They got to experience one of the seven wonders of the world, hand-feed elephants, walk with lions AND get up close and personal with Sylvester the cheetah. Now they’re back home, and they’re still smiling.
Hosted by Africa experts, Bench International, the lucky group of agents travelled to Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) before exploring Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
The agents stayed in remote, luxury properties, and the famil offered up fine cuisine, humble and welcoming people and fantastic game viewing including a leopard hunting for lunch, several prides of lions, hippos, zebras and giraffes – to name but a few.
Back row, from left to right: Ashley Noble, Flight Centre Kalamunda, Maddison Kirk, helloworld Armadale, Vivien Browning, Flight Centre Murray Bridge, Jessica Law, Flight Centre Maylands, Amanda Sansom, Flight Centre Applecross; Middle row, from left to right: TH, guide from Xugana, Emily Cotton, RAC Travel, Odelle Bullock, Flight Centre Warwick, Jacqueline Stutt, Flight Centre Mundaring, Nat Braude, Flight Centre Bentleigh, Philippa Enright, Escape Travel Lindfield, Jessica Lander, helloworld Waurn Ponds; Front row, from left to right: Nicky Oosthuizen, Bench International, Ken, guide from Xugana, Deryk Lee, Escape Travel Bondi Junction
According to some of the agents, the highlight of the famil was the chance to see animals in their natural environment:
“The most interesting experience was when we witnessed a stand-off between a big hippo, a mischievous elephant and a curious African painted dog. The elephant was blowing water on the hippo to make it move. When the hippo had enough of the teasing, it gave a big grunt and both the dog and elephant scampered off…. It was fascinating to watch the interaction between these incredible animals!”
Nicky, from Bench International
At Xugana Lodge in Botswana agents enjoyed tranquil water activities, including fishing, boat rides and sunset makoro (canoe) excursions.