Giada Claassen

*Featured in Condé Nast Traveler as a Top Travel Specialist*   

I was born in Italy and grew up in South Africa. When I finished my schooling, I packed my bags and ventured to Scotland where I lived for 5 years travelling and exploring. I returned with a hunger for Africa, travel, and story telling. My career was developed by working with some of the best tour operator's in Africa, learning from the best. 

I thrive on sharing my love for Africa with the world. From family travel and honeymoons to retirement trips, bucket list trips, and multi generational trips is my niche. Having travelled extensively through the African continent, I can design the perfect vacations for my clients. With 20 years of experience in selling bespoke tailored safari vacations, I can share my knowledge and passion with fellow travellers.  

Soulful Safari Reflection 

I was in the Masai Mara in Kenya on an afternoon game drive and as we were approaching a watering hole when we saw elephants playing and splashing around. There was commotion in the trees as monkeys signalled danger ahead, we could then see a big herd of buffalo heading toward the waterhole. The guide continued driving around the waterhole so that we can be well positioned for photographic opportunities for when the buffalo herd came to drink. As we turned, just behind the bushes, was a pride of 6 lion and about 10 cubs who had also noticed the buffalo getting nearer. The elephants started to move on, the monkeys were going crazy in the trees when, all of a sudden, some of the lion cubs hid in the bushes, others went up in branches and trees, and the 6 lionesses started to fight off the herd of buffalo.

It was intense and a moment I will never forget. There was so much action happening that we didn't know what to photograph so we just sat in awe with no camera in hand, just taking it all in, and experiencing nature at its very best. The lionesses managed to scare off the buffalo, by that time the elephants where long gone, and the lion cubs came safely down the trees and out of the bushes. It was a thrilling experience and something I will never forget. Its hard to explain, you really had to be there.   

Most Memorable Experience Organized for a Client 

Helping a 97-year-old American client return to Africa after 50 years. It was a tricky booking, she wanted to cover a lot of ground in Southern Africa – Botswana & Zimbabwe – and travelling with her daughter and her husband, who had travelled with me before. During her first week in Africa, she fell ill and had to be airlifted to a near by city for medical attention. She was hospitalized for about 10 days but with the support of our suppliers on the ground, we helped her daughter throughout this incident.

When she was discharged, she absolutely insisted on continuing her safari and refused to go home until she had completed her trip. I managed to rearrange her trip and she completed her safari just as she wanted to. The stories from the lodges and the feedback from our clients is everything we strive to for in our industry; to make those memories for her and her family happen, it’s why we do what we do.   

My Best African Travel Advice 

Try and book a lodge that has a watering hole for some extra bonus game viewing. You cannot do the whole of Africa in one trip, its easy to get overwhelmed.  Focus on what you want to get out of your trip and narrow it down to really maximise your experience and then come back and do more the following year. 

Dress in layers, Africa can have 4 seasons in one day, cold mornings and evenings, chilly nights, hot days.  Make sure you are comfortable and have comfortable walking shoes. Remember to pack extra chargers and back ups but, most of all, don't forget to stop smell the flowers along the way. It's a journey!

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