About us

Nic Orfang

Nic grew up playing in the oceans and mountains of South Africa. After finishing school he strapped on a backpack and hitchhiked his way from Cape Town up through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi. He was young and green and didn't have a clue what to expect but what he found changed his life forever. It is evident in everything he does that Nic loves travel. Once Nic completed his Degree he started travel writing before joining up with a number African tour operators in both South Africa and London. He ended up running the online marketing for STA Travel in the UK but Africa was in his blood so, after gathering the best of the best in the Online and African travel industries about him he returned home to start Perfect Africa.

Kathryn Goodale

Kathryn is no stranger to planning luxury safari trips throughout Africa. With all the necessary degrees in her safari bag  Kathryn started her career at Abercrombie and Kent before moving on to a number of African online tour operators where she was consistently rated as the best Travel Expert in the company by both her peers and her clients - many of whom still travel exclusively with Kathryn as their sole liaison. With a passion for everything that nature offers and a keen interest in photography, she brings a wealth of knowledge to planning your perfect African Safari. She understands people and knows how to find the best suited product for every individual taste. Kath was instrumental in the start and continued growth of Perfect Africa - she wanted to create a company which put the traveler first, that understood individual needs and created itineraries that literally made dreams come true. It is this passion and drive that has pushed Perfect Africa to the forefront of the African Travel industry, and it is this ethos of hers which permeates every aspect of Perfect Africa, where all of us  strive to uphold it every aspect of our days.

Katherine Terry (KTC)

Nickname: KTC
My nickname KTC originates from my days of working at Londolozi. There were lots of Katherine’s working at the time, so my radio call was Katherine Tree Camp… this became abbreviated in time to KTC… now everyone in the industry knows me as KTC !

Favourite Place in Africa?
Why My favourite place in Africa is Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp in the Masai Mara. This was a camp that I set up in 2001. The staff there are amazing and incredibly passionate about what they do. I was lucky enough to see the migration in the Masai Mara.

Any Interesting Travel stories?
I was working at Londolozi and doing relief camp management at a camp called Londolozi Safari Camp. We heard on the radio that there were a pair of mating leopard in the river bed. There were no guests in Camp so myself and the ranger loaded up the landrover with staff and headed to the riverbed. Desperate for a picture the ranger literally dropped the vehicle about a metre into this riverbed. We eventually found the leopards and watched them for over and hour. It was getting dark and we decided to head home, however we could not get the vehicle up the river bank. Try as we could the ranger could not manage – and in order to get home ended up driving through a neighbouring property in the dark with our lights turned off so we would not get caught !

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
After studying Hotel and Catering Management in the UK, I came to South Africa and got a job working at Londolozi. I thought this would just be a ‘gap year’ position and a bit of fun for a year ! I loved it. I worked up in the company and went to fill management positions at Phinda Private Game Reserve, Chobe Chilwero, Kichwa Tembo and Matetsi. After 8 years of working in the bush I moved to Cape Town and up the travel industry food chain and started working as a Tour Operator. I have worked as a Tour Operator for nearly 7 years, working for some of Africa’s leading online Operators.

Life long goal?
To see an Aardvark and a Pangolin in the wild !

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is ?
Singita Lebombo !!

Anything interest about yourself, you’d like the world to know?
Who better to book your trip than someone who has worked in the industry for over 15 years and knows the industry from both sides, both as a lodge manager and as Tour Operator !

Jo-Anne Nicholson

Favourite Place in Africa?
Cape Town’s Garden Route

Any Interesting Travel stories?
About 3 years ago a colleague and myself visited Mauritius where we were transferred around the island from hotel to hotel. One morning we woke up and decided that the best way to learn about the place is to hire our own car and navigate our own way around the island, it was a brilliant experience and we really got a good understanding of the place until it was late in the evening and we had to make our way from the South of the island to the North of the island, as it was getting darker and more difficult to read the map we got horribly lost, just then we were hit by torrential rains and on top of being lost could not see anything. In about the time it would have taken to drive around the island twice and with the help of the very friendly locals we managed to find our destination.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
In the last year of my studies in the tourism and events management field, I was sent out to work in the tourism industry for 6 months in order to complete my degree. I started at a tour operator in Cape Town and worked there for 6 months before my internship was complete and I was sent back to do my final couple of months at college. I loved it so much and knew I had chosen to do my studies in the correct field and I have been extremely happy working in the industry ever since.

