Aardvark Safaris co-founder Richard Smith has retired and current co-owner Alice Gully is assuming sole ownership of the independent safari operator.
Gully will remain at the helm of the company as managing director under the new ownership structure.
With Gully taking on ownership, Aardvark Safaris joins the ranks of female-owned travel companies, estimated to make up some 33% of all travel businesses.
The specialist reported a post-pandemic resurgence of interest in tours to Africa, with 2023 on track to be its best year yet.
Gully spearheaded the Open Africa Travel campaign in late 2020, speaking out against the Foreign Office’s post-lockdown blanket travel ban on Africa and highlighting the negative impact this would have both on local economies, which rely heavily on tourism, as well as poaching in the region.
Travel to Africa from the UK following the pandemic took longer to recover than from other inbound markets.
However, that is changing this year, with Aardvark’s numbers surpassing 2019 levels. About 45% of customers are repeat clients, with between 10%-15% visiting Africa annually or bi-annually.
Smith set up Aardvark Safaris in 1999 with co-founder John Spence, creating tailor-made safaris across Africa.
Gully joined in 2004, becoming co-owner and running the business with Smith supported by a team of 16 expert safari consultants.
The operator, in its 24th year in business, organises between 500 and 600 trips a year on average, and has run more 8,000 trips throughout its lifetime.
All the camps and lodges that Aardvark Safaris work with support conservation and community projects.
Smith said: “After almost a quarter of a century I am retiring and my business partner, Alice Gully will become sole owner of Aardvark Safaris.
“With Covid in the rear-view mirror and customer confidence returned, the company has the right team in place and supplier relationships to continue to plan great holidays for the discerning clients who value expert advice and superb customer support.
“After 24 years as a small part of a bigger team I can step away knowing that Aardvark Safaris is in very good hands.”
Gully added: “Throughout my almost 20 years at Aardvark Safaris, our focus has not changed – to help our guests discover the Africa that we know and love, while protecting African landscapes and way of life.
“Over the last two decades, travel and tourism has become vital to African economies, accounting for seven per cent of the continent’s GDP and contributing $169 billion to its economy in 2019.
“Our dedicated team have over 115 years of combined specialist experience and have helped thousands of people discover and enjoy the wonders of this incredible continent.
“I look forward to continuing our work – providing unmatched advice and knowledge, and the very best service for our clients.