Meet the team
Alice has been involved in African travel since 1995. Her interest in all things African started with a zoology degree at Newcastle, where her entomology tutor inspired her with stories of exotic creatures that could only be found in Africa. When a second degree in vet science did not go according to plan, she fulfilled a dream by working in Zambia. First, she helped set up a safari camp on Lake Kariba and undertook a small study on a family of seven elephants that shared her island. Next was a stint skippering catamarans on the Zimbabwean side of the lake where sailing along the wildlife filled shores of Matsuadona National Park still inspires wonderful memories.
Her last job was living the dream as a back-up guide for a riding safari in Hwange, Zimbabwe, which she describes as one of those few jobs where you forget it’s work, and where managing 28 horses and showing guests the wonders of Africa from horseback was pure joy. She decided on her future career as an African tour operator before her return and now says that anything is possible in Africa if you know how.
Mother to three daughters, Alice is a hands-on Managing Director based in the Scottish office, but divides her time between the north and southern Hampshire office. Alice and her children are keen hill walkers and love the outdoors, and on their African travels they are happiest on foot, in a canoe, or on horseback. She is also an experienced diver and counts the peaceful reefs of Mozambique as some of the best in the world. Her triplets got a taste of Africa at the age of two on a camel safari in Kenya with some time at the coast – never too young! They are now teenagers and have been to Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zanzibar, The Maldives and The Seychelles, Malawi being the highlight.
In her many years organising holidays, Alice has travelled extensively through Africa, exploring some of the more off the beaten track safari areas as well as the better known. Kenya remains an old favourite and she has returned ten times, unable to resist the draw of all that’s on offer here. With children she’s also come to appreciate the value of R&R holidays in beach destinations like Mauritius and the Seychelles. Of the countries Aardvark Safaris sells, it’s only Madagascar Alice has yet to explore, but it’s only a matter of time.
Favourite African experience
Too many to pick one, each time I travel something takes my breath away, the people, the endless scenery, the incredible wildlife. For pure wow factor, riding horses through the migration in the Masai Mara or flying in a private plane along the Skeleton Coast of Namibia.
Favourite African animal
Other than giraffe (which I’d most like to come back as) it’s the little stuff like the insects and birds that enthral me. If you sit still in Africa, life is busy all around you, no matter where you are. Under the sea, in the ground or high in the trees, there is never a dull moment.
Favourite three camps
I love the small owner run camps where you feel as though you are staying with a friend. The host is your guide and looks after you in every way, they care how you feel and what you do.
Some of these camps (and owners) include include Luwi Camp, Karisia Walking safaris, Ants Nest and Kaya Mawa.
Kerry Glen at Karisia in Kenya,
Camel safari, Kenya, Laikipia, Karisia Walking Safaris
and Ant Baber at Ant’s Nest in South Africa but there is a long list, not just three!
Luxury safari accommodation Waterberg, South Africa, Ant’s Nest, Ant’s Collection
Luwi Camp in the South Luangwa, Zambia is my desert island camp if there was only one last African trip.
Hippos on a walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia, Luwi Bushcamp
Kaya Mawa’s cottages have incredible views over Lake Malawi
African countries visited
Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Tropical islands visited
Mauritius, Maldives , The Seychelles, Zanzibar
Riding experience
Wait A Little, Winelands, Tswalu, Ants Hill / Nest, Kurland, Grootbos, Horizon Horseback Safaris, African Horseback Safaris, Tuli Ride, Namibia Horse Safari Company. Offbeat Riding Safaris, Safaris Unlimited, Borana Lodge, Ol Malo, Sosian Lodge, Ol Donyo, Okavango Horse Safaris
The most memorable experience on a riding safari was taking seven new guests on their first riding safari to the Okavango Delta and we met two leopards who came straight up to the horses and stopped a couple of metres away. The week continued with phenomenal wildlife sightings, we rode with wild dog several times and let hyenas move between the horses to get to a buffalo killed by lions earlier. The Okavango Delta is fantastic riding country and with some of the best wildlife Africa has to offer. Two other thrilling moments have to include cantering with the zebra and wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara, Kenya and galloping flat out across the desert of Namibia, a huge buzz.
On arranging holidays
I pride myself on the fact that no two holidays I plan are the same. I enjoy really listening to what people want, before going to the drawing board to sketch out ideas. I believe in top end customer service, so no wedding anniversary goes unnoticed or dietary requirement is missed, and I will spend hours thinking about what could improve everybody’s experience – I want everyone to come home with the same warm fuzzy feeling about Africa that I have. As an experienced rider, I know what makes the difference between a good riding safari and an unforgettable one and will do my best to match riders to the most suitable horses and will always try to look after the non-riding spouse as well as riders (like my three girls). As a mother I know the pitfalls of travelling with children and will do my utmost to choose the best camps and lodges to create a perfect family holiday – I’m proud to say my repeat and word of mouth business speaks for itself.
