Susan Pattison-Wait

+27 87 353 7873
[email protected]

I am one of the owners of Pembury Tours and set up the company in 1996 with my husband shortly after our return from a 6-year stay in the United Kingdom, during which time I worked in London and also did a Master’s Degree in Linguistics at Cambridge University.

My principal function at Pembury Tours is ensuring that we maintain a consistently high standard of work. This means I work very closely with my tour consultants as well as my administration staff. I do manage to spend about half my time tour consulting; however, something that I really enjoy! I love the challenge of compiling an itinerary for clients that meets all the criteria they have given me. My love of wildlife means that I especially enjoy working on safari itineraries, but I also like drawing up itineraries that include a “bit of everything” for first-time visitors – Cape Town, beaches, game viewing, African culture and historical insight. As a mother of young adults, I know the importance of looking for more adventurous activities that will keep them entertained and ensure a great family holiday. I am extremely well-travelled and particularly enjoy using my knowledge of travel to put together complex itineraries for discerning travellers.

My favourite safari is definitely the Okavango Delta in Botswana.  It truly is one of Africa’s last wildernesses.  And my favourite safari memory?  It has to be my first time on a mokoro dugout canoe.  The slow pace, the utter silence other than the gurgling of water under the canoe and the swish-splash of the guide’s pole, a giant Saddle-billed Stork taking off literally right over my head, the tiny brightly coloured Painted Reed Frog clinging to a papyrus reed, the fat carpenter bee collecting pollen from a water lily, the evocative call of the Fish Eagle, and then coming around a bend to see a family of elephants crossing the stream in front of me, with a tiny little calf being helped through the water by its mother and sisters.  It was magical.  And made me realise that slow and quiet is just as meaningful as fast and exciting.

I am so proud that Pembury Tours is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and even prouder of our consistent 5-star review status, something that makes us one of the top-rated tour operators in Africa.  I could not pick a better team!

Quick Enquiry?

Fill in the form below and our team will be happy to assist you

Contact Information

+27 41 581 7801
[email protected]