Kim started her career in tourism in 1998 and has combined work in different sectors of the industry with extensive travel to many of Africa’s prime destinations. She puts big game safaris at the top of her favourites list but what she really loves is enabling visitors to experience Africa’s landscapes, wildlife and people for themselves. “Africa makes my heart full!” says Kim “and I’m lucky enough to call it home” – this is what drives her passion to ensure that every guest leaves Africa feeling the same way.
I have many favourite destinations, each for their own reasons. For vast, magnificent landscapes and incredible night skies, not much can beat Namibia whereas for spectacular wildlife the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands have a special place in my heart. But the ultimate safari destination? That would be Botswana!
And since I’m Cape Town born and bred I’ve always been spoilt with amazing beaches but for simplicity of life and untouched natural beauty, my first choice for a beach holiday would be the Seychelles – an unforgettable beach experience.
My favourite safari moment was in the Linyanti area in Botswana. Our day had started with a quick breakfast at camp and we were preparing for our morning game drive when a pack of wild dogs raced through camp, killing an impala that was about to give birth. We followed the chase and watched them enjoy their kill from a few metres away.
We eventually left camp for our game drive but the action just kept coming. We found the resident lion pride hunting buffalo, eventually isolating and wounding a big male. The lions kept attacking but the big buffalo never gave up. We spent almost four hours following the interaction – it was absolutely thrilling – until the buffalo eventually got away. And when we returned to camp, we watched a crocodile from a nearby lagoon drag the remains of the impala kill back to the water with him. Most exciting safari day ever!
While I will never say no to a game drive, a mokoro (canoe) excursion in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a definite safari highlight for me. With only the sounds of birdlife and animals gently splashing at the water’s edge, it gives me time – and the vantage point – to appreciate the finer points of nature and all its beauty.
