Skip to main content

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020 🎄

What a fantastic year it has been! 

Thank you all to make my job a real dream. 



To wrap up 2019, I thought that I would share some fun facts with you:

Countries that I have been lucky to create itineraries for clients? 
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Senegal, Cape Verde, Madagascar and Ethiopia. 

The most popular countries? 
Kenya comes in the 1st position closely followed by Zimbabwe and Botswana as a multi country destination in 2nd position and South Africa in 3rd position. 

The most common type of traveller? 
Families by over 50%! Couples and solo travellers were quite frequent too.

How I am helping as a personal travel agent? 
Just over 2/3 of you weren’t sure where to go when we first spoke or changed destination based on our discussion. It has been a real pleasure guiding you to the most suitable destination based on your expectations, budget and time of travel. 
There have been a few instances where you needed to contact me while away and we were able to answer and/or fix your questions to ensure that your holiday continued smoothly. This always makes me feel nervous but I drop everything I do to help and I completely trust my suppliers who have never let you (or me!) down.

My highlight?
I particularly loved that almost all of you have shared your adventures in real time with me via WhatsApp or Instagram, with dream sightings or truly unforgettable moments  and places, which has made me feel quite emotional at times. The community of travellers and Africa lovers is growing and witnessing the beauty that nature and wildlife have to offer naturally makes us care more and want to protect it for future generations to come. This is what it’s all about…

My favourite African countries?
Always a hard question to answer. As a whole Zambia and Zimbabwe have stolen my heart primarily for their unparalleled beauty - you simply cannot top this up! - but also their people. I am yet to discover the more central part of Botswana, which I know will add to this list. The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya have blown me away with some of the most frequent and exciting sightings to date, and Namibia is in its own league for its complete unique experience and landscapes.

Where have I travelled this year?
I have been very fortunate to travel a lot again this year, visiting Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa as well as the Asian continent to Borneo and Sumatra for my wildlife conservation charity projects. In between, I have been to a few little European breaks and nature escapes, which is my way of feeling connected to my family, friends and nature. 

On this note, I will be going to the Forest of Dean UK/Wales trying to spot and photograph wild boars, foxes, deers and birds in a little wooden cabin. But I am always around if you need me. In particular:

  • If you are currently travelling on a holiday booked with me, you can of course contact me if you need any assistance: geraldine@morellitravel.co.uk or don’t hesitate to use WhatsApp.
  • If you are willing to confirm a booking with me, I can also help with a day notice to make sure I am ready to complete the booking process. 
  • If you would like to request a new quote, you can email me now and we will start discussing as early as the 3rd January 2020.

A few reminders too:
You can sign up to my monthly Newsletter, which always contains news, offers and blogpost. 
If you’d love to have a piece of Africa with you, I have created an ‘Africa corner’ on my charity’s online shop where all the profit of purchases goes to the projects Wild&free supports.
If you want to see my best wildlife sightings throughout my various safaris in Africa for inspiration, check my Instagram's personal account. 


I think this is everything from me and all I now wish is for you to have a wonderful Christmas and New Year 2020! 




Geraldine x

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My 'Why': The African Bug

There is something undeniably unique about a safari holiday in Africa. It is a destination that will surprise you, as it will leave you with hundreds of indelible memories, no matter how many times you go. Just ask anyone you know who has been on an African safari - they’ll tell you that it was amaaaaazing and they’ll never forget it! I went on my first safari in 2003, in Kenya. It was planned at the last minute as an add-on activity to my relaxing beach holiday in Mombassa. Nowadays it has become my obsession, and there is no better place I’d rather be than in the African bush. My first experience of African wildlife was in Tsavo West National Park, and I still vividly remember the red dust on the road, the magnificent open skies, the postcard perfect sunsets and, of course, every wildlife encounter! Especially the cheetahs roaming around in the evening near the camp I stayed at, or the baboons constantly eyeing my breakfast while a cheeky yellow billed hornbill stole my toast. O...
2 comments
Read more

African wildlife photography: Interview with Karina Robin

I met Karina through a mutual Instagram friend a few years ago and our common passion for Africa and its wildlife, in addition to her kindness and humour, made it bloomed into a very special friendship. In addition to her love for Africa, Karina is a very talented wildlife photographer who also gets involved in many wildlife conservation projects.   Where and when was your first African safari?  I went on my first safari in 2007 for our honeymoon. We went to Kenya, visiting Samburu National Reserve and the Masai Mara. We opted to just see a limited number of parks, but rather stay several days in each so that we could fully appreciate the nature and special points of interest of each park. Wild animals are roaming free in many other countries, what makes African wildlife so special for you and makes you come back?   That's difficult to explain as it is rather emotive. I have been to safaris in India and it was just not the same. Africa has a special vibe that makes you c...
Post a Comment
Read more

This was their first time, they will never forget

I recently came across a post on Instagram from a wildlife photographer who lives in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, about a lion she recently captured. She wrote that he was the most beautiful lion she had ever seen.   This made me think and indeed realised how many times I have told myself ‘this is the first time…’ while on safari and despite the hundredth game drives I have done.  I thought that it would be wonderful to hear more stories from people's first times on safaris, no matter how often they have been. Because the truth is, we never forget.  Reading the stories of the 5 people below, including two young children, all of whom are clients of mine, gave me goose bumps, tears in my eyes and a huge wave of emotions mixed with terrible melancholy as I miss Africa.  I hope you enjoy those accounts and if you too would like to tell your story, let me know as I would be delighted to write more blog about 'First times on safari'. Happy readin...
Post a Comment
Read more