Travel advisors from across the Illawarra and South Coast came together for a lively and immersive evening hosted by Bench Africa and Chimu Adventures, blending destination training with playful creativity. Held at Hotel Totto in Wollongong, the Sundowners & Sombreros event brought the best of Africa and Latin America into one colourful and engaging showcase.
Guests arrived to find themselves draped in Maasai blankets, surrounded by playful décor including elephants, penguins and a sea of sombreros. The evening was designed to both inform and entertain, highlighting new product updates and signature experiences across both continents.
New safaris and playful presentations
Between bites and sundowners, travel advisors took part in fun table competitions—crafting the best playdough animal sculptures and competing in themed dress-ups using props provided on the night.
Bench Africa’s NSW/ACT Business Development Manager, Alex Fayan, said, “Our idea was simple: Sundowners and Sombreros, Facts and Fun. A blending of bucket list adventures in one interactive evening! It was a fantastic turnout, and we’re incredibly grateful to those who joined us for a night of travel inspiration and creativity.”
Product highlights and advisor support
Bench Africa shared updates from its new brochure, which includes the redesigned Discover Kenya Scenic Safari and a new East Africa Wilderness Safari, featuring a premium 4-seater vehicle for a more intimate game-viewing experience.
As Australia’s original Africa travel specialist, the team emphasised their role as a one-stop shop for Africa, Egypt, Morocco and the Indian Ocean, offering client-ready, interactive quotes and expert itinerary planning.
