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Wine, wilderness and an unforgettable African safari

Africa

South Africa is home to all the bona-fide cool stuff. Formidable landscapes, fascinating history and of course incredible wildlife. Elephants, leopards, lions, you name it, South Africa claims it. Zebra! Yes, plenty of zebra. Giraffe! Oh yes, lots of them. And then another trillion forms of animal life to marvel at.

Showcasing everything from The Big Five, to The Little Five, birds, bushveld and enough critters to make you go cuckoo (and yes they have them too). There is nothing more spectacular than experiencing a private game reserve and spectacular Table Mountain at its helm, Cape Town is one of the world’s most visually impressive cities. Along with its beauty, it also offers incredible wining and dining experiences – check out the V&A Waterfront!

Explore up the coast and you’ll be treated to an abundance of vineyards, we highly recommend stopping at Nederburg Wines for a tasting – their merlot is divine. South Africa takes first prize for WOW!

Connect with an Africa specialist

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Vanessa Allan

House of Travel Christchurch City

Born and raised in Durban, South Africa; Vanessa has been in the travel industry for 24 years and has proudly called herself a kiwi for the past 5 years. Starting her career in planning holidays for clients, Vanessa quickly found her passion is with business travel - working in this fast past division of travel drives her every day.

"I love building strong relationships with my clients. I thrive on a good challenge and love to sink my teeth into a big group. Attention to detail and customer satisfaction is paramount to me. I like to think outside the box providing my clients with the best possible solutions to their travel needs."

When away from the desk, family time is important for Vanessa. Along with her husband she loves to watch and support their teenage son in his sporting endeavors. When off the side-lines she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially outdoors and finding new and interesting places to dine.

When Vanessa travels, she loves to experience new cultures, food and wine throughout the world.

Favourite place to visit: London
Next place on the list to visit: Italy

Vanessa

Chloe McKellar

House of Travel Wellington City

Hi all - please note that I am on maternity leave until September 2026 :)

Customer service has always been drilled into me. After begging my way into a cafe job at 14, I then spent 12 years working in the hospitality industry supervising restaurants and managing specialty cafes which also founded my love for all different types of foods.

After spending 3 years in Melbourne, 6 months in South East Asia and a few years in the UK I finally made the switch to the travel industry where I have been able to share my love for travel and customer service ever since.

I made it through the dark years of COVID in the industry which has led me to know to dig that little bit deeper into my clients' travel plans to create that perfect trip, and ensure we really have the best option for you in terms of comfort, reliability, and service. As we just don't know what is round the corner, do we!

I've travelled extensively across Southeast Asia, UK and Europe, spent a lot of time exploring properties in Fiji (and relaxing by the beach), road tripped in California and in 2024 I visited South Africa in Feb, Japan, South Korea and Taipei! I've got many more places on my bucket list to visit, but if I haven't been, I've got a superb team of people behind me who have and we'll work out the best trip for you! My ultimate passion when I travel is trying local foods, and finding the best possible places to have that authentic experience that we wouldn't be able to have at home. So if that resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you and let's put together your foodie adventure, together :)

Chloe

Charlotte Coles

House of Travel Riccarton

I absolutely love organising travel and turning every trip into a seamless adventure that’s perfectly tailored to you. My passion for travel is all about the details—whether it’s finding the best local spots, securing that perfect beachfront hotel or ensuring you have unforgettable experiences at every turn.

I’m all about creating stress-free, personalised journeys that suit your style, making sure every part of your trip is smooth, fun, and unforgettable. With me on your team, you’re in for a trip that’s as unique as you are!

Charlotte

Torin Wilson

House of Travel High Street Lanes, Christchurch CBD

With over 12 years of experience in the travel industry and a proud gold award to my name, I’m passionate about discovering and sharing unique destinations with my clients. I believe that every journey should be special, which is why I take the time to understand your preferences and curate experiences that truly resonate with you. Let’s explore hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path adventures together—because travel is about creating unforgettable memories!

Torin