Each of our specialists covers a few areas of our programme and all have been recruited for their passion and detailed knowledge of the region. They have all travelled extensively in this area so whoever plans your trip you can be sure that you will experience the very best of the country. Click on their profiles to read more about their background and travel experience.
James' first venture into Africa took place in 1992 when he took up the job of teaching sport in a South African school. From here he travelled around Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. After completing a university degree, James then spent seven years working as a long-haul consultant within the travel industry. During this time he made numerous visits to Africa including canoe trips on the Zambezi and visiting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. James' desire to specialise more in travel to Africa brought him to his current role at Audley and he has since been on research trips to Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Mozambique. In his free time James participates in a number of sports as well as trying out the odd adrenalin activity such as bobsleigh or sky diving.
After completing his degree at Newcastle University, Matt spent two months on a voluntary project in Kenya. He mixed teaching and construction work with safari, lazing on the beach and climbing Mount Kenya. Later he worked for three years in sports television production before heading off on his travels again, spending a year visiting Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. While living in Sydney he achieved an Open Water diving certificate and worked for a travel magazine. Since joining Audley Matt has travelled extensively in Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, Mauritius and Mozambique, experiencing all the highlights of these fantastically varied countries. His outside interests include sport, films, music and food.
Melissa is a South African, and worked for an airline after graduating, which gave the perfect opportunity to travel. Mel has worked for Audley for several years and during that time has returned to Africa many times for work and pleasure. She has travelled all over Tanzania from the Serengeti in the north to the Selous in the south, as well as island hopping around the Mafia and Zanzibar Archipelagos. Once Mel had travelled all over Tanzania she started exploring Kenya which she now knows inside out. She has also spent several weeks on the Seychelles diving and snorkelling. Mel's most recent trip was to Mozambique where she spent time in the Niassa Reserve as well as the Quirimba and Bazaruto Archipelagos. Mel is passionate about wildlife and enjoys snorkelling, diving and fabulous beaches.
James Down
01993 838 526
Matthew Vlemmiks
01993 838 509
Melissa Hillen
01993 838 516