Fly 540 Africa

Category: Tips

  • Founders Forum: Pitch Your Business Idea on the future of Air travel

    Founders Forum, a global community for digital and technology entrepreneurs, is giving start-ups the chance to pitch their business ideas on the future of air travel.  On June 12, with support from British Airways, a panel of leading investors and CEOs will be 30,000 feet in the sky while ideas are pitched from the ground via on-board WiFi.

    The competition is looking for start-ups that are building next generation travel tech products or services which have the potential to transform customers’ air travel experiences through innovative technology solutions. The competition is open now and full details to enter are available here.

    Entries will be whittled down to a shortlist of businesses that will face a unique challenge of pitching from the ground to judges on board a British Airways aircraft full of leading investors and CEOs. Entrants will take part in a live question and answer session using the airline’s inflight new WiFi all while the aircraft is 30,000 feet over the atlantic.

    British Airways is introducing industry-leading streaming WiFi on its long-haul flights. It currently has more than 50 aircraft with this service, and 80 per cent of the airline’s 134-strong long-haul fleet will be fitted by the end of 2020. The airline’s entire short-haul fleet will be WiFi enabled by summer 2019, all part of British Airways’ £6.5bn investment for customers.

    Alex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, said: “The competition, which ties in closely with our centenary activity looking to the future of flight, is a unique opportunity for some of the most innovative start-ups to put forward their ideas for travel in the future. We’re excited to be supporting Founders Forum in the pitch process, which is set to be an exciting challenge using our inflight WiFi.”

    Greg Kennaugh, Chief Operating Officer of Founders Forum, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this competition, fostering new ways of thinking about travel and directly supporting early-stage entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas to a community of leaders in digital. Connecting seasoned West Coast investors with the most promising European talent midflight on their way to our event is a new milestone for Founders Forum and we are delighted to work with British Airways to deliver this unique initiative.”

    The top three finalists selected on board will be invited to attend Founders Forum London on June 13, 2019, to pitch in person to a judging panel of top CEOs.

    The lucky winner will receive 100,000 On Business points in British Airways’ business loyalty programme, equivalent to four return flights in World Traveller Plus (long-haul premium economy) to New York (JFK) from London Heathrow. The prize also includes 100,000 Avios, a profile in Business Life magazine, a presentation at the Founders Forum London event attend by hundreds of investors and a business meeting with Brent Hoberman founder of lastminute.com and the Founders network.

  • 14 Tips for a Stress Free Flight to Africa

    Summary:
    Travel should be an enjoyable experience. Whether traveling for a business trip in South Africa or looking for a gorilla safari in Rwanda, stress free travel requires good planning and it can be with just a few minutes of up front planning. These 14 tips will help you maximize your flight experience.

    Traveling can be a stressful event and airplane travel is tops on the list of the stressors that we experience on what is supposed to be an exciting and fun event. A few simple steps can remove most of the stress of air travel.

    Things to do before travel day:

    1) Pack your bags. Make sure all your packing is done at least the night before and that you have all your bags in one central location for easy and complete loading into your car or taxi.

    2) Have all your travel paperwork organized and in one central location.

    3) Make a checklist of all the things you want to check to secure your home before you leave and walk through your home checking off each item. Do this at least an hour before you leave your house. Do this and you will never worry if you left your stove on or any of the other little nagging worries you might have while on your travel.

    4) Be sure your pets are taken care of. Make any kennel reservations well in advance of your trip to be sure you have a reserved spot at a kennel you trust.

    5) Call the AIRPORT and airline the day before to see how early the recommend you should arrive for a smooth, stress free check in. If they tell you to arrive three hours early and you arrive just 30 minutes early, you will probably feel great stresses about missing your flight. Also ask if there are any parking restrictions you should be aware of. Ever since 9/11, when we have a heightened threat level there may be car searches before you can park.

    6) If you are just taking carry on luggage, many airlines let you pre check in right on the internet 24 hours before your flight. That means that you can get and print out boarding passes right from your home. And when you get to the airport, you can go right to the gate and your boarding area without getting into the long check in line. If you have to check baggage, you will not have this option available to you. But if not, it is a great time and stress saver.

    Travel day:

    7) Leave home in plenty of time to anticipate busy traffic or accident situations. If it is an hour trip to get to the airport, you may want to leave an extra half hour early just in case there are road problems.

