Bench Africa celebrates 50 years by taking its staff on safari

Bench Africa celebrates 50 years by taking its staff on safari
By Alexandra Coulton


Bench Africa invited the trade to celebrate its 50th birthday yesterday with a long lunch at Sydney’s Quay restaurant.

The celebrations began with a heartfelt thank you from Bench Africa chairman Mike Kirkland, who bought the company, then known as Bench International, from Charles Bench in 2007.

“Making it to 50 years in any business is an enormous milestone and we don’t take it for granted. This is especially the case working in an industry and with a destination that we all know is temperamental in nature,” Kirkland said.

“Thank you for all the work that you do in inspiring travellers to Africa. The abundance of natural beauty and rich heritage is something that I truly believe every traveller should have the chance to experience at least once in their lifetime and I guarantee, they too will become ambassadors and in turn, safeguard the future of these captivating African countries.”

Attendees were entertained by a Kenyan dancer and a Guinean jembe player – or as he called it, an “African mobile phone”.

Perhaps the highlight moment was general manager Martin Edwards’ announcement that Bench Africa will be taking its hardworking staff on an African safari to say thank you for their contributions to the company.

Long-time safari partners Sabi Sabi Game Reserve are also celebrating their 40 year anniversary and it was decided to surprise the Bench Africa staff with a joint anniversary celebration to be held in the luxurious Sabi Sabi private lodges.

Announced to all staff last Friday on Bench’s 50th anniversary, this trip will see the company fly to South Africa on a whirlwind 5 day trip including safaris, fine food and many raised glasses to Bench’s 50 years.

“50 years is a remarkable achievement in any industry, especially one that can be as temperamental as African travel,” Edwards said.

“We all share a passion for Africa so for this special occasion why not share this experience with each other?”

Latest News

  • Events

Vivid entice globally-renowned chefs for Vivid Food 2024

From near and far, some of the hottest names in the culinary world will appear at Vivid Sydney this year as part of Vivid Food, embracing the festival’s 2024 theme, ‘humanity’, and highlighting food as a fundamental part of the human experience, connecting us all through the universal language of cuisine. This year’s roster of […]

  • Aviation

Air New Zealand returns to Hobart and Seoul

Air New Zealand will resume flying to Hobart, it revealed today in its summer schedule update. It also announced it will be returning to Korean capital Seoul. Both the Auckland to Hobart and Auckland to Seoul routes will be seasonal services, with Air New Zealand operating three direct flights a week to each destination over the summer […]

  • Destinations

European Waterways targets multi-generational families with ‘Floating Villa’ deal

In today’s fast-paced world, finding quality time for multi-generational bonding can be a challenge. European Waterways’ hotel barge cruises offer families the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate luxury vacation with a private charter experience. They say  “it’s like having your own private ‘floating villa’ in a different village every day, made extra special by a […]

  • Cruise

Luxury Escapes launches ‘sail away’ sale

Luxury Escapes has announced its biggest cruise event of the year.  The limited-time Sail Away Sale gives cruisers the chance to experience luxury at a cheaper price point. The selection of handpicked offers include exclusive add-ons such as generous onboard credit, bonus value, pre & post-cruise stays, and more.  Destinations including Europe, Asia, Australia, and […]

  • Aviation

Rex-owned National Jet Express (NJE) adds weekly charter between Brisbane and Orange

National Jet Express (NJE), a Rex Group member, today announced the commencement of weekly charter services between Brisbane and Orange in NSW for mining and civil contractor These services represent NJE’s eighth destination on the East Coast since commencing services from Brisbane in July 2023, and its first port in NSW. “We are delighted to […]

  • Aviation

Bonza hires restructuring advisory amid turbulence at Miami-based owner 777 Partners

The financiers of low-cost regional airline Bonza have hired restructuring advisory KordaMentha to give them advice on the operations of the airline. Bonza, which launched in January last year, is a budget airline based on the Gold Coast. They fly to regional areas such as Cairns but do not fly to Sydney or Brisbane (they […]

  • Events
  • Tour Operators

Best friends or frenemies? What is the REAL relationship between sales and marketing?

It’s the age-old business conundrum and a conundrum that becomes all the more important when budgets are squeezed.  Which is more important, sales or marketing? The answer depends on who you ask, Journey Beyond’s Justine Lally and Alicia Triggs say. (Lead Image: Justine Lally  and Alicia Triggs ) Journey Beyond is an experiential tourism group […]