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.

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.

Gareth Turner

Favourite Place in Africa? 
Why My favourite place in Africa is Baraza Resort & Spa in Zanzibar. I was fortunate enough to stay at this property for my Honeymoon and it truly is a special place.

Any Interesting Travel stories?
On an amazing trip around the beautiful country of Namibia, I was fortunate enough to spend 2 nights at Kulala Wilderness Camp, where I had a pet Meerkat, for the duration of my stay, now where else can you experience the wildlife up close and personal, than right here in Africa.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
Before studying tourism management, I worked as a guide, looking after small groups for my mom's company, I was fortunate enough to enjoy many of the wonderful experiences our clients enjoy during their time in Cape Town, it was then that the tourism bug bit me and 9 years down the line, I have never looked back.

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

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is?
It's people and the goodness that each and every one of us as Africans have inside us.

Any Interesting Travel stories?
When I'm not planning my clients perfect itinerary, you can find me on the golf course, South Africa is home to some of the best and most picturesque golf courses in the world, so if golf is your game give me a call!

Kelly Painczyk

Favourite Place in Africa?
"Favourite" is so limiting! But if I had to choose 2? I love Zanzibar for its turquoise waters, friendly locals, rustic lodges and for being so untouched! And Namibia for its sheer beauty, the diverse landscapes from dry deserts, desolate salt pans, rugged canyons and long sandy beaches!

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
Whilst in my final year at school we had to shadow several industries that matched our career assessment. A few days at Air Mauritius' offices and I was hooked. I studied Travel & Tourism and took up my first position at a Travel Agency in 1996, and have worked my through the different roles in the Travel Industry has to offer since then. I have moved from Travel Agencies, to Tour Operators, to Tour Operator Software and Training and finally landed in the Product position.

Life long goal?
To see all of Africa's beauty!

In your eyes, Africa’s best kept secret is?
There are so many that we have found over the years - but one that sticks in my mind is Lazy Leopard in the Knynsa Forest. Little wooden cabins in the middle of the forest where the stars are so bright because it's the only light you see!

Ryan Charles

Favourite place in Africa?

Has to be Botswana simply because it is by far the best place I have ever been to on any safari in Africa. Animals galore!!

How did you come to work in the travel industry?

In the late 1980's I studied law as a matter of fact. The opportunity came when I left home at a young age and had to fend for myself and approached a travel agency in London at the time. English born to a South African mother, Africa was and still is in my blood.

I had my first opportunity at the tender age of 18 to travel to South Africa on an educational which is what the travel industry does, they send you away for free and with spending money back then.(how Times have changed ? Although I did not do a safari and only visited Cape Town and Johannesburg, it was love at first site with Africa for me. Since then I did not go back to Law but decided to stay in travel and 24 years later I am still very passionate about what I do. In fact I have seen most of the world already and plan to see all of Africa in the next 10 years or so as I have travelled through a lot of African countries already, hence I can share my knowledge and expertise with my clients.

Life long goal?

To put a stop to animal hunting and poaching if only the power was mine. Not forgetting war torn countries in Africa which creates famine. Very sad indeed.

In your eyes, Africa's best kept secret is?

Africa's best kept secret to me are its people, not that it is a secret but the people make the continent in my eyes. From 3 to 5 star lodges, Africans serve you with so much passion in their hearts and eyes.

Anything interest about yourself, you'd like the world to know?

I play an American sport called Soft Ball. Just loved the game when I first played it 7 years ago. However, being English I am very much into my Football and Golf.

Allison Oosthuizen

Nickname: (if you have one)
My nickname is Alli. It is short for Allison and its always been easier for people to remember my name and quicker to say.

Favourite place in Africa?
My favourite place in Africa is the West Coast. I love driving along the Coast and visiting the small fishing towns and to learn about their daily schedules. I also love visiting Darling in September month when the flowers are at full bloom and the parks are filled with beautiful colours.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
When it came time to choose my subjects for Grade 10, Tourism stood out immediately. I fell in love with it and in my matric year it was a no brainer, I decided to study Tourism further at Stellenbosch. Ever since then I wanted to travel the world and help other people to explore South Africa and Africa.

Life long goal?
To scuba dive in the Maldives.  

