About Us & Our Philosophy
We have been creating bespoke adventures worldwide since 2007. We are unique. Based in Maun, Botswana – the gateway to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife and wilderness destinations including the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and River and the Kalahari Desert. We are the only company in the world to offer both “Rides On The Wild Side” for horse-riders and “Adventures & Safaris” for all on an equal footing.
Our aim has always been to match our guests to destinations and trips beyond the imaginable. We’ve created itineraries in hugely differing locations upon request – each chosen to fulfill the particular aspirations of each guest. Whilst Botswana is home, we thrive on finding new and exciting destinations for our guests. All are very different but all have the same fundamental philosophy of creating an Experience of a Lifetime whilst supporting responsible conservation and community-conscious partners who care about every element of your travel experience. We promise you an incredible journey.
Owner, founder and creator of all itineraries, Dany Hancock, has worked within the safari and travel tourism industry for over 20 years. Originally from the UK, Dany worked and travelled worldwide in a range of fields: voluntary charity and children’s orphanage work in Kenya, on sheep and cattle stations in the Australian Outback, in a family run ski lodge in Winter Park, Colorado, on mobile safaris in Namibia. Her wanderlust has taken her from the north to the south of the African Continent, Australasia, South America, North America & Canada, Russia and most of Europe, the Indian Sub-Continent and much of Asia. In between her travels, she worked at Red Cross Headquarters in London and in a variety of different corporations and companies in the south of England. Wherever there are horses, she rides – learning that there are many different ways to care for and work with horses and equally as many different techniques in riding them! Similarly, how differently people live depending on the part of the world they inhabit and how true it is that Travel Teaches Tolerance.
Arriving in Botswana in 1998, Dany worked in the niche area of horseback safaris for 9 years, before starting her own travel company. Whilst developing her brands, Dany expanded into the more conventional area of safari tourism by consulting for companies who own and manage camps and lodges in Botswana’s prime wildlife and wilderness areas. Guests don’t ride in these locations but enjoy 4×4 game drives, bush walks and water activities as conditions allow.
Most recently, she has become a partner in Travel Adventures Botswana, the only owner-operated specialist 4×4 self-drive safari company in Botswana.
Commitment to working with local communities and to improve the situation of Botswana’s animal welfare are a priority. She applies her experience from completing The Coaching Academy’s Certificate in Personal Coaching in December 2016 to these initiatives making them fun, educational, memorable and interactive.
She personally oversees the creation of each itinerary and likes nothing more than to organize the next exciting destination you have in mind.
Many of our guests are 60 years and older. All are young at heart. Most of our guests travel with us more than once and to different locations. Most are referred by friends or family who have loved their time on safaris and holidays with us. We’ve organized itineraries for Families, Solo Travellers, Couples and Honeymooners as well as Groups of Friends and even taken our guests on safari and adventures with us!
Please note – the spirit of adventure doesn’t necessarily mean “roughing it” but a passion for the outdoors and the natural world is essential – as is a sense of humour. Appreciating that sometimes the unexpected can occur and knowing that sometimes those will be the highlights is helpful! In the event that something doesn’t go according to plan – for whatever the reason – you can be sure that you will receive assistance from us to get things back on track ASAP.