Madeleine Prior
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.
