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Africa & Beyond was formed in 2007 by husband and wife Richard Russell and Charlotte Howell. We are proud to be a completely independent, owner-run tour operator specialising in Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands and the Middle East.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Richard has 20 years' experience in tour operations to Africa and his father 40 years before him. The company has grown steadily since 2007, and now has a team of dedicated professionals in the UK – based in Manchester, York and in Cape Town, South Africa.

In the beginning the business was built on Richard's loyal direct clients, many of whom were actually his Father's clients prior to his retirement, and a handful of loyal independent travel agents. We still work with these fantastic loyal clients and independent travel agents, along with many new clients and travel agent partners. We hold these relationships as key to our company ethos – that a holiday should be a well-planned, enjoyable and personal experience that makes sure we make the most of your trip. This only comes through the personal, honest and friendly service that we offer.

 

OUR HOLIDAYS

We specialise in offering tailor-made holidays to East and Southern Africa. We also offer Madagascar, the Indian Ocean, Dubai and 'Arabia'. Whether an adventurous African safari or a relaxing holiday on the beach, we combine personal preferences and interests with our years of expertise to provide a truly memorable experience.

We pride ourselves on not only sending people to the more well-known parts of Africa, but also off-the beaten-track areas and supporting new emerging destinations like Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia, where we feel that tourism is a vital part of the country's development. Please browse through our website for ideas and information and then give us a call for a chat through the options with one of our team.

Our team have in depth specialist knowledge in the areas we offer, built up over years of experience travelling, living and working in the destinations. We work closely with operating partners in every location, enjoy preferred rates and often negotiate special offers that are unique to us. We always go that extra mile to ensure that all our clients get the very best value for money and are well looked after throughout their trip. Our ability to match the right guests to the right holiday means that many of our clients come back to us for amazing experiences time and time again.

Enquire Online or call our experts:
+44 (0)161 789 8838

Meet the Africa and Beyond Team

Richard Russell

Richard Russell

Managing Director

I first went on safari back in 1981 and was well and truly hooked; it did help that my Dad founded one of the first African specialist tour operators; and several subsequent trips followed. I was then lucky enough to embark on travels through East, Central and Southern Africa by various modes of transport in 1995/96. After working on mobile safaris in Botswana for a few months, I continued down to South Africa where I lived for a while and studied for and passed the FGASA level 2 guides licence. After several months of doing odd jobs and airport transfers, I decided to head back to the UK where I started to work for my Dad's company, then set up another specialist Africa department for a company in 2000, before finally "going it alone" in 2007. Since returning to the UK, I have been lucky enough to travel back to Africa usually twice a year, with one exceptional year including 5 trips!

Outside of work I still read anything "Africa" that I can lay my hands on. I enjoy cycling, love cryptic crosswords and wildlife documentaries, and watch most sports. Luckily, my wife Charlotte also has the Africa "bug" and safari is now an annual event!

Charlotte Howell

Charlotte Howell

Director

Since 1996, I have been lucky enough to travel extensively through Southern and East Africa visiting South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya and Zanzibar, as well as Dubai. Along with sharing Richard's passion for travel to Africa, I also share Richard's passion for Manchester City Football Club!

Sue Foster

Sue Foster

Operations Director

I’m have worked for Africa and Beyond since September 2011 and am now the Operations Director, overseeing all that goes on behind the scenes to make us the wonderful company that we are.

I have worked for various travel companies, in various roles for more years than I care to mention! I have travelled extensively around the world, focusing on Africa in recent years. This led to me living and working in Cape Town and Swaziland and meeting my now husband (of more years than I care to mention!), who proposed to me at the top of the highest sand dune in the world – Dune 45 in Namibia!

Although I work behind the scenes, my passion for Africa has not disappeared and I have shared my love of travel in general and Africa in particular, with my young family. Away from my spreadsheets, I enjoy playing netball in the local league, cooking and dreaming of the next holiday!

sue@africaandbeyond.co.uk

Jamie Taylor

Jamie Taylor

Sales Director

I have been in the travel industry for over 25 years, having started out as a messenger boy for South African Specialists S.A.R. Travel. During this time I gained invaluable experience in the various facets of Tour Operation and worked my way up to Senior Consultant level.