    8) If you are checking in bags, be prepared to wait in line. If it is a busy time of day at the airport and you are traveling with a popular airline, there could be a significant line. Don’t worry about how long the line is. As long as you arrive when the airport recommended, you will have plenty of time to make it to the front of the line and get checked in. It may look impossible but it will happen so just relax and be patient.

    9) Make sure that any “carry on” baggage really is carry on. Otherwise you may get stopped at the gate and have your bag taken away to be stowed with the regular luggage. It will delay and stress you. And it will delay everyone else.

    10) When boarding the plane, find your seat and stow your carry on baggage quickly. And then sit down and stay out of the way. There are lots of people trying to do the same thing and we’ve all encountered the folks who block the aisle for a long time fussing about something or other while a harried line of boarders is forced to wait. You don’t want to be one of those people. So just get your business done quickly and efficiently and sit down. You’ll have plenty of time to get up once the plane is in the air.

    11) If you have to change planes, it can be a real challenge, especially in the larger airports. If you know the gate you will have to go to, ask the flight attendant for advice to reach that gate quickly. In some airports – like Atlanta – a Delta connection can be a huge adventure taking 30 minutes to get from one gate to another. If you know in advance how you have to get to your next airplane, it will be much less chaotic when you get off the first plane. And a much more relaxing walk (or run) to your next gate.

    12) When the plane lands, patiently wait your turn. Whether you push or just wait, you usually won’t get off the plane any quicker. People tend to let the folks in the rows before them get up and go in a pretty orderly fashion. Trying to rush it will only get your blood pressure up and will not be looked upon favorably by your fellow travelers.

    13) If you just have carry on baggage, you have successfully completed a pretty stress free flight.

    14) But if you have carry on luggage, there is one more step – waiting for the luggage. Just pick a place around the conveyor belt and wait. Expect your bag to be the very last one to come out and be pleasantly surprised when it comes out early.

    By following these simple steps, you will find that your stress levels from your air travels will be much less. A well planned trip agenda ensures that those little stress points stay little stress points and don’t balloon into a full blown crisis. Try it any you will be amazed how just a small amount of up front planning dramatically improves the enjoyment of your travel.

  • How to Find the Best Car Rental Company in Rwanda

    When renting a car, for self drive in Rwanda, finding an excellent car rental agency is of paramount importance. Getting a good deal and working with a reliable agency can make the difference between a pleasant experience and one that is costly and fraught with aggravation.

    Finding a good company does not have to be hard; here are a few tips on how to hire a car in Rwanda through the best car rental company and benefit from only the best car rental experience, whatever your needs and wherever you are in the world.

    Firstly, make sure that you choose a company with transparent pricing. This is often an issue with many companies that rent out vehicles of all kinds. People who choose to hire a car from companies can find themselves faced with complicated contracts, complicated pricing schemes and plenty of hidden extra charges.

    Hidden charges can come in the form of extra insurance, fees for extras such as baby seats, Road Maps, insurance waivers, pick up from a location such as an airport and much more. In fact, it is recommended to find car rental companies within  the capital city of Rwanda Kigali because you can get free extra charges like free airport pickup and drops since the airport.

    Unfortunately these somewhat dishonest practices seem to be rife nowadays. This is not true in all cases however, with the most reputable car rental agencies making sure they offer fair and completely clear prices.

    Ask a company that you are thinking of hiring to provide a quote for all the services that you need. Be sure to check on breakdown cover and insurance, as these can end up costing you significantly if they are extra.

    Another tip to finding a reputable car rental company is to look for one which offers an up-to-date and modern fleet of vehicles. This is not simply about looks or ease of driving, but for your own security and peace of mind too. After all, an older vehicle might be much more unreliable, and chances are that you will need your vehicle to be reliable for your purpose.

    Although a cheap vehicle might be a lot easier on the wallet, if the car breaks down you could be in a potentially difficult situation. Although your rental agency might be able to offer you breakdown cover and roadside assistance, they may not have a spare vehicle for you available as a replacement straight away, causing you great inconvenience.

    Be sure to check that the vehicle that you are hiring is modern and is serviced on a frequent basis. If necessary, consider paying a little bit more money for peace of mind when hiring a vehicle, rather than opting for rock bottom prices and unreliable vehicle.

    The next tip to bear in mind when you hire the best car is to check that they have an excellent customer service system in place. Many of the most reliable companies have a 24-hour agency hot line just in case you encounter issues. Be wary of companies that are difficult to get hold off when you need them the most.

