More about Katlyn…
Katlyn writes…
Born and bred in Chicago with a career in fashion as a personal shopper, I never imagined that I would be living a safari lovers dream in South Africa just a few years later. But after my first safari to Tanzania in 2011, I was hooked and by 2013 I had moved to Johannesburg and began to travel the African continent with my now husband Gavin Lautenbach.
Some of my highlights over the past years include trekking Lowland Gorillas through waist-deep water in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Congo, searching the forests for crazy creatures in Madagascar, and tracking Rhino on foot at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Now having travelled throughout most of Southern Africa and beyond, I can offer my knowledge of these magical destinations to those who are first time safari-goers or seasoned travelers.
My favorite part of safari is the feeling you get inside that you are suddenly one with nature and everything else in the world seems to fall away for that time and I think everyone needs to experience this at least once in their life!
More about Abri…
About Abri…
Abri Kruger is an international photographer currently residing in South Africa. His drive to deliver unique and creative human portraits are unmatched in the industry.
Abri’s work is fuelled by his passion for what he does and an eager desire to create images that will leave his clients in awe.
Abri Kruger’s skill is vividly splashed over his photographic art. His remarkable ability to capture expression and frame it in beauty is his trademark. His photos please the eye, communicate with the heart, and leave one with the impression of mastery!
Abri is a fun and engaging person to have on your family safari if you want him to capture the memories in vivid detail. Take a walk through his work at www.abrikruger.com
More about Gareth…
Gareth writes…
Travel after university took me to the Sabi Sands Wildtuin and Londolozi Private Game Reserve.
It was whilst guiding at Londolozi that I excelled at the “gentle game drive” and soon developed a reputation for berating any other guide who messed with my mojo of serenity – two notable recipient’s of such a dressing down were Mammoth’s safari guru Gavin and a one-eyed elephant bull in full musth. Whilst I chose to have words with Gavin from the comfort of my Land Rover, I gave the bull elephant “what for” at somewhat closer quarters. The bull had it coming though as he was very naughty for trying to kill 8 guests and myself whilst we were out on a leisurely bush stroll. It is worth mentioning that Gavin and I have been best of friends ever since I put him in his place.
I left Londolozi to follow my other passion and work in the wine cellars of the world. Following harvest jobs in South Africa, France and California, I qualified as a winemaker with a degree in Oenology from South Africa’s premier Agricultural College. Winemaking, vineyard management, wine sales and wine-related conservation jobs all followed as various opportunities took me to a variety of exciting projects, working for a number of fine South African wine estates as well as on the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative for the World Wide Fund for Nature (www.wwf.org.za).
I am very fortunate to now be in a position to work closely with amazing friends and to invite people to journey with me to meet these friends. To share their wines, their farms, our gorgeous province, country and beyond and in so doing make many more friends along the way.
I am, over and above all of this, a father to the world’s most amazing daughter, who inspires me in all that I do.
