Meet our Team
Our ability to provide bespoke itineraries is largely thanks our dedicated team of travel consultants who are ready to customise your request at the drop of a hat. Our team in the office is completely passionate about travel, fabulously friendly and great to deal with. They are incredibly efficient and highly skilled at putting together the most complex journeys you can imagine, and draw on their wealth of experience in the tourism industry to be able to do this.

Our team of specialist consultants is also on hand to provide us with expert advice and local knowledge in many spheres of tourism in Southern Africa, thus assisting us in putting together accurate and relevant tours for you. Africa Bespoke prides itself on the quality of these consultants. They all operate within the tourism industry, are passionate about what they do and are all highly regarded within their various fields and regions. It is these consultants who provide Africa Bespoke with access to reliable, current knowledge of the various regions and specialist activities within Southern Africa. It is precisely this current knowledge and personal relationships we have with suppliers and service providers that will reward you, our clients, with the most memorable experiences and excellent service during your travels here.

 safari planning guides
IN THE OFFICE – TRAVEL CONSULTANTS
Luke Powers – Tour Design & Planning
Born and raised in Cape Town, Luke is passionate about traveling – in South Africa and beyond. He studied graphic design and has been involved in the travel industry for many years as a river guide. As a well-versed traveller, Luke loves planning journeys, adventures and holidays. He will assist you with putting together a fantastic itinerary for your visit to Southern Africa. His knowledge and experience in South Africa’s travel industry puts him in the perfect position to be able to advise you on where to go and when. Luke quite likes browsing in any junk store, is a bit addicted to Milnerton Market, and loves a good cappuccino. When he is not in the office you will find him running around on a mountain or surfing somewhere along the Cape Peninsula. safari tour design - planning
Carola Slatter – Tour Design & Planning
Carola is a born and bred Capetonian. She studied at the University of Stellenbosch before taking her first appointment in the tourism industry. Carola’s wealth of experience in tour design, incentives, FIT’s and group series travel was gained through many years with Felix Unite Tours and previously Sprinbok Atlas. Carola is very well traveled, has a precise eye for detail and is capable of making the impossible happen. A true genius when is comes to putting together an unforgettable journey, you better believe Carola will find a way. Not one with many vices, Carola loves good coffee and fine red wine. Oh, and lemon meringue pie. She is the loyal mother of Megan, who is 3 years old. Much to our delight, Carola has finally upgraded to a snazzy small and almost silent car. safari tour design - planning
Michaela Cramer – Tour Design & Planning
German born Michaela´s lifelong passion for Africa was ignited instantly when she first came to South Africa in 1988. From then on she kept returning. Some rather daring hitch-hiking trips around the country inspired the idea of settling in SA, which she subsequently did in 1993. Starting out as a tour guide, Michaela has since worked at Felix Unite Tours as a tour consultant for a number of years, and most recently doing groups and incentives at M&M Solutions. In February 2008 Michaela joined the dynamic and growing team at Africa Bespoke. Living in Cape Town with her two daughters and loving every minute of it makes her an incredibly enthusiastic consultant. Her attention to detail and passion for people is truly felt by her clients. And even though we had to bribe her to take the photo, we finally got the shot. tour design and planning
IN THE FIELD – SPECIALIST CONSULTANTS
Andrew Ardington – History & Battlefields
Andrew grew up on a sugar farm in Zululand. Having obtained B.Sc. Agriculture at Pietermaritzburg University he spent two years working and traveling in the United Kingdom and United States before becoming a game ranger at MalaMala Private Game Reserve. In 1997 he moved to historical tourism, going into partnership with the legendary David Rattray of Anglo-Zulu War fame, where he developed Three Trees Lodge at Spioenkop, specialising in Anglo-Boer War battlefield tours. Andrew has since moved to Cape Town and is now compiling audio tour guides for a living, plus consulting at Africa Bespoke. His first-hand experience of the Southern Africa tourism industry coupled with his deep knowledge of the history of the region, makes Andrew a highly valuable consultant.
Shane Doyle – Kruger Park, Botswana & Photographic Safaris
Shane grew up in Durban, and obtained a B.Sc. in the natural sciences at Pietermaritzburg University. He then began working as a game ranger at MalaMala Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand area of Kruger Park. It was during this five year stint in the bush Shane began his love affair with wildlife photography, capturing images that slowly cultivated his own expression of photography. He has travelled extensively since then – firstly to Dubai (where he spent 2 years flying falcons and capturing the essence of desert life on film and experiencing a lifestyle quite different to South Africa), then Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, the west coast of the U.S.A, the Canadian Rockies as well as to Slovakia and Malaysia. Shane now lives in Durban working as a freelance game ranger, photographer and photographic safari guide. He is extremely passionate about sharing his knowledge of photography and wildlife with others.