Life long goal?
To visit North Island in the Seychelles

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is?
The long stretches of beach at Thonga Beach Lodge

Anything interest about yourself, you’d like the world to know?
I love the oceans and mountains around Cape Town and every day on my way to work I drive along the Atlantic coastline and I cannot believe I am lucky enough to work and live in such a beautiful place.

Judy Bell

Favourite Place in Africa?
Botswana, the Okavango Delta

Any Interesting Travel stories?
While canoeing on the mighty Zambezi River, we were passing a pod of hippos on the right of us. We obviously followed our guide’s instructions very carefully and kept as quiet as possible while keeping to our far left. We were focussing on the hippos while we passed them when suddenly we heard a rustle on our left had side and turn to see what it was. To our surprise there was another single hippo on the banks for the river, he was startled by our approach and rushed across to join the rest of the hippos, passing just 2 metres in front of us. It was incredibly exciting to witness such a huge creature passing within touching distance of us, and the next day I was back on the Zambezi River again, enjoying one of the most amazing activities I have ever done.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
I was not interested in travel at all, when I finished university; I started working as an administration assistant for a travel company. Soon after I started I was promoted to a tour consultant and realised my love for travel and was hooked. 11 years later I am still learning and experiencing new destinations.

Life long goal?
To attend the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is?
Nkwali Lodge in South Luangwa – The most amazing setting on the Luangwa River. Staff is amazing and friendly.

Anything interest about yourself, you’d like the world to know?
I have a passion for Africa and have travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa and will be able to offer you the best gems to make you holiday a memorable one.

Nicole Sudding

Favourite Place in Africa? 
Zanizbar, it is such a tranquil place filled with so much history and natural beauty. The land and reefs in most areas are still well preserved and the locals are so involved in the growth of the tourism industry within their country and are such warm welcoming people. I also have to mention Malawi... Africa is such a diverse continent that I find it impossible to choose just a single favourite place. Malawi is still so untouched in areas and the rural communities are such fantastic people who rely so greatly on the tourism industry and it is wonderful to see the empowerment and job creation that comes about with the help from travelers from around the world.The country is breathtakingly beautiful and the reputation that Malwians have as the friendliest people in the world is very well deserved.

Any Interesting Travel stories?
Canoeing down the Zambezi river surrounded by far too many hippos and thankfully a very good guide, flying in a 4 seater plane over lake Malawi, back packing through Thailand, riding an elephant through the rice fields in Northern Thailand and building bamboo rafts to sail down the river after a five day hike in the mountains. Quad Biking the dunes in Namibia and through a forest in Swaziland. Descending Mt Titlus in Switzerland by non-motorized scooter, toboggan and funicular.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
Like most people I have always loved to travel and when an opportunity came up for me to join a small tour operator I grabbed it with both hands. I was lucky enough to be exposed to every facet of the travel industry and was able to focus my career path on the areas  i really enjoyed, and what intruiged me most about my job was researching and discovering new destinations and accommodations. I am now the Product Developer at Perfect Africa and not only am I lucky enough to be doing what i love, I am also able to make a difference in the lives of the communities supported by many of the lodges I have added to our portfolio which is something that adds another level of both personal and job satisfaction, and makes every day i spend at the office worthwhile to me.

Life long goal?
To own a farm and raise chickens, sheep and a cow. I'd also love to have a duck. 

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is?
Too many to mention, it is all about taking the risk to discover places off the main tourism routes, there are so many gems hiding behind every corner that many people don’t know about. My job is to expose people to as many of these places as possible without turning them into mainstream tourist attractions and diluting the appeal they had to begin with. I know I seem to be avoiding the question of Africa's best kept secret but in fact there are so many places, which apeal to such a wide range of personalities, that I honestly cannot pick just one.

Anything interest about yourself, you’d like the world to know?
I love to travel and I dream of one day trekking through Uganda to see the Gorillas and sledding through Alaska.

Joy Joachims

Favourite Place in Africa?
Blyde River Canyon in Mpumulanga, South Africa. Its the second largest natural canyon in the world - after the Grand Canyon - and it is set admist the most incredible scenery you could ever imagine.

Any Interesting travel stories?
Travelling with kids is always interesting! They surely put a different spin on all travelling…makes you spontaneous and adventurous without even having to think about it!

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
My boss begged me!
(Joy is a financial wizard and as soon as I heard she was available I gave her a call.... and yes, maybe i begged just a little!)

