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Anna hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

Anna

Southern Africa Specialist

Even when I was starting my career away from travel, I tried to explore as often as I could. After graduating from university, I lived in Bordeaux, and then over the next several years I spent time in Southeast Asia, Oman, the USA and South Africa, and saw most of Europe.

The pull of travel encouraged me to take up a volunteer post in Kenya, focussing on wildlife conservation. This led me to journey further in Africa, including through Tanzania's 'Northern Circuit', Zanzibar, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho, before ending up back in South Africa, working in Cape Town.

With Audley, I’ve explored even more of Southern Africa on in-depth trips back to South Africa and Mozambique, as well as to Malawi and Zambia. It’s this knowledge, acquired over many years, that allows me to plan truly bespoke trips, whether it involves you wine tasting in Franschhoek, tracking leopard on safari or snorkelling with cichlids in Lake Malawi.

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Audley Travel specialist Anna

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Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

I recommend visiting - The Drakensberg, South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal not only satisfies my love of history with all the battlefields, it's also a truly stunning part of the country. Every drive is a panorama of mountains, escarpments and valleys, and the Drakensberg offers so much to do; be it horse riding, climbing, hiking or just sitting back to enjoy the views.

KwaZulu-Natal is often overlooked as a safari destination for the better known Kruger area, but there are plenty of reserves and national parks where you can see the Big Five, and perhaps some wild dog if you're lucky.

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, lodge lounge area

I recommend staying at - Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, South Africa

First Class

It's so hard to decide but probably my overall preferred accommodation is Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in the Zululand Rhino Reserve, in KwaZulu-Natal.

It's a small lodge but the views from the rooms are spectacular and can be enjoyed from either your personal plunge pool or your own hammock, both of which are on a terrace high overlooking the reserve. Blissful.

I'll never forget when…

I was in the Sabi Sands in the Kruger and it was sundowner drinks time after a fantastic afternoon's game drive. We had seen three leopards, one up a tree with an impala kill, a herd of elephant and a pride of lion lazing in the sun. Just as the gins were about to be poured a call came through on the radio and suddenly our ranger and tracker were ready to go; another vehicle had spotted a pangolin. Sundowners cancelled, we piled back into our vehicle and raced off as the sun was setting to join the others. Pangolin are so rare some people spend a lifetime in the bush and never see one, so it was wonderful to see this strange creature, first curled up in a ball, then waddle off on its hind legs oblivious to the crowds its appearance had generated that evening.

Photos of Anna

  • Anna on a fishing trip in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia Anna on a fishing trip in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia
  • Anna exploring the dunes on Benguerra Island, Mozambique Anna exploring the dunes on Benguerra Island, Mozambique
  • Anna on a boat trip on the Luangwa River in Zambia Anna on a boat trip on the Luangwa River in Zambia
  • Anna horse riding in the Drakensberg, South Africa Anna horse riding in the Drakensberg, South Africa
  • Anna on a boat cruise on Lake Malawi Anna on a boat cruise on Lake Malawi
  • Anna at Lake St Lucia, South Africa Anna at Lake St Lucia, South Africa
  • Anna in a Lesotho village Anna in a Lesotho village
  • Anna snorkelling in the Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique Anna snorkelling in the Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique
  • Anna at the top of the Sani Pass, South Africa Anna at the top of the Sani Pass, South Africa
  • Anna at Satemwa Tea Estate, Malawi Anna at Satemwa Tea Estate, Malawi
  • Anna in the Spioenkop Game Reserve, South Africa Anna in the Spioenkop Game Reserve, South Africa
  • Anna on Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa Anna on Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa