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Author Archive for Paul Campbell

Paul Campbell is a co-founder and Managing Director at Travel Butlers, specialists in tailor-made safari and beach holidays to Africa and the Indian Ocean. Paul’s love of independent travel was first cemented when he spent 9 months doing the classic back-packing route across Asia, Australia, and North America when he was 20 year old. Over the following 30 years or so he has returned to these destinations many times, and also travelled for extended periods in central in South America as well as making countless trips to destinations across Europe. His first trip to Africa was nearly 20 years ago, and he fell in love with the continent instantly. After a few more trips (including spending a month training to be a field guide in the Sabi Sands), Paul and his wife Tracey decided to leave their jobs in marketing to form Travel Butlers. Their aim was to provide a friendly, professional, and knowledgeable service to help visitors find the very best experiences in Africa. The company was formed in 2003, and initially focussed on just South Africa and Namibia. Over the years they have taken on more staff and expanded to cover a dozen countries in Africa and the Indian Ocean. They still travel regularly to Africa both to find new destinations and experiences to offer their clients, and to check-up on old favourites.

5 of the best luxury sleep-outs and treehouses in Africa

By Paul Campbell on Jun 18, 2020 in Accommodation, Africa, Botswana, Camping, Regions, Resorts, South Africa

From simple tented camps set around a fire to large luxury lodges with air conditioning and private plunge pools, there is a vast range of accommodation in Africa to suite every taste and budget. One of the most interesting developments over the last few years has been in increasing popularity of luxury sleep-outs and treehouses.

5 reasons to visit Botswana in 2021

By Paul Campbell on May 17, 2020 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Botswana, Regions, Speciality Travel

Botswana is one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, and with over a third of the country dedicated to conservation in the form of national parks and reserves it is one of the great wilderness areas of Africa. The country covers an area of almost 600,000 square kilometres – virtually the same size as France

A coast-to-coast guide to Mauritius

By Paul Campbell on Apr 18, 2020 in Africa, Mauritius, Regions

Mauritius has long been a favourite beach destination. Perfect for families and honeymooners alike. Popular with golfers and also outdoor enthusiasts, this tropical haven is alive with sun filled activities, warm water, excellent food and rich, warm, welcoming culture. Each side of the island offers its own appeal and many argue which is the best?

Wildebesst crossing the Mara River, Tanzania

6 of the best experiences in Africa for your travel bucket list

By Paul Campbell on Mar 14, 2020 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Rail Travel, Regions, South Africa, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Africa is one of the most fascinating continents in this world. For anyone dreaming of going for the first time or if you are thinking of planning your next visit, here are a few of our top suggestions to add onto your bucket list 1. Track The Big 5 in Kruger If you’re looking for

Celebrate love in South Africa's romantic winelands

By Paul Campbell on Feb 13, 2020 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, South Africa, Speciality Travel

The Cape Winelands area of South Africa is a wonderful place to visit for an intimate gourmet meal or romantic couple of nights away to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a wedding anniversary, or a special birthday. The mix of beautiful countryside, outstanding food and drink, and warm hospitality make this a firm favourite with both locals

Top 5 designer tented safari lodges

By Paul Campbell on Jan 14, 2020 in Accommodation, Africa, Botswana, Camping, Kenya, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

Luxury tented Lodges have certainly redefined safari experiences in recent years, offering the traveller optimal comfort and often extravagant luxury, while still feeling that sense of wild African adventure. There are a number of beautiful tented lodges that one can choose from when going on safari, however these five have really caught our eye for

5 of the best recent openings across Africa that you may have missed

By Paul Campbell on Dec 13, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Botswana, Camping, Kenya, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

Nothing stays still in the world of luxury travel to Africa, and it can be hard to keep up-to-date with all the new openings and refurbishments that happen on a weekly basis across the continent. From the southern coast of South Africa to the Masai Mara in Kenya, here is a selection of 5 of

6 of the best desert lodges in Namibia

By Paul Campbell on Nov 18, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Camping, Hotels, Namibia, Regions, Resorts

Namibia is still relatively unknown outside of the core of Africa enthusiasts who travel to the continent on a regular basis, however this vast and beautiful land offers dramatic scenery, traditional cultures, and world-class wildlife viewing that is a match for anything found in better known destinations. A particular highlight for visitors are the spectacular

Discover South Africa's amazing KwaZulu-Natal province

By Paul Campbell on Oct 09, 2019 in Africa, Regions, South Africa

Kruger, Cape Town and the Garden Route are undeniably the most popular destinations for first-time visitors to South Africa, however the more adventurous traveller will find many wonderful places to explore in other parts of this vast country. Top of the list of less-visited gems is KwaZulu-Natal. Whilst South Africans from Jo’burg have long escaped

6 outstanding eco-lodges in South Africa

By Paul Campbell on Sep 13, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Regions, Resorts, South Africa

As travellers we are all more aware than ever of our environmental impact and want to make choices that will help preserve and protect the places we visit. Safari lodges and nature camps are essentially very eco-friendly, and without them (and tourists they attract) far less land would be set aside for conservation and the

Carmine Bee-Eaters, South Luangwa, Time+Tide

Unforgettable walking safaris in Zambia

By Paul Campbell on Aug 20, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Featured, Regions, Speciality Travel, Zambia

Zambia is a spectacular wildlife destination for safari enthusiasts looking for something a little different from the usual schedule of morning and evening game drives offered across much of Southern Africa. Whilst camps and lodges elsewhere may offer guided walks as part of their safari experience, the lodges and Camps of the South Luangwa and

5 of the best ultra-luxurious lodges in Kruger

By Paul Campbell on Jul 12, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Regions, Resorts, South Africa

Everyone who goes on a safari will want to have the best possible wildlife experience, however when it comes to the type of lodge or camp that people are looking for we find that going on safari means different things to different people. Some will conjure up an image in their mind of a simple safari

Top 5 lesser-known activities around Cape Town

By Paul Campbell on Jun 23, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, South Africa, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

Cape Town is the most visited part of South Africa, and there is a well established set of outstanding attractions that are always high on the list of every visitor. But the city still has plenty to offer once you’ve taken the cable car up Table Mountain, seen the harbour and waterfront area, visited the

5 of the best places in Africa to see elephants

By Paul Campbell on May 14, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Regions, Speciality Travel, Zambia

Elephants are always near the top of the list of animals that everyone wants to see when they go on safari to Africa. The good news is that just about every national park and game reserve with a good mix of general game will offer excellent elephant sightings, however there are a few places that

Top 5 Zanzibar hotels to relax in after your safari

By Paul Campbell on Apr 12, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel, Tanzania

Kenya and Tanzania have long been favourites for those looking for a safari and beach holiday, with the vast plains of the Serengeti, Masai Mara and other reserves offering what many consider to be the ultimate safari experience. Wherever you go on your safari in East Africa, Zanzibar is the most popular choice for a

Top 5 funky hotels in Cape Town

By Paul Campbell on Mar 14, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Regions, South Africa

Cape Town is on the must-see list of many travellers. With its buzzy cosmopolitan culture, balmy Mediterranean climate, trendy neighbourhoods and a truly remarkable history, Cape Town is one of the world’s most enchanting cities. It’s a city that is very easy to fall in love with, and is frequently voted among the top 10 best