The recent all-expense-free tour sponsored by Nigeria’s foremost tourism firm, VIP Express Tourism Nigeria has come and gone, but the memory will linger for a very long time.
The amazing experience of the trip, even from a critical journalistic mind has made me to emphasis that I wish to have more of such an experience. It was a trip full of sweet memories.
My trip from Abuja to South Africa which was my final tour destination was greeted with greater excitement upon a connecting flight through Addis Ababa. It was exciting having to reach two countries in a single tour.
Of course, I had quite a memorable stay at Addis Ababa following the wonderful arrangement made to welcome me for the night of the stopover. Besides being lodged in one of the best hotels in the country, we were treated to a dinner one could delightfully dream to have.
Having being sponsored by one of the top tourism firms, VIP Express Tourism Nigeria, the usual immigration interrogation for foreigners visiting the country for the first time was done with high level of civility.
The VIP treatment accorded me upon arrival at the airport can best be imagined. Without stress or much wait, I was conveyed to my comfortable apartment in Pretoria.
Besides the security of the estate, the serenity created the impression that one was truly on a vacation, to rest and sleep away from all forms of stress.
But the most interesting part of the trip was the tour of different parts of the country.
The expert driver who doubled as the narrator attached to me on the tour made it even more interesting. It was a moment I realized my aged-along dream of meeting with the legendary Nelson Mandela.
Even though Mandela is long gone, I met his legacies; I met what keeps him living among his people even in death. Of course, a visit to his house in Soweto gave a different impression about a true African leader who engaged in a fulfilling, yet selfless journey for his people.
But one cannot boast of visiting South Africa without the knowledge of its interesting historical journey. Thanks to VIP Express for the tour of Voortrekker. The history of South African bloody struggle with the Zulu was vividly captured and how what is now called a republic emerged. The narrative and the trek were superb. It was a sweet experience as I shared in the movement down South.
The journey towards Soweto created a balance for a better understanding of an African dichotomy where there is a clear societal strata. I met the rich, the middle class and the peasants. As a journalist, I took a few things away, believing that African leaders will correct the societal imbalance as we move to catch up with the rest of the world. But one remarkable thing was the charter which was written on marble. It goes a long way to explain that despite being oppressed by our leaders, the people will always find their voice. That is the crux of the Soweto experience.
Similarly, a tour of President Kruger’s house, Church Square, Union building, the Constitutional House, and Top of Africa gave me a better understanding of the Southern African country. Its history, its laws, its purpose and its tourism potentials were vividly captured.
But all thanks to VIP Express Tourism Nigeria for the tour of Monateng Safari Lodge. It was a beautiful sight to behold. The serenity, the green and panoramic scenery of the lodge, the beautiful accommodation for tourists, the recreational centres, and wildlife reserve create the impression of ‘home away from home. ‘
This last tour appears to me as the most memorable following a game drive. It was amazing coming close to the amazing, yet friendly animals in the reserve. Indeed, it was a huge experience.
Thanks to VIP Express Tourism Nigeria for such a huge and unforgettable tour. There are tourism firms, but there is a tourism firm at its best.
One amazing thing about the trip was the suiting treatment that I received from every individual that came my way while on the vacation. The comfort presented a picture of an individual who is visiting a country, not just for the first time. The security provided showed that VIP Express Tourism’s top priority is to ensure maximum security of whoever that is touring a country through their stable.
The comfortable car provided for the tour plus the narrator who gave detailed historical backgrounds of all the places toured gave the impression of a tourism firm that has in its top agenda customer’s satisfaction.
The massive tour of almost every part of the country even at their own expense equally gave the impression of a tourism firm that gives its clients the best selflessly.
Similarly, a tourism firm that has made it a culture to sponsor at least 5 Nigerians to different parts of the world in a year, is undoubtedly contributing to the growth of the country. I had doubted this prior to the trip, but as they say in the local parlance,” Seeing is believing,” I now believe in the firm and its contribution to Nigeria’s economy and the Nigerian people.
A tour of South Africa with VIP Express Tourism Nigeria will remain one of the most memorable journeys of my life. If you have toured the entire African continent, and not through VIP Express, you have toured nothing.
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