This trailblazing all-women overland crew in southern Africa is difficult stereotypes and redefining journey one breathtaking vista and heartwarming campfire story at a time.
Meet SueEllen Abrahams, higher referred to as Suki. After over a decade as an overland driver for Intrepid in southern Africa, one in all few within the area, she’s turn into a powerful advocate for ladies within the journey business. She has been championing the thought of an all-women overland crew for a while. Not too long ago, that dream got here true on a departure of Botswana Household Safari with Youngsters – a primary for Intrepid, too.
‘It’s an enormous achievement for me not simply to point out that feminine crew can do exactly nearly as good as male crew, however to point out that we will do it even higher,’ Suki says. ‘Nothing is simply too tough you probably have a group working collectively.’
The crew of three took a gaggle of 12 travellers, together with six teenagers, on the ten-day safari from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe by means of Chobe Nationwide Park and Okavango Delta in Botswana to Johannesburg in South Africa. Exploring this area is a should for nature and animal lovers. The Okavango Delta is world-renowned for wildlife, with 15,000 sq. kilometres of floodplains offering nourishment for elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes and extra. It’s additionally a habitat for over 450 hen species.
It looks like the beginning of one thing massive. The beginning of this business opening as much as extra ladies.
Within the driver’s seat, Suki navigated a custom-built overland truck whereas figuring out the most effective lookouts for wildlife recognizing and bought the group safely and comfortably from one vacation spot to the following. She was joined by Rene Carelse – at present Intrepid’s solely feminine overland journey chief – who was pushed by her love of nature and journey to observe this profession path. Lastly, chef Dimpho Lesufi took the reins of the camp kitchen and saved the group well-fed with BBQ, native stews and s’mores for dessert.
Travellers spent their days recognizing animals. Every night, everybody labored collectively to arrange camp, with the entire gang pitching in to construct tents and assist Dimpho put together dinner over an open flame, evaluating tales of the animals noticed earlier that day. Nights have been capped off round a campfire and stargazing beneath the magnificent sky.
Whereas everybody had their private safari spotlight, all of them agreed that what made the journey much more particular was being led by a crew of girls.
‘I’ll bear in mind this for all times,’ Anna, 15, wrote concerning the expertise.
‘I totally take pleasure in driving any probability I get,’ Suki says. ‘Once you develop up in such a various nation with animals at the doorstep and a few of the most breathtaking vistas on the planet, you can not [help] however discover extra.’
Guiding is historically a profession for males, however over the previous 20 years, the variety of ladies main journeys in Botswana has jumped from a half dozen or so in 2004 to about 80 in the present day. Rene has been guiding since 2017, beginning as a chef earlier than changing into a visit chief.
‘I beloved studying increasingly about wildlife, nature and African historical past and tradition,’ she says. ‘This has been an unimaginable journey for me and I wholeheartedly encourage extra ladies to pursue overlanding.’
‘It looks like the beginning of one thing massive,’ Dimpho provides. ‘The beginning of this business opening as much as extra ladies, and girls proving themselves worthy and capable of work within the business by themselves.’
Suki has been taking travellers by means of the nation for 11 years. A part of the non-public satisfaction for herself and the group is that they’re breaking stereotypes and altering perceptions of what ladies can do.
‘[Being] one in all [the few] feminine drivers that I do know of guiding and driving by means of Africa, it was very daunting at first. Particularly with the stigma that females ought to be at residence,’ she says. ‘Most males within the international locations I’ve travelled by means of didn’t take too kindly to me driving a truck.’
By way of greeting and smiling at male drivers when on the highway and connecting and chatting with locals at retailers and border crossings throughout stops on her excursions, she’s turn into a well-recognized – and welcome – face. ‘Each time you drive the identical route, it will get increasingly thrilling as a result of they give the impression of being out for you, and you can not wait to listen to their tales and outdated tales,’ she explains.
Guiding is historically a profession for males, however over the previous 20 years, the variety of ladies main journeys in Botswana has jumped from a half dozen or so in 2004 to about 80 in the present day.
There’s a particular reference to the group as properly. ‘Our pure intuition is to nurture and shield. Subsequently, security is our primary precedence, adopted by consolation and enjoyable,’ says Rene.
‘Most friends didn’t discover that they’re being guided by an all-female crew as we attempt to present them the very best expertise with nice teamwork. Those that do discover are typically in awe,’ Suki says.
When sharing their ideas concerning the expertise after the journey, many travellers spoke immediately about how particular it was to journey with this crew. ‘The crew have been all extraordinarily useful, humorous and type, which made this expertise even higher than I assumed potential,’ wrote 13-year-old Kai. Jason, one of many mother and father within the group, wrote, ‘It was a pleasure to run with the primary all-female crew in southern Africa!’
The sentiments are mutual as a result of leaders treasure their time with youthful travellers as properly. ‘It’s all the time the most effective feeling when children have an interest and keen to pay attention and study – particularly relating to the animals,’ says Suki. ‘Even higher whenever you sit subsequent to the campfire, they usually get excited yet again whenever you converse concerning the day’s exercise and share experiences.’
