Brad Roberts spent most of his career as a graphic designer for advertising agencies and corporates before taking on the role of Corporate Imaging for Rockjumper. Brad has accumulated a wealth of computer knowledge, and in addition to being involved with the visual aspects of Rockjumper’s marketing material, he also plays a key role in managing our IT. Conscientious and with an understated sense of humour, Brad is always willing to help out in any way he can!

Brittany was born in Durban, her love for wildlife and travel were discovered at a young age having spent school holidays game viewing, fishing and camping in various wilderness areas. After matriculating she studied Hospitality Management in Port Alfred where she also completed Advanced Wine Studies. Brittany is now based in Kwa-Zulu Natal and has a passionate and organized approach towards her role of SA Operations Consultant. In her free time Brittany can be found outdoors appreciating nature, or in the kitchen cooking up a storm. 

Candice Jack was born in Pietermaritzburg and has lived here most of her life. After completing her studies in Hotel Management, Candice moved to the United Kingdom to further her adventurous travel spirit. Having travelled widely, she returned home and has spent the last 10 years working as a travel consultant. Candice is based at our head office where she helps in the operations department.

Clayton Burne is the Operations Manager of Rockjumper Birding Tours. Raised in the city of Durban, he spent 5 years in the African bush working as a field guide before emigrating to the United Kingdom. After spending almost a decade in the private medical sector, Clayton decamped to South America and embarked on a year-long cycling and birding journey across the continent. Having no sooner reached the Caribbean coast, he flew back to South Africa to start work as a tour leader for Rockjumper. His time is now spent mostly behind a desk in the guise of Operations Manager, but he does still get into the field to lead the odd tour.

Crystal Brook has long nurtured a passion for nature and the outdoors. Crystal will be the first member of our team that you communicate with when booking a tour. You can be rest assured that she will handle your booking inquiry in a friendly and efficient manner. When she takes a break from making the tour of your dreams a reality, she will be found travelling and adding new destinations to her list. Antarctica, Madagascar, Uganda & Tanzania are ranked as her most memorable and favourite destinations.

Daniel Danckwerts has a PhD in Zoology and worked as a Tour Leader for Rockjumper for 5 years before assuming his role within the Tailor-made Tours Department. His first-hand guiding experience, paired with his extensive birding and travel knowledge are the perfect ingredients for helping you to design your dream tour.

Hayley grew up along the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal and began her working career abroad, working in Belgium and Denmark. Her return to South Africa placed her at a private game reserve in northern Zululand where she worked, started a family, and lived for nine years. Hayley and her family immigrated to East Africa in early 2022, where they spent 6 months living in the Masai Mara and a remote corner of the Serengeti before settling for the next leg of their journey, in the small town of Usa River, Tanzania, between the slopes of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro.

Karina was born and currently resides in the picturesque city of Quito, Ecuador. Upon completing her education, she earned a degree in Business Administration and has since accumulated over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry. Throughout her career, she has managed logistics and operations for tours to various destinations including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In her leisure time, Karina loves traveling with her family, particularly to the highlands of Ecuador. She is now a valued member of the Rockjumper team, serving as the Latin American Operations Consultant.

Keith Valentine is the Managing Director of Rockjumper Birding Tours. Before joining Rockjumper he completed a degree in Financial Management. While Keith still guides a few tours a year, the majority of his time is focused on the office and day to day running of the company.

Kelly Draper grew up in Pietermaritzburg and currently resides in the coastal city of Durban. After completing her degree in Dietetics, she practiced as a clinical dietitian at a large government hospital. After more than a decade in that environment, it was time for a change and to try something new. Her interests include gardening, health and a love for wine.

At the young age of eleven, Laverne was bitten by the travel bug on an international flight, when she decided with absolute certainty that she wanted to pursue a career as an air hostess. After finishing school in the small town of Ixopo where she grew up, Laverne went on to live in Dubai for 9 years, working for one of the world’s most prestigious air lines. Settling down to start a family has seen Laverne living back home in South Africa, where she gained a further 7 years of expert knowledge as a travel consultant before joining our Tailor-made tours department.

Lisa Darden, US Receptionist, has over 15 years of receptionist and hospitality experience. She lives in New York with her husband. She loves visiting Central Park which is emerging as an exciting location for birding. 

Lubeynah hails from Mauritius and is an ACCA Affiliate. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Financial Management and brings a passion for the tourism industry together with a full accounting skillset to our team. She is passionate about travelling and discovering countries and their gastronomies. She finds adventures in nature are a great way to rejuvenate herself.

Megan Taylor hails from Pietermaritzburg. Having spent a number of years at an accounting firm, Megan plays an important role in our busy financial department while also taking charge of the company’s HR. Introduced to birding by tour leader Clayton Burne, Megan now spends most of her free time chasing down lifers across southern Africa.

Niki Stuart is the Managing Director of Rockjumper Birding Ltd Mauritius. Niki has a degree in Financial Information Systems and is a qualified CIMA member (FCMA) and Charted Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Originally from Cape Town and Johannesburg, she now lives in Mauritius. Niki has a great love for wildlife, nature and strategic management accounting helping to drive the decisions critical to creating and sustaining organisational value.

Reece grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe, spending as much time as possible in nature. After leaving school he worked as a field guide in various game reserves, where he developed great passion for conservation, wildlife photography and filmmaking. Whilst spending time outdoors with experts in the industry he also discovered a great appreciation for birding, reptiles and insects. Reece is excited to be taking on a new adventure, where he will be putting his experience and expertise to good use, creating captivating content within our marketing department.

Sarah Dell was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg. Before joining Rockjumper, Sarah obtained an Honours Degree in Accounting, completed her articles, and then worked in Eskom’s Revenue Recovery department. Sarah has always had a passion for nature and the outdoors – be it plants, animals or birds and enjoys gardening, sewing, cooking and reading in her spare time. Sarah’s attention to detail has seen her involved in multiple roles at Rockjumper, including pre and post-tour support as well as tour invoicing, while also planning and executing our large and logistically complex ABA tours.

Sue Anderson was born and educated in Zimbabwe. Her love for travel began in Harare while working as a radio operator for an international airline. Sue crossed the border and moved to South Africa in 1981 where she worked at a private game reserve, before settling in for a rewarding career with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Birdlife South Africa furthering Sue’s love for conservation. Several years at the Oribi Gorge Hutted Camp on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast sparked her interest in birding, and in 2009 she joined Rockjumper. Sue now plays a critical role in our Operations department keeping on top of all our scheduled tour planning and logistics.

Innocentia Mkhize (known as Tia) was bitten by the travel bug during family holidays in her youth, her curiosity for all things travel grew to the point that she now describes her passion for making guests dreams come true as an obsession. Tia has spent a solid number of years gaining experience in the travel industry, including her own trips to India, Mauritius, France and Amsterdam, and has lived abroad in the UK as well as in the USA. Now based in South Africa with her fiancé and young daughter, Tia is very excited to embark on this new journey with the Rockjumper Team.

Wasseemah Pheerunggee was born and raised on the beautiful island of Mauritius where she graduated university with a BSc Honours Accounting and is currently pursuing her ACCA to become a qualified accountant. Wasseemah enjoys reading and baking during her free time.