East African infusion

East Africa is home to an assortment of exciting experiences. Meetings goes on an expedition to unearth the region’s most spectacular attractions.

While international travel appears uncertain, considering East Africa as a destination for when borders do open and the time is right can provide the perfect international experience that is not too far from home.

With an ever-improving investment climate and burgeoning business prospects, a sizeable portion of Africa’s top 10 fastest growing economies can be found within the East African region, making it an attractive destination in which to work and play.

ETHIOPIA Ethiopia is looking seriously at MICE prospects as part of its economic agenda and has a 10-year vision in place to roll out various strategies to bolster the sector. With the African Union’s headquarters based in its capital city, the country has received an increasing amount of international focus. Although travel is currently restricted to the country, national carrier Ethiopian Air is recognised as the best on the continent.

Ethiopia is a sizeable country and, with a population of 109 million people, it has incredible history behind it. Artefacts as old as 2.6 million years – the world’s oldest – have been found in Gona, helping archaeologists understand stone technology and human evolution.

In the north of Ethiopia, in the Lasta Amhara region, lies Lalibela. With 11 ancient churches that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, the structures have been carved and chiselled from a single rock. The largest, Bete Georgis, stands at an awe-inspiring 40 feet high.

One of the world’s oldest active volcanoes, Erta Ale, can be found in the Danakil Depression in the Afar region of Ethiopia. It is also only one of four active lava lakes in the north-eastern part of the country. The volcano was formed between the divergence of three tectonic plates in the Horn of Africa. Alienesque in appearance, with its salt mines and unusually colourful landscape, the Danakil Depression is the hottest place on earth, where temperatures soar over 50°C in the summer.

KENYA Sharing its borders with Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, Kenya offers a wide range of experiences spanning bush, beach and inner-city escapades. The country’s MICE industry is growing rapidly and has garnered global attention as a destination. According to the Kenya Tourism Board, over the past three years, the nation has successfully hosted a number of international meetings, conferences and exhibitions, which have attracted more than 100 000 international delegates and significantly contributed to Kenya’s travel and tourism industries.

Kenya is blessed with an abundance of natural attractions, with one of its greatest being the

EAST AFRICA AT A GLANCE

East Africa’s landscape has been shaped by global plate tectonic movement that has resulted in the creation of the East African Rift. The region is home to two of Africa’s tallest peaks: Mount Kilimanjaro (5 885 m) and Mount Kenya (3 825 m). As part of its natural bounty, East Africa also includes Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest freshwater lake, and Lake Tanganyika, which is the world’s second deepest lake. Maasai Mara National Reserve. Each year between July and October, approximately 2 million wildebeest make the Great Migration across the Serengeti National Park to the Maasai Mara – an impressive spectacle that can be viewed during a game drive or from a hot air balloon.

Kenya is also home to some of Africa’s most idyllic beaches and, 30 km south of Mombasa, Diani provides a 17 km stretch of white sandy beaches and clear waters protected by a coral reef. Diani’s coastline is dotted with trendy beachfront bars and restaurants, as well as an assortment of outdoor activities such as jetskiing, kite surfing, sky diving and snorkelling.

RWANDA Rwanda is making a name for itself internationally. Prior to Covid-19, the small East African nation was on track to generate US$88 million (R1.47 billion) in revenue from its MICE industry.

The nation has made remarkable strides, both as an economy and as one of Africa’s leading MICE destinations – in 2016, the Kigali

International Conference Centre (KICC) was officially launched by Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame. The KICC complex is an experience in itself and comprises: a conference centre with seating capacity of 2 600; the five-star, 292-room Radisson Blu Hotel Kigali; the Kigali Information Technology Park, with 32 200 m 2 of office and retail space; as well as a museum on the bottom floor of the office park.

Rwanda is popular among nature lovers and conservationists, and the country has dedicated

resources to protecting its gorilla population – of which there are 459 individuals. One of the areas in which the gorillas can be seen is the Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can also visit one of five extinct volcanoes, with its highest point, Mount Karisimbi, stretching 4 507 m into the sky. The park covers an area of 125 km 2 and is home to 178 bird species and other mammals such as the golden monkey and buffalo. It forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which stretches into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Established in 1925, this was one of the first protected areas in Africa.

SEYCHELLES At the edge of the eastern border of the Somali Sea, in the Indian Ocean, lies the Seychelles archipelago. Comprised of 115 islands and with year-long temperatures that average 27°C, the Seychelles is perhaps the balmiest island escape among East Africa’s MICE destinations. Many of the Seychelles’ hotels are equipped to host meetings and conferences, and the islands are ideal for exciting incentive experiences.

With major carriers such as British Airways, Air France and Ethiopian Air flying to the island republic, the Seychelles is accessible. Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is located on the mountainous Mahé island and its capital, Victoria,

is just 10 km from the airport. Depending on whether you’re travelling to another island, you will need to get there by boat or plane. For those travelling by boat, a free shuttle service runs between SEZ and the harbour.

Go island hopping and take a trip to Praslin island, home to the Coco de Mer – a coconut tree with the world’s largest seed. The enormous seed is abundant within the Valley de Mai, a Unesco World Heritage Site and a protected area.

TANZANIA With so much to see and do in Tanzania, the country is emerging as an attractive upand-coming MICE destination in East Africa, particularly around Arusha, which is within proximity to attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park.

Following on from the Covid-19 pandemic, travel restrictions have been lifted and the country is slowly opening up, with 81% of hotels having availability and 36% of flights operational.

Continued investment in conferencing facilities and infrastructure around the country’s main business and tourism hubs in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar is positioning Tanzania as a sought-after international experience. The Zanzibar archipelago is one of

the country’s top travel hotspots – a fourhour ferry ride or a 40-minute flight from the mainland. At 83 km in length, Zanzibar Island, or Unguja, is the main island. The top attraction here, Stone Town, forms part of Zanzibar City. Its Swahili name, Mji Mkongwe, translates to ‘old town’ and, as the island’s oldest trade centre, it is steeped in history.

With narrow winding alleys and ornate architecture, there are notable historical sites not to be missed, including the House of Wonders – a former sultan’s palace with a clocktower, while a cultural centre and stone amphitheatre can be found at the Old Fort.

UGANDA Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda has a strong focus on developing its MICE market. According to 2019 statistics from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), it is Africa’s sixth most popular destination for hosting international association events – last year, the country hosted 22 international association meetings.

With the option of obtaining a visa upon arrival, getting in and out of Uganda is a breeze. The country is equipped to handle both small and large groups of delegates, with add-ons to provide a complete pre- and post-conference solution. Uganda’s central location within Africa also means that delegates have various flight options.

Uganda has an assortment of spacious facilities across a variety of venues that are equipped with modern equipment. Together with an exciting range of activities, sights and scenes, the country is well positioned to deliver an exceptional and memorable experience for visitors.

From the source of the Nile in the vast Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, with more than half of Africa’s bird species, Uganda is a true natural wonder. Like Rwanda, the nation is committed to protecting its gorilla populations and poachers will face a lengthy jail sentence if caught harming any of the primates.