BENCH AFRICA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

As Australia’s oldest Africa specialist travel company, Bench Africa has cause to celebrate in 2019 as it marks the milestone of being in the business since 1969. Bench Africa is Australia’s original and highly trusted Africa safari specialist. For half a century Bench Africa have been honing their expertise making them an enviable player in the industry that deliver stylish, unusual and highly memorable Africa holidays for their clients. The company was founded by Charles Bench, initially trading as Bench International. With Charles at the helm, the company was soon recognised country-wide as the Africa travel experts in Australia. When Charles retired in 2007, the company was sold to his ground operator in Kenya, Southern Cross Safaris. Since that time, Bench Africa has expanded by increasing their portfolio of destinations and variety of experiences offered throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean. In 2014, Bench Africa diversified by establishing Southern Cross Safaris South Africa, which operates in Cape Town, providing the company with more visibility and on-the-ground support in southern Africa.

Bench Africa is one of only a few travel companies in Australia that continues to focus exclusively on Africa as a travel destination. The company has stayed loyal to Charles Bench’s principle of ‘an in-depth knowledge and passion for Africa’.

All staff have travelled extensively throughout the continent, with many having lived and worked there. “As we enter our

50th year, we toast our past, present and future, extending a heartfelt thank you to all of our loyal and valued customers who have supported Bench Africa over the years,” said Martin Edwards, General Manager. “Here’s to another 50 years of doing what we are so deeply passionate about.” benchafrica.com