Gemma D’Souza

Gemma D’Souza

I have been jetting off around the world for as long as I can remember. With family roots from India, Kenya, and Scotland, I’ve been raised with some incredibly special and diverse cultures. I have spent my professional career bringing ideas to life through imaginative content creation. Whether I am designing a luxury travel magazine (Unforgettable Travel Magazine – go check it out), a coffee table book tailored to Africa travel and stories, or a personalized safari itinerary, I will put my expertise, enthusiasm, and passion into every element of it. I love working in travel. I have been lucky enough to have had such contrasting experiences – from the hottest evenings camping under the African sky watching shooting stars, to the coldest nights spent in an exquisite hotel made entirely of ice in Sweden.

My Favourite Destination

It’s a close call between Cambodia and Zambia, but Africa wins it for me. Zambia offers one of the wildest and most authentic safari experience in all of Africa. In the South Luangwa, pioneers like Norman Carr and Robin Pope made Zambia famous for “the walking safari”. So much adrenaline ran through me as I trekked through the open savannahs with the local guides – passing elephant families, giraffes, hippos and large buffalo herds.

The Lower Zambezi is another park in Zambia and one of my favourites as it is so diverse in what it offers. I spent my days kayaking on the Zambezi channels (petrified of the hippo and crocodile underneath), tiger fishing on the river and watching leopard hunt on night game drives. Zambia also homes the mighty Victoria Falls, locally nicknamed “the smoke that thunders”.

Destinations I Specialise In

Gemma's Recommendations

Throughout my travels there are some experiences and memories which stand out. I would like to share these recommendations with you for some travel inspiration..

Favourite island

Benguerra Island off the coast of Mozambique! The island is simply breath-taking, with white sand beaches and azure blue waters. The island is still relatively hidden, and with only three lodges on the island itself, it maintains a very exlusive and private feel. For those looking for a wow-factor destintion after their safari, Mozambique’s Benguerra will not disappoint.
Favourite safari lodge

Jabali Ridge in Ruaha, southern Tanzania. Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ikuka escarpment and a baobab forest, the lodge is striking in its design and offers the upmost luxury. During my stay here, I saw the resident leopard drinking from the swimming pool at night, woke up to the sound of hyena laughing in the distance, and became obsessed with the infusion of famous Jabali cocktails that were on offer. To this day, I would say that my guide at Jabai Ridge, named Moinga, was the best safari guides I have ever had.
Favourite city

Cape Town! The city is so diverse and has something for everyone. There’s mountains to hike, seas to swim, trails to wak, beaches to lay on, bars to drink at, museums to explore, penguins to see, restaurants to be enjoyed, helicopter rides to fly in, and much more. For clients traveling to South Africa, Cape Town is always included in the itinerary, and rightly so.
Favourite experience

My travels are brought to life by people and experiences. I love to meet the local people, visit rural communities and schools, and support interesting projects and programmes. This isn’t for everyone. But, if like me, you are always looking for a deeper connection or purpose on your travels, then please get in touch. I have taught English in Cambodia, volunteered for a turtle conservation in Zanzibar, and worked with female empowerment projects in Kenya. Tourism is the heart of these localised projects – be it sustainability, education, health or conservation – and you can be part of that movement.