The History of African Travel Gateway: Celebrating 30 Years of African Travel
By Jenny Radcliffe (co-founder of Wydah Tours/African Travel Gateway)
Together with a love for travel, a passion for our beautiful South Africa, and a serious case of itchy feet, Wydah Tours was born on 5 July 1993.
My husband, Johan Radcliffe, had just completed his Tourism Diploma at Wits Technikon, while I had recently graduated with a BA in Industrial Psychology from RAU (now the University of Johannesburg).
It was the dawn of democracy in South Africa, and we were both incredibly excited to play a small part in showcasing our country’s attractions to the world.
Our very first booking was arranged the old-fashioned way — by letter! Correspondence travelled back and forth between South Africa and the USA, taking several weeks before the booking was finally confirmed. We were absolutely thrilled when our first clients arrived to visit the Kgalagadi National Park.
They were members of a United Nations observer team monitoring the lead-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections. Back then, bookings were made via telex machines and facsimile transmissions. It all sounds rather prehistoric now, but at the time it felt remarkably modern.
That same year, we attended our first international travel show, the ITB in Berlin. With family living in Germany and a reasonable grasp of the language, I boarded a flight armed with a suitcase full of freshly printed brochures, newly designed business cards, and enough enthusiasm to power a small city.
We had developed a range of specialised golf tours and were convinced the world was waiting to buy them. This was long before online appointment systems existed. Every potential travel agent had to be researched individually and contacted by fax.
The response rate was, let’s just say, somewhat underwhelming. While the operators around me seemed to be conducting business at lightning speed, I spent much of the show feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.
Fortunately, one of the highlights of that trip was meeting a wonderful lady named Angeli Van den Kerkhof from Angeli Travel in the Netherlands. She became our very first international agent and, remarkably, we are still working together today — proof that some business relationships truly stand the test of time.
From there, there was no looking back.
Johan and I both worked as tour guides, leading travellers to some of South Africa’s most spectacular destinations, including the Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Johannesburg and Pretoria city tours, the Kgalagadi National Park, and countless other unforgettable places.
As the business grew, we employed our first tour consultant, Leeanne, who worked with us for several years before being headhunted by Flight Centre. A few years later, we became involved with Kimeera Guest House in Randburg, which served as both our business headquarters and an excellent operational base.
It was immensely rewarding to watch our small start-up gradually evolve into a well-oiled machine, designing memorable itineraries and providing outstanding service to our clients.
In 1996, Johan demonstrated the foresight that has served us so well over the years. Convinced that the internet would become the future of travel bookings, he purchased our first travel website from a developer. It was called African Travel Gateway.
A very good friend of ours, Howard Spencer-Wilson, became an integral part of the business in 1999. At the time, Howard was working at Honeyguide Tented Safari Camp in the Manyeleti Game Reserve.
While he thoroughly enjoyed life in the bush, he eventually decided it might be time for a career change — mainly because the giraffes were starting to look a little too familiar and, by his own account, somewhat attractive!
With Howard on board, our Cape Town branch was born, and he quickly took charge of operations on that side of the country. His infectious enthusiasm, sharp wit, and ability to connect with just about anyone made him a natural fit for the tourism industry.
Of course, life had a few surprises in store. Armed with his trademark sense of humour, Howard soon captured the heart of an equally witty and adventurous young lady named Derynne McHardy.
Love won that particular battle, and before long the two rode off into the sunset, eventually settling in Hoedspruit, where they still live today. Howard remains a key part of the business and continues to oversee the day-to-day operations and is Co-owner of African Travel Gateway with the same passion and dedication he brought to the company all those years ago.
Over the years, we have been incredibly fortunate to attract a team of exceptional people who have not only helped grow the business but have become part of the ATG family. They are, without question, the heartbeat of our company.
Lize Enderstein joined us in 2006 and has been a cornerstone of the team ever since. Based on a beautiful farm along the West Coast, she possesses a seemingly endless wealth of knowledge about South African destinations.
If there is a hidden gem, scenic route, or special place worth knowing about, chances are Lize has already been there and can tell you exactly where to find the best cup of coffee along the way.
Petru van Zyl also joined the travel family in 2006 and quickly established herself as a specialist in working with Dutch clients and groups. Her attention to detail, understanding of the market, and ability to create seamless travel experiences have made her an invaluable member of the team.
Several years later, Bianca and Debbie joined the ATG family, bringing with them their own unique strengths, expertise, and enthusiasm. Together they form part of an outstanding team of travel professionals who know their craft inside and out and consistently go the extra mile for our clients.
Looking back, one of the greatest rewards has not only been building a successful business but doing so alongside such a dedicated and talented group of people. They are the reason ATG continues to thrive, and we are enormously grateful to have them as part of the journey.
Thirty years is a remarkable milestone. It has been a journey filled with hard work, determination, long hours, occasional setbacks, plenty of sweat, and yes, a few tears along the way.
Yet if I were given the opportunity to relive the past three decades and choose a different path, I would choose exactly the same one.
A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to Johan, Howard, Lize, Petru, Bianca, and Debbie for your professionalism, dedication, and incredible contribution to the business over the years.
May there be many more years of turning your passion into practice and sharing the beauty, diversity, and magic of our magnificent continent, Africa, with travellers from around the world.
Yours truly
Jenny Radcliffe (co-founder of Wydah Tours/African Travel Gateway)
