What to pack for an African safari

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,

[caption id="attachment_25695" align="alignnone" width="600"] Camel safari, Kenya, Laikipia, Karisia Walking Safaris[/caption]

and Ant Baber at Ant's Nest in South Africa but there is a long list, not just three!

[caption id="attachment_19288" align="alignnone" width="600"] Luxury safari accommodation Waterberg, South Africa, Ant's Nest, Ant's Collection[/caption]

Luwi Camp in the South Luangwa, Zambia is my desert island camp if there was only one last African trip.

[caption id="attachment_25179" align="alignnone" width="600"] Hippos on a walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia, Luwi Bushcamp[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_51834" align="alignnone" width="600"] Kaya Mawa's cottages have incredible views over Lake Malawi[/caption]

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.