Rare Encounters - African safari specialist
Passionate about Africa and its wildlife, I have been travelling to the continent for 17 years and am now doing my dream job: personal travel agent specialised in African safaris. I love designing exceptional, bespoke African safaris, going above and beyond.
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What do you love most about your job?
Creating itineraries! More than 50% of my clients are not sure where they would like to go for their African safari or may have an idea but that isn’t suitable for their dates, timing, budget or expectations. I like to make people discover destinations and suggest experiences that they may have not heard of or considered before.
I also love hearing from my clients, sometimes while they are away as they share photos of sunsets or amazing wildlife sightings, and always when they come back with many stories that will stay with in their memories for ever. Emotions run high in Africa as it touches you so deep in your soul, I can feel and relate to them when they are narrated by clients. It is truly wonderful.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Live of my passion. I first went to Africa in 2003 for a short holiday on the beach in Mombassa, Kenya. I decided to go on safari for 2 days while there and this changed my life. It has lead to going back every year and as many times as possible, to volunteering for wildlife and creating my wildlife conservation charity ‘Wild&Free - Rehabilitation and Release’, and to changing career altogether. I was working in a secure environment in the Telecom industry but my head was always in Africa. Eventually, I decided to make it my profession to do what I love every day and feel closer to this continent that stole my hear. It has been and still is a wonderful journey!
It is truly special to do a job that makes people happy and offers new perspectives on the world by showcasing some of the most beautiful places and animals on earth. Africa has to be experienced, it is a lot more than a tick on a bucket list. Once people fall in love with African they will want to protect its fragile ecosystem for the future generations to come. This is what it’s all about and how it links to my wildlife conservationist role.
Why should our clients choose you?
I have been travelling the continent extensively and have had wonderful and varied experiences, therefore able to truly understand my clients’ needs. I have been to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and have also prepared itineraries to Ethiopia, Madagascar and many to Namibia. I went to some countries more than once and tried different parks each time to be able to better compare the experience. I have been travelling by myself, alone with my two children since they were 3 years old, with friends, and I have stayed in accommodations from campsite to top luxury lodges and hotels. I am confident that I can find the right itinerary for any client.
Responsible tourism is high on my agenda, and I always try to suggest lodges that give back to their local communities or wildlife rangers, and/or that use sustainable resources. I also enjoy recommending projects and communities to visit as more clients seem to be interested in this aspect of their trip, which is great.
There is no charge for doing all the research work and fine tuning the itinerary, no hidden cost throughout the whole process.
I am always available to support and answer questions: before, during and after the trip, outside office hours and even if I’m away myself. I’m reachable on email, whatsapp, messenger, Instagram, there is no communication barrier to contact me.
Lastly, and this comes with loving my job, I build great relationships with my clients as we have personal communications through the various discussions to prepare their magical holidays to Africa.
