Welcome to Ratty's Rambles

The inspiration behind my new blog, RATTY’S RAMBLES,  stems from my early school days, Ratty being a nickname that I have never been able to shake off so I am embracing it full steam.  *Ramble… to walk for pleasure, with or without a definite route.

This is my story…

I was fortunate to have grown up in a passionate eco-tourism family in Southern Africa (my father being at the forefront of conservation and luxury private game lodge management) and I spent most of my school holidays in a private game reserve in a very special region of the African bush veld on the border of the Kruger National Park.  I soon grew to love the bush and never missed an opportunity for a game drive, during which I learnt a great deal about what makes Africa so special. 

Later, when I met my husband, David, at the University of Cape Town, and since our union, I have come to love Botswana where he grew up.  Over the years, we have taken our three sons regularly to Selebi Phikwe during their school holidays (David’s parents lived there for over 30 years) and our boys have been brought up playing in the surrounding koppies (small rocky hills), swimming in the Motloutse River and picnicking on its banks.   Other family highlights have included many family game reserve visits where our children have learnt everything there is to know about African wildlife directly from rangers and trackers.  Apart from numerous road trips around Southern Africa, we have also taken longer camping trips up to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Okavango Delta, Savuti, Linyanti and Victoria Falls, but a place special to all our hearts is the Chobe Game Reserve.   Sitting on the banks of the Chobe River, sipping a G&T and reading a book, the boys out on the water fishing with local fishermen – the world seems as it should be, a happier place.

Our family has been fortunate to experience the very best of Africa first-hand and been exposed to an authentic African traditional rituals and customs and knowledge of the bush from Africa’s charismatic people.  Having spent the last 20 years working as an African tour operator, I have further travelled and learnt a great deal more about every aspect of tourism.  So this is my story and the roots of my passion for this great continent - welcome to Ratty's Rambles.