Tracy Davidson
Destination Specialist
Travel has been a lifelong passion for me.
At 17, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Kenya with my best friend. We explored breathtaking landscapes, from the iconic Masai Mara to the beautiful beaches of Mombasa. Every day was a new adventure—waking up to giraffes grazing nearby and sharing laughter-filled evenings with locals eager to practice their English. Time spent in local schools and villages gave me a deep appreciation for African culture and everyday life.
After finishing high school, I moved to Australia to save for more overseas adventures. Machu Picchu topped my travel wish list, and soon I found myself in South America. One of my favourite memories is hiking the Lares Trail and reaching the ancient city at sunrise, watching as the clouds slowly unveiled the majestic Andes in the backdrop.
The Amazon rainforest was another highlight, where I marvelled at incredible wildlife and stayed in eco-lodges. In Baños, I found myself canyoning down waterfalls and admiring the active Tungurahua volcano. Bolivia's vast salt flats, with endless skies merging with the white expanse, left a lasting impression.
My travels continued to the UK, where I lived for a couple of years. While there, I seized every opportunity to explore Europe, soaking in the unique history and culture of each destination. Overland travel from Egypt to Jordan, Syria, and Turkey introduced me to ancient wonders and unforgettable landscapes.
Another favourite journey was travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town. I stayed in private game lodges, experienced close encounters with wildlife, enjoyed evenings under starry skies with lions roaring in the distance, and wound down the stunning coastline, visiting wineries and sampling incredible cuisine along the way.
When it was time to return to Australia, I chose to travel back through Southeast Asia. My days were spent island-hopping on beautiful beaches, savouring local cuisine, and exploring bustling cities teeming with history and energy.
Now settled back in New Zealand, I carry countless memories from these adventures and am always planning the next chapter of my travel journey.
Where I want to go next:
There are so many places I still want to explore! The Galapagos Islands are very high on my list, and I would also love to travel to Rwanda and Uganda to see the magnificent mountain gorillas.
Quick Questions with Tracy
Favourite place in Africa. You only get one.
Madagascar is completely different from anywhere else in Africa. Most people think safari first, but Madagascar is about wildlife you literally cannot see anywhere else — lemurs, chameleons, giant baobabs. It feels genuinely off the beaten track.
What surprises people once they're actually there?
How much it changes as you travel. Lush rainforest, then tsingy canyons, then beautiful beaches. People are also amazed at how close you can get to the wildlife, especially the lemurs — and how friendly and welcoming the locals are.
Take us to the first time you saw a lemur in the wild.
We were hiking through Amber Mountain National Park and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We spotted them high in the trees, moving effortlessly from branch to branch.
It was so peaceful. Just us in the forest, watching them in their natural habitat.
One of those moments where you stop, take it all in, and think: this is why I came to Madagascar.
One most memorable travel experience?
Kenya at seventeen, with my best friend. That's where my love for Africa began.
We spent a month there staying with her dad and his wife, who is Kenyan, so we got a completely different side of the country. We visited local schools and communities, donated school supplies, spent time at local hospitals learning about the healthcare system, and got to know people and their way of life.
We stayed in a remote part of the Maasai Mara at a research centre. Every morning we were up before sunrise, climbing into an old safari jeep to see what the day would bring. No two drives were the same, one day a family of elephants, the next lions hidden in the long grass, perfectly camouflaged, or a cheetah with her cubs.
At the end of each day we'd sit around the campfire talking about everything we'd seen, lions roaring somewhere in the distance, a sky full of stars above us.
What's the question you wish more clients asked before booking?
What's the best way to experience this destination — not just see it?
It's an easy trip to plan if you only want the highlights. But the moments people talk about afterwards are rarely the ones on the list — they're the guide who grew up in the area and tells you what you're actually looking at, the morning you leave the vehicle and walk instead, the night you stay somewhere small enough to hear the bush around you.
Those things don't happen by accident. They happen because someone built the trip that way.
Where do you send someone who's already done the classic safari?
For a second-time safari (or third, or even fourth!), Zambia is a great choice. It still feels wild and untouched, and it's not just about seeing the wildlife — it's how you experience it. The walking safaris are incredible: out on foot with an expert guide, noticing the small things you'd miss from a vehicle, properly connected to what's around you.
Which trip have you booked and thought, I want to be on that plane?
Honestly, the hardest question here. Every trip I book is one I'd love to be on.
One thing that always goes in your bag.
A power bank and a reusable water bottle.
What's still on your own Africa list?
So many. But Malawi is right up there.
It's authentic and underrated — the perfect mix of wildlife, scenery, adventure and genuine local experiences. It feels like a place where you can slow down and experience a really special side of Africa.
Read about Tracy's recent adventures: