Meet the Team
Meet DAPHNE: our Southern and East Africa specialist
Hello, I’m Daphne, Fleewinter’s Southern and East Africa specialist.
From a young age onwards, I was always an animal fan and nothing could keep me away from them. Spending my youth around horses and learning how to ride was and still is my passion.
Being able to combine both is the greatest gratification, although, during the time spent over the years in Africa – and it is a lot! – I must admit I was more in a game vehicle than on a horse.
Let me take you to my favourite destinations in Africa…
SOUTHERN AFRICA
I got married under a Marula Tree in Sabi Sands
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique all are part of Southern Africa.
For first timers to Africa, these areas are great and I always do recommend to combine Cape Town and the Winelands with either a classic Kruger safari or a malaria free Eastern Cape safari. For those who have more days to spend, it is lovely to combine South Africa with for example the Victoria Falls.
For the adventurous there is Namibia with its diverse landscapes and long empty roads. A self-drive safari here is amazing and the silence and beauty is breath taking.
Mozambique is great to combine if you like some beach time.
My favourite safari place
Londolozi are so special thanks to their big private game reserve within the famous Sabi Sands. The camp traverses a 16,000 hectare area of prime game viewing reserve and the experienced guides and their ‘faithful’ tracker will share their knowledge of the bush with you.
It is well renowned because of its leopard sightings, and I was privileged to have 3 on one spot and one hyena when I was there.
They also are very active in wildlife conservation and they do a lot for the community.
This hotel oozes luxury from every corner and its exterior is a feast for the eyes thanks to the ingenious glass windows. The location is nothing less than perfect, overlooking the V&A Waterfront and surrounded by the natural beauty of Cape Town.
My favourite part of a stay here are the rooms, each individually decorated. sophisticated and eclectic. They all have balconies so I can always make the most of the stunning views.
And if I am not in my room, you will find me sipping a cocktail in the rooftop bar, a space with a real wow factor!
My partner in crime and I, having a G&T in between the wildebeest migration
A safari through Tanzania or Kenya is an unforgettable experience!
With your own guide and your private safari jeep, you will follow the footsteps of the Big 5 and experience the wildlife up close. Here is where each year the Big Migration takes place, an unbeatable safari experience. Depending on the time of year you can see them in Kenya or in Tanzania.
My favourite time is the calving season in January and February in Tanzania. It is less crowded and I would rather see babies, than wildlife crossing the crocodile-dotted river…
If you have enough time, do add some days on the beaches of Zanzibar or Kenya’s coast.
My favourite safari place in East Africa
My favourite safari location has to be Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages, as it is just great to have your own ‘little’ cottage with private chef, butler and ranger.
It is the best place to see black and white rhinos and THE ONLY PLACE to see the last northern white rhinos!!!
My favourite time is SAFARI time!
I love those bush barbeques (called braai) with music and dancing
The wildlife, nature and locals of Africa have put an incredibly magical spell on me and it keeps pulling me back to Africa. However, my favourite quality time is safari time and turning into a real ‘bush-baby’ – I just love spending time in the bush.
It never gets boring, no matter how many days I spend on safari. My last trip I specialised in the Kruger and especially the North and South Sabi Sands.
34 game drives later, I am still or even more fascinated with the African bush and wildlife.
What is coming up next…
Eco lodges in Zambia offering ‘silent’ game drives in e-vehicles or on e-bikes
Right now, I am on an exciting trip through Zambia, testing an eco-friendly ‘green’ safari.
All the lodges I visit are at least 80% solar powered, most of them using electric game vehicles for a ‘silent’ game drive experience. Above all, you can also go on a guided e-bike or e-boat safari. The current operational carbon footprint is offset by planting 24,000 trees annually.
Neutralising both operational and embodied carbon each year. More about this is coming up soon in another newsletter and social media!
Hopefully you are!
I can only say that Africa is addicting and waking up at 5am will never be better than in the African bush, to the sounds of wildlife and the smell of fresh coffee or tea!
If you are ready for a life changing and addicting holiday, do contact me and it will be a pleasure to share my love for Africa and its wildlife with you and start planning your ‘wild’ holiday…
Top Travel Tip
“..Waking up at 5am, doesn’t get better than in the African Bush! Waking up to the sounds of the wildlife, the smell of fresh coffee and the knowledge that soon you will see amazing things during a morning game drive” – Daphne, Africa Safari Specialist
