Head of Product & Experience

Vanessa Dean

A love of wildlife, wild places and cultural diversity has long been Vanessa’s motivation for traveling. Born in Zimbabwe, Vanessa's love for wildlife and the great outdoors began at a young age, with regular visits as a child to Hwange, Lake Kariba, and Victoria Falls. When she and her family moved to the KwaZulu-Natal coast in South Africa, Vanessa also developed a deep love for the ocean and marine life.

Vanessa knew from the start that she wanted to be involved in the travel industry, and upon finishing school she studied Tourism for 3 years. She initially entered the corporate travel sector and stayed for several years in South Africa. Vanessa then moved to the UK where she has enjoyed a career spanning over 25 years in several senior roles ranging from sales, operations, and product.

Mahlatini Destinations Explored

Botswana
Egypt
India
Kenya
Madagascar
Maldives
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
Tanzania
Seychelles
South Africa
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Zanzibar

Most Memorable Trip

I have had so many wonderful experiences from my travels to the African continent. The most memorable has to be spending time with a family of mountain gorillas in Uganda (a truly humbling experience), having a front-row seat to the Great Migration in Kenya (without a doubt the greatest show on earth), floating silently over the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon and a 5-night Okavango Expedition in Botswana which included a night fly camping on a remote island in the Okavango Delta... just magical!

Top of My Bucket List

Malawi is high on my list. It's very under the radar, even within Africa, which is part of the appeal. I’m particularly drawn to the balance it offers from spending time in Liwonde National Park, which has seen incredible conservation work in recent years, and then slowing everything right down on the shores of Lake Malawi, which is completely unspoiled. It hasn’t been overworked or over-curated, and I think that’s exactly why it stands out.

Favorite Safari Animal

"My favorite safari animal is the elephant. They are among the most intelligent creatures who we share this planet with. They have complex emotions, with deep family bonds and experience compassion and grief much like humans. I could watch the social interactions of these gentle giants for hours."

Sundowner of Choice

"A Mojito is always a refreshing choice after an afternoon game drive. I love it because it's packed with fresh ingredients. The perfect balance of sweetness and tartness comes from the combination of lime juice, sugar, rum and a generous amount of mint!"

Favorite Property

"Jack's Camp in the Makgadikgadi in Botswana. It is one of Africa's most iconic camps and is reminiscent of safari camps from the 1940s. Remote and exclusive, with an impressive choice of activities, including quad biking across the pans, horse riding, bushman walks, game drives and visits with the meerkats. A highlight is the afternoon tea."

Top Travel Tip

I always travel with a series of podcasts downloaded on my phone, it definitely helps the hours go by. Another top tip is to always travel with a spare set of clothes in your hand luggage, just in case there are any delays with your bags.

The Best Part of My Job

Africa is so diverse, from the landscapes and people to the culture and experiences. I love the variety, no two days are the same, and there is always something new to learn or discover.