A snapshot

Nicola has embarked on numerous safari expeditions in South Africa, from the highveld to scenic mountain peaks and coastal wetlands. Her frequent travels ignited an interest in travel and led to a marketing role at a Western Cape-based travel arrangements firm. There, she spearheaded the accommodation department, collaborating with the owner to evaluate properties and their amenities.

African countries visited

South Africa, Lesotho, Mauritius

Recent travel experience

Nicola’s annual journey to South Africa includes a cherished visit to her parents in Bloemfontein, where they reside within a vibrant wildlife estate hosting over 23 game species and abundant birdlife. The estate merges seamlessly with an adjacent nature reserve, granting the resident animals unhindered passage across its sprawling grounds.
Mornings here were filled with runs to various dam sites, where sightings of waterbuck, gemsbok, and springbok were commonplace. Post-run, Nicola indulged in freshly brewed coffee atop the upstairs deck, overlooking the expansive veld and neighbouring horses.
Evenings were a picturesque affair, often punctuated by game drives to the lookout point, where sundowners ushered in breathtaking displays of the highveld’s transition from golden yellows to fiery oranges and deep blues. From a distance, nyala, kudu, and giraffe made appearances.

The nights were reserved for the quintessential South African experience: traditional braais under the starlit sky, complemented by ice-cold beers and robust red wines perfectly paired with Mom’s delectable comfort dishes.

Nicola's most memorable experience

“During a family excursion to Limpopo, nestled near Phalaborwa at the scenic Hans Merensky Golf Estate bordering the Kruger National Park, our chalet was situated on a tranquil riverbank. One evening, we indulged in a leisurely fishing session, which was abruptly interrupted when my fishing rod nearly plunged into the water. With bated breath, we struggled to reel in our catch, only to witness the line snap. With a spotlight and binoculars, we discovered a majestic herd of hippos passing by, inadvertently tangling our lines in their nocturnal journey.

The next day, my brothers’ golfing escapades provided another remarkable encounter with nature’s raw beauty. While navigating the course, we chanced upon a riveting spectacle: a crocodile seizing its prey, an antelope, in its formidable jaws. Though poignant, this intimate brush with wildlife epitomised the awe-inspiring essence of our journey, fostering unforgettable memories amidst the serenity of the African wilderness.”

Nicola's biography

Born in South Africa, Nicola went on to study in Stellenbosch. Here, she indulged in any opportunity to hike, do a wine tasting, and devour a charcuterie board. She has travelled to Mauritius on an all-inclusive family holiday, where most of the time was spent sipping pina coladas out of coconuts, enjoying watersports, and trying different cuisines. 

After a year in the UK, Nicola felt a pull towards home and found an Africa safari company offering a lovely new position in marketing. Having worked at a travel company in Cape Town, she knew accommodation and travel to Africa was the best place to grow in her marketing career.