Jo joined Aardvark’s Scottish office in September 2006, fresh from two ski seasons. Jo’s passions include cooking, travelling, hiking and horse riding. She was a chalet manager in the Alps for two winter seasons, while the summers took her to the north of Scotland to cook for large house parties. As a child, Jo was fully immersed in the Fife Hunt pony club, and also spent some time working with top eventers and racehorses. She also has a true love for animals, having grown up as a farmer’s daughter.
She put her cooking skills to good use on a two month sabbatical in Uganda and Rwanda where she was tasked with improving the food and sourcing new ingredients in some of the top lodges. A highlight of her time here was tracking mountain gorillas on three occasions – Jo is therefore an excellent person to talk to about holidays here as she can give you her own honest and unbiased advice.
In the intervening years Jo has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and is now a senior sales consultant at Aardvark Safaris. She has two young daughters and can’t wait to introduce them to the wonders of Africa when they are a little older.
Favourite African experiences
Sleeping in a hide on the Boteti River in Botswana. There were elephant splashing around in the river and two prides of lion roaring to each other from opposite banks. I didn’t sleep a wink, but it was one of the most thrilling nights of my life!
Making it to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Having that sense of satisfaction, whilst seeing the sun rise up through the clouds below, has to be one of the most magical things I’ve ever experienced.
Watching a pod of 50 dolphins swim in to try and help a seal who was being attacked by a sea lion, off a cliff on Robberg Island near Plettenberg Bay in South Africa.
Sleeping out under the stars of the great Namibian sky for 10 nights on the most fantastic riding safari. Despite sub-zero temperatures outside, our rollmats and feather duvets (with hot water bottles) kept us more than toasty! Waking up at 3am to see shooting stars overhead will be something that stays with me for a long time.
Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale, Tanzania. About half an hour into the trek we stumbled across Christmas, the naughty male teenager chimpanzee. Our guides were telling us all about him and how they loved how he played up to the guests. As if on cue, Christmas appeared and mock charged our guide, gave him a little slap and then ran off. We followed Christmas for about 10 minutes before fidning ourselves in the middle of a hunt. The chimps were chasing the colobus monkeys – we could see them running above us in the canopy of the trees. We tracked them twice, and each experience was completely different to the time before, and equally as amazing.
Favourite African animal
Giraffe – I have always wondered what it’s like to be tall……they’re the complete opposite of me; tall, graceful and quiet.
Three favourite camps
Tsarabanjina off the north west coast of Madagascar, for its truly remote location, sugary white sand, warm translucent water, and amazingly romantic and private bandas.
Tsarabanjina
Schoeman Skeleton Coast Safaris’ Kunene Camp in northern Namibia. It’s on the border with Angola and is totally unique, simple and beautiful.
Kunene Camp
Sand Rivers in Tanzania’s Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) for its exclusivity, wonderful river location and the sound of hippos from any part of the lodge.
Sand Rivers
African countries visited
Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Tropical Islands visited
Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar
Riding experience
Wait A Little, Tuli Ride, African Horseback Safaris, Horizon Horseback Safaris, Ants Hill / Nest, Borana Lodge, Lewa Wilderness Safaris Unlimited, Sosian Lodge, Namibia Horse Safari Company.
I think the stand out for me would be swimming through the crystal clear waters of the Okavango Delta, watching mating lion on horse back at Wait A Little, sleeping under the stars for 10 nights on the trot in Namibia and building up such a strong connection with my pony Rupert – the sense of satisfaction at reaching the Skeleton Coast at the end was incredibly emotional. And finally riding right up to a giraffe at Lewa Wilderness – so close I could see it’s beautiful long eyelashes.
On arranging holidays
There’s nothing better than speaking to guests who have just returned from a fantastic holiday. It gives me such a buzz. There’s plenty of room for error when planning these trips so it’s essential to get everything absolutely right and that’s where the first hand-knowledge and attention to detail comes in. I travel regularly, and though it’s a wonderful perk, it’s also crucial to help plan the perfect holiday. I take a lot of pride in trying to make all the trips I plan the best they can possibly be, no matter how long it takes. Making people happy is very satisfying.
Alex was born in Abu Dhabi and raised between the Middle East and the UK. He caught the travel bug early, helped by the UAE being a brilliant springboard for family adventures across the globe.
After an early career in the oil and gas sector, which included travel to far-flung destinations, he found his true calling in the travel industry in 2011 and hasn’t looked back. Since then, Alex has worked with several award‑winning UK tour operators, focusing on private, tailor‑made travel. He’s not only crafted countless bespoke itineraries but also led teams of travel experts, helping them grow their skills and passion for discovery.
Building on Aardvark Safaris’ deep Africa expertise, Alex brings a wealth of industry know‑how to help grow the business and deliver trips of a lifetime across the continent.
When he isn’t plotting routes and comparing sundowner spots, you’ll likely find him pitch-side cheering on his three energetic children – or out and about in the Cotswolds with his young labrador. A fan of the outdoors, Alex enjoys hiking and paddleboarding, and will seize any chance to go scuba diving in the ocean. He never hits the road without his camera – there’s always something worth capturing.
