Meet our team
Lauren Barnard, Assistant Manager, Private Clients
Ker & Downey® Africa > About > Meet the Team > Lauren Barnard
Lauren joined the Ker & Downey® Africa B2C division as a Personal Travel Advisor with over 14 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Today she is an assistant manager looking after our private clients and her extensive knowledge makes her a valued asset to the team.
Born and Bred
Lauren was born on the east coast of South Africa in Durban and grew up in the Jacaranda City of Pretoria before calling Cape Town her forever home in 2012.
Highlight of Lauren’s time in the industry
Lauren’s 14 years in hospitality and tourism began with a hotelier internship for the Ritz Carlton in Florida, USA. After returning to South Africa, she worked with the esteemed Singita group before relocating to Cape Town where she became an accredited Western Cape Tour Guide. Her highlight in the industry was successfully starting and running her own private touring company together with her husband. “I have always known that working with people is my forte and customer service excellence has been ingrained in me from the offset,” says Lauren. “The opportunity to create memorable and life changing holidays for people with Ker & Downey® Africa is the perfect addition to my portfolio.”
Travel Expertise
Lauren has visited the pristine beaches of Mozambique, the mountains of Lesotho and the lush greenery of Swaziland. Her dream destinations are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Lauren’s favorite destination in Africa
South Africa is Lauren’s home and passion. She has experienced all 9 provinces and met people from all cultures in our beautiful rainbow nation. “I believe I have the best kept local secrets of places to visit and look forward to sharing that with our clients.”
Lauren’s Top 3 Recommended Safari Lodges & Hotels
Grootbos, Overberg, South Africa
Singita Sweni, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town, South Africa
Client Review
“
” Thank you again so much for all of your help in creating a trip of a lifetime!Lauren and the Ker-Downey team were absolutely incredible in helping us create a trip of a lifetime. Lauren planned a perfect trip that was personalized, well planned and organized. I was extremely impressed with her prompt communication and dedication to making this trip truly a special adventure. From the months leading up to our trip, to the days before our departure and to the final day of our itinerary, she was kind, committed and available.I would strongly recommend Lauren and the Ker & Downey Africa team to plan your next travel adventure! “
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