sa mag - issue 1 - springbok atlas feature

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S P R I N G B O K A T L A S

Cape Town HeaD oFFICe: Tel: +27 21 460 4700, Fax +27 21 447 9472, Email: [email protected] www.springbokatlas.com

Escorted & Tailor-made Tours Airport Transfer Services Incentives & Special Events

Coach Hire Conference Support Services

complete destination management

For booking enquiries, please contact your local Africa Specialist

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South African Mag.indd 1 2010/03/30 3:37 PM

BreatHtaKING DIVerSItY aNDMatCHLeSS SerVICe

TourisTSouthAfrica

south Africa offers some of the most stunning visitor and traveller experiences anywhere

in the world. And major specialist travel management company and coach operator springbok Atlas is one of its best guides and

facilitators. Colin Chinery reports.

2 www.southafricamag.com

I t’s an accolade and a truism short on words, long on impact - South Africa: ‘A World in One Country’. And the nation’s unique richness of natural, historical

and cultural attractions is indisputably varied, exciting and beguiling.

Add to this the extraordinary wildlife, superb climate, great nightlife and world class hotels and restaurants, and South Africa’s appeal for the traveller and tourist is surely without equal.

For many, Springbok Atlas, one of Southern Africa’s largest and best-known tour operators, is a perfect way of

discovering and delighting in these rich and diverse experiences.

A leader in Southern African destination management, Springbok Atlas is an obvious choice for the design and operation of group tours. A comprehensive range of services and products is being continually developed to meet the high expectations of international and domestic tourists.

“Our experience gives an in-depth understanding of markets and their preferences,” says Cape Town-based Chief Executive Officer Patrick Vella. “This results in creative and accurate itineraries at most competitive prices, and brings supreme organizational skills to a seamless trip.”

3www.southafricamag.com

Springbok atlas FEATurE

We are frequently commended on the

quality and well-maintained condition of

our coaches

The Palace of Dreams

40172 EP Ad new size.indd 1 2010/03/30 3:47 PM

Proof of this is a strong brand and

proven 64 year history – Springbok

Atlas was voted one of the Top 10

Tourism Brands in the SA Tourism Update Marketing Index July

2009 – and says Vella, “our long standing

relationships with agents and the stability

and continuity of both management and staff.”

The company operates tours throughout, including Cape Town, the Garden Route, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Sun City and the Kruger Park. It owns and maintains its own fleet of over 160 vehicles in South Africa

and Namibia, ranging from microbuses to 44 seat luxury coaches and 60 seat buses.

“We’re frequently commended on the quality and well-maintained condition of our coaches and the safety, helpfulness, professionalism, friendliness and smart appearance

The Springbok Atlas product range includes:SCHeDuLeD tourS

a selection of guaranteed departure

day or long distance tours is

available throughout Southern and

east africa. these range from

long distance, breakaway and

fly-in tours and short breaks, to

day tours. each tour – some

are available in German – is

designed to offer the best

balance between travel, leisure

and sightseeing.

one example is the 16 day tour between

Johannesburg and Cape town featuring the

highlights of South africa, including open vehicle

game drives in the Kruger Park, Swaziland, lunch

and cultural show in a traditional Zulu village, the

Garden route, and oudtshoorn famous for the

Cango Caves and ostrich farms.

this surely is the ultimate tour of South africa

with splendid scenery, exciting wildlife and ethnic

diversity, taken at a leisurely pace with leisure

time at the start and end.

taILor-MaDe GrouP aND

INDIVIDuaL tourS

Here self-drive or group itineraries

are prepared by experienced travel

consultants to match the customer’s

specific requirements. reservations

and recommendations are available

for a range of services including

accommodation, restaurants, flights,

golf and sightseeing. Professional

foreign language guides are available

to accompany tours and a skilled team

of itinerary designers on hand for the

individual traveller.

“our tailor-made tours in Southern

africa feature the very best of the

region in a fine balance of travelling,

sightseeing and leisure time,” says Patrick Vella.

there is also a separate division dedicated to

providing a professional ‘Meet and Greet’ service

on arrival and airport transfers.


We are feeling very optimistic about

the future


With its numerous awards, Peermont prides itself on reaching new heights while

providing destinations that guarantee relaxing stays and exciting times.

Peermont has a range of 3, 4 and 5 star hotel brands ideally suited

to discerning travellers. From Johannesburg to Gaborone, Mafikeng

to Klerksdorp or secunda to southbroom, Peermont hotels offer unique destinations

located near to major cities.

From the luxury and ideal airport location of the 5-star D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace to the chic and affordable new 3-star Metcourt hotels all over south Africa and Botswana, Peermont resorts offer a welcome alternative to chains. Peermont offers more than just a bed – it prides itself in offering exciting entertainment, relaxing accommodation, enjoyable restaurants, fantastic casino action, spas and great golfing – all in a safe and secure environment

Peermont Hotels Casinos Resorts, South Africa’s most empowered hospitality and gaming company, owns and operates 14 properties in South Africa and Botswana.

PeerMoNt

For more information please contact: Tel: +27 (0) 11 557 0557Fax: +27 (0) 11 463 6185

Email: [email protected]


While the World Cup is set to promote South Africa internationally on an unprecedented scale, it takes place in what for tour operators is the traditional low season.

“Any normal tourism for this season is not able to take place, such as our scheduled tours, as we were unable to secure the accommodation and will be utilizing our fleet of vehicles elsewhere,” says Patrick Vella. “However we do anticipate a lot of new interest in the country post World Cup”.

