Frances Woolgar
Frances Woolgar
SPECIALIST CONSULTANT
Frances travelled frequently to South Africa growing up, with a father from Zimbabwe and family based in Cape Town. Her earliest memory of being on safari is seeing a hyena in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – a park her father chose because eight-year-old Frances apparently had a fear of elephants! These days, elephants are her favourite thing to see on safari and nothing makes her happier than sitting at a waterhole, gin and tonic in hand, watching a herd stop by for a drink.
After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in English and Italian, Frances started at Safari Consultants – initially in administration, but soon moving into sales. She has since travelled extensively through Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius and the Seychelles during her time with us. Her personal favourite areas include Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the South Luangwa in Zambia. She enjoys a post-safari stay by the ocean and loves snorkelling – Lake Malawi and the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique have been particular highlights. She got married in 2023 and honeymooned in South Africa, enjoying the delights of Cape Town, the winelands and Hermanus before ending on safari – a perfect combination! She has also taken her family to Kenya for a wonderful trip they will never forget.
Frances is incredibly thorough in all aspects of her job and has a sharp eye for detail. She loves to work closely with her clients to craft the perfect trip.
Frances’s top 3 EXPERIENCES
Swimming with whale sharks from Mafia Island
I very much enjoy snorkelling so spending time on Mafia island was always going to be a great experience where you can find some of the best snorkelling and diving on the Tanzania coastline, but getting the opportunity to swim with a whale shark (on my birthday!) was another level. It was quite intimidating at first, jumping into the deep blue ocean, but catching the first glimpse of the whale shark so close was just amazing. Equipped with flippers and snorkels, we swam along side the whale shark for a good hour. Occasionally it would get deeper and we could only see a glimpse of its silhouette in the deep ocean and then it would come closer to the surface and we could marvel at its sheer size and the width of that mouth! It was an exhilarating ocean experience and one I will remember for a long time.
Mokoro with elephants on the Kanana concession in the Okavango Delta
On my first trip to Botswana, the flood waters had arrived in the Delta in full swing, and it was looking truly stunning. Everything was lush, green and sparkling and wildlife and birdlife was abundant all around. We spent a night on the Kanana Concession which in full flood has to be one of the most beautiful concessions in Botswana. As well as enjoying a beautiful sunset boat cruise, we had the most memorable mokoro the next morning, gliding noiselessly on a vast open flood plain, as a large bull elephant gently sploshed across the water ahead of us, grazing on the sweet grass. It really felt otherworldly, and it was a privilege to be there.
Walking with the Samburu guides at Sarara in Kenya
Sarara in Northern Kenya is a very special location. The landscape flanked by the Mathews Range is breathtaking, the lodges so warm and welcoming and the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is completely charming. However my personal highlight was getting to know the Samburu guides. It was such a fun and delightful experience. It was fascinating learning about their way of life compared to ours, how they grew up, their family structure, what they liked to eat. They were cheeky, fun, full of information and so impressive to look at.
Frances’s Favourite Places To Stay
Beagle Expeditions, Okavango Delta
A truly authentic old school safari experience in one of the most exclusive game viewing concessions in the Okavango Delta, with 30,000 hectares just for Beagle guests. Beagle offers simple accommodation, but with such slick personal service, the perfect little touches, delicious food and brilliant guiding. There are not many camps like this left as the industry moves towards favouring a more “luxury” product which makes Beagle even more special.
Saruni Samburu, Kalama Conservancy
I can’t get enough of good views and Saruni Samburu has one of the best. It truly takes your breath away with huge vistas stretching over the Samburu landscape. In addition there’s an incredible swimming pool with 360degree outlook. I also love the Samburu habitat with large herds of elephants gathering at the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and the beautiful doum palm trees dotting the horizon.
Chamilandu, South Luangwa National Park
This is a small perfectly formed camp with only 3 rooms in one of the most beautiful locations overlooking the Luangwa River. The thatched ‘treehouses’ have an open air feel so you feel close to nature with the bush all around you. Honestly I love all the Bushcamp Company camps in the South Luangwa, it is a beautiful part of the park, wild, quiet and unspoilt. I also have a soft spot for Chindeni and Bilimungwe, but Chamilandu comes out on top (just!).