Favourite African Animal
The hippopotamus! There’s something about the way they watch you with their little ears flapping – but knowing under the surface is all that bulk and power too. At the other end of the scale, I’m very fond of the painted reed frog or bell frog. I find their collective calls at night mesmerising, like bamboo wind chimes and ringing bells.
Favourite African Experience
In April 2026, I was fortunate to visit Victoria Falls at a time when the water levels among the highest in recent memory. Experiencing Victoria Falls from every angle left a lasting impression – from the air during a breathtaking helicopter ride, to Livingstone Island, balanced precariously at the very edge of the cascade.
Favourite three camps
Skybeds, located in the Khwai Private Reserve, was home for my first ever night in Botswana, and it didn’t disappoint. The three-storey sleepout platform gives you all the comforts you need. Sleeping under the stars with elephants walking by in the night is very special.
Nkasa Linyanti is a new camp located on a private island in the Nkasa Rupara National Park, Namibia. It gives you understated luxury in a landscape that feels so untouched.
There are some wonderful places to stay along the Zambezi River, but I love how Tongabezi Lodge strikes a perfect balance between luxury and character. The individual houses all offer something slightly different – especially the ‘Doghouse’, a superb, large family option (which appeals to me as a father of three!)
African countries visited
Botswana, Egypt, Morocco, Namibia and Zambia
Tropical islands visited
On arranging holidays – why you love what you do
Holidays are about lifelong memories. From honeymoons to first adventures with your children, those moments are priceless. Helping people experience exactly that, by tailoring every trip so they get what they truly want, is what motivates me.
Francis grew up outdoors, spending far more time on his parents’ farm than he did at school. As well as being engrossed in the books of Wilbur Smith from an early age, a growing obsession with Africa was given a major boost on a family holiday in Kenya when he was just 10.
Having attended agricultural college, he spent 18 months exploring outback Australia, mostly working on massive cattle stations many miles from a town of any size, and learned to love being barefoot in the bush. Having successfully dodged wild cattle and numerous snakes, he returned to the UK to farm in Wiltshire, which he did until 1995 when the call of the wild overtook him once more and he headed for Africa.
For nearly six years Francis travelled the length and breadth of the continent, guiding groups of up to 20 clients on overland safaris, in 22 countries from Morocco to Cameroon, and Kenya to Namibia. He became an expert guide in wildlife, culture, geography and general African knowledge during this time, and since he had a vehicle under his command he was able to explore new and unknown places on most trips.
He then went home again, got married, and made the mistake of running a post office and shop for seven years, before joining Aardvark Safaris in 2008.
Away from work, Francis loves his daughter, and is a keen tennis and cricket player as well as enjoying cycling. He also likes food, wine and beer, and occasionally mows the lawn. Happiest when barefoot in the bush, Francis is passionate about wildlife, conservation and sustainable travel, is fascinated by other cultures, and the benefits that well planned travel can deliver for less fortunate communities in developing countries. He has superb wildlife knowledge and is also a good person to talk to if you are interested in the cultural side of Africa.
Favourite African experience
It’s really hard to name just one, but these are among many; meeting Slot (an elephant) in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park; seeing and hearing Dogon dancers on the Bandiagara escarpment in Mali; being seriously close to chimps in Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania; canoeing the length of the lower Zambezi, camping on islands in the river; the sight of 250 salt laden camels with their Tuareg herders crossing the Sahara to Timbuctoo in Mali; Samburu people watering their stock at Sarara’s Singing Wells.
Favourite African animal
The elephant, for its majestic size, complex family and social structures, and its intelligence and longevity. I have spent hours sitting watching them.
Favourite three camps
Goliath Safaris in Mana Pools for the most intimate wildlife encounters.
Goliath Safaris
Chada Katavi in western Tanzania for its remoteness, beauty, and the feeling of being truly wild.
Chad Katavi
Jack’s Camp in the stunning, other-worldy landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana.
Jack’s Camp
African countries visited
Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire (now the DRC), Zambia, Zimbabwe
Tropical Islands visited
Riding experience
I have ridden at Sosian, Ol Malo, Lewa, Borana, and Ol Donyo in Kenya, at Ant’s Hill (twice), Horizon Horseback Safaris, and Grootbos in SA,
In Zimbabwe I’ve ridden with Hwange Horse Safaris at Bomani, and at Victoria Falls, Kwekwe and Chimanimani (Eastern Highlands). I’ve also stayed with African Horseback Safaris in Botswana.
One of the best experiences was riding from Macatoo (African Horse Safaris’ camp) to the airstrip on the morning we left instead of driving there. It was a fast 3 hour ride and we saw lions on the way.
On arranging holidays
I like to take time to get to know about my clients, to learn what really matters to them, and to provide holidays which suit them perfectly. I work extensively with families, and enjoy coming up with exciting and varied holidays which mix adventure and wilderness with great wildlife and masses of fun in the bush. I enjoy any opportunity to produce an unusual, mixed itinerary, perhaps taking people out of their usual comfort zones and into remote, uncharted territory, even if just for a few days, and also offering the chance to spend time with some of the continent’s fabulous people.
