Dear customers and industry partners, despite the nip in the air and a sense that Winter is fast approaching, there seems to be an infectious optimism and no shortage of exciting and encouraging happenings within our industry of late, both locally and beyond our borders.

Dr John Manning

However, before I talk about some of these events and developments I would like to chat about an awesome flower tour we recently operated on behalf of the well known botanist Dr John Manning. As a botanist at the SA National Biodiversity Institute and author of a number of wild flower books, Dr Manning is always an inspiration to work with and we are unashamedly proud of our association with him. Our seven day tour with 10 Japanese enthusiasts took us to Tulbagh, Springbok, Lamberts Bay and Saldanha Bay and our group were treated to a wealth of insight into the incredibly diverse flora and fauna this breathtaking part of our country has to offer. Judging by the photographs our tour guide took of the stunning array of evergreen bulbous perennials as well as the awe-inspiring images of the Quiver Tree Forest and Gifberg area, it is no wonder our party rated this tour as one of their best ever.

Marius du Plessis, Ian Wallace, Claus Tworeck at WTM

By all accounts the WTM (World Travel Market Africa, 6-8 April) was a great success. African Hoopoe Tours was well represented and took advantage of the opportunity to form some valuable new relationships and gain some insight into industry developments, such as the exciting Vic Falls Airport’s $150 million upgrade and recent developments with regard to the Kaza Visa (www.kazaviza.info). Of course it was also a great opportunity to catch up with old colleagues and friends and AHT looks forward to seeing you all again in Durban for the Indaba! (Tourism Indaba, 8-11 May).

Building your own tour is childsplay!

As always African Hoopoe Tours strives to“Create Unique Experiences” for our customers and our new Bespoke Tour Packages aims to achieve exactly that. Soon, building your own tour through AHT could be childsplay! We are currently in negotiations with several industry partners in the food, wine and adventure tour spheres, who will form the building blocks to facilitate our BUILD YOUR OWN TOUR concept. Watch this space!!

Marius du Plessis
and the
African Hoopoe Team!

About the Author

In 1996, Marius du Plessis made a career change and started working at a medium sized tour company in, Cape Town. He qualified as a tour guide and was soon on his way to becoming a top guide. A year later he joined a big tour operator specializing in day tours and charters. It had always been Marius’ dream to run his own business and in 2007 he purchased his first touring vehicle, a Mercedes Vito, while still guiding full time. Renting his vehicle to the movie industry he realised the potential, so in 2010 he went on his own, and African Hoopoe Tours and Charters was born. With the 2010 FIFA World Cup being hosted in Cape Town, timing could not have been better. From these humble beginnings African Hoopoe Tours have grown from strength to strength.