Sussi Galley - Managing Director
Having grown up in Sweden with a Swedish father and English mother, I didn’t have my first introduction to Africa until 1989 when I visited Zimbabwe. That was IT for me and after ten years running Livingstone Safaris in Zimbabwe, I moved to Cape Town in 2000.
I was genuinely bitten by the “Africa Bug” and want to share this experience with you. I am passionate about the African bush, the wild animals and, most important of all, about hospitality and people. My daily challenge is to perfect the art of preparing highly personalized travel plans. Each itinerary is an individual; a personal creation and a genuine expression of my own exploration of African travel and adventure. My modus operandi is to bring to others the pleasures of the safaris that I have been privileged to enjoy.
Part of my job is to travel extensively in Africa every year to check on old destinations and try new ones. As travel products never stand still for long, I understand the importance of being first to identify new travel trends that affect our clients’ safari experiences. There are too many amazing experiences to choose one specific highlight, but staying in a beautiful private villa in the bush in the Greater Kruger area with my husband and children, was a recent one!
Together with my like-minded, passionate and clever team, I invite you to come and share Africa with us!
Amy Edmonds -
Product Manager
After starting in the travel industry in 1999, I joined Livingstone Safaris in October 2004 because I loved the idea of working in a more relaxed, personal office environment. A couple of the highlights of working at Livingstone Safaris are our fantastic team dynamic and the fact that I am always learning and experiencing new things.
I am a naturally inquisitive person and that is one of my main reasons for loving the travel industry. I am passionate about my career; calling it a “job” really doesn’t make sense as mostly it does not feel like work at all! Keeping my finger on the pulse of all the fabulous places and people that make our client's dreams a reality is where I feel most alive. This “behind the scenes” work helps to ensure we are able to provide all our clients with the best holistic travel experience, from the very first point of contact. Client liaison is an important aspect of my day’s work and one that I relish.
My career has allowed me the privilege of visiting exotic and interesting places. My favorite destinations thus far are Namibia, Malawi, Zanzibar, Botswana and Mozambique. Being a ‘water-baby’ I adore destinations sporting sun, sand and sea…my best experience to date has been frolicking on the islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago off the Mozambique coast in July 2006.
My passion for travel is due to the deep sense of satisfaction I experience when I can help make someone’s dream holiday a reality.
Tara Beckett -
Travel Planner
I have always loved travel so I decided to study tourism after matriculating. I joined the exciting travel industry in 2005. I am an outgoing person who loves interacting with people accepting the challenges that arise in seeing to it that their holiday is a success! It gives me personal satisfaction to see a job well done.
Fortunately, I work for a boss that encourages all the above qualities and this is a true motivation to do better. Over and above all the personal rewards I experience in being able to follow my chosen career, I have the added benefit of being able to travel to the destinations of my dreams. Since joining Livingstone Safaris almost two years ago, I have been privileged enough to visit the Cape Winelands, The Eastern Cape, Sabi Sands Wildtuin and Madikwe Game Reserve. My favourite experience to date would be my stay at Savanna Lodge in the Sabi Sands whereI was lucky enough to view the big five on my very first game drive!
I am truly blessed being able to work in an environment that is highly professional and very rewarding. I continually strive to fulfill my professional requirements and as a result experience a great sense of achievement and job satisfaction.
Bronwyn Leo Symes – Travel Planner
I have dreamt of traveling the world for as long as I can remember. This is something that I feel I inherited from my mother and I have always been thankful for my amazing life and every experience that has brought me thus far. I went to college in the United States; whilst there I accidentally fell into hospitality in 1997; there and then I decided to take this gift handed to me and I ran with it.
After September 11 in 2001, I returned home for a moment but that travel bug started to bite and I decided to leave and work on a cruise liner. I met my husband there and about 3 years ago we decided to return to South Africa. After all of this, to say I have been “bitten” by the travel bug is an understatement!
Reaching a benchmark in hospitality, I was craving a change. This is what made my decision to make the leap to travel so easy. Marrying the two together was a natural progression. Looking forward, I feel will take me that much closer to my dreams. I love to travel, learn about new cultures, meet new people and experience things that make my five senses feel alive!
I joined Livingstone Safaris family in March 2008 and I am truly excited to travel, learn and be exposed to my vibrant country after such a long absence. I am thankful for the opportunity afforded to me, to now help create memorable and life changing experiences for others.
Let the adventure begin!
Karin Wernstrom - Travel Planner
Having traveled the world and seen over 40 countries, it was South Africa that really got me hooked. This was after a 3 month long overland trip by bus from Cape to Cairo. I have now lived in Cape Town for over 5 years with my South African boyfriend and my cute little cat Mtoti (meaning sweetness in Zulu). Needless to say, I’m here to stay!
After all my travels, I started working in the travel industry in 1997 in my home country, Sweden and did so for many years until I got an offer to join a South African company in Cape Town. I worked here for a year and a half before returning to Sweden. I soon found out my heart was left in South Africa!
A couple of years later I got an offer to return to South Africa and work in Cape Town again; this time for a Swedish company specializing in group and incentive travel. After almost 4 years, I felt I longed to work with private travelers and small luxury boutique hotels again. I was lucky to have the opportunity to join Livingstone Safaris in July 2008 to do just that!
My favourite destination, besides South Africa, would be Mocambique´s archipelago with its white beaches and crystal clear water. To see the mountain gorillas in Uganda is also one of my most treasured experiences.
Natalie Enfield - Accounts Administrator
I entered the travel industry when I joined Livingstone Safaris on a temporary assignment in April 2008. I was not expecting to stay for longer than 3 months but over a year later, I am thrilled to still be a part of the "Livsaf Family". I am privileged to have been given such a unique opportunity which has introduced me to host of new possibilities. My soul has awakened to the exciting world that is the travel industry; and it feels great!
Thanks to the encouragement from Sussi, an extremely successful entrepreneur, I have settled in to the role of Accounts Administration. This is where the analytical side of me is put to good use. With the guidance of my experienced, professional colleagues I am also given the opportunity to help with the planning of dream holidays. I feel this flexibility stimulates and challenges me, which is wonderful.
Since joining the team, I have been to places I never knew existed.
I am so grateful for these experiences and I look forward to growing with Livingstone Safaris and embracing all new encounters!