Get To Know Your Consultant – Q&A with Renee

Meet Renee Johnston

Meet our travel consultant, Renee, who has been in the travel industry for over 10 years. She’s stayed in the Okavango Delta, climbed the biggest sand dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia, fed elephants in Zambia and had a leopard attend a bush dinner with her in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve! Find out more about her in our Meet The Team section.

1. What do you love most about your job? Knowing that I played a major role in putting together my clients’ dream vacation in beautiful Africa. I am privileged to have travelled and experienced so much through Rhino Africa. I am now able to share my life’s experiences and knowledge with all of my guests, meeting their requirements and tailor making their trip. It’s a huge blessing in my life to be working for Rhino Africa as we are not only passionate in what we sell but we are a family! Just watch our video to see why it’s the best job ever!

2. What are the top 3 destinations you have visited in Africa? Southern and East Africa have so much to offer so it’s really hard to sum it all up in 3 destinations, but I would say Cape Town, my hometown would be on top of my list as it is beauty personified. Namibia for its tranquility, and Botswana as it has one of the world’s largest inland deltas.

3. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten on your travels? The local delicacy of Botswana – Mopane worms.

4. What is your most memorable safari moment? I have quite a few… I once spent 30 minutes on a game drive witnessing leopards mating in Londolozi. I got to drive behind 20 desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland, Namibia. Another time, I was enjoying drinks at Gondwana Game Reserve in the swimming pool one afternoon and had to jump out after the General Manager told us three lions were approaching the lodge and we had to return to the main area pronto!

5. What is the one thing you have to take with you on every trip? I always take a good camera along to capture the moments.

6. Where in the world do you still want to travel to? The Seychelles, the Great Migration in East Africa, Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda,  Himba Village at Serra Cafema in Namibia. Outside of Africa, I would love to visit Thailand, Australia and Ireland one day soon.

7. If you could go on a dream safari with anyone at all, who would it be and why? For years I have been fortunate enough to experience my travels through Rhino Africa, and having lost a sister, one realises how short life is, so my family would be my first choice.

8. What is your favourite (city/beach) hotel that you always recommend to clients travelling to Africa? Birkenhead House just outside of Hermanus – it has incredible views of the ocean. For some peace and tranquility in Cape Town, the intimate MannaBay is my absolute favourite.

9. What are your top 3 favourite safari lodges that you always recommend to clients travelling to Africa? Apart from Londolozi and Singita (I have to mention them!), Chitwa Chitwa, Lion Sands and Ulusaba Game Reserve!

10. Where is your favourite place to eat in Cape Town? Keeping it traditional, with Cape Malay cuisine and African cuisine I’d say the Gold Restaurant is a definite must. A typical evening at the Gold Restaurant includes half an hour of interactive drumming and live entertainment around the tables while you enjoy the vast variety of dishes served to you. My kids absolutely love it and the food is incredibly tasty!

Contact one of our travel experts today to start planning your ultimate African adventure!