has not been as profound as in other parts of the world, and Elia wants to encourage people to visit Uganda and take on one of his safari’s, which include gorilla tracking, water sports and mountain hiking.

For Elia, it is important that clients get a unique firsthand experience, which offers them the opportunity to interact with locals, enjoy traditional cuisines and get in-depth information about all the attractions. Thee tour guides, all locals to Uganda are involved in the client experience right from the enquiry stages. According to Elia, staff are taught how to write articles reflecting current tourism news in Uganda to give a proper “in the middle of it” feel. This also helps when they are interacting with potential clients. Then when the client arrives for the tour, they can put a name to a face. This hands-on and personalised experience is so important for building relationships with clients which Elia strongly advocates. People need to be able to relax to really enjoy themselves and absorb what Uganda has to offer. For more information: www.tristarafricaskimmersafaris.com or booking@tristarafricaskimmersafaris.com

It is time... KeNako Biltong is made from only Organically reared Dairy Cull Cow. Locally sourced and made for your enjoyment.

www.kenakobiltong.co.uk

KE NAKO BILTONG GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Since its creation in 2012 by Alanagh Chipperfield and her partner, former Ireland internationalist Ilse Van Staden, Ke Nako Biltong has grown into a market leader in the UK

lanagh spoke exclusively to The Lost Executive to explain more about the business’ beginnings some eight years ago, it’s growth and their plans for the future.

In the early days, making biltong was just a side for the couple, and it wasn’t until a conversation with Alanagh’s dad that they began to take things more seriously.

“Ilse is South African and biltong in South Africa is a staple, there’s no other way of describing it, in the same way here you have Starbucks on every corner, in South Africa there’s biltong shops on every corner, so it’s a huge part of the national diet. “When Ilse got over here, we couldn’t find anyone in Ireland making Biltong and we could have bought it in from London, but instead we started making our own at home. “We gravitated towards other South African people here and it culminated in us buying in a big drier in from South Africa in about 2013 and dehydrating properly.

“The biltong was wiping its nose but it wasn’t really doing anything and we were putting a decent amount of time into it but not really getting anything back from it and it was my dad who said ‘what are you going to do about this?’. “We decided we would keep at it and then we got an absolutely golden opportunity because the BBC were doing a show called Top of the Shop Tom Kerridge - we entered and didn’t get selected but they had somebody drop out, so we were in. “We were in a category - we were the meat week and everybody in the meat week competed against each other and then you went into a Grand Final against the winners from the other categories.”

"We gravitated towards other South African people here and it culminated in us buying in a big drier in from South Africa in about 2013 and dehydrating properly." Victory in that show has propelled the business to new levels, said Alanagh, who has also represented Ulster in her own rugby career. She added: “We went from making 40kg of biltong every two weeks we suddenly had a nine-week waiting list for biltong and the biltong takes five days to make and we only had one box so can churn out 45kg a week, so that gives you an idea of how many orders we had. “It just went mental.”

“You’ve got these taxis in South African and it’s an old former VW, their white taxis with the South African flag in ribbons down them, so we thought about doing one of those because it’s very typically South African.”

Where does all this happen? On a farm in Ballyclare, about 20 minutes from Belfast - in a converted shipping container, as Alanagh explained.

Alanagh explained that the inspiration for the name comes from Ilse’s homeland, where, in the Pretoria region she is from, Ke Nako translates to ‘it’s time’.

“It’s been making a little bit of profit each year but we’ve been putting that back into equipment and things,” she told The Lost Executive.

“We were going with this idea that it’s time for biltong and it’s time for biltong to become a thing over here,” she said.

“We bought a second drying cabinet and we now work in a kitchen, we bought a shipping container and outfitted it as a kitchen, so that’s our biltong making factory.

And as the business continues to grow, an everincreasing number of people will have the name on their minds. That can, at times, provide some entertainment for the couple.

“We’ve been going from strength to strength.”

“It’s always good when you have someone phoning up for a sales pitch and they’re struggling to pronounce it,” Alanagh said.

When the Coronavirus lockdown came into effect earlier this year, Alanagh and Ilse feared the worst for the business, with shows - including the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh - cancelled or postponed.

For more information: www.kenakobiltong.co.uk

However, that has not been the case. “We were booked in this summer to do the Royal Highland Show because we missed out on that last year, we were meant to be at London Borough Market, Balmoral Show and obviously that’s all been cancelled, so I was anticipating that this would be the end of us, but people have instead gone online and we haven’t stopped. “It’s been mad, like the orders are nearly at the level they were when we’ve gone to a show though obviously we’re much better equipped to deal with it.” Moving forward, they are looking to employ a member of staff to help out, and in the longer-term, Alanagh would like to invest in a food truck to make their presence well and truly known at the shows they do attend in the future.

“We were going with this idea that it’s time for biltong and it’s time for biltong to become a thing over here”

REVIEW

HOTEL FRANCIS ARLENE

Mexico

THE ROOMS

ounded twenty years ago by the MagaĂąa Rios Family, the adults only Hotel Francis Arlene was set up with the aim of being helpful to guests who were visiting the area for the first time and to welcome them not only as clients but as friends.