    The best company for your perfect car rental in Rwanda will care that you have the best experience with them. This includes not only giving you a transparent pricing structure, but also ensuring that you have help on hand should you need it, especially if you are hiring in an area that you do not know well and driving a vehicle that you are not too familiar with.

    If in doubt, consult the company’s customer testimonials or feedback to see whether or not you are making a good choice. The best agencies will not be shy about showing off all the positive client reviews they have on their website or elsewhere, and this is often a very reliable indicator of quality.

    Kigali Car Rentals is the fastest growing car rental company in Kigali, Rwanda, and is committed to providing all its customers with a maximum of comfort and satisfaction through its services. Kigali Car Rentals is the leading car hire in the area and aims to consistently deliver a fast, flexible, personalized and high quality service at a very affordable price. Kigali Car Rentals prides itself on its well-maintained vehicles that cater to every need and requirement of its clients, and continues to invest in the latest automobile technology in order to provide an up to date and best of class service. The company boasts a team of dedicated, friendly, fully trained and experienced staff ready to help each and every customer receive the high standard of car rental service they deserve.

  • Gear for the Bush

    In October 2013, Namibia—one of the few countries with conservation mandated in its constitution—hosted the Adventure Travel World Summit, an opportunity for 650 delegates from 60 countries to meet, network, and, of course, explore southern Africa.

    Here’s the gear that survived the adventure.

    Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars; $275
    When you want to see a leopard’s whiskers without becoming its next meal, the Bushnell Legends are your secret weapon. Tracking an injured hyena in Namibia, our safari guide could see its wound—a lion bite—from 600 feet away. Late that day, the binoculars let us identify 47 bird species in three hours, even when some were circling 1,000 feet above us. The extra-wide field of vision glass maximizes available light and gives you a color-tuned, high-res image whether you’re peering into the forest or the dunes. Bushnell’s permanent water-repellant coating keeps your lenses clear from sweat or precipitation. The company guarantees you’ll love them or they’ll buy them back.

    Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals; $100
    From Namibia’s famed Sossusvlei dunes to the Kalahari, walking in sand is one of the desert’s greatest challenges. It feels better barefoot until the sun is high. Then, you need a shoe that protects your feet from the skin-searing surface but doesn’t overheat on the inside. Keen’s Clearwater CNX is the perfect solution. It has a barefoot feel thanks to multidirectional grooves on the thin but supportive sole, and the webbed upper drains sand as well as it drains water.

    LED Lenser X7R Flashlight; $240
    Stopping under a camelthorn to peer into the one-ton nest of a sociable weaver colony, the 70-to-500 lumen adjustable beam LED Lenser chased away shadows and helped our resident safari photographer capture a great pic. And, at night, its beam pierced the inky darkness, pinpointing a leopard crouching by a waterhole, and illuminating it well enough from 500 feet away for a gallery worthy picture. The X7R uses two LEDs in one beam, and it’s USB rechargeable.

    Mountain Khakis Equatorial Long Sleeve Shirt; $95
    On African safari, the humidity is low, but the sweat volume is high under the hot desert sun. The Equatorial shirt dried in minutes and never soaked through, even on the stillest days. And it’s tough enough to protect you from the claws of camelthorn and other grabby desert bushes. The collar flips up to keep your neck from burning.

    Patagonia Tropical Flats Shorts; $69
    Keep cool and pack light with Patagonia’s Tropical Flats Shorts. Weighing in at a mere 5.4 ounces, these shorts are made from sun protective, quick dry nylon and spandex. For extra venting, the pocket snaps open to catch the breeze. They’re stretchy enough for any activity, from hiking to fishing to kicking back with a cold one and watching wildlife.

    Peak Designs Capture Pro Camera Clip; $80
    Keeping you camera out of the sand is key in the desert. So is being able to switch between camera and bincoulars. Enter Capture Pro Camera Clip. It attaches to your camera and any backpack shoulderstrap or belt and supports even a substantial zoom lens on a full DSLR without bouncing. The quick release lock can take up to 200 pounds of force without accidentally releasing. The transition from ready to action is seamless with a simple slide clip that doubles as a tripod mount.

    Tilley LTM6 Airflo Nylamtium Hat; $79
    A fat rim for sun protection and good venting—those are the basic requirements for a safari hat. Tiley’s hand-sewn Airflow Nylantium gives you that, plus UPF 50 with a dark underbrim for glare protection. And, should a freak storm arise, it’s water repellent.