I relish any chance to talk about my favourite places and to enthuse my audience with my passion, hopefully without inducing a yawn.
Part of the joy of the work is the feedback we receive (we contact every client for it on their return), and the satisfaction and excitement engendered in our clients by the holidays we arrange. Our testimonials page makes for great reading.
After qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant, Richard moved into industry and held a number of finance positions over a nine year stretch with Coca-Cola in London. Nine years hard work warranted an 18 month career break which took him on travels to Central America, Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, China, Burma, Australia and Fiji. He worked for O2 in Slough on returning before deciding to look for a fresh challenge in a smaller, friendlier but equally dynamic working environment.
He arrived at Aardvark in December 2012 and, as Finance Director, is responsible to the board for accurate financial reporting and forecasting as well as providing support and supervision to the sales teams to ensure efficient operations.
When not working, Richard enjoys the gym and keeping fit during respites from the demands of a young family.
Travel enthusiast, hilarious dancer and expert multi-tasker. Katy comes with a wealth of marketing knowledge and expertise, having worked in travel for over 20 years.
She studied Marketing in Edinburgh before joining The Travel Corporation’s family of multi-award-winning coach tour operators. Having spent time on multiple brands operating throughout Europe and with global sales offices, Katy worked her way from an initial student placement as part of her studies to sales and marketing manager. Customer service-focused, she has a “people first” attitude, a value that is at the heart of Aardvark Safaris.
Her drive and passion for travel have also led to her being a founding member of the Edinburgh Chapter of the global ‘Travel Massive’ network, which at its peak had over 600 members. This highly engaged community holds regular networking events for tourism professionals, travel media, influencers and start-ups.
Since her university days, Katy has spent most of her spare time travelling. She has bamboo rafted and dived in Thailand, worked on the ski fields in New Zealand, fished for piranhas and hunted for anacondas in South America.
She honeymooned in Mauritius and enjoyed a four-night safari in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. One of her most memorable experiences was watching a day old elephant calf take its first steps.
When she is feeling slightly less adventurous, Katy enjoys baking, playing tennis and exploring her local bird reserve with her husband and daughter, Isla.
Favourite African experiences
Walking with a habituated troop of baboons at Shompole Wilderness camp in Kenya. We woke early, just as dawn was breaking, as our guide Sisco took us on a fascinating walk following a troop of around 80 Olive baboons. We watched them play about in the trees and learnt about their social behaviours. It was quite special observing these often overlooked primates in their natural habitat.
Witnessing my daughter being utterly captivated by our guide and tracker while on her first safari in the Great Karoo, South Africa. She eagerly absorbed their knowledge about tracks and animal droppings. It was here on a night drive that we spotted the elusive aardvark – a real highlight of our holiday and something I feel truly blessed to have experienced.
Favourite African animal
I love elephants, their intelligence and emotional depth is quite remarkable. You can’t help but have the up most respect for these giant complex animals. I have recently found a new love and appreciation for the many different species of antelope like the heartebeest, waterbuck, eland and oryx. Their grace, speed and endurance and the imporant role they play in maintaining biodiversity and health of the landscapes they inhabit is quite astonishing.
African countries visited
Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa
Tropical Islands visited
Robyn’s love for the outdoors and wildlife started when growing up on a farm in the Scottish Borders taking any opportunity to take an animal in as a pet.
She soon got the travel bug and loved being able to explore and see how cultures and nature vary around the world. Her favorite experiences so far have been playing with an elephant calf in Thailand, kayaking with orcas in Canada and exploring Cape Town and the surrounding areas. Her love for African travel started after a trip to South Africa and have dreamt about safari and the incredible wildlife since.
She took her passion for exploring and went on to do a Business with Tourism and Events degree at Northumbria University, spending a summer in New Hampshire followed by a year in industry at Disney World in Florida. Having graduated in the middle of the pandemic her plans of hopping on a plane to her next adventure were short-lived and she moved back to Scotland to explore its wonders. She enjoys running (taking on the occasional race!) skiing (especially in Scotland), and a good Sunday brunch.
Favourite African experiences
My most memorable African experience was participating in rhino conservation efforts in South Africa. I assisted with notching and planting microchips in the horns of a white rhino in Marata. I was also fortunate to join the team at the Kwandwe Conservation Trust in assisting with the notching and tagging of a black rhino and her calf. Hearing first hand from experts, observing their work and getting the opportunity to participate was an incredible experience.
Check out more about the Kwandwe Rhino Conservation Trust here:
Favourite African animal
While it’s difficult to choose a favourite, I have an appreciation for all wildlife, from big cats to dung beetles. I particularly love young animals, it is fascinating to watch them navigate their new life. My top three animals are the zebra for their unique stripes and sense of community. Cheetah for their elegance and elephants, is incredible seeing them in large herds.
Favourite three camps
Sarara is a community-run camp nestled in the remote Nanyuki region of Kenya. Sarara offers a unique experience amidst stunning landscapes and is conveniently located near the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, which is a must-do while there.