There are twenty six rooms, and in trying to maintain the flavour of the island these are decorated in a Caribbean and Mexican style. There are two terraces, one on the roof and one around the back of the building where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve hung hammocks for guests to hang around in.

With a small staff who can always be relied upon to provide a warm and personable service to guests, this mission has been accomplished as they have established many a long lasting friendship over the last two decades and are set to create more in the coming years.

To make sure that guests are as comfortable as they can be, many of the rooms have kitchenettes and balconies. All of them have included WIFI and the maintenance of the rooms and property is top notch, with the staff checking on every detail during the stay.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING One of the fundamentals that the owners of Hotel Francis Arlene believe in is relationship building. They do their best to accommodate the needs of their guests, keeping personal health and safety as a priority with the goal of making their guests feel truly at home. This has certainly worked as some visitors have been returning to their hotel for years and staying for periods of over a month at a time. It is natural that

SECURITY

over time, everyone shifts from being guests and customers to being friends and a part of the Hotel Francis Arlene family.

Lock boxes are provided in the rooms for passports, money and other items of value and the property has security cameras stationed all around to keep guests safe.

ACTIVITIES So very close to the coast there is plenty to do including fishing trips, whale shark spotting and swimming, snorkelling, diving and many other water activities. Nearby are also a range of restaurants and cafes to visit and with its central location there are many treasures to be found to enthral, entertain and educate.

COMPANY ADDRESS: Av Guerrero 7, Centro Supmza. 001, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Q.R TELEPHONE: 8770310 EMAIL: hfrancis@prodigy.net.mx PRICE/NIGHT: $75-80$ USD and $90 for top floor room with kitchen.

REVIEW

EBONY HOME Quality for 2020

EBONY HOME

bony Home is an entirely digital online interior design store which was founded by Heather Black in July 2019. Despite the youth of the brand, Ebony Home is already made a name for itself as a supplier of choice to the hospitality and residential industries. A resource for those wanting to create the perfect habitat. Deeply passionate about the process and the artform of interior design and very aware of the influence of her products, Heather has stridden into the industry with charisma and confidence. We caught up with her as we leave one year to see what ’19 has meant for her and what ‘20 holds in store.

According to Heather, 2019 has been a year of frontline learning. Starting an online retail business from scratch is a challenge and she has had to learn the ins and outs of the industry on the hoof while building her business, brand and client list. “Incredibly the big things can usually handle themselves,” she says, “It’s the small details in the background that take up the most headspace like budgeting, learning which products have the most demand, how to price products appropriately, turnaround time on orders, which marketing techniques work well and which ones don’t, learning how to keep constant open lines of communication with customers and being available to answer questions.”

2020

If the past year has proved anything it is that Heather has hit the nail on the head with her business, because even with the back-end workload surmounting with orders she is still able to apply the levels of creativity and motivation that is required of business leaders. Especially when it comes to choosing the right products. After all it is what we put into rooms that turn them into homes. There is no substitute for quality, and Heather is constantly searching for unique, high quality products to sell in her shop. Seeking a wider variety of styles, from new and trendy to timeless classic.

Heather says that she’s thoroughly enjoyed curating new and exciting collections for 2020 and is excited to share the catalogue of new products. The new collections will include high quality furniture, unique hand-crafted decor from all over the world, fun and unique lighting, artwork, area rugs, pillows and throws to create unique and comfortable spaces that fit any style. She is also providing some great options for bedding, bath, storage, kitchen and dining.

Working with a range of clients from home owners to glamping site hosts, Ebony Home’s quality of service and product speaks for itself. To this end she is also quite particular on her partners, choosing to work with dependable suppliers that offer quality products with reasonable prices that are easy and affordable to ship.

“As I continue to learn and gain experience with running a business,” she says, “And with the recent momentum the store has been gaining, I am confident that 2020 will be a great one and I am eager to get into it.”

PRICE: Generally, her prices are lower than the competitors and for the most part, the prices reflect the quality of the item. For example, a basic duvet set, and pillow cover can go for under $10, while she also has higher quality, handmade artisan pillow covers that run from $60-$70, and higher quality bedding for those who are looking for something a little more durable. Additionally, she has a wide variety of decor, accent furniture, wall art, kitchen and dining products, bath products, storage and organization, lighting, rugs and window treatments that range from about $4.99$1100.00.

QUALITY SERVICE Believing that customer relationships need to be regularly polished and maintained, 2019 has identified that Heather has a complete devotion to customer satisfaction. If her clients are not happy with a product, she offers a full refund or a replacement. A risky step for any young business, unless of course you are completely confident in the value of what you are offering not only to the business but to the customers.

WEBSITE: www.ebonyhome.com.co TELEPHONE: 001 435-469-0549 EMAIL: shopebonyhome@gmail.com

TRAVERSING AFRICA Your Perfectly Tailored Adventure

frica calls to the adventurer with an unmistakable challenge to seek what is over the horizon, to explore, to discover and to embrace the remarkable beauty of this incredible continent. This is the case even for natives like South African born and bred Kirsty Perring who founded Traversing Africa in 2018. After earning her diploma in travel and tourism and spending twenty three years working in the industry, her safari tour company is the embodiment of her avid belief in the value of travel and its ability to transform the way a person sees and interacts with the world.

Having grown up in SA, Kirsty goes on to explain that she has spent her life travelling and exploring the continent and as a result possesses an intimate knowledge of the destinations and is able to offer firsthand advice and insider information. “Nobody wants to think they’re on an average safari,” she points out, “When people commit to come to Africa, they want to believe it’s going to be an adventure. They want to be surprised, they want to be captivated and enthralled. So, I make sure I’m able to offer those secrets that others may not know and that are not readily available on the internet.”

“When I started Traversing Africa,” Kirsty explains, “I was determined to offer something that was unique and give clients the chance to see their Africa through tailor made journeys that were inspiring and memorable.”

THE SAFARIS The immersive quality that Kirsty offers in her safari tours is something that has made her a go-to for families, solitary explorers and groups. Typically, the safaris can last between two days and three weeks and offer a range of involvement for all kinds of people. The tailored tours cater for those who are a bit timider and more cautious, seeking to explore Africa from an almost academic approach of look but don’t touch, all the way to those who want to taste Africa on the wind and feel the soil between their toes.

Kirsty adds that these relationships are the most fundamental part of her business and they’re not just limited to her and her clients. There are also the relationships she has with her safari and accommodation partners, where the exchange of information and constructive feedback are vital for the smooth running of the business.

“For those who don’t grow up here,” Kirsty says, “Africa represents a once in a lifetime journey. Each client has dreamt about what their adventure will be like and these expectations need to be respected and, wherever possible, exceeded.” She goes on to explain that there certainly is enough variety in Africa to achieve this, but it takes that personal approach which is something she has been so dedicated to producing. According to her, the only way to gain access to a client’s list of “must sees”, is to build the sort of relationship with them where they feel they can share.

MATCHING THE SAFARI TO THE CLIENT According to Kirsty, who has seen the industry shift and morph over the last two decades, every person has a safari or tour that is absolutely perfect for them. And, as she and her business represent a number of countries in Africa, all which offer unique and exciting safari options, it’s important to match the country with the clients.

“While some clients will tell you everything, they want to see in such detail that you need to manage their expectations at the start so as not to disappoint them,” she says, “Others are hesitant to mention what they really want to see and because of this they miss out. So that’s why we build up a relationship where they feel that they can talk about what they’ve always dreamt of seeing in Africa.”

To do this there are a few ways to narrow it down and they involve getting to know the client and asking questions. “Are they first timers to safari or have they been on one before? Are they travelling with children, and if they are what are the ages? What time of year are they travelling, are they looking for the best price or are they solely interested in the best viewing experience?” she says, “These are the kinds of things we need to know.”

Concurrently, first time safari goers may be wary of staying in tented accommodation regardless of how secure it is, and some people want a home away from home where they can kick of their shoes, put their feet up and help themselves to a drink. Others want to be waited on hand and foot by a fleet of butlers.

Then, what are their interests and are they aware of the scale of viewing and safari options available? Do they want to explore Africa by trail, water or air? Are they wanting to see birds or buffalo? Migrating herds or predators? Are they looking for adventure or opportunities for photography? Kirsty makes sure that these questions are asked because, as mentioned earlier, she never wants a client to be disappointed because they’ve missed something, they really wanted to see but didn’t mention.

“One of the important things to know,” Kirsty adds, “Is if the client needs access to strong WIFI or if they’re looking for a digital detox. And, if it is the latter, how extreme do they want it. For example, are they wanting to go completely cold turkey without any connectivity at all or would WIFI in their rooms still be a good idea? You just need to get to know them.”

“For those wanting to be hands on there are a number of conservation opportunities for clients to get involved such as rhino darting for research purposes,” Kirsty reveals, “Or the safaris can be mixed with some culture, city life, history or even combined with a beach. All of this goes into deciding where to send clients and how to partner them with their perfect adventure.”

IMPORTANT CAUSES Always one to add value, to her client’s experience, to her industry and to the environment that she works within Kirsty has become a familiar face in important causes. Always involved in something worthwhile she is an ambassador of how more businesses should strive to be. Recently she held a fundraiser in Toronto regarding Saving The Last Rhino Fundraiser, to help raise awareness and finances for Project Rhino. There are some incredible safari prizes up for grabs including safari trips and awesome accommodation stays.

https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/ Saving-the-Last-Rhinos-Fundraiser-8784 PRICES: see website WEBSITE: www.traversingafrica.com

ACCOMMODATION

COMPANY ADDRESS: 55 York Street #1103, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1R7

Traversing Africa uses a variety of accommodation depending on budget and tastes, ranging from affordable three star to five star deluxe luxury tents, to villas, to bungalows, to hotel type lodges. The average length of stay is three to four nights at each property and Kirsty explains that like the safari, the accommodation must suit the client.