  • Rwanda Air – Recommended Cheap Airline for Africa Travelers

    Nothing can out compete the air fares of RwandAir to Kigali international airport especially when it comes to connectivity from one destination to the other. Travelers find it easy to part with some few dollars and be in another destination within no minutes. Besides it’s another advantage for tourists taking safaris to multiple destinations within the East African Countries; Rwanda, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Tanzania since several flights are operated with in different countries daily.

    RwandAir also fly its B737 fleet to Lusaka and Cape Town a new route which was introduced early this year. The route is known as Kigali-Lusaka-Cape Town and the most affordable flight to both destinations in Africa compared to other airlines. The route eased travel to most top tourist countries in Africa –South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi and Tanzania inclusive.

    Lusaka is the capital of Zambia and the airport is served by major airlines such as KLM, Emirates, British Airways, South African Airways, Kenya Airways or Ethiopian Airlines. Zambia is one Africa’s emerging market.

    However Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa & its airport is the second hub of South Africa. Many major airlines to Asia – Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, to Europe -Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways and to Africa -south African Airways, Air Mauritius, Air Botswana, Air Namibia and TAAG Angola Airlines are connected to cape town airport hence making Air travel the means of travel in all the world continents.

    Above all RwandAir services are incredible that they even minimize flight delay cases a potential factor for many travellers. This has been a main boost to East African Tourism in general with increased number of tourists being registered by the various countries coming in for gorilla tracking safaris in the Virunga mountains and Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in the true wildness in the Uganda and Rwanda rain forests, wild excursion game drive safaris which are exceptional in their natural untamed wilderness in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and not forgetting water rafting on Africa Longest Rive Nile and other cultural adventures and birding safaris with over 650 Bird species to sight in the region. A safari to the East African Region is worth unregrettable decision of a life time with many memories to carry a long on the way back home. Various investments in the Hospitality industry is available to cater for all classes of travelers i.e; Luxury, Budget and backpackers with ground transport being more developed to ease local connections to different sites and across borders.

  • Packing Luggage for Air Travel

    When it comes to air travel, many travelers are more concerned with their carryon luggage than they are with their bags that will be handed over to airport staff. These bags, commonly referred to as checked baggage, are just as important, if not more important, than your carryon luggage. For this reason, there are a number of different factors that you should take into consideration, when packing your bags for your next flight.

    One mistake that many travelers make, when it comes to checked baggage, is including prohibited items in their bag. In addition to prohibited items, there have also been instances of travelers trying to hide illegal items in their checked luggage. Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, it isn’t. In fact, with today’s airport security screening, it is virtually impossible for you to get away with storing prohibited or illegal items inside your checked baggage more information. This is mostly due to the fact that the screening process has dramatically changed from what it was in the past, say ten years ago.

    In the past, certain airlines only randomly searched checked baggage. Many times, these searches were only implemented if airline officials or airport security had probable cause. Today, all bags are checked, including your checked luggage. Most checks will quickly be done, but, in some cases, more extensive searches may be conducted. A quick check of your luggage may include rummaging through all of your belongings, looking for anything out of the ordinary. An extensive search could include searching all of your clothing pockets and baggage compartments. In the event that you are subject to one of those checks, it is likely that you will be caught if you are trying to conceal a cigarette lighter or other prohibited items.

    Since your bags will be checked, all of them, you are advised against locking your baggage before heading to the airport. After your bags have been properly screened, some airlines will allow you to replace the locks on your checked baggage, but not all will. For this reason, you may want to reconsider storing expensive items, such as electronic equipment, in your bags. In addition to the possibility of theft, you will find that items packed inside your checked luggage are at a higher risk for being damaged then those that are in your carryon bags.

    When packing your bags, which will be checked at the airport, it is also advised that you carefully pack them. There are a number of items, including sharp objects, which are prohibited from being stored in your carryon luggage, but those items can be placed in your checked baggage. As previously mentioned, airport security will likely examine those bags. Even during a quick examination, they will rummage through your belongings. For that reason, you are advised to properly package and secure all items that can be considered dangerous, such as those with sharp edges or points. This extra precaution may not only affect your safety, when you to go unpack your bags, but the safety of all airport security officials, especially those screening your luggage.

    By taking the time to famialrize yourself with all travel rules, including the airport screening process, you should be able to pack your bags for your next flight, the right way. The wrong way, although you may not necessarily think about it at the time, could have serious consequences.