LIVINGSTONE SAFARIS

CEO & Founder

Sussi Galley

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. 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. I love interacting with my clients and taking them on a journey of discovery with every Inspired Journey we plan together, with my aim to bring to others the pleasures of the safaris that I have been privileged to enjoy. I love receiving feedback from my clients once they have travelled – good or bad… there is always an opportunity to learn. One of my ‘insider-track’ tips for your travels in Africa is to always pack 10% less than you think you need, leaving room to buy an item or two at your destination. It is so lovely to return home with items of clothing you can wear. They are a reminder of your Inspired Journeys, Timeless Moments spent in Africa

Office Manager

Dale Euston-Brown

A Capetonian by birth and proudly South African, I have been in the hospitality industry for almost four decades, having started my career aged 15 in a caravan park! After graduating with a degree in Archaeology and Environmental Science from UCT, I cooked my way around the Highlands of Scotland and elsewhere in the UK.

Since my return from overseas, my working life has involved running two guesthouses in Cape Town, indulging my love of food in a family catering company, and several years as the PA to the Managing Director of Condé Nast South Africa.

More recently I felt the hospitality bug bite again and re-joined the tourism sector, this time using my organisational skills to manage the Livingstone Safaris Team. While my focus is on all things operational – which frees-up the Inspired Journey Experts to focus on their dream-weaving – my own travel has not taken a back seat. On weekends you’ll often find me off-the-beaten-track camping with my teenage daughter and husband in secluded 4×4 sites. And through Livingstone I’ve enjoyed some unforgettable luxury safaris – particularly Vic Falls and the Lower Zambezi Valley which have given me an inkling of the exquisite options available to our clients.

Product & Marketing Manager

Tarryn Tonoli

Driven by a profound love for nature, instilled during my childhood spent growing up close to the bush in Nelspruit, I kick-started my travel career with a business degree in tourism, then got my first taste of the enchanting world of safari lodges, working in the renowned Sabi Sands.

After nearly a decade climbing the hospitality ranks, I peaked as the Hospitality Manager at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, spending my time off exploring more of the continent with a rooftop tent, map and the African skies to navigate. Equipped with the vast knowledge of all the African countries I’d self-explored by 4×4, I decided to relocate to Cape Town to start a career in bespoke travel planning.

Amidst the whirlwind of professional growth, I have navigated the joys of motherhood, raising energetic twin girls alongside my equally adventurous husband, Marco. This combination of family commitment and professional ambition has fuelled a decade-long exploration of Africa, cultivating an exceptional understanding of luxury safari travel.

Now at the helm of Livingstone Safaris’ Product and Marketing, I integrate my hospitality and travel background with a profound knowledge of the African landscape. I delight in sharing my deep-seated love for the natural wonders of Africa with partners, agents and my team, to ensure the most special journeys are created for our clients.

I will never turn down the opportunity to see a sunrise or sunset, am a true Gemini and have the northern lights as my next bucket list item to tick off!

Sales Manager

Sam O’Neill

Having grown up on a farm in Zimbabwe, I have had the pleasure of living the ‘African life’ exploring Southern Africa from a young age. I have always had a passion for people and entertainment which led me to studying hospitality and event management in Switzerland. Whilst abroad my heart yearned for Africa so after graduating, I moved back to Zimbabwe. It wasn’t long after that, that I found myself moving to Cape Town where I started my travel career at Livingstone Safaris.

Whilst at Livingstone Safaris I have been incredibly fortunate to have been afforded so many amazing opportunities to discover the beauty of our continent from exploring the Mahale Mountains on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in search of the protected chimpanzees, to Rhino notching in the Marakele National Park, to gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park, to canoeing on the Mighty Zambezi River, to following Wild Dogs whilst on the hunt in the Okavango Delta, to viewing the great Tuskers in a hide in the shadow of the Chyulu Hills, to trying my hand at Deep Sea and Fly Fishing on the remote Island of Alphonse in the Seychelles, to a night under the stars whenever I get the chance and that’s just to name a few.

I love the challenge of putting together life changing trips for our clients, using the combined knowledge our team has built up over the years.

“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa for he has so much to look forward to” Richard Mullin

Inspired Journey Expert

Thana Nel

With my deeply rooted love for South Africa where I was raised, I have spent the last 25 years sharing my passion for Africa in a variety of different roles. After studying a National Diploma in Tourism, my first job was as a hostess on Intercape busses doing the Windhoek-Upington-Cape Town route.

After a back-packing break overseas with family and friends I returned to Cape Town to do a tour-guiding course where I also added passable Spanish to my expanding tourism skills. I then worked for Mila Safaris, followed by 13 years at ATG Jedek Travel.

Since joining the Livingstone Safaris Dream Team in 2016, I have utilised my years of tourism experience to design bespoke itineraries for all our clients’ travel aspirations and, over the years, I’ve travelled to many Southern African countries and experienced so much first-hand. Some stand-outs have been rhino notching at Marataba Conservation Camp, in depth travel across Namibia’s luxury camps, tiger fishing the Zambezi, helicopter flips over Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta, cultural interactions with the Masaai in Kenya and rural tribes in Tanzania…

I don’t shy away from hard work but am always up for adventure and fun. I thrive working with conservation and travel minded colleagues, love interacting with people and care deeply for the underprivileged. My personal tip for travellers to Africa is: allow the passing kindness of the Arican Nation, its wildlife and landscapes to leave a memorable and lasting affect on your life and the yearning to return again and again!

“Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them.  But a wise man respects them.” Miriam Makeba

Inspired Journey Expert

Juan Howard

My love for nature and Africa had its roots in family camping adventures to the gorgeous KwaZulu-Natal and Kruger parks. Our home was in Pietermaritzburg which is right on the doorstep of the picturesque Midlands and awe-inspiring Drakensberg Mountains.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in travel and tourism so I studied Hotel Management at the International Hotel School. This led to work opportunities in England, but the lure of African sunsets and the extraordinary call of the fish eagle proved just too strong.

Returning to South Africa, I worked for several years in top-end hotels, and six years ago joined the safari market. I could not be happier being part of the Livingstone Safari team. Not only can I use my hotelier experience to deliver the best service to clients, but through my extensive travels in the Sub-Saharan region I can deliver first-hand knowledge to tailor-make personal safari Itineraries.

I am a keen birder and also love scuba diving and self-drive 4×4 road trips. Being somewhat of a foodie, I’m constantly exploring new cultures and tastes. But there’s little to beat sitting at a fire with a gin & tonic at sunset. I cannot wait for you to experience it yourself!

Inspired Journey Expert

Teresa Lawler

Born in Johannesburg but raised in the more scenic surrounds of Cape Town, my journey in the hospitality industry unfolded in my early 20s. Starting out in catering, I worked in various boutique hotels in the Cape, before an exciting opportunity led me to Botswana. Embracing the remote lifestyle, I spent nearly three years in the bush.

My Botswana experiences – which included navigating the Okavango Delta in a small boat, and setting up bush camps on secluded islands – fuelled my passion for the travel industry, and has equipped me with valuable knowledge and insights to share with our guests.

Back in South Africa, my travel journey continued with a seven-year stint as a reservation consultant at Singita, during which time I had the privilege of visiting most of their incredible lodges. I joined Livingstone Safaris in 2023 and am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to explore magnificent properties and safari destinations in the short time I’ve been here. Through trade shows and surrounded by colleagues who share my enthusiasm for conservation and travel, I’ve gained valuable insights into the safari world.

Inspired Travel Planner

Melissa Prins

Born and raised in Cape Town, I graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BComm in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. I’m a creative, people-oriented individual, naturally drawn to roles allowing me to deliver innovative or experience-based services in a team environment.

My career began with back-of-house roles in various industries, including civil engineering and media. Transitioning to hospitality, I found my niche as an Event & Styling simplifier, where I turned conceptual ideas into fully managed events.

Driven by a desire to explore the world, in 2019 I ventured off to become a stewardess on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean French Rivera and had the opportunity to visit many European countries as well as cross the Atlantic to the USA and Caribbean Islands. My time as a Stewardess allowed me to hone my skills in high-stress environments, top-class service, team leadership and cultural diversity. After a brief stint in business development, I returned to the yachts, realising at 32 that I wanted a lifelong career in hospitality instead.

Now, as an Inspired Journey Planner at Livingstone Safaris, I bring passion, dedication and diligence to ensure timeless moments and inspired journeys for all our clients.

Inspired Financial Expert

Natalie Enfield

I matriculated from South Peninsula College in 1997 and immediately started working in a secretarial role for an online worldwide “Hole in One Club”.

Before joining Livingstone Safaris, I worked for a family printing company fulfilling many roles.

In April 2008, I embarked on what I thought would be a brief stint at Livingstone Safaris, expecting to stay for no more than three months.

Fast forward, and I am overjoyed to still be an integral part of the Livingstone Safaris Family. Guided by the remarkable entrepreneurship of Sussi Galley, I have transitioned into the role of an Inspired Financial Expert, utilising my analytical prowess daily.

The dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the safari industry continues to inspire and challenge me.

And I’ve had the added bonus of wonderful travel opportunities – exploring the Sabi Sands, the Kalahari and Zimbabwe, and making poignant memories with my 2 sons, Noah and Zach during an 8-night magical beach holiday in Mauritius to celebrate my 10-year milestone with Livingstone Safaris in 2019.

I love what I do in the thrilling travel industry, am grateful for the financial and travel experience I’ve gained here and will embrace what lies ahead in my ongoing journey with Livingstone Safaris.

Inspired Financial Expert

Paula Rolfe

Hailing originally from The Land of the Long White Cloud (New Zealand), I swapped Kiwi chills for Durban’s warmth at the tender age of five. After globetrotting for 10 years after school, I settled in the Mother City, embracing the chaos of parenting three lovable troublemakers, husband Sean, and two needy dogs.

I accidentally stumbled into the world of accounts two decades ago; the eternal student, I am proudly a few modules away from completing my BCom degree. In my universe, the ledger is a witty compass, navigating financial landscapes with humour as dry as Africa’s sun-drenched plains. Join me on a numerical safari where every digit spins a yarn, each budget unfolds an adventure, and the thrill of a safari is just a spreadsheet away.