I started my career in drama and theatre management, which turned out to be the perfect boot camp for the travel industry, because orchestrating a flawless African safari is a lot like putting on a hit Broadway show (just with more elephants and fewer divas).

That foundation carried me into a career built on logistics, creativity, and precision: organising MICE programmes, coordinating a start‑up tour operating business, running shore excursions for several cruise lines, and ultimately serving as the travel coordinator for the most distinguished residents aboard The World, a private residential ship that circles the globe and essentially acting as a travel agent for some of the most unique, well‑travelled people on the planet, each with expectations shaped by a lifetime of extraordinary experiences.

From there, the world became both my workplace and my classroom. I’ve stood in Longyearbyen, the northernmost inhabited city on Earth, and sailed with The World into the Ross Sea, setting a world record as the furthest south any vessel has ever reached. I saw my first polar bear drifting across the ice in Greenland, my first gorilla in the misty forests of Rwanda, and flew over Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull soon after the volcano eruption. I’ve watched the penguin parade in Australia, explored the staggering beauty of Norway from top to tail, and reached Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, before heading into Antarctica itself. I’ve danced through Rio Carnival, listened to André Rieu play under the stars in Maastricht, felt the thunder of the Monaco Grand Prix, and watched wild bears at home in Alaska.

And then there’s Africa, the continent that shaped my heart and my craft. In Kenya, the open savannahs taught me how a landscape transforms a safari. In Tanzania, I realised the Great Migration isn’t a single dramatic river crossing, it’s a breathing, surging cycle. From my mobile tented camp in the southern Serengeti, the herds thundered past in their thousands, an exhilarating closeness that settled into my memory.

Zimbabwe grounded me with the humbling power of Victoria Falls and Botswana… Botswana was the Africa that stole my heart. Here, Big Five sightings felt less like luck and more like the natural rhythm of the day. Between the shifting land and water ecosystems, I felt wrapped in a wilderness that was both raw and deeply gentle, a place where the silence, the space, and the pulse of the Delta stayed with me long after I left.

I’ve travelled the world, but Africa remains the most magnetic place I’ve ever known. It didn’t just show me its beauty, it taught me how to design safaris that honour its complexity and soul. That’s when I realised travel isn’t defined by the destination alone; it’s defined by the feeling it creates. And Africa surpassed every expectation. It also reminded me that I’m not nearly as composed as I pretend to be when a lion strolls past the vehicle.

All of this sharpened my instincts, refined my standards, and taught me the value of doing things properly the first time. When you’ve travelled from the Arctic to Antarctica and everywhere in between, you learn quickly that precision isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation of exceptional travel. If this resonates with you, let us bring that same level of precision to your journey and design a safari that’s exceptional from the very first detail.

Today, I pour my global perspective into crafting unforgettable journeys for Beyond African Safari Lodges, a partnership that began (as all good ideas do) over a bottle of wine with friends Johan and Danelle. And while I may manage global adventures, the real boss is Bella, my tiny Maltese who rules the household with the confidence of a lioness.

They say “the devil is in the detail” and “life begins at forty.”

Well, I can assure you I’m not the devil (although I do have a wonderfully wicked sense of humour), and I’ve long since moved past forty—still firmly believing that the best chapters are always ahead.

What has never changed is my appreciation for detail, especially when it comes to numbers, patterns, and the finer points that make experiences exceptional.

My journey began studying Law at Stellenbosch University. Unfortunately, just weeks before my final exams, a flood destroyed all my study material. Despite several attempts, I was unable to complete my degree—a setback that ultimately redirected my path in a completely different direction.

While studying, I worked weekends and holidays for one of South Africa’s largest retail clothing groups. After hearing about my situation, the company offered me a permanent position. I quickly progressed to becoming the youngest store manager in the group, later specialising in turning around underperforming stores.

That experience proved invaluable when my then-girlfriend (now wife), Danelle, and I founded La Rochelle Wine & Gourmet Tours—a business that continues to flourish today.

In 2003, we expanded into broader travel planning with South African Travel Desk. As online booking platforms became the norm, we chose to focus on what we do best: curated wine, gourmet, and luxury travel experiences.

Fast forward to 2025, and together with our good friend Liezl Eksteen, we reimagined South African Travel Desk as Beyond African Safari Lodges.

Alongside our CEO, Mia, and CFO, Bella, I like to think of us as a musical quintet—not making music, but working in perfect harmony to turn dream African journeys into unforgettable realities.

CEO | Chief Entertainment Officer

I am Mia the Daschhund.

Life can get a little confusing… especially when there are apparently two Bellas in the system. So just to keep things crystal clear (and avoid any mix-ups involving identity, attention, or—most importantly—snack distribution), I’d like to formally introduce myself: I am Mia Bella Barnard and my pawrents are Johan and Danélle.

I’ve been here since day one, quietly shaping the standards of Beyond African Safari Lodges in the most important ways possible—mainly by ensuring maximum comfort, impeccable style, and a steady flow of daily admiration directed appropriately toward me.

Around here, I’m still known as The Princess, a title I take with the seriousness it deserves. My responsibilities include overseeing treat logistics, approving optimal cuddle scheduling, and ensuring my presence is properly acknowledged at all times—essential operations that keep everything running smoothly.

But it’s also important to recognise the bigger picture: my pawrents put in serious dedication and hard work behind the scenes at Beyond African Safari Lodges. Every detail, every standard, and every moment of guest experience is the result of their care, effort, and commitment to excellence. I simply make sure the “important quality control” (and moral support) is consistently upheld.

I also have very refined taste in fashion. My pawrents do their best to keep up with my expectations—regularly investing in bows, outfits, and anything that supports my already flawless aesthetic. It’s not easy being this stylish, but I understand my role and perform it with dignity.

And yes, I ALWAYS accompany my pawrents everywhere. Everywhere. No exceptions. Naturally, this means I travel in my own pram, which I consider both practical transport and a mobile throne from which I supervise all important affairs.

I do not “help” with planning. I audit. If a destination lacks treat access, lap space, or sufficient admiration from strangers, I immediately flag it for revision.

So now that you know I go everywhere with my pawrents, just understand this clearly: any invitation for them automatically includes me. It’s not a request, it’s a package deal—think of it as fine dining, but with extra cuteness and significantly better fashion sense.

In short: I lead Beyond African Safari Lodges with effortless charm, refined elegance, and a relentless devotion to excellence—ensuring every journey unfolds exactly as it should, ideally with perfectly timed refreshments and all attention gracefully directed where it belongs.

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