Jamie-Lee Day

Travel Expert

Jamie-Lee was born and raised in Cape Town, and studied English and psychology at university. That grounding in psychology gives her a natural instinct for reading between the lines, picking up on what clients aren't always saying outright, so she can piece together a trip that feels genuinely tailored to them from the very first conversation.

She spent six months living and working in the UK early in her career, and it was there, far from home, that she came to properly understand how exceptional Africa is: its colour, its diversity. She came home determined to share that with others, and moved into tour guiding across Southern Africa, spending years in the field alongside guests before making the move into planning trips herself.

Today, as a Travel Expert at Mahlatini, Jamie-Lee loves piecing together the details of a dream trip long before a client can fully imagine it themselves, knowing exactly what's in store and getting to share in that anticipation with them.

Mahlatini Destinations Explored

Botswana
Namibia
South Africa

Most Memorable Trip

On a self-drive trip through Botswana, we arrived back at our unfenced campsite to find a bull elephant asleep against the tree beside our tent. We waited nearly an hour for him to move, and eventually a local guide walked right up and gently persuaded him along. It's one of those stories that reminds you just how close you really are to the wild out there.

Top of My Bucket List

Kenya and Zanzibar, paired together. I love movement and adventure, so the idea of surfing in Zanzibar after time in Kenya feels like the perfect combination.

Favourite Safari Animal

The zebra. I'm a horse person at heart, so they remind me of that, but I also love that they're herd animals, operating as one unit.

Sundowner of Choice

A glass of bubbly, if the sun hasn't quite gone down. There's nothing quite like watching the sky change colour with a cold glass in hand.

Favourite Property

&Beyond's Phinda Rock Lodge, because it makes you feel like one with the earth. Being active, I love that they offer guided nature walks and walking safaris.

Top Travel Tip

Always pack your essentials, like a change of underwear and a toothbrush, in your carry-on. My luggage was once lost for ten days on a trip, and I learned that lesson the hard way!

Best Part of My Job

It's piecing together someone's dream trip long before they can picture it themselves. I already know, because everything in our portfolio is exceptional, that it's going to blow them away. It's a bit like holding onto secret knowledge of what's coming. There's something special about that moment when it finally clicks for them, face to face or over the phone, and I get to watch that realisation land.