Kirsten Jonker
Born and raised in South Africa, Kirsten is one of our most experienced safari specialists. She knows her specialist areas in depth and uses her years of on-the-ground safari industry experience and unrivalled knowledge of the entirety of Safari Africa to design exceptional trips for her travellers.
Kirsten’s Recent Travel Experience
Kirsten returns to South Africa every year to see her family; however, her most recent trip had her returning to Kenya, this time as a solo traveler. Here’s her guide on what you can expect when traveling by yourself on safari.
Other recent YZ trips have seen her return to South Africa’s Kruger and its private reserves, explore Mauritius again, take an extensive trip to Botswana for the second time, and visit Tanzania twice exploring the north, south, and then Zanzibar.
Kirsten’s Most Memorable Experience
“My most memorable safari was in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique – a remote and truly wild park that very few people ever get to visit. I can never convey the feeling of being the only guests in a park of this size – a park adored by safari enthusiasts! We were out on our afternoon game drive and it started to pour with rain so we found shelter under a large tree and waited for the rain to stop. Once the rain had stopped the sun came out and with it a porcupine and its baby came out from a bush to dry off in the sun. For me safari is all about magical moments like this. Safari is not all about the Big Five!”
Kirsten’s Bio
Kirsten was born and bred in Durban on South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal coast. After studying Travel and Tourism, Kirsten worked for a ground agent in South Africa, running the main safari accounts. In March 2010 Kirsten moved to the UK with her husband and was snapped up by one of the UK’s leading safari operators. After four years working as their head of Southern African operations, Kirsten joined us at Yellow Zebra.
Kirsten has extensive knowledge of South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Mauritius – all are destinations she knows inside out and are the areas she focuses on at Yellow Zebra. Her knowledge of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Seychelles, Kenya, and Tanzania is also extensive, having visited each country whilst working in the industry, and as a child growing up in Southern Africa.
Her experience working on the ground in Africa is invaluable as a sales consultant – very few specialists worldwide have this kind of experience. This in-depth knowledge of some of our main destinations makes her invaluable to Yellow Zebra and separates her from the vast majority of Southern Africa ‘experts’ out there. She is incredibly thorough with a real focus on the detail of her clients’ trips. The best safaris are all about the detail…!
Expert Destinations
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Tanzania
A classic safari destination home to big game, epic wildlife events, and iconic national parks.
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South Africa
Big Five safaris, lively cities, and dramatic coastlines. South Africa delivers exciting contrasts and variety.
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Botswana
From dusty salt pans to delta floods, Botswana is a celebration of pristine African wilderness.
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Kenya
The original birthplace of safari, where world-class wildlife experiences and beautiful beaches meet.
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Seychelles
A picturesque archipelago of white-sand beaches, rare wildlife, and exclusive private islands.
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Mauritius
The quintessential Indian Ocean island paradise getaway.
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Mozambique
A standout mix of remote, wild spaces and magnificent tropical beaches.
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Zambia
From walking in South Luangwa to Zambezi exploration, Zambia is as authentic as safari gets.
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Zimbabwe
Home to the legendary Victoria Falls and authentic safaris in remote, untouched wildlife reserves.
Kirsten’s Top Lodges
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Old Mondoro
From C$2,306 – C$3,024 ppThere really is something very special about this little place and it’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is. From the intimate atmosphere in camp, to the friendly staff, delicious food, incredible guiding, and wonderful location, it really is the gem…
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Londolozi Founders Camp
From C$3,162 – C$3,162 ppLondolozi Founders Camp is family owned and run. Its name honours everyone who has helped establish the Londolozi Reserve, from the area’s beginnings in 1926 until the present day. The camp has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor!…
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Little Vumbura
From C$2,472 – C$4,059 ppLocated within the Vumbura Concession, on an idyllically remote private island, Wilderness Little Vumbura is a delightful little camp in an area that attracts a diverse spectacle of wildlife. Nestled within 148,000 acres of pristine wilderness, the ancient…
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Selinda Explorers Camp
From C$2,099 – C$2,969 ppSelinda Explorers Camp is a wonderful expedition-style camp with an enchanting location on the banks of the Selinda Spillway as it flows into the Linyanti river. Small, intimate, and exclusive, this is an ideal choice for anyone seeking a combination of…
