Prasenjit Chakraborty - Mumbai Buoyed by the launch of direct flights by Uganda Airlines from India, Kenya-based Safari Trails, a boutique DMC for East Africa has initiated promoting Uganda in the Indian market.
“There are hardly 14-15 gorilla families which are spread over in Rwanda, Uganda. These two countries are the only places in the world where one can see gorillas,” said Rajay Thethy, CEO, Safari Trails, during his recent visit to India.
His main purpose of the visit was to introduce and market Uganda in the Indian market as he said, “Uganda as a destination is not known in this market.” Safari Trails has segmented its business in three categories and each team handles MICE, Africa and Super Luxury. The company, in the Super Luxury category, handles destinations like Rwanda, Uganda, etc.
The company offers various packages, and among them is the Great Apes package, which allows participants to observe both gorillas and chimpanzees. “Chimpanzees are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda). Besides chimpanzees, the park also has flamingos, tree climbing lines, salt pans, hence, making it a diverse product,” pointed out Thethy. Murchison Falls is another stunning experience which is also included in this package.
In Kenya, the company offers safaris using Land Cruisers, while in Uganda, they offer safaris through treks and by boat on the Nile river.
For Safari Trails, India has emerged as the largest source market. “From our total business, the Indian market contributes 55%,” revealed Thethy. The company is also witnessing a lot of demand for Kenya and Tanzania which also fall in the Super Luxury category. “Earlier, Indian travellers used to spend USD 5,000-10,000 for trips to Kenya and Tanzania. Now, the average spending by them has increased to USD 20,000-30,000,” says Thethy.
A significant portion of their business is attributed to wildlife photographers. “Wildlife photographers itself is a segment for us,” he said.
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad have traditionally served as the company’s primary markets. However, they are currently focusing on Tier-II cities also, such as Nagpur, Raipur, Chandigarh, and Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad). “I see substantial potential in these markets. With this in mind, we are organising roadshows later this year, specifically targeting Tier-II and III cities,” revealed Thethy.
Clarifying the misconception about Kenya’s weather, he explained that the climate there is pleasant, with the highest temperature ranging between 25-26 degrees Celsius. “Many people in India believe that Kenya is a tropical country with temperatures soaring to 42-43 degrees Celsius, but that’s not the case. Kenya is a year-round destination, and its people are warm and always smiling,” stated Thethy.
In terms of the demand from Indian travellers, he said that unlike the previous affinity towards luxurious rooms with chandeliers, they now seek more authentic African experiences. Thethy said, “They are looking for experiences and culture now.”
He firmly believes that the combination of enhanced air connectivity, visa issuance within 24-48 hours, the availability of Indian food, and the warm hospitality extended by the people of Kenya will contribute to making 2024 a favourable year for the company.