Sarara Camp, Kenya
Ants Nest/Hill This welcoming home away from home is based in the picturesque Waterberg region in South Africa. Despite having less concentrated wildlife compared to other areas in South Africa the unique experiences I enjoyed such as horse riding and swimming with horses in the lake, made it a truly memorable experience.
Ants Hill
Lamai Serengeti Set amidst the spectacular Kopje’s of the northern Serengeti in Tanzania, Lamai Serengeti provides a magical base for witnessing the wildebeest migration from June to October and while the migration is in the south or central Serengeti is a quiet oasis and a wonderful combination to a migration camp.
Lamai Serengeti Camp
African countries visited
Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana
Tropical Islands visited
The Maldives and Zanzibar
View Robyn’s trip itineraries and highlights here:
On arranging holidays
There is such joy in curating personalised holidays for clients, whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, honeymoon, or family getaway. I take pride in listening to their wishes, no matter how big or small, and crafting recommendations tailored to their preferences. One of the best parts of the process is hearing about it when clients return with unforgettable memories, often sparking a wish to plan their next adventure.
Lucinda has always been an avid fan of the outdoors, ever since being old enough to toddle after any willing creature at her family farm in Melrose, Scottish Borders – ranging from pet lambs to dogs, chickens, geese, cows, with a particular love for horses, and even a pet parrot at one point. She was educated in Edinburgh, but any spare moment was spent competing in the sport of Eventing across the UK and Europe with her horses and this juggle continued whilst studying for an International Business Management degree at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.
After graduating in 2022, Lucinda worked in real estate in Edinburgh before heading off to explore New Zealand and Australia to dodge the Scottish winter. The trip generated many memories and a travel bug to last a lifetime, and her highlights included diving the Great Barrier Reef, swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura, skydiving over the Whitsundays and immersing herself into traditional Kiwi/Aussie life whilst meeting people from all walks of life on the way. After returning from the southern hemisphere, Lucinda worked with racehorses to fuel her outdoorsy fix until the end of the National Hunt calendar. During this time, it became apparent that her travel bug wasn’t satiated, and joining the Aardvark Safaris team in their Musselburgh office in 2023 was an irresistible opportunity to twin travel with planning others’ ever-lasting holiday memories.
Favourite African experiences
It is so tricky to pick one! The wildlife, the people, the camps/lodges, the landscapes… every trip to Africa offers something new and exciting. Horses truly are the best 4×4 to experience the magic of safari aboard, getting up close and personal with the wildlife never ceases to amaze me, especially how relaxed they are around even the biggest predators. Highlights include cantering across the Masai Mara alongside a dazzle of zebra with Offbeat Riding Safaris, ‘bush-whacking’ to track a pride of lions with Wait a Little in South Africa, three leopard sightings in one morning, all on horseback, at African Horseback Safaris in the Okavango Delta, swimming with horses in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Southern Mozambique, galloping with the wildebeest migration with Kaskazi Horse Safaris in the Serengeti, and jumping every elephant-felled log that could be found with Horizon Horseback Safari on their Mashatu Tuli ride in eastern Botswana.
Favourite African animal
Whilst I love seeing any animal on safari, no matter how great or small, on safari, a leopard sighting is always a highlight due to their stealthiness and therefore, the thrill when you finally see one and can appreciate their beauty up close, normally after an immense shift from your guide. Wild dog is another favourite due to their ability to work as a team, which is reflected by their astronomically high hunting success rate, watching them hunt is so enthralling!
Favourite three camps
Ol Malo Lodge
The views are simply just magical, the hospitality is second-to-none, and the rooms are exquisitely tasteful and built into the rockface on the hill where the lodge is situated so it really blends in with the surroundings.
Ol Malo Lodge, Kenya
Tanda Tula
The most amazing wildlife, guiding and magnificent rooms. A very luxury, upmarket camp but tasteful, and the emphasis still firmly remains on the wildlife.
Tanda Tula, South Africa
Shinde Camp
The most beautiful camp in such an idyllic setting that offers the perfect combination of water and land activities year-round.
Shinde Camp, Botswana
Riding experience
African Horseback Safaris, Ants Hill / Nest, Borana Lodge, Horizon Horseback Safaris, Horizon’s Mashatu Tuli Ride, Mozambique Horse Safaris, Namibia Horse Safaris Company, Offbeat Riding Safaris, Ol Malo Lodge, Okavango Horse Safaris, Ride Botswana, Sosian Lodge, Tanzania Horse Safaris, Wait A Little.
African countries visited
Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania
View Lucinda’s trip itineraries and highlights here:
Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania
On arranging holidays
The tailormade element of the trips we create is so unique, and it means we can deliver exactly what the client wishes to get out of their African adventure. It is always magical when clients come back and shares their experience, as we get to travel to the same places, so it is very special when you can share their excitement. Whilst African travel is a real perk of the job, it also enables us to recommend the most well-suited holiday to our clients. I love getting to know a client, and then establishing what would work best to ensure we achieve, and hopefully emulate, their expectations, which usually leaves them with the safari bug and an infatuation with Africa.
