Lucy Copson

Africa is my home - a land of diverse landscapes, rich cultures, vibrant cities and untouched wilderness. There’s something truly special here for everyone.

Specialist countries: Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Seychelles

Get in touch with Lucy: Book a video call here
Call directly on: +442034056667

Lucy is in South Africa and usually available:

SA time: 08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri .
See our office hours and locations.

More about Lucy...

My love for travel began in early childhood, growing up in Cape Town with a Dutch father and South African mother who both shared a passion for exploring. Family holidays sparked my curiosity about the world, leading me to pursue a diploma in Travel and Tourism after school.

My career in tourism has been wonderfully varied - from working at Groot Constantia Wine Estate and managing guest houses, to gaining international experience in the US.

Upon returning to South Africa in 1997, I joined a leading groups and incentives tour operator before moving with my MD in 1999 to help launch the first internet-based African travel company.

In 2005, my husband and I relocated to London with plans to work and travel through Europe. It was then that I joined Expert Africa, and my knowledge of Southern Africa truly deepened. I was soon sent to Botswana to explore the Okavango Delta, which led to numerous research trips through northern Botswana, including Chobe, the Kwando-Linyanti region, the Central Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

My travels then took me further afield - to Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, the Seychelles and Zambia, where I explored South and North Luangwa, Liuwa Plains, Lower Zambezi, Kafue and Livingstone. More recently, I’ve researched Zimbabwe, visiting Hwange, Mana Pools, Matusadona and Matobo National Parks - each offering something unique and fascinating.

Over 20+ years in travel, I’ve been privileged to experience some of Africa’s most incredible destinations. Yet, the sunny shores of Cape Town eventually called me home. Now, I operate a satellite office for Expert Africa from the seaside village of Kommetjie, enjoying the best of both worlds - living in Cape Town while staying closely connected to the UK and my passion for African travel.

Talk to Lucy now to arrange a holiday

Lucy's most recent Africa trips

Zimbabwe

May 24 8 nights

My June 2024 trip to Zimbabwe was fabulous! Taking in two new areas for me - exploring all the camps we feature in Matusadona National Park and Matobo Hills, and then popping in to see a few camps which I hadn't seen before in Hwange National Park. Some excellent guiding, great game viewing, walking, fishing and more...

I visited: Matobo National Park, Hwange National Park, Matusadona National Park

South Africa

Nov 23 1 nights

One of my favourite property's along the Cape's most beautiful Garden Route... Schoone Oordt Country House, in Swellendam. If I could stay for one week or more, I would! This visit was unfortunately just a short, one night stay, to break the drive from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape (as a section of the N2 freeway was closed due to recent flooding) but Schoone Oordt provided the most comfortable beds and friendly welcome. We will be back!

I visited: Swellendam

Zimbabwe

Jun 23 8 nights

Nine months after my first safari to Mana Pools, I got to return to Zim, to explore the diverse and expansive Hwange National Park. But before the start of my safari, I had a night in Victoria Falls – having come off the very convenient Cape Town / Vic Falls direct flight. For this safari I wanted to explore as many different parts of Hwange as possible – in just 10 short days. I started in the south-eastern corner of the park, then headed to the more central parts, before ending off in the more remote and rugged northern region. There was a lot of driving involved, with some very long and bumpy road transfers between the camps (most guests will fly!) but witnessing the change in landscapes made it all worth it!

I visited: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park

Lucy's previous Africa research

Country	Arrived	Length of stay	Areas visited
Zimbabwe	September 2022	10 nights	Mana Pools National Park
Zambia, Malawi, South Africa	November 2021	9 nights	Johannesburg, Lilongwe, Likoma Island, South Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park, Livingstone & Victoria Falls
South Africa	October 2020	1 nights	Winelands
Zambia, Zimbabwe	October 2019	5 nights	Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Liuwa Plain National Park, Victoria Falls
Botswana	March 2019	8 nights	Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Moremi Game Reserve
South Africa	December 2018	3 nights	De Hoop Nature Reserve
South Africa	November 2018	0 nights	Cape Town, Winelands, Namaqualand
South Africa	July 2018	8 nights	Tsitsikamma \| Garden Route National Park, Plettenberg Bay \| Garden Route, Wilderness \| Garden Route National Park, Knysna \| Garden Route
South Africa	October 2017	3 nights	Swellendam
South Africa	July 2017	5 nights	Addo Elephant National Park, Shamwari Game Reserve
Zambia	October 2016	7 nights	Lusaka area, South Luangwa National Park, North Luangwa National Park
Botswana	April 2016	7 nights	Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Botswana	November 2015	7 nights	Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Seychelles	April 2010	6 nights	North Island, Mahe Island, Fregate Island, Denis Island
Seychelles	October 2009	2 nights	Mahe Island, Praslin Island
Botswana, Zambia	May 2008	6 nights	Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Kalahari's Salt Pans
South Africa	December 2007	2 nights	Hermanus
Botswana	October 2007	11 nights	Moremi Game Reserve, Kwando-Linyanti area, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, North-west Kalahari & Panhandle, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Kalahari's Salt Pans
Zambia	May 2007	14 nights	Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park
Zambia	October 2006	12 nights	Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park
Botswana, Zambia	March 2006	13 nights	Kalahari's Salt Pans, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Moremi Game Reserve, Kwando-Linyanti area, Chobe National Park, Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Botswana	October 2005	12 nights	Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Kalahari's Salt Pans, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Kwando-Linyanti area, Moremi Game Reserve
Botswana, Zimbabwe	October 2004	3 nights	Kwando-Linyanti area, Victoria Falls
South Africa	June 2004	5 nights	Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay \| Garden Route, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Zambia

Contributor 5th edition 2012

As a Zambia specialist, my primary role for the 5th edition guide was to organise the research trip for one of our key contributors. With extensive knowledge of the camps we feature, I also played a significant part in updating several lodges.