Jonathan

Job title:

Africa Safari SpecialistAudley Travel

Telephone number:

01993 838 518

Biography

Having had a passion for wildlife and Africa from as early as he can remember, Jonathan made his first visit to the continent aged 16 to explore the plains of the Serengeti. This began an obsession with travelling in wild and remote places and after completing his university degree Jonathan went travelling for a year around the world. After working in Bolivia at a jaguar refuge and trekking solo in the West Macdonnell Ranges in Australia, Jonathan ended up in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park where he worked as a host/wildlife spotter at Tafika Lodge. Since joining Audley, Jonathan has returned to Africa to research Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Mauritius and has fulfilled one of his lifetime ambitions by travelling to the remote Kunene region of northern Namibia. Outside of work, Jonathan's interests include wildlife photography, conservation and adventure sports.

Favourite Destination - South Luangwa National Park

"For me South Luangwa National Park in Zambia epitomises the true feeling of being in the real Africa. Every time I go I witness a big game interaction that I never forget, such as a lion pride hunt from start to finish over a period of 2 hours. There is nowhere that stages such incredible wildlife spectacles on such a pristine and untouched stage.

If you pick the right lodges and bush camps you will find yourself as the only vehicle for miles around, watching a leopard stalking its prey, completely undisturbed by tourist encroachment. I hope that the Luangwa retains its charm for decades to come!"

Favourite Accommodation - Serra Caféma

"Set in one of the remotest locations on the continent, in north-west Namibia, Serra Cafema is a truly special place. Having access to the vast Kunene region just east of the Skeleton Coast National Park, Serra Cafema allows you to explore one of the last frontier areas in Africa by vehicle, on foot or by quad bike.

Landing at the airstrip here, one is immediately taken aback by the sense of pure remoteness, a sense that permaetes the skin and invigorates the soul. The lodge is decadent, but is designed beautifully in keeping with the surrounding Kunene River Valley.

There is nothing more exciting than taking off on quad bikes into the empty wilderness with a guide, finding remote, nomadic Himba communities, and chancing upon brown hyenas that may never have seen a human before."

Most Memorable Experience

"One of the most memorable big game interactions I have had was in the Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa. We were on a night drive and I was spotting for leopard eye shine. The guide noticed a leg of an impala dangling from a tree and we waited for the scene to unfold. First a hyena came to the base of the tree, having smelled the kill. Soon after I noticed a leopard in the long grass approaching. The leopard chased the hyena away and clambered up the tree, proceeding to feed on the carcass. The hyena then returned to the scene and began intimidating the leopard, and we witnessed the interaction between scaveneger and predator about 10 metres away.

The whole scene was chanced upon, unexpected and took place in a setting of pristine savannah, devoid of other tourists. This made the whole experience all the more memorable."