Having studied travel and tourism at college and International Tourism Management at university, Tansy has always had an interest in the industry. So she was delighted to join the Aardvark Safaris team in June 2019 as a sales administrator and to be able to put to good use her knowledge of the tourism industry. Tansy now works as a Travel Expert and has travelled across Kenya, Namibia and Botswana, ending in Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls for a short stay to visit some of Aardvark Safaris’ favourite properties. She previously spent a month in Southern Africa, including a safari in Kruger National Park, cultural experiences in Eswatini, and some time on the beach in Mozambique.
Favourite African experience
A moment of personal enjoyment came to me one morning in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. I watched the sun slowly rise above a watering hole (African skies never fail to disappoint). So beautifully calm, egrets and herons wading, a mother hippo with her calf slowly padding out in search of a deeper water channel as the heat of day kicks in, zebra and wildebeest with their necks bowed and in the near distance giraffe and elephant. A perfect African scene.
Favourite African animal
Cats of any kind but recently I particularly enjoyed watching lions. They’re the only cat to live in groups (pride) and I loved the way their ferocity can easily be forgotten as they greet each other so affectionately, gently rubbing their battle-torn faces together.
Favourite camp
I’m going to cheat and say the best camp for me is any mobile safari camp. It doesn’t matter where it is, but there is no greater luxury, or thrill, than enjoying a morning brew made with water heated over the fire’s embers and having fresh bread daily cooked in the open air in tins. The tents might not be as big as a luxury safari camp, and the bathroom facilities are necessarily more simple, but mobile camps hark back to the days of pioneers and make me feel like an explorer.
African countries visited
Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
On arranging holidays
The joys of putting together a tailor made holiday is that you can plan your client the perfect trip for them. Taking time to get to know your client and drawing on your own knowledge and experiences of Africa to ensure any recommendations are best suited for their preferences whether it be a romantic hideaway for honeymooner, a luxury villa for a multi-generational trip or something a little unusual for those wanting to experience something outside of their comfort zone. Clients come to us for their first safari saying this is a once in a lifetime trip but more often than not they’re soon back in touch ready to explore what Africa can offer next, a true testament for perfectly curated trip.
Madeleine has always had a keen interest in the natural world, in particular the landscapes and wildlife of the African continent. Her first safari at 9 years old to Kenya’s Masai Mara and a school trip trekking through the jungles of Madagascar intensified this passion, leading her to volunteer with wildlife in Namibia and South Africa’s Eastern Cape, before studying Zoology at the University of Reading. A highlight of her degree was a field trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, swimming with marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins.
After graduating, Madeleine worked on a farm back home in Wiltshire and then at a school in Hampshire as a 1:1 teaching assistant and sports coach. She enjoyed the freedom of working outdoors and the sense of fulfilment from working in education. This, combined with the urge to return to Africa, led Madeleine to book a one-way flight to Johannesburg in January 2023 to begin six months of training to become a qualified safari guide, followed by six months working at a lodge in the Greater Kruger. During this year, she was lucky enough to have time off to travel to some amazing places within South Africa (Cape Town, Rorke’s Drift and Blyde River Canyon, to name a few), as well as overland trips to Lesotho and Mozambique.
This year in South Africa was an incredible experience, allowing Madeleine to immerse herself in the diverse culture of the country, its varying landscapes and amazing wildlife. It was a difficult decision to move back to England after this unforgettable year, but the move back home allowed her to join Aardvark Safaris where she hopes to share her passion for safari and African culture with even more people, and help create their own unforgettable experiences.
Favourite African experience
An experience I’ll always remember was during my field guide training, I was walking the fence line when a nearby herd of impala suddenly began alarm calling and running right past me, quickly followed by wild dogs in hot pursuit. It was not long after I heard the snarls of a disagreement only to discover that the wild dogs had caught an impala just the other side of the fence, and were fending off a clan of hungry hyenas. Listening to the crunching of bones and the interactions between these two predators is something I’ll never forget.
Favourite African animal
I’ve always loved all big cats and the role they play as apex predators, but the leopard has to be my favourite. Their ability to carry twice their body weight up a tree is mind-blowing. Leopards are known for being elusive meaning whenever you get the chance to see them in the wild, it is always a breath-taking moment.
Favourite Camp
Everything about Ol Malo is magical: the people, the wildlife, the totally unique, middle-earth feel of the bedrooms, but the views from the lodge are the first thing to take your breath away, and I really mean take your breath away. The lodge has to be the most spectacular place I have ever visited, and it is best viewed from the inside of one of their helicopters! The family’s heritage and the staff’s tireless passion create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that stays with you long after you leave.