Life long goal?
To retire early, pack a backpack and tour the world with my husband!

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is?
It’s rural towns! The people are amazing and bring a world to life that we all will never know until we have lived in it.

Anything interesting about yourself, you’d like the world to know?
I would like to stay an enigma to all…it makes each time you meet me interesting!
 

Leonie Howe-Watson

Any interesting travel stories?
I was at Kapama Game Lodge with some colleagues having the wonderful experience of riding on elephants . The elephants were making their way back to the lodge, via a large watering hole. All the elephants walked around the perimeter of the watering hole but mine walked straight in – deeper and deeper he went until the dirty mucky water was up to my waste! Fortunately I didn’t have to swim out!

Favourite place in Africa?
Malawi - it is truly the most peaceful and beautiful country i the world.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
After spending 6 years working in the UK and travelling around the world I really knew that I loved to travel. I then spent 6 months doing Overland trips which reminded me how wonderful, magnificent and awesome Africa is. On my return to Cape Town a friend introduced me to travel industry and I have been in it ever since.

Life long goal?
I never got to go to Egypt and that is something I still want to do desperately.
 

Mark Prevost

If you saw Mark at work you may be excused for thinking he was a techno-junkie - that's probably because he is. As long as some part of whatever it is he is working on can be attached in any way to a computer Mark, or Sparky as he is known to his friends, will be able to fix it. Luckily for him, and for us, he has another completely different side to him. Mark and Nic actually first met in Malawi on an out of the way beach while they were backpacking through Africa - a trip that seems to have had quite an impact on both their lives. Mark now heads up the technical team at Perfect Africa and has managed to succinctly blend his two favourite pastimes together - fiddling with electronics and adventuring through Africa.

Kavan Seggie

Kavan is our financial guru with a passion for travel. Whether its exploring the back roads of Europe in a camper van, lugging his backpack and body board from island to tropical island in search of paradise, trekking though the mountain peaks of New Zealand or the Americas, or living the good life on a luxury safari in Africa - Kavan does it all with equal vigor and enthusiasm. One of the things he has come to realize in all his travels is that there is nowhere else on earth that compares with Africa, and it’s here, out in the wilds, surrounded by the Big 5 that his heart has remained. A complete numbers wizard, Kavan has an honors’ degree in Actuarial Science and before joining with Perfect Africa lived life in the fast lane as a Derivatives and Futures Trader on the London Stock market.

Lauren Irwin

Our resident Kiwi, Lauren, comes from the beautiful islands of New Zealand. Her longing for adventure brought her to the shores of Africa where she soon fell in love with the continent and its diverse cultures and landscapes. It wasnt long after her first visit that she made Cape Town her permanent home and nowdays, when not venturing into untouched regions of Africa in search of new experiences, she spends her time surfing, trail running with her dogs and, of course, planning exclusive luxury safaris. Lauren has brought with her all the charm and friendliness that has made the Kiwis so well liked the world over and she loves imparting her knowledge to help others share in her wealth of African experiences.

Paul Le Roux

You'd be hard pressed to find a list of the who's who's in the hospitality industry without Paul Le Roux’s name on it. Originally planning to be a chartered account, Paul came first in South Africa in his articles exams, but with a personality like his he just wasn't destined to be stuck behind a desk. Paul has the uncanny ability to understand exactly what it is you want before you even know yourself. He started the famous Bishops Court luxury guesthouse in Cape Town, and after a few years of fine tuning he was comfortable enough to let go of the reigns and move onto new challenges. He soon started up his own restaurant - Cafe Roux in Noordhoek - one of the area’s most successful restaurants and a Sunday lunch family favourite, and once that was going he decided to get involved in the travel industry once again and became an integral part of Perfect Africa, where he is - probably even as you read this - dreaming up new ways to improve your holidays with us.

Daniel Green

Despite being born and bred in London, Daniel has a massive passion for Africa. After a fleeting visit to Kenya on his gap year after school, he fell in love with the Continent. After a teaching spell in Ghana and having based his History Degree Dissertation on Kenya, Daniel has worked in the Africa travel Industry for seven years transferring his passion and knowledge of the Continent into creating the perfect tailor-made holidays for his clients. Having travelled extensively over Africa for work and pleasure, Daniel has now settled in Cape Town. Outside work his passions are music, reading and sampling the odd bottle of fine wine. You can find him strumming his guitar in various Cape Town venues at the weekends if he is not glued to the screen watching his beloved Arsenal Football Club.