Meet the team
Meet Riandi Appelgryn
Riandi’s childhood was punctuated by family visits to national parks during every school holiday, instilling in her a deep appreciation for the wonders of wildlife. Her father’s affinity for the vast expanses of the greater Kruger and her mother’s adoration for the majestic Drakensberg mountains ignited her passion for the natural world.
With a robust background in marketing, Riandi is the proud owner of BuildingBrands, where she thrives on nurturing client concepts from inception to market saturation. Possessing a sharp business acumen and a flair for creativity, she excels in identifying consumer behavior patterns and strategically leveraging them to foster brand growth and development.
Amidst her explorations in the greater Kruger region, Riandi discovered a newfound passion for amateur wildlife photography. She finds joy in imparting her knowledge of nature and conservation to her children, fostering an ethos of environmental stewardship.
It was during one of her excursions that Riandi realized the inherent connection between travel and conservation. This epiphany sparked her determination to intertwine these passions, believing that by doing so, we can leave a lasting legacy of preservation for future generations to cherish.
Meet Jackie
Jackie is our passionate operations manager and travel adviser as well as tour leader and photographer whose stunning wildlife images have made their way online. From her early days exploring Addo Elephant Park to capturing breathtaking moments in renowned reserves, her work reflects a deep love for wildlife and a commitment to conservation.
Jackie hails from the Eastern Cape, where childhood camping trips to Addo Elephant Park ignited her love for wildlife. After a 30-year career in finance, including 18 years as a mortgage consultant, her passion for photography blossomed during her first visit to Kruger National Park in 2015.
Jackie enjoys exploring various genres, from astrophotography to drone and wildlife photography. Over the past five years, her adventures have taken her to prestigious reserves like Sabi Sands and MalaMala, deepening her understanding of wildlife.
Her photography journey includes notable achievements such as commissioned work for the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Display Team and publications in Kruger Magazine. Jackie’s images have been recognized in competitions, including finalists in the Getaway Gallery Photo Competition and Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year.
A passionate advocate for conservation, Jackie’s favourite animal is the leopard, inspiring her commitment to preserving South Africa’s wildlife treasures.