African countries visited
Louisa’s love for Africa began when she volunteered on a rhino conservancy in Zimbabwe, working with endangered species as well as the local communities. After that, she had officially caught the ‘bug’ and made her way up to Kenya, exploring a good chunk of the country in a Land Cruiser that broke down often. After a stint of exercising horses in Kenya, she squeezed into a packed bus bound for Arusha, hired a Land Rover, and explored Northern Tanzania in a roof tent, before unglamorously backpacking around Zanzibar. Fast forward a few years and, after studying Zoology at Newcastle University, Louisa completed a six-week internship at Aardvark Safaris, which cemented her plans for a career in travel. After the internship, she was straight back to jet-setting for six months, working and travelling in New Zealand and Australia, then came back to join the Aardvark Safaris team for good.
Favourite African Experience
Some highlights include flying low in a helicopter with herds of Grevy’s zebra and elephants running alongside us. Another flying experience was taking over the controls of a Cessna soaring over Laikipia. Swimming with dolphins off the coast of Zanzibar were incredible too, and feeding a trunkless elephant calf a bottle of milk. There are too many to list!
Favourite African animal
Rhinos. After volunteering on a rhino conservancy and interacting with both black and white rhinos up close, you realise how magnificent and intelligent they really are. It is amazing how long they have been on this planet, and their prehistoric looks show us just a glimpse into the history of the animal. The fact that they are so sadly endangered makes it extra special when you spot them on safari.
Countries visited
Tropical islands visited
Riding experience
I had a very fun time exercising young safari horses at Ol Malo Lodge, a highlight being a two-day ride with an overnight fly camp, with camels walking alongside, carrying our kit and camping with us. A rather scary riding moment was looking down from my horse’s back in Zimbabwe and realising we were stepping over a gigantic python in the long grass! Luckily, the horse didn’t have a clue.
On arranging holidays
I am really excited to start arranging tailor-made holidays for other. I think using my passion for travel, Africa, and chatting to people from all walks of life will help to create memorable and unique experiences.
Maggie grew up between New Zealand and rural Scotland, where a childhood surrounded by horses and wildlife sparked a lifelong passion for the natural world. After completing an MSc in Marketing, she joined Aardvark Safaris, combining strategic marketing with first-hand travel experience to bring Africa’s extraordinary wildlife, landscapes and cultures to life.
Maggie has travelled across southern and eastern Africa, from exploring Namibia’s vast desert landscapes and gliding through Botswana’s Okavango Delta by mokoro to witnessing Victoria Falls in full flood and trekking chimpanzees in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park.
One of her favourite destinations is Gonarezhou National Park in southern Zimbabwe, where unforgettable encounters with leopard, lion and African wild dog, without another vehicle in sight, captured the sense of wilderness that makes Africa so unique. Experiences like these inspire her passion for communicating authentic content that showcases the continent’s remarkable destinations while supporting responsible, conservation-led tourism.
African countries visited
Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Christine’s appreciation for wildlife, open landscapes and the outdoors started at a young age. She was born and raised in Namibia and spent a lot of her time on family camping trips exploring her home country. She then moved to Cape Town, South Africa when she was 16 years old to complete her schooling and start her journey in the tourism industry. Working for various DMC’s (Destination Management Companies) organising events and incentives to Southern Africa she had the opportunity to share her love for the outdoors. In 2014 she decided to move to Edinburgh, where she worked in the UK inbound travel industry. Christine jumped at the opportunity to share her love once again for the African outdoors as part of the operations team at Aardvark Safaris. In her free time, she loves exploring different parts of Edinburgh, cooking, taking long walks with friends and watching stand-up comedy.
African countries visited:
Working in sales and office administration for a satellite communications business in Thailand for 14 years, Mook started working in Operations for Aardvark Safaris in 2018.
Mook likes exploring and seeing how people, cultures, nature and foods vary in different parts of the world. She has been to China, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Nepal, Japan, Taiwan and the USA (California and Nevada). Mook enjoys hiking and has been to the Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, Renjo Pass and Kala Pathar in Nepal. In 2022, Aardvark Safaris sent her to Offbeat Mara Camp and Kicheche Valley Camp in the Masai Mara, Kenya, and that’s her first safari experience as well as first visit to Africa!
Elaine was born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa. Being part of a close-knit family, travelling always formed a major part of her school years, which led to her love and interest in exploring and travel. Living in Pretoria meant only one thing – centrally based to reach so many amazing destinations in any direction – and that is exactly what she (and her family) did. Spending time around a campfire with friends and loved ones in Africa is the one thing everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Elaine was fortunate enough to have grown up knowing this as home.
Even while studying (Interior Design at Pretoria University of Technology) nothing could stop her from jumping on a plane or behind the wheel of her car for a road trip. Armed with a camera and a spirit of adventure, she navigated South Africa from top to bottom.
South Africa is a magical country and has the ability to take your breath away every single day and being part of that made it extra special for her. Places fondly remembered and still visited to this day include the beautiful Cape Winelands, the vast and rugged Karoo, the captivating Garden Route in the Eastern Cape, the sandy beaches and blue waters of Sodwana Bay, and the majestic Kruger National Park to name a few.