TELEPHONE: +1 6479240674 EMAIL: kirsty@traversingafrica.com

“Smaller boutique properties suit couples and honeymooners while lodges with incredible kids safari programmes are always a win for families,” she says, “Then, lodges that incorporate dining at one big table with all guests and guides are a good option for single travellers, so they don’t eat alone.”

WILD GAZE SAFARIS PUTTING SAFETY FIRST Are you looking ahead and planning where you’ll be travelling when restrictions are lifted? Wild Gaze Safaris are doing all they can to keep their clients safe and well on trips to Tanzania

anzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) in cooperation with Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGE), has presented detailed protocols regarding preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Lost Executive spoke to Ernest Legalla, of Wild Gaze Safaris, to find out what they will be doing to protect clients. “We provide hand washing and sanitizing facilities such as soap, sanitizers and running water to both guests and our crew and we ensure that it’s used regularly,” he said, while adding that hand sanitisers and masks will be made readily available. Staff members will be given Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when coming into contact with guests, and they will ensure that “all contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized with approved disinfectants on a regular basis”. Ernest added that they would be creating a “disposal mechanism for masks, and other protective equipment that comply with recommended national health and safety standards and environmental considerations.” Their vehicles will display the country’s emergency 199 code, while their vehicles will undergo thorough checks. “Thermal screening will be applicable frequently,” Ernest continued, while explaining some further measures, as outlined below.

• Our administration has selected one member to present the company and to have all basic details concerning the prevailing situation of COVID-19 and be updated on all designated approved hospitals for COVID-19 testing and treatment, medical clinics and mobile clinics stationed across the country. • We will ensure that updated COVID-19 precautionary measures are continuously observed and communicated accordingly with international booking agencies to make transparency for better booking decisions. • Wild Gaze Safaris will have an insurance mechanism for assisting guests to reach a designated hospital as approved by the MoHCDGEC or, where applicable, to enable evacuation arrangements. • In visiting cultural sites, hotels, or any other place of interest, the guide will make sure that clients are not in contact with anyone else, meaning there will be only one-on-one interactions. • Furthermore, we will make sure that we take our clients to stay in trusted accommodations, before booking certainty of their health procedures will be our priority. With all of those arrangements in place, Ernest feels they are ready to begin welcoming guests who can – once restrictions around travel are lifted – visit Tanzania and enjoy what Wild Gaze Safaris have to offer. “We are very ready to welcome our clients to book with us and they don’t have to worry about their health. “We will use all means possible to keep our promise which is ‘health, safety and security’. For more information: www.wildgazesafaris.com

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SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST Saving The World One Orphan at a Time

or those that work at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust theirs is a grand and noble calling. The rescue, rehabilitation and saving of orphans left to fend for themselves due to poaching, misadventure and climate change. With The Trust preserving all wild orphans and the Kenyan Wildlife Services (KWS) Mobile Vet Units treating injured animals from lions and zebras, to elephants, buffalo and rhino, their positive and ongoing impact cannot be understated.

Daphne passed away on 12th April 2018, and in her 83 years with us, Daphne touched countless lives — from generations of elephants who are thriving today through her trailblazing conservation work, to people all over the world who drew inspiration from her. She is testament to the difference that a single person can make, and her legacy lives on as we continue to protect and preserve wildlife in her memory: https:// www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/about/mission-history

THE TRUST

BEGINNINGS The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (known as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust) was founded in 1977 in Kenya by Dame Sheldrick in memory of her late husband David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE who was a famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park. In 1948, David Sheldrick began his renowned career within the Royal National Parks of Kenya, where he worked unwaveringly for over two decades transforming Tsavo, a previously unchartered and inhospitable land, into Kenya’s largest and most famous National Park. For over 25 years Kenyaborn Daphne Sheldrick lived and worked alongside her husband, during which time they raised and successfully rehabilitated many wild species. Since the death of her husband, Daphne and her family have lived and worked in the Nairobi National Park where they built the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and its pioneering Orphans’ Project into the global conservation force that it is today. Daphne’s daughter Angela worked alongside her mother running the Trust for twenty years, and since Daphne’s passing in 2018 continues the mission with passion and vigor ably supported by her husband Robert Carr-Hartley, their two sons Taru and Roan and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust team.

DR. DAME DAPHNE SHELDRICK The Founder of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE and it has been a lifelong passion. Recognized internationally as an authority on the rearing of wild animals, her success was attributed to her lifelong experience with wild creatures, an in-depth knowledge of animal psychology and the behavioural characteristics of different species.

The Trust was founded with the aim of embracing all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife and habitats. Securing a long-term and protected future for wildlife and habitats, so that wild animals may live in harmony alongside humans is the ultimate goal. Working in eleven National Parks including iconic ecosystems like Masai Mara, Tsavo and Amboseli The Trust employs hundreds of staff members locally in Kenya for its field projects. These include anti-poaching, community outreach, saving habitats (encompassing fence-line construction and maintenance), mobile veterinary units, aerial surveillance and the Orphans’ Project.

