Every year Bench Africa introduces thousands to the magic of Africa. Some of you returning to the continent for a second, third or even fourth time. And with a continent as large and diverse as Africa who can blame you?
Here are our reasons that you should bump Africa travel up to the very top of your list this year...
✔️ Firstly, there really is nowhere else on the planet that compare when it comes to wildlife, wild lands and rich traditions, which is why Africa is so addictive.
✔️ If you choose to travel to Africa with Bench Africa then we can show you the magnificent ‘Big Five’ and the endangered mountain gorillas and give you the opportunity to witness the great wildebeest migration or the majesty of Victoria Falls.
✔️ Let Bench introduce you to the vibrant people and cultures of Africa, as well as a new way of thinking - 'hakuna matata'!
✔️ What's even better is that your travel can contribute to the local communities, as well as some amazing wildlife conservation programs.
Here are some of our top ideas to inspire your Africa travel in 2019.
Each of these carefully handcrafted itineraries is guaranteed to leave you with memories to last you a lifetime.
EXPLORE ONE OF OUR PLANET'S MOST BEAUTIFUL CORNERS
A safari in East Africa offers a unique and wonderfully authentic safari experience. This small group tour traverses through Kenya and Tanzania by road visiting the ultimate safari highlights. Venture into the stunning Serengeti National Park, the famous Masai Mara, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater and Amboseli National Park which stands in the shadow of Africa’s highest mountain - Mt Kilimanjaro.
Highlights of East Africa - Two countries, six distinctive game areas and 12 days of adventure and wildlife charm; this is East Africa at its finest.
DISCOVER AFFORDABLE AFRICA
A safari doesn’t have to cost the earth, and Makutsi Safari Springs is a fantastic example of this. This family-owned lodge is the perfect option for those who want to experience Africa on a shoestring. The lodge is unique in that it specialises in long stays, with guests staying for a minimum of a week at a time, with a high number returning time and time again.
Choose between a stay at the main camp, experiencing the daily game drives and excursions or you can venture out on a more adventurous walking safari, staying at a combination of their Main Camp and Tented Camp. The walking safari offers a perfect mix of diversity, comfort and adventure. Get up close and personal with nature and let experienced nature guides show you all the stories the South African bush has to tell.
MAKE TRACKS FOR MAGICAL KENYA
Experience in a week the fascinating world of Africa’s animals on a scheduled small group departure with a maximum of seven passengers.
Kenya Highlights - This small group traverses through the country by road, visiting all the ultimate safari Kenyan highlights. First venture into the world famous Masai Mara where you can witness the largest concentration of animals in Africa. Glimpse the rare reticulated giraffe in Samburu, enjoy breathtaking birding in Lake Nakuru National Park and learn about the world-renowned conservation efforts in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
GO WILD... IN BOTSWANA
This Botswana Wildlife Tour takes us through some of Botswana’s and Zimbabwe’s magnificent game reserves. Starting and ending at the spectacular Victoria Falls.
Just some of the highlights of this trip include a game drive in Hwange National Park, the Moremi Game Reserve, Greater Khwai, a two-day Okavango Delta excursion and the Chobe National Park
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS?
Gorilla trekking is a bucket list experience that everyone should experience once in their lives.
Gorilla Mountain View Lodge is a friendly and simple lodge is located approximately 10 minutes from the park offices, at the base of Sabyinyo Volcano, with exceptional views. The lodge is set in well maintained gardens, the main area houses a bar and restaurant serving buffet style home cooked food and local entertainment is offered in the evenings.
The gorilla permit is not included in the price of the price quoted, and in Rwanda costs US$1,500 per person. Much of the revenue from the gorilla permits is dedicated to fighting poaching and revenue from tourism is the only way that these endangered species will ever survive.
EXPLORE SOME INCREDIBLE COASTAL VISTAS
Internationally regarded as one of the most scenic regions in the world, with year round sunshine and no malaria, the Eastern Cape is a much sought after destination.
Garden Route Classic Tour - Join us on a group tour journeying through South Africa’s ‘Garden of Eden’ and experience the highlights of Route 62, magnificent scenery, quaint, charming towns and Knysna Lagoon in this premier tourist destination. With pristine beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and rivers, the Garden Route is a place to restore your soul and revitalise your body and mind.
WITNESS THIS NATURAL WONDER
For sheer weight of number and species of animals, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is arguably one of the world’s best and most rewarding safari experiences. The open grasslands offer excellent game spotting opportunities and the phenomena of the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, together with the crossing of the Mara River, is one of the world’s most remarkable sights.
With a choice of Classic or Superior accommodation, The Migration Safari is a unique safari that operates weekly between the prime months of July and October and with four nights spent in the Mara itself, offers the opportunity to witness some of these world-renowned and documented sights.
ADVENTURE IN WILD AND WONDERFUL TANZANIA
Tanzania Highlights - A journey with lots of contrast from the game enriched plains of the famous Serengeti to the salt pans of Lake Manyara. A further high point of your journey is the Ngorongoro Crater and Ol’Duvai Gorge, both unique sites and a must for any visitor to Tanzania.
With a choice of Classic or Superior accommodation, this safari is a perfect add-on to one of our Kenyan safaris.
EXPERIENCE THE ASTONISHINGLY DIVERSE
South Africa | Zimbabwe
Cape Town, Kruger and Victoria Falls - Experience the key highlights of Southern Africa on this affordable 12 day safari.
Visit Cape Town, the ‘Mother City’, and continue with a ‘Big Five’ game viewing experience in the Greater Kruger National Park before concluding with a visit to ‘the smoke that thunders’, Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
JOURNEY TO A COUNTRY WHERE THE DUNES ARE MOUNTAINS
Diverse Namibia is an active, exciting adventure, exploring the iconic areas of this vast country with its dunes, desert, plains and superb wildlife.
Experience the soaring red dunes of Sossusvlei, the desert and denizens of Damaraland, and the dense plains game and predators of Etosha National Park.
The trip is interspersed with activities such as game drives, scenic walks and visiting the spectacular and ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein – altogether a true Namibian adventure with a range of activities impossible to beat.
WHY BENCH AFRICA?
TAILORED TO YOU
We take the time to understand what you enjoy so we can create the perfect holiday for you.
RENOWNED SERVICE
Established in 1969, Bench Africa is Australia’s original and most prominent Africa safari specialist. This year we are celebrating 50 years of providing stylish, unusual and utterly memorable Africa holidays.
FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE
Every member of the Bench family has a true passion for Africa and has travelled extensively throughout the continent, with many having lived and worked there.
WE BELIEVE IN VALUE
Our quality of service and expertise makes our value for money very hard to beat.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
We understand that this may be your ‘once in a lifetime’ dream to travel to Africa - it is our job to make sure that it is everything that you dreamed it could be... and more.
Call us to talk to one of our Africa experts.
1300 AFRICA (237 422)