As with all other sectors, the recession is impacting on the South African tourist and travel business. “Our UK market is the most affected, but things are certainly indicating that we are heading for improvements as the number of

enquiries is on the increase again.“The challenge in a recession is to keep


of our drivers” says Patrick Vella. Consumer praise too for the service of the

Springbok Atlas tour consultants. “Customers comment on how they go the extra mile to make last minute changes or requests etc to ensure a thoroughly successful holiday. And our administrative service levels get a top mark for the quick turnaround time for quotes, efficiency and high standard of service.”

But like the rest of the world,

this South Africa has its problems, and perceptions of crime are an issue says Vella.

“As in all large cities, people are advised to be aware when walking around on their own, especially in the evenings. In general the tourist areas are very safe. “Our in-depth knowledge of the destination, services and suppliers helps us to make safe recommendations and avoid any security issues. And needless to say we always give open and honest alerts to agents or clients about areas or issues of concern.”

IrIZarIrizar has been a proud supplier to Springbok atlas for some years already, and relishes the opportunity to supply vehicles to such a safety conscious coach operator. Irizar has a strong focus on the upper end of the coach market and is able to supply coaches within a short lead time.

We congratulate both Mr. Paddy Vella & Springbok atlas on all of their successes so far, and wish them all of the best going beyond 2010

SCaNIa for ten years Scania South africa has been supplying atlas Springbok’s fleet with new luxury coaches. and this all-inclusive relationship extends to fleet maintenance, 15,000km servicing, and driver training.

“the reliability of our vehicles speaks for itself which is why atlas Springbok continue buying new vehicles from u,” says Scania Sa’s National Sales Manager - Bus & Coach, roberto Virgili. “We have a huge reliability and after sales support structure.”







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tel: +27 (11) 9180031email: [email protected]: www.tourplan.com

In today’s competitive tour operator marketplace, your agents and customers expect a fast quality service with the ability to tailor your products and services to their requirements. Additionally they may ask that you provide them with 24/7 web booking facilities and direct online (XML) connectivity options. On top of that, you need to deliver all of this more effi ciently and profi tably than your competitors.

Welcome to Tourplan – trusted by 290 tour operator customers in 54 countries to run their businesses.

people motivated and continue to give excellent service. Another factor is that a lot of the travel at the moment has a short lead time, so we have to move quickly to get everything in place.

“The Soccer World Cup in South Africa this year is a great opportunity to showcase the country. So with this and the recession appearing to slacken off, we are feeling very optimistic about the future.”eND

Springbok Atlas was voted one of the Top 10

Tourism Brands in the SA Tourism Update Marketing

Index July 2009

Aquila is home to an enormous variety of game, including the Big 5 -- elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and

leopard -- giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, many different antelope, baboons, jackal, bat-

eared foxes, hippos and crocodiles. And many migratory birds stop en route at Aquila’s own wetland.

Two- to three-hour game drives are a perfect way to see the animals (in

four-wheel-drive vehicles, quad bikes or on horseback) and you can see ancient Khoi-

san rock art at the same time.

The reserve – already famous for its luxury accommodation and exciting animal viewing opportunities – has joined a small, select group of game reserves to offer a special



Set in the pristine Southern Karoo Highlands against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, the Aquila Private Game Reserve offers an exciting taste of real Africa just two short hours from Cape Town by road.

aQuILa SafarI

adventure area for children. in a large securely fenced area that ensures complete safety and total peace of mind to their families, children have access to a wide range of activities that provide hours and hours of unadulterated fun.

Aquila’s four-star accommodation is something to write home about too. Chalets are built largely from rock, thatch and wood to blend with the environment and offer every comfort like roaring log fires, wooden viewing decks, air conditioning, crisp percale linen, mini bars, rock bathrooms and, in some, alfresco rock showers. A luxurious honeymoon suite is perched on a hill for the ultimate romantic getaway. Aquila also offers ideal facilities for conferences and business meetings and it’s a perfect place for the wedding of a lifetime too.

There’s a bar, a swimming pool, a cosy cigar lounge and a large dining room where the executive chef presents a rich variety of authentic south African cuisine. Feast on

a breakfast fit for a king and for lunch and dinner a range of meat dishes including springbok and roast lamb, a variety of beautifully prepared vegetables and other side dishes and to round off your meal, an array of superb cakes and puddings created on the premises as well as local cheeses and biscuits. superb south African wines are on offer with your meal.

if you don’t have a lot of time to spare, a daily shuttle service from Cape Town international airport and all major hotels will take you to Aquila and back for a perfect day trip.

Don’t miss it, whatever you do!

For reservations, call 0861 73-73-78-3

or +27 (0) 83 301 9222. There’s more information at

www.aquilasafari.com







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south Africa Magazine, suite 9 and 10, The royal, Bank Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, uK. Nr2 4sF

TNT Magazine, 14-15 Child’s Place, Earl’s Court, London, uK. sW5 9rX

eNQuIrIeSTelephone: 0044 (0)1603 343267Fax: 0044 (0)1603 283602 [email protected]

SuBSCrIPtIoNS Call: 00441603 [email protected]

www.southafricamag.com

Street Address: 179 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

Postal Address: PO Box 819, Cape Town, 8000

Telephone: +27 21 460 4700Facsimile: +27 21 448 0003

Email: [email protected] [email protected]

www.springbokatlas.co.za

sa mag - issue 1 - springbok atlas feature

Documents

day tours

long distance tours

scheduled tours

springbok atlas product

coach operator springbok

atlas featurewe

year history springbok

operation of group tours