GETTING INVOLVED “Anyone can get involved in the work of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust,” Amie Alden, head of communications and media says, “From wherever they live in the world.” Adopting an orphan in the care/protection of the SWT is a great way to support the Trust. For a suggested donation of $50 per orphan per year, you (or your gift recipient) can stay up-to-date on the progress of a specific orphan and receive monthly exclusive emails on their Orphans’ Project. “It offers a unique insight into the world of elephants and the work of the SWT,” she explains, “While your donation will help fund the SWT’s wide ranging conservation projects.” You can also subscribe to their newsletters and follow and show support on social media. “We are proud to be able to share our conservation news and success stories daily through our social media channels and every month via email,” she says, “The more people aware of the new developments, opportunities and rescues means the greater change we make.”

TRIUMPHS

If you are planning to visit Kenya, you can visit their Nairobi Nursery (during select visiting hours) or stay in one of their Eco Lodges. Few things beat seeing the work in person while their Eco Lodges are based in areas of spectacular natural beauty.

Over the years, the SWT has successfully raised 249 orphaned elephants, returning more than 156 of these back to the wild. These individuals would not have survived without our intervention and their successful integration into wild herds gives the population of the species (which has been extremely hard-hit by poaching and habitat loss) a much-needed boost. The SWT is also aware of 35 elephant calves born to orphaned elephants they have reintegrated, showing the impact rescuing a single orphaned elephant can have for the creation of future generations.

“Funds from our Eco Lodges directly support our conservation work,” she adds.

CHALLENGES According to Amie, challenges to wildlife in Kenya include but are not limited to the growing humanwildlife conflict caused by development, agriculture and changing weather patterns. Also, their capacity to ensure the global public is aware of these and inspired to help them do something about it.

In 2019 alone, the Trust attended to 651 sick or injured wild animals across Kenya and, since the inception of its mobile veterinary teams, the SWT has treated more than 2,500 injured elephants in Kenya – that’s 7% of its estimated elephant population. Many of these injuries have been inflicted by humans including snares, spears and arrow and gun-shot wounds incurred during poaching attempts or human-wildlife conflict incidents.

“As a charity, the SWT has always sought to be as administratively lean as possible ensuring as much of the donations as possible can go to the field,” she says, “We also adopt a ‘where the rubber meets the road’ approach to our work, ensuring we can respond immediately and adapt to new challenges. We’ve always sought to lead the way on pioneering conservation activities and will continue to do this in 2020.”

The SWT has also played a pivotal role in reducing bushmeat poaching, especially in the Tsavo Conservation Area, seizing/ removing 159,239 snares

Lastly, through its Aerial and ground teams, the SWT is working hard to prevent human-wildlife conflict and, every year, responds to calls from communities to guide wild elephants off community land and back into protected areas. These operations help prevent crop-raiding by elephants and retaliatory killings by communities, whose livelihoods can be lost in a single night of crop-raiding.

2020 In 2020, the SWT is expanding its Saving Habitats through a partnership with Kari Ranch (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute). This is a 64,000 acre of land spread across the foothills of the Chyulu Hills and we are fencing in one side of the Ranch to protect both communities that live on its border and the healthy populations of elephants and black rhinos that live within.

and traps. Considering each snare can be re-laid to trap animals hundreds of times, the life-saving potential of confiscating just a single snare is huge. The impact of these De-Snaring patrols can be seen most clearly in the Northern Sector of Tsavo East National Park where poaching once decimated small animal populations and caused elephants to flee the area. Now, however, it’s not unknown for herds of 100+ of elephants to congregate around the Trust’s Ithumba Reintegration Unit!

“In 2020, the SWT will continue to identify opportunities to better protect wildlife, working with local partners to enhance our footprint,” Aimie concludes. COMPANY ADDRESS: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

“In other areas where the SWT maintains its Saving Habitats project and regular De-Snaring Patrols – such as the Kibwezi Forest – the Trust has recorded zero incidences of poaching,” Amie highlights.

EMAIL: info@sheldrickwildlifetrust.org WEBSITE: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

REVIEW

SENAIT ETHIOPIA TOURS

enait Ethiopia Tours was founded over ten years ago in 2008 by Mr. Taddese Atlaw who is still the owner and managing director. A young and energetic travel professional Taddese worked for a number of prominent tour companies based in Ethiopia before creating his own business based around his unique vision of what a tour should be.

SMOOTH LOGISTICS Having spent much of his time managing and organizing ground arrangements, Taddese knows the importance of smooth logistics in a tour. It is one of those things that if it is done absolutely right, it will be almost entirely unnoticed by the guest but is nevertheless utterly essential for their enjoyment.

CONSTANTLY UPDATING Always striving to update himself and his business in terms of his offering to his clients and his plans for the future, Taddese is seldom satisfied with the standards of yesterday and is always looking to improve. Combining his professional experience with studies on sustainable community based tourism as well as his Marketing Management degree from Addis Abba University, Senait Ethiopia Tours is one of the most cutting edge tours in the country.

THE DRIVE BEHIND THE BUSINESS Taddese’s main drive has always been to have an ethical, client orientated business that provides the best value for his guests that is of the highest standard and cost effective. A business that is as known for it’s reliability and community-responsible services as it is for its engaging and entertaining safaris.