In your eyes, Africa's best kept secret is?
The Great Wildebeest Migration across the Mara River

Anything interest about yourself, you'd like the world to know?
I love travelling and learning about different cultures, traditions and foreign languages and I can speak and understand German and Dutch.

Rowan Seagers (Toast)

Favourite place in Africa?

Stone Town in Zanzibar always springs to mind when I'm asked this question. The exotic smells and sounds of the place transport you to an era of trading ships and spice routes. My favourite hideaway though would be the indigenous forests of the Amatola mountains in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. That's where I go to gather my thoughts and ponder my existence (as one does in quiet wilderness areas of course).

How did you come to work in the travel industry?

My parents took me on regular safari holidays from as far back as I can remember, mostly to the Kruger National Park. You know the proverbial question that is asked of youngsters, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", my stock answer was "Game Ranger".

My desire finally came to fruition through &Beyond and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve where I worked as a guide and lodge manager and got to see things every day that most people only dream about. Eventually there came I time when I really had to grow up and that meant leaving the bush and moving in to the shadow of Table Mountain in Cape Town. I chose to continue living out my safari dreams vicariously by assisting others in planning perfect African holidays.

Life long goal?

I've always enjoyed flying and have dabbled in sky diving. I would love to get my pilots license one day. More immediately though, I would like to complete the Rim of Africa hiking trail and eat at at least one mind blowing gastronomically exciting restaurant every month (it seems that the Cape Town area has enough of these to keep me going for a while).

In your eyes, Africa's best kept secret is?

To echo the sentiments of many: Africa's people. Whenever you travel in Africa, the genuine warmth of the people you meet is hard to find anywhere in the world.

The emergence of protected wildlife areas in the Eastern Cape offer an unparalleled nature experience that most people don't know too much about. You would be very lucky to find any other wildlife area in Africa where you can see the Big 5 and regularly spot not often seen animals like Springbok, Black Wildebeest (the prettier cousin of the migration viariety), aardvark, aardwolf, and brown hyena. The diversity of these areas in unbeatable.

Anything interest about yourself, you'd like the world to know?

I'm a keen musician and I play Bass guitar in the local scene. I'm also a not-so-closet bird twitcher and love following up on local rarities.

Shelton Chibanda

Favourite place in Africa?
Okavango Delta in Botswana The home of the African Bush Elephants.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
The opportunity came to me while I was working as a supervisor in a restaurant and I find myself in a job interview whilst I was serving the Sales Marketing Manager. Nevertheless, I always had an interest in travelling and seeing different places and my uncle was the Operations Manager of the ZimSun group Hotels in Zimbabwe we always used to travel with him a lot and from there I must say that's when my love of travel industry begun and started studying Tourism.

Life long goal?
To shoot documentaries on wildlife in the Okavango Delta and to see the 7 natural Wonders of the World so far l have managed see 2 of them don't know if I will catch up since they keep changing.

In your eyes, Africa's best kept secret is?
My home back view...hahaha..Vumba mountains in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe that is situated overlooking a valley that is the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Anything interest about yourself, you'd like the world to know?
I am an outgoing, fun, sociable person.

Gareth Clarke

Favourite place in Africa?
So far, I would have to say the Okavango Delta. One of the most amazing places on earth.

Life long goal?
To go on safari in Tanzania and Kenya and do a hot air balloon trip over the Serengeti

In your eyes, Africa's best kept secret is?
The Drakensburg mountains, especially in KwaZulu Natal

Lynn Middelmann

Favourite place in Africa?
There are so many, but if I HAVE to choose just one, it would be Bazaruto Islands, just off Mozambique.

How did you come to work in the travel industry?
After completing my studies and gaining some valuable experience, my Husband and I moved to Cape Town. A friend of a friend of a friend arranged an interview for me at the Legendary Perfect Africa, and I guess it was just my lucky day.

Life long goal?
To experience the great migration in East Africa.

In your eyes, Africa's best kept secret is?
Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park.

Anything interest about yourself, you'd like the world to know?
Well, lots, but let's just say, travelling with Jo-Anne Nicholson anywhere in Africa where there might a remote sign of Geckos is always interesting.

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.