Jess Craig recently joined the Iconic Africa sales team. Her love of the bush started when she was tiny, and she has been visiting the South African Lowveld since before she could walk. A career in hospitality in some of the finest lodges in Southern Africa have made her a true connoisseur of the guest experience, so when she handpicks a lodge for our clients, they can be sure it’s something pretty special.
Here are a few of her favourites…
Each of these 3 properties has a piece of my heart. Apart from being incredible in terms of the experiences they offer and their magnificent locations, they have all played a significant role in the journey and direction of my life.
Phinda Forest Lodge
It is here that I met the love of my life. While working as the Hospitality Manager at Phinda Forest Lodge, my husband walked into my life and it has been one of my greatest gifts. The Sand Forest will forever be the guardian of my greatest love story.
Dulini Moya
Dulini was the catalyst that sparked my career in hospitality. It was the first safari lodge I ever worked at, and it was certainly not the last. It led to 12 years of managing some of the most beautiful and unique camps throughout South Africa. I will be eternally grateful to Dulini Moya for igniting this passion in me.
Londolozi Founders Camp
On the afternoon of my 27th birthday, while working at Founders Camp, I was mistakenly left out in the wild. It was this extraordinary experience that enticed me to become a safari guide: one of the most rewarding decisions of my career.
My 3 bucket-list properties that I hope to visit some day:
For my unwavering love of elephants and Baobab Trees.
With my family – for endless horizons, aardvarks, ochre sand, star-studded skies and family togetherness
For untamed wilderness, desert elephants by moonlight and ancient geology…