THE SAFARIS The average tour lasts between six to eighteen days and can include a range of focusses including biking, cultural and historical tours and family adventure tours. All managed by Taddese’s professional and friendly staff and making use of their new tourist class range of vehicles. Accommodation is in 3 and 5 star locations and the tours are updated regularly with major overalls taking place every two years. The backbone of their business is solid relationships with local people, staff, clients and other service providers.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GUEST SATISFACTION According to Taddese his company’s success is entirely dependent on the enjoyment of his guests. To him and his team, every tour is make-or-break and has to be of the best quality.

“Our business is in the hands of our clients,” he says. And this is not just a hollow slogan. For a service provider such as SET, the recommendations of their satisfied customers have more lasting effects than any amount of literature or promotional materials

SUSTAINABILITY WORK They help charities and organizations working to improve conditions in areas that they are associated with by direct help. Some of the local community schemes they currently support involve building schools in Sendafa and drilling wells for drinking water.

2020 New and regular guests can expect some amazing new developments this year including all new paragliding tours. This will offer guests a totally new perspective for seeing Ethiopia and a chance to make some lifelong memories. PRICE: USD 250- 300/day COMPANY ADDRESS: Bole Road, Woreda 11, Mag Bldg, 2Nd Floor And Office No 211TELEPHONE: +251930014376 EMAIL: info@senaitethiopia.com WEBSITE: www.senaitethiopia.com

REVIEW

MOUNT KILI ADVENTURES LTD

ounded in 2011, Mount Kili Adventures Ltd is proof that nothing can hold back a great idea. Owner Yosepha Arestidi Shirima reveals that she created her business for two main reasons. Firstly, a love of adventuring and secondly an inspired move to have a company that could generate income not only for herself but also for other people. Especially the women who work as porters and guides in her company.

“In other words,” Yosepha says, “Our clients are helping less privileged people in Tanzania and contributing towards nature and wildlife conservation.”

CUSTOMER SERVICE Yosepha is proud of the fact that their clients arrive as customers and leave as friends. Not only because as a business they thrive on peer reviews and recommendations, but also because it is a deeply personal relationship that she values.

THE SAFARIS With a team of ten permanent staff and an additional thirty temporary staff there is a selection of safari packages to suit the tastes of every would-be explorer seeking to experience Africa.

“For many clients this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she says, “And it is deeply rewarding to be there with them and making sure they have the best experience possible.”

Depending on what the customer wants, the trips and packages vary from single day trips, to longer adventures that can last between three days to up to fourteen. And, in a fantastic development for the industry as a whole, the guides are all women and are highly experience in both safaris and mountain climbing! Fluent in Swahili and English these guides know exactly how to engage their audience perfectly and showcase the marvellous wildlife, geography, flora and fauna of the region which makes Tanzania the country it is.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND If there are any specific dietary requirements it is always best to make it known upon booking so arrangements can be made. PRICE: The price varies depending to the package that the client chooses. There are luxury packages and budget packages available. Depending on this the prices can range between $450.00 US for three days up to $850.00 US for three days. The maximum price is up to $4200.00 US which is a luxury package from the mountain to the wilderness to the beach.

Overnight accommodation of varying styles are available depending on the client’s choice, taste and budget. The choice of destinations are carefully selected and each pride themselves on the excellence of their personalized service and the friendliness of their staff. Yosepha also makes sure that the safaris are all updated once a year to keep them as fresh and as sustainable as possible.

TELEPHONE: +255 784 545 594 EMAIL: info@mountkiliadventures.com WEBSITE: www.mountkiliadventures.com

COMMUNITY WORK Mount Kili Adventures supports a number of charities and they also organise volunteers seeking to spend time working in the country. Furthermore, they donate a percentage of their profits to non-profit organizations and to the local community based causes that are doing such great work.

Experience the allure of Africa We inspire you to experience the allure of Africa through meaningful and transformational journeys that are personally crafted to your specific aspirationsâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;ŚTraverse in our Footsteps

REVIEW

AS YOU LIKE IT SAFARIS LTD

n outstanding and unique safari operator that specialises in all of East Africa, As You Like It Safaris has made a name for itself by offering adventurous safaris tailor-made to suit each and every client’s unique desires. Owner, Vivien Prince, has been working in safaris since 1989 and was able to purchase a camp in Maasai Mara from a business partner in 1997. Wanting it to reflect class, flexibility and personality she turned to Shakespeare’s famous line, “As You Like It” and her company was born.

“I love to share this beautiful country,” Vivien says “And to show all it has to offer in the good old-fashioned way of spending quality time in the parks and getting great photos, engaging with this ancient and wild place on a personal and memorable level.”

THE UNIQUE TOUCH Vivien explains that what makes them unique is her personal, old school attention to detail where customers get what they are promised and more. She explains that she inherited Ernest Kamara, who has now worked with her for thirty years, from Brian Nicholson. Having mentored under Brian and having learnt everything he had to offer, Kamara is now a director of As You Like It Safaris Limited and is an irreplaceable part of the business.

Truly, the best way in Vivien’s mind to experience a safari, is to get right stuck in and have an adventure!