To see Shane’s portfolio, go to: www.shanedoyle.com

 safari photography
Sally Petersen – Cycling Adventures
Sally grew up on a sheep farm in the Karoo. After completing her B.Com degree she took a few years out to cycle tour through Europe, Asia and Africa. After completing her London to Cape Town cycling trip, she was nominated as an Out There “Adventurer of the Year” finalist in 2001. Returning home to Cape Town, she decided to make cycle tourism her career. Sally knows what it’s like to be a traveler and what makes a journey adventurous. She will arrange an itinerary to suit your requirements, whether it is a fully supported tour with backup vehicles and team, or simply to provide cycling options at the various destinations that you visit. She is qualified Nature and Tour Guide with DEAT. Her passion for her country is infectious and her knowledge is astounding.

Visit Sally’s cycling adventures website: www.withoutlimits.co.za

 safari cycling adventures
Andrew Kellet – River Rafting and Kayaking Adventures
One of the country´s most skilled river explorers, Andrew has a no compromise approach to river running – small groups, professional guides and state-of-the-art equipment are the minimum standards to which he adheres. He is also recognised as a leading Swiftwater Safety and Rescue Instructor and is at the forefront of training river guides and rescue professionals in Southern Africa. Whitewater kayaking is his true love and he enjoys sharing his skills with his students. Andrew is one of the top freestyle paddlers in the country. Andrew will guide you on a wide range of river adventures, varying from whitewater rafting to a leisurely multi-day trip down the Orange River or even sea kayaking on the West Coast.

Visit Gravity Adventures, Andrew’s river company: www.gravity.co.za

 river rafting and kayaking tours
Richard Behne – Hiking & Climbing
Richard is a Capetonian, educated in Cape Town, where he obtained a degree in Environmental and Geographical Science from UCT. After further training as a teacher he worked as a high school teacher for a number of years before entering the mountain and tour guiding profession. As a qualified Mountaineering Instructor and Mountain Guide he has guided walks, treks and climbs throughout South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. While he has been spent much time on Mt Kenya and Kilimanjaro, as well as other exotic climbing destinations, his heart lies in the Western Cape of South Africa where the rugged fold mountains of the Cederberg, Hex River and Swartberg, amongst others, provide unparalleled walking and rock climbing, surrounded by the richness of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Richard’s climbing website: www.capeclimb.co.za

 hiking and kalahari safari tours
Hannes Lochner – Namibia & Kalahari Photographic Safaris
Hannes Lochner was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Before he had finished primary school, his parents had taken him to almost every game reserve in South Africa, and a passion, which was to become his life´s labour, was born. His family, mom and dad (both professors), two sisters and a brother, are all involved in medical sciences. Hannes had a different calling, so he signed up for something more creative and spent the next couple of years engulfed in the art of graphic design at the University of Stellenbosch. Studies successfully completed he decided to return to his roots as naturalist and become a full time river guide in Namibia. Hannes has travelled the globe extensively for a whole year, whitewater kayak in hand. Back in his homeland he started a rafting company offering tours on the Orange and Kunene Rivers. He returned to Cape Town as a freelance photographer, graphic designer. His love for the animals and birds of Africa triumphed in the end and in 2007 he became a full time wildlife photographer and the idea of his book was born, no doubt next to the enchanting flames of a bushveld fire, a “rum and coke light” in hand and the enthusiastic ear of a best friend. Hannes’ book, “Colours of Southern Africa”, shot mainly in the Kalahari and Kruger Park, was launched in July 2008.

To see Hannes’ portfolio, go to: www.lochnerphoto.com
Sophia Lindop – Culinary & Gourmet Adventures
Drawing from her Lebanese and Afrikaans backgrounds, Sophia Lindop began her love affair with food at the ankles of her grandmother and mother, who taught her everything she needed to know about the skill of cooking. Her inspiration and passion for culinary art come from her childhood days of growing up on a farm in the Northern Cape. Her obsession with food was enhanced by a Diploma in Food Service Management and a separate qualification in Local and International Wines, at which time she was the youngest qualified member of the wine industry! Sophia believes there are no rules when it comes to food and that playing and experimenting with one´s food is an essential part of creating masterpieces in the kitchen. Combining traditional dishes with a twist of imagination, she sculpts and shares the knowledge and culture behind the best the Cape has to offer in gastronomic delights. Best described as a warm and homely person, Sophia welcomes people into her home and kitchen, where she loves to share her contagious infatuation with food. Sophia is an innovative ambassador for Cape Cuisine and continues to promote all we have to offer through her tours, cooking lessons and private functions.

To find out more about Sophia and her latest culinary escapades, visit her website: www.sophialindop.com