Nicki Malherbe Wray

A stint of work experience during her school days at The Vineyard Hotel sparked her career ambitions and her decision to study hotel management. Post-graduation, Nicki's first job was in Sales & Marketing for Bushman's Kloof, followed by eight years managing safari lodges and luxury hotels, before switching to tour operations.

Nicki still thanks her lucky stars that her career indulges her love of exploration travel, food and wine experiences and interacting with people from all corners of the globe.

My African destination specialisms

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Malawi
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Tanzania

MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

I have had so many incredible experiences from my life in the bush... highlights include the first time I saw wild dogs in the Madikwe; touching a pangolin in the Waterberg; being part of a buffalo capture and release; walking with a naturalist in Kenya; the lemurs in Madagascar; the mokoros and birdlife in Botswana; a New Year's Eve celebrated in the dunes of Namibia; the spray of the mighty Vic Falls...! Possibly the most memorable experience was being surrounded by a huge herd of elephant, whilst sitting on the steps of Gorah Elephant Camp, and having a young male elephant smell me with his trunk. He was literally a centimetre from my face... we looked into each other's eyes, both of us a little wary, but there was an overwhelming trust in that moment.

My travel wish-list

Whilst I've explored these destinations extensively in individual trips, I would love to do a multi-centre Southern African 'loop' combining South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.

Favourite Lodge

How do you choose one? Each of these has a special place in my heart for different reasons... Ellerman House, The Saxon, Singita Boulders, Bushmans Kloof and Grootbos.

Favourite Safari Animal

Elephant - a gentle giant that has so much personality and love for its family.

BEST #MAHLATINIMOMENT

Visiting the UK office to meet my northern hemisphere colleagues. It's so exciting to be part of a growing team and I'm looking forward to using my experience to realise ambitious company development plans.