James

Africa Safari & Europe Specialist

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 hitchhiked 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, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania, often numerous times. In the last few years he has also visited many of the Nordic countries and has recently become a Norway specialist and loves nothing more than trekking and boating through the fjords.

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I recommend visiting - Etosha National Park, Namibia

Sitting at a waterhole at Okaukuejo Camp in the early evening as the animals took it in turns to come and drink. At one point two rhinos clashed horns repeatedly for several minutes in order to see who took precedence. Meanwhile a whole herd of elephants strolled in without making a sound.

Then it was the lions turn, followed by a female rhino and her young calf who drank little more than five metres from where we sat. No-one wanted to go to dinner. This was completely engrossing viewing.

Ongava Lodge, Ongava Reserve, southern Etosha

I recommend staying at - Ongava Lodge, Namibia

Deluxe

On the outskirts of Etosha National Park this really is a special place to stay. From the moment you arrive Cameron and Wendy treat you as members of a family rather than as mere guests.

At dinner everyone was introduced and the menu was introduced in both English and also the traditional San language full of clicks and other inexplicable sounds. As we sat two male lions approached the nearby waterhole to drink and disappeared into the darkness, occasionally roaring as if to remind us of their presence.

The tents are lovely and cosy and even from your veranda it is easy to see an impressive array of wildlife.

In the morning I joined Binnius who expertly took us to within 20 metres of some white rhino on foot. To survey such a creature from so close was truly a magical experience.

I'll never forget when…

There is simply no better way to see Victoria Falls than to fly over them in a microlight. Taking only one passenger you are completely exposed, the wind rushing through your hair as you gape down at the extraordinary scene below.

By flying you get a far better idea of the scale of the falls and the sheer volume of water piling over them. Following the flight there was only one way to keep the excitement and adrenaline pumping... go rafting!