Meet the Team:

Greatest Africa’s dedicated team is passionate about Southern Africa Travel, coming from various different backgrounds in the exciting world of African tourism. With decades of combined experience, our friendly and professional team is on-hand, with first hand advice and reams of knowledge, ready to guide you in the ideal holiday to Southern Africa.

Richard Hilton – Founding MD

Coming from a wine industry background, Richard entered the travel industry by default in the mid 2000’s when a wine industry colleague asked him to guide an exclusive private wine tour. Following this experience, requests rolled in, as well as  demand for hotel and safari lodge recommendations and bookings. Inevitably this evolved into a fully fledged specialist Southern African travel business offering discerning individuals a tailored experience second to none. The most important element to Richard’s pride in Greatest Africa, is knowing that every attention to detail has been addressed in offering each and every client our qualified services, and always going that extra mile.

Vanessa Walker – Senior Travel Consultant

Born in Zambia, Vanessa grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Johannesburg, South Africa. It was from childhood that she developed a deep love and sensitivity for the African bush, and as a result, safari became a lifelong passion.  Following her education in Cape Town, a career in banking and a marriage with two beautiful daughters, Vanessa was appointed Ground Handler, for ITC Luxury Travel (UK), based in their Cape Town office. In January 2012, Vanessa joined Greatest Africa as a Travel Consultant, throwing her knowledge and experience into planning and creating tailored itineraries for travelers wishing to discover a wealth of destinations in Southern Africa.

Lyndell Luyt – Travel Consultant

Born and raised in Johannesburg, Lyndell always had a keen eye for maps and travel. Upon finishing her studies in Travel and Tourism, she set off to travel the world for 3 years, using the U.K. as her base. Returning to married life in and raising a family in S.A., Lyndell has continued to explore Southern Africa as often as possible, and after many years of tourism consulting experience, she proudly tailors African itineraries with smooth and focused fashion. Lyndell’s adventurous spirit and unrelenting wanderlust have led her to many interesting places, but Africa will always be her home, and she looks forward to sharing a part of that with you. When not at her desk, she is logistics manager for 4 busy daughters!

Kirsty Coetzee – Portfolio Manager

Born in Cape Town, Kirsty grew up along the beautiful Southern Peninsula of South Africa. Creative with a keen eye for detail, Kirsty studied to pursue a trade in fashion, but soon learnt the “rag trade” was a fading industry in South Africa. With a love of wild Africa, she kicked off her career in Southern African tourism, which led to some unforgettable experiences! Passionate about making the world a better place, Kirsty spent the next 5 years organizing volunteering holiday experiences for international travelers, and moved on to launch her own eco-fashion range. Kirsty now divides her time between her sustainable fashion venture, and marketing, using her vast experience in Southern Africa travel.

Andrew Jacobs – Specialist Botanical Guide

Andrew Jacobs started his guiding career at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in January 1976, following in his father’s footsteps, who had also worked many decades at Kirstenbosch. Starting in the nursery, Andrew was promoted to Plant Recording Officer in 1979, moving onto the Information Office in 1983. In 2006, Andrew became certified with the Livingstone Tourism Academy, and is proud to be a registered Tour Guide. Enjoying a long history in Cape Flora, Andrew conducts tours in the world famous botanical gardens, and loves every moment. Whether an adult or a child, you will walk away from a fun and entertaining experience thanks to Andrew’s light-hearted manner, which brings these gardens to life!

Larry Gould – Golf Specialist Consultant & Guide

Frenchman by birth, Englishman by education and South African by choice, Larry (Lawrence) Gould (or ‘Frenchie’ as Ernie Els calls him), is one of those rare gems who’s travelled the world in hospitality and made golf his passion, the result of which, has been the publication of THE South Africa golf reference guide. Larry’s mission is to promote South Africa as one of the World’s leading golf destinations and his Cape Guide is now in its 15th edition. Having served on the board of Cape Town Tourism, he often travels locally and internationally as a guest speaker on his favourite subject, ‘How to keep your sense of humour when three putting the 18th green!’ Larry resides in Cape Town where his French background naturally allows him to indulge his love of food, wine and the people of South Africa. Larry lives with his golf and life partner, Peggy.

Luci Lynham – Cape Guide

Born and bred Capetonian, super bubbly and a lover of all people! Luci spent most of her young adult life working abroad (aged 18-29 in hospitality). After completing a full time Travel & Tourism Diploma in 2000 she worked as a Travel Agent for several years before working aboard the cruise ships of The Royal Caribbean (2002-2007). Countries, cultures and people are her passion, having traveled around the world in both directions for work and pleasure. She holds a Wine Certificate at the Cape Wine Academy and a Professional Guiding Certificate with the Cape Academy of Guiding Services. Nothing gives Luci greater pleasure than pp / night sharing her knowledge and experience to visitors who wish to enjoy the “fairest Cape of them all” (quote by Sir Francis Drake).