"I fell under the spell of Africa at a young age."
About me
I fell under the spell of Africa at a young age when I heard stories of my mother’s childhood living in Kenya and their adventures to the Ambolseli in a battered up Army landrover and leaky tent. After a gap year teaching in Jamaica and then travelling round New Zealand and Australia, I studied Anthropology at University, which increased my fascination with foreign cultures. It also gave me a chance for a bit more travelling and I spent the summer holidays in South East Asia, South and Central America.
I eventually ending up organising holidays to Africa, which has given me plenty of opportunities to explore and work in many corners of this incredible continent.
My love is getting off the beaten track into the wilderness areas and having a brilliant guide who brings the place to life. A day in Africa is also not complete with out scrambling to the top of a hill to watch the sun go down which a gin and tonic in hand.
Favourite places I’ve been
South Africa – Europe meets Africa
Namibia – unique lunar landscapes and lots of sand
Mozambique – possibly the world’s the most stunning and remote beaches
Zambia – fabulous bush walks and guides
Botswana – The Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans must be some of the world’s last true wildernesses
Malawi – the Lake is like a sea and the people so friendly, and Nyika Plateau its best kept secret
Uganda – gorillas and chimp trekking
Kenya – Out of Africa scenery
Tanzania – diving, beaches and fabulous game viewing
Mauritius – great beaches and fabulous hotels
The Seychelles – Island hopping between Robinson Crusoe islands rimmed with white sand beaches
Madagascar - Standing in the forest listening to the Indri Lemur calling in the canopy above - the most incredible and eery sound
Zimbabwe – The Victoria Falls are stunning
Travel nuggets
01. Never travel with out an oversized suitcase for easy packing, a great camera and a good book to wile away time in an airport
02. Waking up to hearing a herd of elephant feeding over my tent in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and then spotting one of the babies standing on my deck was a pretty special moment.
03. In one bush walk in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, we walked up downwind of 3 white rhino, followed by watching a very chilled lioness watching us. Then we opened up a Giant Eagle Owl’s dropping to find a mouse skull, which was fascinating.
My hot picks
01. Tswalu – huge space, fabulous views, an habituated family of meerkat and hot air ballooning
02. Rekero - fabulous guides, and a wonderful location in the Mara and awesome game viewing
03. Mnemba - service and food to die for - and Robinson Crusoe would be thrilled with the beautiful cottages. The beach and the diving are incredible as well.
My blogs
Andrew Rattray at Fugitives Drift
Memories of the Salt Pans
What my guests have said
"Louisa's name is a great card to play! She is well known and liked by everyone - a real door opener."
"Extremely knowledgeable and very responsive and created an itinerary that was exactly what we had wanted and with hindsight, all Louisa's recommendations (e.g. where, order, time split between destinations etc.) were spot on and contributed to the experience."
"Louisa was amazing from the first time we spoke. I asked a gazillion questions and she answered them all with no tone of annoyance at any point :) She was extremely knowledgeable and advised me very well at every stage - big thanks."