“He is his own mechanic, he is bush savvy, humble, knows his way around and is an outstanding driver and guide,” Vivien says, “Most importantly, he is much loved by all those who safari with him, and is the standard of which I judge all my other driver guides against.”

THE SAFARIS Working with a select team of industry experts as well as agents in Canada and Australia, the average As You Like It Safari lasts fourteen to seventeen days, but as each tour is customized for the participant, they can last any length of time. As is suggested by the name, the safaris are all focused around what a customer wants to see.

2020 is going to be a safari year, and As You Like It Safaris has some amazing offers in store for those looking for an opportunity to get a different perspective on the usual African tour.

AS YOU LIKE IT PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

KENYA COFFEE CULTURE SAFARI

24th July to the 7th August

One that is definitely likely to perk up the ears of many a coffee and travel lover, the Kenya Coffee Culture Safari is guaranteed to get a buzz in your step. Kenya is right on the coffee belt and produces some of the best coffees in the world and this tour is a chance to see this industry at its very origin.

Lead by Vivien herself, this photographic safari during the Great Migration, is a one of a kind opportunity to see how the majestic wildlife of East Africa interacts with its own environment. And, also, to immortalise it in a way that will stay with you for the rest of your life. For professionals and amateurs alike, if you have a passion for seeing animals in their most natural state, then this is one to deeply consider.

With the help of Gibsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coffee, and Serena Hotels Ltd., As You Like It, takes guests through a tour that will showcase the history of this regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coffee production. Not just about the beans, this tour also includes safari and wildlife viewing with guests staying at the most amazing hotels in the region.

Picked up upon arrival from the Kenya Nairobi Airport guests are delivered to the hotel and the adventure begins the very next morning. Participants wake early and travel to the carefully selected locations that offer the best chance to get those perfect photographs. Accommodation is on site through a range of hotels and lodges to ensure that as much time as possible can be devoted to the task of getting those perfect shots.

*Details on the website or those who are interest can email Vivien for more information.

www.asyoulikeitsafaris.com

*Details on the website or those who are interest can email Vivien for more information.

www.asyoulikeitsafaris.com

“No matter what you think you know about this region, you’ll also be surprised at what you find,” Vivien promises.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS Vivien also explains that they always try to share their conservation efforts with their clients. They are involved in a lot of different projects, including the Mt. Kenya Safari Club Animal Orphanage, The Chimpanzee sanctuary in Ol Pejeta, The Rhino Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta and The Elephant Orphanage.

PRICE: Average US$8,000 to $9,000, but depending on what is wanted it can be as low as $2700 or up to $11,000 to $12,000 per person.

Beyond wildlife, there is a strong social responsibility that As You Like It Safaris is involved in. Hope Streams Academy is one of these projects where many clients absolutely adore the visit to the school. Visitors to the country are often interested in the social aspects of the people that live there, it is an important part of getting to know this corner of the world and realising just how wonderful the locals are.

WEBSITE: www.asyoulikeitsafaris.com COMPANY ADDRESS: P.O. Box 40501, Nairobi 00100, Kenya. And 384 Nassau Way, Boulder City, NV 89005 TELEPHONE: WhatsApp +1 702 343 3776

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT

EMAIL: vivprince@asyoulikeitsafaris.com

Vivien’s pledge to clients is that their safari will be as you like it. How many days? Budget? Special requests? All this is taken into consideration, and all costs and details are made clear upfront. Every detail is catered for at the onset and there are only good surprises.

“Safari Ants, Baggy Pants, and Elephants,” by Susie Kelly. This is a must read, very informative, but equally, well written, and humorous! It describes “being on safari with As You Like It Safaris and Vivien Prince.” A best seller on Amazon USA and Amazon UK.

REVIEW

SERENGETI BALLOON SAFARIS

eeing the Serengeti from the air offers a different perspective on the sheer scale of Africa and is a unique and enlightening way to see some of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most thrilling natural activities. As featured previously, Serengeti Balloon Safaris were one of the first operators to offer air tours and in many ways, the two founders Colin McKinnon and Tony Pascoe have pioneered this industry.

Known as innovators who continuously seek improvement to stay ahead, (or above), of the game, 2020 is going to be an interesting and impactive year for this operator. With their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground, this year will see Serengeti Balloon Safaris take steps to develop themselves and demonstrate how safari companies can, and should, operate.

2020 DEVELOPMENTS Currently, they are in the process of developing a sustainability policy which will be closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Development goals. This will help formalise their commitment to make their people, environment and country more sustainable. To achieve this, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to identify the most important measures for the required criteria, work ways to improve and report on them on an annual basis and through a systematic approach, continue to improve. These changes not only cover environmental factors like hydrocarbon use and waste management, but also staff training and improvement on social and cultural measures.

IMPACT

This includes achieving Travelife and RTTZ accreditation. This process began in 2019 and will continue throughout this year and beyond. The certifications have different levels of good practise and as a business they are striving to seek higher levels as they continue to progress.

