A global travel business specialising in premium tailored safaris is headquartered right here in Hawke’s Bay.
Linda Calder admits that the current conflict in Iran, flight disruptions and economic impacts are giving her a mild case of PTSD. Only this time, she’s prepared.
“We learned so many valuable lessons from Covid,” begins the founder of Getaway Safari, headquartered in Hawke’s Bay but attracting clients from around the globe. “We know we can work through just about anything with our clients, even when it feels like the world is falling apart at the seams. We know that most of our travellers will carry on with their bookings, and we have fantastic relationships with our operators who will stop at nothing to make sure the experience is incredible, and incredibly safe.”
Linda is one of the country’s foremost safari specialists, having lived and worked in Africa with her husband Rowan for six years and since travelled in and out more than 35 times.
Africa is where the pair met – he was a safari guide and she was a hostess back when safaris were still mostly undertaken in Jeeps and clients slept under canvas. It was nothing to Linda to rustle up a four-course meal for eight guests over hot coals in the Okavango Delta. Only once, she shares, did a baboon run off with her entire paella pan and she had to chase him brandishing nothing more than a wooden spoon.
These days, Linda designs unforgettable custom safari experiences for clients that range from the rich and famous to the long-retired to farmers and their families. “I’d say around 40% of my clientele are from Hawke’s Bay, with the remainder spread across New Zealand and Australia, the UK, the United States and Canada,” she says.
And growth is strong. “I get a lot of repeat clients and the rest come from referrals. Last year was one of my best ever for enquiries. Africa is still very much perceived as safe, even when there are global conflicts – and it really is a wonderful place to be.”
Although she works closely with clients seeking only the most exclusive experiences, Linda says only about 10% of her customers want the ultra-luxury “brass baths and butler” tier. “Most, particularly those from Hawke’s Bay or other regional areas, prefer the mid-range experiences that still offer authentic bush encounters, getting up close to animals and really getting to know their guide and the people they are supporting.
“They’re also keen to explore travelling with operators who are genuinely concerned with sustainability and community.” That might mean comprehensive medical packages for local staff, operators that fund community water projects, compost food scraps, and use solar energy.
Botswana is Linda’s pick as Africa’s premier destination. “You just can’t beat it. I work closely with some of the best private concessions in Africa and many are in Botswana – enormous, 100,000 hectare enterprises that might only hold two or three incredible luxury lodges. You can pull up to a wildlife sighting and it’s just you, your guide and an elephant. You may never see another vehicle, hear another conversation or listen to 50 cameras clicking!”
Right now, there are exciting new countries on Linda’s horizon. She recently added wildlife tourism into India and Borneo to her offerings, though Africa will always be the primary focus. She’s also exploring emerging destinations including Angola and the Republic of Congo.
“I get such a kick out of matching people with the right safari. No two are the same and everyone has something different they want for their dream trip – whether that’s a particular country or a particular animal they want to see.”
Looking further ahead, you might one day travel on a Getaway Safari all the way from Hawke’s Bay into the Zambezi with Linda and Rowan at your service. “Yes, we would consider a return to Africa,” Linda says. “I’d love to live in the bush again, immerse myself, and bring Getaway guests to a lodge that is ours to run. Never say never.”