Always seeking to broaden her horizons, she also travelled to various other African countries. These include Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Mauritius. After getting married, the travelling did not stop, and after visiting countries in Europe, it was ultimately Scotland that stole her heart.
Being based in Scotland (Edinburgh) since 2021, she joined Aardvark Safaris operations team in 2023 . She aims to combine her vast experience in office administration, sales, finance, and creative design with her knowledge and love for Africa to deliver unforgettable experiences for every client.
Apart from her love for travel, she enjoys spending time with her dogs and the outdoors, visiting new coffee shops and restaurants, cooking with her husband (around an open fire of course), and outdoor photography.
Originally from the East of France, I moved to Scotland in 2016 to study at the University of Edinburgh and spent my year abroad in Saint Petersburg. My love for travel started early – growing up in a family of five, we spent summers exploring different countries with no fixed itinerary. Our parents would hand us guidebooks before each trip, and once we arrived, we would vote as a family on where to go, what to see, and which adventures to go on.
My first big trips were in Togo, Benin, Senegal and Morocco, and with my sister now living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, my connection to the continent has only grown stronger. I’ve been lucky enough to see incredible wildlife while travelling, but one of my fondest memories is watching giraffes cross the road in front of our car – moving so fast yet seeming to glide in slow motion. I have yet to see any of the big cats, and it is high up on my list!
When I’m not planning my next adventure, you’ll find me on the dance floor as I have a passion for Latin dances or simply hitting the gym or reading a good book. I’m really excited to be working the Aardvark Safaris team and expand my knowledge of all things Africa while helping others experience its beauty and wildlife.
Born in Brazil to an English father and Brazilian mother, Patricia grew up in a very multicultural household with a huge number of Brazilian aunties and cousins never too far away, always being loud and chatty.
Her love of travel evolved through the many trips they took together as a family around the length of breadth of Brazil. How people lived, their customs, accents, cuisines always fascinated her, and the adventure of reaching a far flung place where they didn’t know what kind of hotel (if any) was waiting for them at the other end added to the sense of excitement (this was travel by the seat of our pants which was the way her parents loved doing it, and pre-internet days).
She says “In Brazil, wildlife was never too far away! Mostly in the interest of self-preservation, while I was growing up I always took notice of different creatures that were around me which gradually developed into a keen interest in spotting exotic birds and other animals in the wild. Although I haven’t ventured to Africa yet, I’m sure my sense of adventure will get me there and one of the most exciting parts for me is to see the variety of wildlife that it has to offer in that incredible landscape. Now helping to develop wonderful holidays for our customers and hearing about their wildlife encounters it is inspiring me even more!”
“My interest in travel led me to move to Edinburgh back in the late 90s to study a degree in International Hospitality Management. Here I started working life in hotels, then moved on into DMCs and Tour Operators gaining over 15 years’ experience within the Scottish tourism industry. It is hard not to be moved and enthusiastic about the scenery, history and legends of Scotland”
“I am now very much settled in East Lothian and when I am not taking walks along the wonderful coastline with my binoculars, you might find me discovering new music (and dancing around the kitchen), enjoying a good film, or relaxing with family and friends with some good food and drink.”
Having lived as a young child in Tehran, Kate has always loved travelling and getting to know new places. Childhood holidays involved far-flung destinations, navigating rental cars with paper maps, faxed hotel confirmations and a reliance on recommendations and research.
Whilst organising travel has got easier and being able to store everything for a trip on a phone transformative, Kate believes to really get the best out of your time away, the planning still really matters.
Having travelled extensively around Europe, visited various regions of India, Asia, Far East and North America, Scandinavia, Caribbean and Hawaii, Kate’s biggest love is Africa. For her the sheer vastness of the landscapes and the abundant wildlife seen in their natural habitat has the ability to take your breath away time and time again. As the only continent where such large animals are still able to run free across huge swathes of land, it is also uplifting to see the benefits of conservation work in progress and know that by travelling responsibly you are helping to keep it for everyone.
After university, Kate enjoyed getting to know the winelands of South Africa with her Cape based grandmother, before travelling overland through Botswana to Zimbabwe, with the wetlands of the Okavango Delta and the experience of African dawns after sleeping on the roof of the 4×4 the most memorable experiences. With subsequent trips to Kenya, Gambia and Morocco, Kenya will always be a firm favourite. Whether the light and stillness of an early morning wildlife drive, the excitement of witnessing the jostling hierarchy of a pride of lions feeding on their prey, to the birds of Lake Baringo and charm of Lamu and the Kenyan coast.
Carolyn joined the Aardvark Safaris Hampshire team in May 2018, where she works as a finance assistant alongside Richard Preston. Her previous finance experience comes from 21 years working for the family manufacturing business, so this has been quite a change.
Her young family keeps her busy most of the time but when she does get a spare moment she loves reading, football (watching not playing) and going to see live bands.
She enjoys travelling and Africa is definitely on the list for a future holiday as she thinks her girls would be amazed to see the wildlife up close and personal. Botswana is high on her wish list and she would love to see any of the big cats.
