Pierre Burden

Managing Director & Main Travel Specialist

I was raised on a farm in the remote northwest region of South Africa, in the beautiful Namaqualand. It was there that my passion for nature and travel first took root. After studying Cost and Management Accounting and spending a few years in roles outside of tourism, I unexpectedly found my true calling.

I had been invited to step in on a maternity cover contract as an accountant for a well-established South African travel company. It didn’t take long for the owner to notice my passion for travel, and I was soon helping out with designing holidays. In early 2002, I moved to the UK to join the London office. This marked the beginning of my collaboration with some of the UK’s top tour operators, all specialising in African travel. In 2009, I joined Imagine Africa (UK), and at the end of 2011, my family and I relocated back to South Africa, where we settled in Cape Town while I continued working with Imagine Africa until early 2020.

In 2016, whilst still working for Imagine Africa, I founded New African Safaris. What began as a passion project in my spare time has grown into a thriving business built on strong relationships, in-depth knowledge, and a genuine love for Africa.

Our goal has always been simple: to deliver exceptional, personalised service and unforgettable experiences at a fair and reasonable price.

Over the past 25 years, I have travelled extensively throughout Southern and East Africa, ensuring I remain up to date with the latest lodges, camps, and travel experiences on offer. First-hand experience is central to what we do, allowing us to craft carefully tailored itineraries that perfectly suit each of our clients.

Today, I remain based in Cape Town, where I live with my wife, our two daughters, and a lively assortment of pets. When I’m not designing bespoke African journeys, you’ll most often find me on the sidelines, enthusiastically supporting the girls at their sporting events.

Tania Burden

Finance Director & Jack of All Trades

My name is Tania Burden. I was brought up in Durban and studied Hotel and Tourism in Pretoria. As part of my practical experience, I worked as a night manager at Centurion Golf Suites for a period of 2 years.

After I completed my studies, I travelled to Taiwan, where I had the opportunity to work as a foreign teacher. This allowed me to travel the island and explore China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia. After my time in Asia, I relocated to the United Kingdom, where I worked and lived in London for 6 years. During this time, I worked at The Lensbury Hotel at Teddington Lock as a ‘front of house’ officer. Being in the UK allowed me to travel to Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and having easy access to Europe made it possible to travel through quite a few European countries.

Upon my permanent return to Cape Town, South Africa, I was in a fortunate position to accompany Pierre on some of his journeys to countries such as Namibia, Kenya, Zanzibar, Mozambique and Madagascar.

After working in the Finance Department for a large retailer for 12 years, I returned to the travel industry and am currently the Finance Director for New African Safaris. I also assist with the marketing and HR functions.

In my free time, I love to read, exercise, spend time in nature, and cheer on the girls at their sporting events.

Marichen Visser

Operations Manager & Pierre’s right-hand lady

I grew up on a small holding near Heidelberg, at the start of South Africa’s Garden Route, where wide open spaces and nature sparked my love for travel. After studying Tourism, I spent four years working as an overland guide travelling across southern Africa, gaining a deep appreciation not only for the landscapes but also for the people and cultures that make this region so special.

After time in the UK, I returned home and moved into the operations side of tourism. While it’s a different pace from guiding, it’s given me valuable insight into what it takes behind the scenes to make a safari seamless. At New African Safaris, I work closely with our suppliers and partners, coordinating bookings and ensuring every detail is in place to support unforgettable journeys.

I’m happily married and have two amazing girls. Life is full of adventure—both at work and at home.