Richard Ruskin: Managing Director

Richard joined the travel industry in 1973, working for Ansett Airlines, whilst also completing his BST (Business Studies Tourism) Certificate (Now Associate Diploma). After working in domestic and then international sales, he was seconded to British Airways. He joined Four Corners Travel Service in 1977 as an International Consultant, taking over as Manager in 1983.

Richard developed an interest in Africa from a young age, after seeing a home movie of his Godparents' safari in the early 1960s, and first travelled to Africa in 1983. With over 20 years' traveling experience in Africa, he has come to know it as a second home. He has acquired unsurpassed local knowledge of the land, its native tribes and wildlife. In 1996, after buying out his partners, Richard started the expansion of the company with the commencement of its first separate division - African Travel Specialists.

Richard has an uncompromising belief in offering the best in travel, and has built up a team of staff that he regards as the best in the Industry. He is passionate about travel, even after 30 years in the Industry, in particular for Africa. He has travelled extensively throughout Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mauritius and the Middle East. As well as this he has traveled to the UK, Europe, USA, Mexico, Asia Pacific and around Australia.

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Sue Harms: Sales Manager

Sue Harms is our Sales Manager, with over 26 years experience in the Travel Industry. Sue first entered the industry as a domestic consultant with Burns Philip Travel in Melbourne, then, as one of her interests was snow skiing, she moved to ANZ Travel consulting in the International retail division for 3 years. She then moved to Allaround Travel as a Senior consultant, consulting during the week and escorting groups to the Australian ski fields on weekends, as well as teaching skiing. Sue then went into Commercial Travel with Elders IXL as a Senior Consultant, before accepting a position with Adventure World, as Sales Manager. Throughout Sue's 11 years with this company, she developed a further passion for exotic destinations, one of them being Africa.

Over her 15 years of travelling in Africa, Sue has explored Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. She has also travelled throughout Europe, South America, Alaska, Canada, USA, Ireland, UK, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Asia, South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. Her highlights include a trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda, and a canoe trip on the Zambezi River.

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Savio Pereira: Wholesale Manager

Savio was born and bred in Kenya, and even though Kenya will always be home, he is now settled in Australia. Savio has always had a passion for travel, moving to England to graduate with a BSC Economics from the University of London. For 12 years Savio worked for a ground operator in East Africa as an Administrative Manager, covering all aspects of the business including operations, sales and finance. He has attended numerous international travel exhibitions in the UK, Sweden and Dubai, and has also travelled extensively in France and Italy. He has travelled extensively in Africa to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Victoria Falls and Zanzibar.

He has also escorted safaris to Africa.

Savio likes to indulge his love of the outdoors by going on safari and driving his 4x4 in the bush. He also enjoys all sports, and plays tennis regularly. Savio is happily married with two children, who share his love of safaris.

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Martin Jellinek: Consultant

Martin's career started out on a very different path, studying Biological Science, majoring in Genetics and Zoology and attaining honors in Genetics and Archaeology. He began his career in the travel industry in 1999 as a consultant for Flight Centre, moving up to an assistant-manager position a year later.

After a 3 year career with Flight Centre, Martin picked up his life and moved it to Africa for the next 3 years. He started off training as a guide in the Timbavati region of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and ended up working for Wilderness Safaris for 2 years as a Camp Manager for a number of luxury safari lodges in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. Martin’s first trip to Africa was in 1999 and since then has extensively travelled Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Over the years his numerous other travels have also taken him to many countries in North and Central America, South-East Asia, The Pacific Islands, Europe and the Middle East.

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Ashleigh Harris: Consultant

Ashleigh grew up in Empangeni, South Africa (an hour north of Durban), and has relocated to Melbourne with her husband. Ashleigh moved to Cape Town for three years where she studied Travel and Tourism, obtaining her diploma and advanced diploma. She worked as a consultant at American Express, where she specialised in Corporate Travel. Ashleigh also spent a year in America, working, traveling and experiencing the "American Way". Upon her return to Africa she joined Harvey World Travel. Now settled in Australia, Ashleigh is sharing her African travel experiences and expertise with clients and travelers planning their own adventures. In addition to America, Ashleigh has also travelled to Zimbabwe, Nambia, Western Australia and within South Africa.

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Gemma Steel: Consultant

Gemma was born in the South of England, and studied religion and Indian languages at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. After university, Gemma went to teach English in China where she stayed for three years teaching and studying business Chinese.

On her return to the UK Gemma began work in a retail travel agency in London specialising in adventure travel.

Her first trip to Africa was to Kenya with her family when she was 16, she has since traveled to Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mauritius and Tanzania and successfully escorted a group to see the migration in Kenya and Tanzania this year.

A born traveller, Gemma has also travelled extensively in South East Asia, South America, Europe, and the US!

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Amanda Pasley: Consultant

Amanda Pasley was born in Zimbabwe and also lived in South Africa and spent 3 years in the UK. She studied travel and tourism after completing school and has worked in the travel industry for the past 23 years in various areas of travel – airlines, travel agencies and tour operators. She recently emigrated to Australia with her family. In her 23 years of experience she have travelled extensively to places like South Africa, Mozambique, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Singapore, London, Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland. She has vast knowledge and expertise on these areas and loves passing on her advice and recommendations to clients. Travel is her passion and her love for Africa and the wildlife keeps her sending people back there. Now settled in Australia, Amanda is sharing her African travel experiences and expertise with clients and travellers planning their own holidays to Africa.

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Kerrie Matthee: Financial Controller

Kerrie has years of experience working in small business with the last 10 years in the travel industry. The first contact Kerrie had with African Travel Specialists was as the external auditor for the company, later joining as a member of the team. This brings a strong level of financial accountability to the company, and ensures that accreditation with all statutory bodies is maintained. As Financial Controller, Kerrie’s role ensures that the company maintains client financial records as well as ensuring all suppliers are paid.

Having been born and brought up in South Africa, Kerrie has an extensive knowledge of travel in South Africa, with a particular love of wildlife and game parks. She has a passion for all things African and her knowledge and continued interest in South Africa is kept alive through various family members still living there. In addition, Kerrie has travelled to Fiji, USA, Singapore, Europe and the UK.

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Margaret Fernandez: Accountant

Margaret was born in India and from an early age had a passion for figures. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Travel and Tourism, she decided to pursue a career in the Travel Industry, rather than becoming a CPA. Margaret worked for 10 years in India where she met her husband, Owen, and in 1986 they both migrated to Australia. Margaret joined the company this year as accountant, bringing with her a wealth of airline and travel agency experience.

Margaret is passionate about travel and has travelled to West Coast USA, Europe, South East Asia and of course India. Her dream is to travel to Africa and the East Coast of America.

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Sue Ruskin: International Payments

Sue has had a wealth of experience, particularly in the medical field. Sue is a qualified Orthoptist, and after a successful career in that field spanning 20 years, she decided to change her career and pursue her love of travel. Sue has travelled extensively through Europe and Asia, and more recently to USA and Africa. She is responsible for all the overseas payments to our Operators worldwide.

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Paul Stanley : Promotions and Design Co-Ordinator

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