Travel Experience and Advice from the Swagman Tours Staff
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Welcome to the Swagman Family! We want to ensure your African dream is made into a reality.
We have a variety of safaris to suit all budgets. Our Cape Town to Victoria Falls is approximately $90 per day which is fantastic value, including most meals. Our game lodge details are perfect for that quick getaway, especially if attending a conference or a meeting.
So who is Swagman?
Swagman Tours was formed in 1986 by Pat Mangan. Starting off with one vehicle and a desire to see the Birdsville races Pat took a group away. Steadily over the years word spread about Swagman's unique itineraries and unbeatable value.
For many years now Swagman has been successfully conducting camping safaris to every remote corner of this fascinating continent (Australia) using either small 4 wheel drive vehicles, 27 seat safari trucks for off the beaten track destinations and luxury safari coaches.
In an effort to offer clients new options overland tours in Southern Africa were introduced. Once again, steadily over the years Swagman Tours has been providing Australians and New Zealanders a vast array of touring options throughout Africa, covering all budgets. The focus remains on overlanding and finding products that are sure to thrill, excite and showcase the amazing continent of Africa.
Swagman Tours changed its logo a few years ago to reflect the company's core values - Experience, Discover, Explore. The feet represent the desire for our tours to have a light environmental and social impact whilst promoting the desire to go 'walkabout'.
PAT
Owner
If there is a place in outback Australia you want to go to but don't know how to get there- Pat's the man to ask. He has transversed Australia's countryside, as well as Africa, too many times to count! Self confessed as a "simple bushie", his love for the bush is unsurpassed.
"Outback Australia and the bushveld in Africa are probably the best scenery anywhere in the world - in my humble opinion!"
RUSSELL
International Product Manager
Russell has been involved in the travel industry for over 20 years. He has been with Swagman Tours since 2005 overseeing the African division.
" I just love Africa - there are so many different elements to it. I have an interest in photography so its a perfect place to try and get that good shot!"
RACHELLE
African Travel Planner
Rachelle first travelled to Africa in 2001. She has since lived and worked in Botswana, worked as an overland tour leader in East and Southern Africa and worked as a group leader on the Trans Mongolian Railway. This year her adventurous spirit has seen her complete the Kokoda Trek and set in motion the desire to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
"I love a bit of adventure and Africa always delivers!"
MICHELLE
African Travel Planner
Michelle has been involved in the travel industry for over 7 years. She has been with Swagman Tours since 2005 involved in managing reservations for Africa.
"Africa is my all time favourite travel destination. It has amazing diversity, incredible wildlife and the locals are just so friendly. I can't wait to go back!"
SOULA
African Travel Planner
Soula (pronouced as solar) has worked in the travel industry in the UK and a few years ago emigrated to Australia. She has been working for Swagman Tours since the start of 2006 focusing on African reservations and co ordinating the groups.
"The kids in Africa are so amazing -they're full of life and enthusiasm, even though they have very little!"
LYNDAL
Private Groups Coordinator
Lyndal has been in the travel industry for over 15 years and has been with Swagman Tours since 2004. Lyndal coordinates the travel for large private groups to various global locations such as Mexico, Cuba, Europe, Middle East and New Zealand. Lyndal has just headed off on maternity leave for baby number 3 and will be back early 2011.
" I really get a buzz and a great sense of satisfaction arranging these groups to all different parts of the world."
SHARON
Financial Controller
Sharon has been involved in office administration and bookkeeping for the past 20 years and been with Swagman Tours since April 2008.
