My journey in the tourism industry has deep roots in the Hoedspruit area and ultimately led me to become part of the team at GAP Tours & Transfers.

My family’s journey in the region began in 1975, when my grandfather bought a farm in the Timbavati Game Reserve. My father later moved from Pretoria to Hoedspruit to manage and help develop the property into a protected area, now known as the Indlopfu Game Reserve/Inyati Share Block. At the time, approximately 70% of the Timbavati properties were still undeveloped, with many operating partly as cattle farms and partly as game farms.

I was born in 1981 and grew up in the Timbavati, surrounded by the incredible landscapes and wildlife that make this area so special. Through my father’s involvement in construction and development, I had the opportunity to witness the growth of the tourism industry firsthand. He was approached by Paul Giger, the owner of Motswari, to assist with the development of Motswari and later Tanda Tula. Watching these lodges take shape and eventually welcome guests from around the world sparked my lifelong interest in tourism.

After finishing school, I began working as a freelance driver for Eastgate Safaris at the age of 23, primarily on weekends. I immediately fell in love with the experience and the opportunity to meet people from around the world and introduce them to this remarkable part of South Africa. That was where my journey in the tourism industry truly began.

Today, I am proud to be part of the GAP Tours & Transfers office team contributing behind the scenes. Being part of the GAP Tours & Transfers team allows me to combine my passion for tourism with my knowledge and experience of the local area. I enjoy working behind the scenes to help ensure that every journey runs smoothly and that our clients have the best possible experience from the moment they make contact with us until they reach their destination.

For me, tourism has always been more than just a career, it has been a lifelong journey.