What is the African Travel difference?
We are Africa experts with over 440 total years of combined experience in travel.

 
We are the premier tour operator to Southern and Eastern Africa and Egypt too. We offer what we believe to be the "best selection of value-for-money safaris". With so many African experiences to choose from, our staff of safari experts will be happy to custom-design a program for you, your family and friends, or your special organization or group.

Whether you're traveling to Africa for the first time or returning to revisit this mystical Eden, there will never be a better time than the present to truly..."Live the Dream".

Meet the Africa Experts...
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Dave Herbert, CTC, Director, ext. 150 Our founder and director, Dave started African Travel in 1976 and built it into one of North America's leading safari operators. A former Chairman of USTOA, Dave is a well-known 'icon' within the travel industry. He divides his time between the USA and his home in South Africa, which allows him to oversee our product development and supplier contracts.

Anne Bellamy, President, ext. 110 An industry veteran, Anne has been at the helm of African Travel for 16 years. In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the company, Anne also personally handles top accounts and VIP clients. She was recently tapped, by Travel Agent magazine, as one of 100 'most powerful women in travel'.

Adrienne Pappas, Senior Reservations Manager, ext. 122 Adrienne joined the African Travel team and brought with her a wealth of experience from both the airline and tour side of the industry. During her long career, she has made many friends, both here and abroad (during her numerous international travels!), and is a well-known professional in the tourism field. Adrienne keeps her bags packed, just in case she will be asked to escort yet another African Travel familiarization trip!

Susannah Zani, Safari Consultant, ext. 111 Susannah joined African Travel 6 years ago with a wealth of knowledge, having both lived in and traveled extensively throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. She especially enjoys creating Adventure and Luxury itineraries, sharing her destination knowledge, and introducing travelers to Africa's colorful cultures, phenomenal scenery and unique wildlife.

Hilda Tashjian, Safari Consultant, ext. 155 Marking her 10th anniversary with the company, Hilda loves creating family safaris almost as much as she loves being a mother. Groups are Hilda's specialty and she is skilled at custom-designing programs which incorporate such themes as 'cuisine', 'wine', 'culture' and, of course, 'children'!

Jennifer Luckow, CTC, Safari Consultant, ext. 113 A native of Great Britain, Jennifer is a Travel Industry veteran with many years in both retail and wholesale. She is quite familiar with South Africa - having lived there for nearly 10 years - and has just returned from an extensive trek through East Africa. She loves the challenge and rewards of creating perfect 'dream' safaris.

Diane Bell, Safari Consultant, ext. 119 Diane has been with African Travel for 18 years! She just recently returned from Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. Her first trip ever to Africa was to Botswana back in 1980. A few years ago, Diane fulfilled a life-long dream to see the pyramids in Egypt and she now enjoys helping clients design unique itineraries that combine the antiquities of the Pharoahs with the wildlife of East Arica. With her many years of consulting experience, Diane is a great resource for planning FIT and group travel.

Margie Vogel, Safari Consultant, ext. 159 In addition to her marketing and brochure production responsibilities, Margie coordinates all Travel Agency familiarization trips and obtains special discounted rates for our Travel Industry partners. She has worked in the travel business for over 15 years, and is about to celebrate her 6th anniversary with African Travel!

Richard Haas-Winkelman, Product & Accounts Development, ext. 153 Richard first joined African Travel in 1990 and has accumulated a wealth of first-hand knowledge about travel to – and throughout – Africa. After many years as a Senior Safari Consultant, he has expanded his professional portfolio to include product development and assisting with the company’s marketing efforts. Richard is also tasked with handling specific VIP accounts and assisting our travel agency partners with designing luxury customized itineraries for high-profile and celebrity travelers.

Debi Mohler, Airfare Specialist, ext. 103 Debi joined us over a year ago, after many years in the retail trade. She is one of our two airfare specialists and assists individuals and groups with tickets to major cities in Africa. She works with net contracts from all of the major African carriers, and can provide you with quotes for Economy, Business and First Class fares.

Brena Pouncy, Airfare Specialist, ext. 127 With nearly 20 years in the Travel Industry, we were fortunate to bring Brena on board in early 2004, as a new member of our Air Centre. Brena has been a tariff and ticketing supervisor for some well-known tour wholesale companies and also has significant experience in both retail and air consolidation. Although Brena's destination knowledge spans the globe, she admits that Africa presents a unique challenge - one that she thoroughly enjoys!

Karin Jones, CTC, National Sales & Marketing Manager, ext. 115 Now in her 9th year with African Travel, Karin started her love affair with Africa in 1987, when she travelled on her first trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. She followed it with a trip to Kenya several years later and then went back again with her husband on their honeymoon to Kenya and Tanzania. Since then, she has made many more journeys throughout the African continent, increasing her already extensive product knowledge. More than anything else, Karin loves to teach!

Jane Behrend, Sales Manager, Southeast USA 404-993-6116 An Africa expert for many years, Jane has recently returned to African Travel after taking time off to raise her young children. As Sales Manager for Southeast USA, Jane is a superb Africa 'ambassador', who has a passion for the destination and enjoys working with her agents on sales presentations and client functions.

Leslie Percival, Sales Manager, Rocky Mt. Region 303-663-4896 Leslie is known in the Africa industry and continues to serve on the local board of APTA. The travel agents in her region rely on her to train and dazzle them with her keen marketing ideas. She brings many years of experience and a love of the outdoors and Africa to her work. Leslie's goal for this decade is to climb Kilimanjaro!

Judy Hurst, East Coast Business Development Manager 215-361-8488 Judy Hurst has had a travel industry career spanning 30 years, focusing on the luxury and exotic travel end of the industry. Her work experience includes Tahiti Tourist Board, Amanresorts, The Moorings, Adventure Travel Desk, Conservation Corporation Africa, and Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Judy brings to this new position a unique perspective and empathy for travel consultants as well as her substantial knowledge of Africa as a destination.

Barbara Rubin, Business Development Manager- Western Region, ext. 106 The newest member of our team, Barbara brings to African Travel and the travel agents in her region, over 20 years of experience in travel, specializing in sales of luxury, adventure and eco-tourism products. Her career includes working as a tour manager to Africa and other exotic destinations. In addition to East Africa, she has traveled throughout Southern Africa including South Africa and Namibia. She has also traveled extensively in Morocco and Egypt. As it was the first destination she visited in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya remains one of Barbara's true favorites!

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