With more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, Hays Travel agent Louisa Crabtree discusses her passion for helping travellers discover the incredible diversity of the African continent, from tailor-made safaris and luxury rail journeys to family adventures and multi-centre escapes
“In my 30-plus years as a travel agent, I have always enjoyed putting together multi-centre itineraries for clients looking to travel to Africa – I like to live my life vicariously through the itineraries that I plan!”
“One that has stayed with me is a multi-generational trip to South Africa for Christmas and New Year. The process was long and involved – I'd never needed a spreadsheet for a travel quote before, however, each family involved was looking to do something slightly different – and honestly, I couldn’t have got it over the line without my trusty spreadsheet and my trusted contact at the tour operator. When there are multiple families and destinations involved, it is always great to have someone who just understands the logistics.”
“The main trip is Cape Town, Camps Bay, two different properties in Franschhoek, Hermanus, back to Cape Town for New Year’s Eve, and then four of the group are going on safari. The total number of travellers is 10 adults and five children - ages from two to 76!”
“Thankfully, having done similar itineraries – but not for that many people – I had a good insight into which properties would suit them. To keep things different for the Cape Town stays, we chose a city location for the first stay and then the V&A Waterfront for the second. Getting enough rooms in Franschhoek and Hermanus was a challenge – every time a property had availability, I would try to get rooms holding, but if the properties sold just one room, then it was back to the drawing board! Thankfully it all came together in the end, and I’m now just hoping they all have an amazing holiday. I'm sure they will.”
“Over the years I have put together some beautiful African itineraries including safaris in Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, the Rovos Rail train, Zambezi River cruises, as well as trips and tours to Madagascar, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Cape Town and the Garden Route down to Port Elizabeth.”
“Africa is an amazing destination as it has so much variety – there really is something for everyone – no matter what age or how intrepid you are!”