By this point, I was fascinated with Africa and left the UK to manage various safari lodges in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, before returning to the UK to work at Beachcomber Tours to manage their Africa department.

In 2009, I joined the Africa & Beyond team as Reservations Manager, and am now the Sales Director,  helping the company grow and supporting the Reservations team.

Aside from my passion for Africa, I really enjoy spending time in the countryside with my wife and two young children (bug hunting mostly!), and the occasional round of golf.

jamie@africaandbeyond.co.uk 

Jemma Storey

Jemma Storey

Jemma was an amazing part of our team, who was sadly taken from us all far too soon.  She fought the bravest battle against cancer and was a positive inspiration upon us all and we will never forget her.

Lala Salaam Jemma xxx

Katie Winn

Katie Winn

Agency Sales Manager

From a young age, I have always had a passion for travel and it was my dream to work in the travel industry. My dream became a reality in the year 2000 when I started working for the airlines as cabin crew which I enjoyed and I gained lots of worldly experience.

I started working for a well known Africa Tour Operator in 2001 and that was it, I fell in love with Africa. The scenery, the smells, the people, the amazing wildlife and much, much more. There is nothing more I love than sitting on a kopje watching the sunset listening to the sounds of the African bush.

Sixteen years later working for three well known Africa Tour Operators, I joined Africa & Beyond as Agency Sales Manager. Having worked in the industry for a long time I have gained a huge amount of experience and there is no other role I would rather do.

In my spare time I look after my two lovely children and we like to travel and go on family adventures. I enjoy cooking and reading recipes for the next delight I will concoct.

When I can, I spend time in the gym, which I enjoy when it's finished!

katiew@africaandbeyond.co.uk

Julie Gough

Julie Gough

Senior Reservations Consultant

Growing up  in South Africa and embarking on a career in the Airline industry allowed me to travel around Southern Africa, that’s where my real passion for Africa began.   After my return to the UK and leaving the Airline industry I started working for an African Tour Operator where I spend 12 years before joining the Africa & Beyond team.

I have been fortunate to take several trips to South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Mozambique, Kenya  and Tanzania.  Favourite so far? Namibia...

In my spare time it’s spin classes and yoga and I can normally be found on the sidelines of the Football pitch cheering on my teenage son.

julie@africaandbeyond.co.uk

Sandy Clements

Based in Somerset West, near Cape Town, I have been in the travel industry for over 20 years. My real passion is for travel and I do love booking holidays for people visiting South Africa. I enjoy exploring my own beautiful country but have also travelled abroad extensively. Together with my husband Zane, we now look after our guests in South Africa and are always a phone call away if needed. I love safaris, the outdoors and enjoy jogging and yoga.

Zane Clements

I'm a registered Tourist Guide for the Cape Town area, and along the Garden Route up until Port Elizabeth, which I have enjoyed doing for the past 12 years. I am often the first person you meet on arrival in Cape Town and will offer any assistance necessary. I absolutely love taking people around my beautiful city and surrounds, and sharing the knowledge I have built up over the years. I also enjoy birding, flora, fauna and all aspects of wildlife!

Molly Adshead

Molly Adshead

Molly is our IT and admin guru and is in charge of all things “back office”. So, when you receive your confirmation and travel information it will have been created by Molly. She also keeps us running smoothly in house dealing with IT issues and loading and managing important agency and client information. The profile picture was taken at the top of  Table Mountain when Molly had the good fortune to travel to Cape Town to train our team on our back office system. And she claims to this day it was all work and no play (don’t see your laptop in the picture Molly).

Thank you both for booking one of the best, relaxing holidays we have ever had. The Yu-lounge staff were fabulous both on arrival and departure. What a wonderful service. I am not sure we have ever departed a country in such a hassle free, chilled way. The Royal Palm, as always, is perfect in all they do and provide. Finally, the helicopter ride was the nicest way to finish off our holiday.(Mrs K, Mauritius Holiday)

Enquire Online or call our experts:
+44 (0)161 789 8838