Travel Expert
Botswana 
Chad 
Democratic Republic of Congo 
Ethiopia 
Eritrea 
Gabon 
Kenya 
Madagascar 
Mauritius 
Mozambique 
Namibia 
Uganda 
Reunion Island 
Rwanda 
Saint Helena 
Sao Tome and Principe 
Seychelles 
South Africa 
Sudan 
Tanzania 
Zambia 
Zimbabwe Before joining Steppes Travel over 25 years ago, I spent a decade working as a ranger, guide and lodge manager across Southern and East Africa. It’s also deeply personal place for me: I got married in Africa, honeymooned in Africa and still return every year with my family – proof that my love for the continent runs far deeper than just professional experience.
I was born in South Africa and grew up travelling between continents, early experiences that sparked a lifelong curiosity. It’s that same curiosity that led me to spend my twenties immersed in the diversity of Africa: crocodile research, guide training and conservation management from the northern natal estuaries to the Serengeti plains and the endless dunes of the Kalahari. I’ve drawn on that time since joining Steppes Travel to help develop our programmes in Sudan, Chad, Eritrea and Ethiopia. My career has been shaped by adventure and connection, things I now build into every journey I plan.
This classic northern circuit in Tanzania offers variety, comfort and a slower pace, all with a private guide and vehicle throughout.
Start in Arusha, settling in at a peaceful country inn before heading into Tarangire National Park, known for its baobabs and large elephant herds. Spend two nights in a remote treetop camp, enjoying morning and afternoon game drives. Continue to Lake Manyara and explore the park, as well as nearby Mto wa Mbu village.
Then ascend to the Ngorongoro Highlands, visiting the Datoga and Hadzabe communities near Lake Eyasi. After a day in the Ngorongoro Crater, drive into the Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge, staying in two different camps to make the most of changing landscapes and wildlife. End at Lake Natron, watching flamingos dance on the soda flats and hiking to hidden waterfalls with local Maasai guides.
This itinerary reveals a side of Mozambique that few travellers ever see. From the rewilded heart of Gorongosa to the turquoise shallows of the Indian Ocean, it’s a journey grounded in conservation, community and curiosity.
Begin in Gorongosa National Park, staying at two remote camps whilst exploring its floodplains, wetlands and rainforests on foot, by vehicle and even by bike. Meet pangolin guardians, visit reforestation and girls’ empowerment projects, and walk through coffee farms on the slopes of Mount Gorongosa. There’s also time to relax and take it all in, whether that’s at a waterfall picnic or fireside sundowners beneath starry skies.
After a final game drive, fly to Vilanculos for a slower pace of island life. Base yourself in a beach villa with kayaks, paddleboards and sea-view terraces, with the chance to snorkel in search of endangered seahorses.
The kind of trip I dream about: two weeks sailing through the remote Outer Islands of the Seychelles. Travelling aboard a private catamaran, I’d drift from island to island. No rush, no crowds, just me and the open ocean.
I’d begin at Alphonse Island, cycling beneath coconut palms, diving coral reefs and snorkelling with my family along quiet lagoons. The island has just enough comfort to feel indulgent, but its true magic lies in its natural rhythms: turtle tracks on the sand at dawn, birds circling overhead, and the utter stillness of the sea flats.
From there, I’d sail on to Cosmoledo. I’d stay at the barefoot eco-camp on Wizard Island, waking each morning to the sound of frigatebirds and falling asleep under starlight. Days would be spent kayaking through mangroves, walking wild beaches, or simply soaking in the remoteness of it all. It’s the kind of place that resets your sense of time.
On a dusty morning April morning in 2006, a heavily armoured convoy of Toyota Land Cruisers, converged on N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. These war chariots of the Third World, were top heavy with truck-mounted rocket launchers and determined Nubian men, their faces covered with turbans. They billowed dust behind them as they sped towards the city.
With over 25 years here at Steppes Travel and a decade of experience in conservation, guiding and lodge management in Africa before that, Illona Cross knows what it takes to craft an exceptional safari. We sat down with her to discuss how safari planning has evolved, what makes a great travel consultant and her top tips for getting the most out of your journey.
Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.
Africa Team
The Africa team at Steppes Travel are considered to be the most experienced Africa experts in the travel industry. With more years of hands on African experience than they care to remember, they have run and managed safari lodges in East Africa, qualified as safari guides in Southern Africa, pioneered new expeditions in Central and West Africa and worked on conservation projects throughout the continent.
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