Offsetting has measurable effects but the most important impact for their customers is the reassurance that their activities are carried out in the safest, most responsible and most sustainable way. Other impacts include happier and even more motivated staff, a better protected environment and an overall better safari experience.

The motivation for this comes firstly from a belief in sustainability and eco-tourism and secondly from the fact that tourism is an essential part of conservation. Their upfront approach to becoming more sustainable is also an action which they hope will inspire other businesses around them and within their industry to do the same.

SAFARIS BY AIR With 80 locally employed staff working on the ground and in the air each safari lasts approximately five hours with one hour spent in the air. As Tanzaniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pioneering and most experienced balloon safari company it is the skills and know-how that are applied to each safari that keeps the balloons aloft as much as the hot air.

CARBON FOOTPRINT To create real change, Serengeti Balloon Safaris have set themselves the task to really understand what it will take for them to be more sustainable. Instead of just ticking boxes on a sheet. For example, reducing a carbon footprint is one of the most well-known sustainability methods, and as one specific part of an overall strategy it is easily measurable and can be offset.

To operate safe, high quality balloon safaris in this environment is a challenge but it is also the most magical environment in which to experience the wonders of the natural world. PRICE/NIGHT: $599 WEBSITE: www.balloonsafaris.com

As such, as a company they will be offsetting their carbon footprint through Carbon Tanzania. Taking measures from their 2019 accounts, including diesel, gas, petrol consumption and air plane tickets and making an equivalent payment to Carbon Tanzania within the first quarter of 2020 to use on their offsetting projects within the country.

TELEPHONE: +255 754 688 806 EMAIL: info@balloonsafaris.com *All adventures, risks, challenges and good times undertaken by our readers are solely their own responsibility. Before choosing please read our Responsible Usage.

REVIEW

NANDE JUNIAS EXPLORER TOURS The Secret to Success. Love what you do.

e caught up with Nande Junias, founder of Nande Junias Explorer Tours to discuss why passion for your work is the greatest tool for success.

Nande grew up in the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund in Namibia, a region where the remnants of the country’s German influence can be seen reflected in the architecture, culture and cuisine. To showcase how such influences have affected the local cultures of the area, Nande has created a host of new tours to the delight of his regular guests. One of which we’ve highlighted this month.

PASSION AND HAPPINESS One thing that always identifies Nande however, is his gigantic and happy smile and infectious joy. It is something that his clients and customers instinctively relate to. According to him, this is not a learned trait but rather just how he is.

THE SETTING To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you have to venture out of the highly developed cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer.

“I love what I do, and I love that my tours help make the world a bit bigger and more colourful for those participating,” he says, “If you love what you do, everything else falls into place.”

THE TOURS A land of marvellous beauty, Namibia is truly a joy to visit. Benefitting from a well-developed infrastructure and some of the finest tourist facilities in Africa it is one of the continents sometimes overlooked treasures. Nande, who grew up in the area has been dedicated to raising the profile of this country since he founded his business in 2015 and has done more than his fair share for the Namibian tourist industry as well as bringing important tourist traffic to the communities for which his tours visit.

different culture. To do this you’ll need someone who knows the country and the people like the back of his hand.

These include the impressive Fish River Canyon Park and the vast Etosha National Park both of which are teeming with local subspecies, such as desert lions, desert elephants and the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. At the same time, you don’t want to miss the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert and of course the Namib Desert which stretches for nearly 1000 km along the magnificent Atlantic coastline.

The Cultural Cycling Township Tours led by Nande are all about the people of this land. It is an immersive tour, giving participants the opportunity to truly experience the warmth, friendliness and humanity of the township residents of Mondesa, the same town Nande grew up in.

MONDESA HISTORICAL TOWNSHIP CYCLING DAY TOUR

It is a highly involving tour, giving you the chance to walk the streets, hear the children at play, smell the sidewalk barbecues, taste locally brewed beer and try some of the local food like the mopane worms.

Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness, and immersion into a

Primarily conducted via bicycle, this unique tour gives you the chance to gain a glimpse of the daily life in the township. PRICE: Township Historical Cultural Tour N$600 pp Cycling Township Historical Cultural Tour N$550 pp

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS AND PRICES: Historical Township Church Visit (Sundays only), pick up 8h45 with traditional lunch included N$500 pp Township Home Cooking Experience with local family N$700 pp Tours to cape cross / Walwitschia and Moonlandscape Day Tours N$800 pp Sand Boarding N$600 pp Private safari guide/Driver N$1500 pday Dune7 and Flamingos Walvisbay and Topnaar Day Tours N$700 pp Sundowner Tour N$800 pp Township Braai BBQ Dinners N$800 pp 3 Day Private Namibia Sossusvlei Camping Tour N$8000 pp 4 Day Private Namibia Etosha Safari Lodging Tours N$20 000 pp 5 Day Private Namibia Safari Game Tour 10 Day Private Namib Deser Tour Shuttle services-airport N$400 pp Luderits and Kolmanskop Tours COMPANY ADDRESS: 210 OB Street Mondesa Swakopmund Namibia TELEPHONE: +264 812134443 +264810456310 EMAIL: nandejexplorertours@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.nandejexplorertours.com