New Frontiers Tours
South Africa’s premier DMC/tour operator specializing in up-market, tailor-made arrangements in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and St. Helena Island. Specializing in both tailor-made FITs and group travel, the company prides itself on combining properties in memorable locations with extraordinary experiences, complemented by full on-the-ground support and their own bespoke touring brand, New Frontiers Escapes, in the Cape region.
South Africa
South Africa
SA is home and we love it. The sheer scope of the country means you could be sipping sundowners at a cool roof-top bar in trendy Cape Town, and a day later you’re surrounded by nothing but bush and sky, the silence broken by the roar of an apex predator.
Botswana
Botswana
The lushness of the Okavango Delta on one hand, and the arid desert landscape of the Kalahari on the other. Along with the incredible differentials in scenery, comes the distinctive animals which are adapted to their specific environments.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Smiles as bright and wide as the majestic sunsets, laughter which echoes the thunder of the Falls, and a song which harmonises with the sounds of the wild. Zimbabwe, a place with a soul as pure as the animals which inhabit the beautiful terrain.
Zambia
Zambia
Uncomplicated. Untamed. Unspoiled. Discover the simple beauty of Zambia, where the tradition of walking safaris is deeply entrenched. Strike out along secluded trails, the remote open spaces and uninhabited wilderness offer connection and peace.
Mozambique
Mozambique
Warm seas, sun-kissed beaches and big skies. Welcome to Mozambique, a laid-back paradise, where exotic flavours blend with the sound of the surf, and the outdoors beckons. It’s not a resort as such, it’s more a destination to soak up the sun, sea and pristine beauty of the region.
St. Helena
St. Helena
St Helena Island boasts unparalleled adventure, impeccable beauty and unrefined nature. With ancient wrecks, giant stairways, great forts, natural wonders and extraordinary walks, the world within this exclusive land fleck is a world apart from anywhere else.
Why New Frontiers Tours?
The New Frontiers team delights in working with tour operators, wholesalers and travel advisors in North America, and stands out thanks to our staff, our knowledge of the nuances of Southern African properties and regions, our comprehensive and white-labeled e-docs and, most importantly, the smooth and seamless service that all our clients receive not only on arrival but throughout their stay.
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Why New Frontiers Escapes?
The New Frontiers Escapes range of day tours in the Cape region are innovative and carefully researched and curated. Specially designed to take guests off the beaten-track and away from the crowds, the itineraries feature specific highlights and activities but have the flexibility to be crafted and tailored to guests’ individual preferences, be that history, nature, food, wine, adventure or cultural interactions.
Learn more about New Frontiers Escapes.
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Meet the New Frontiers Team
Faith Johnson – CEO
Having cut her teeth in the UK tour operating business for 5 years, working her way through the ranks from voucher creator to reservations consultant and finally to product, her true love, Faith headed back to sunnier climates and her hometown Durban in 2005. New Frontiers was only a year old and had only 5 dedicated staff when Faith knocked on Craig’s door having received a recommendation from a mutual colleague. She fondly recalls how Craig said that he’d have to wait a month to employ her, but if she was willing to wait, he’d take her along the following week to Cape Town to join the team on some site inspections. She never bothered with any other interviews. New Frontiers was without question the company she wanted to work for and has subsequently served in various capacities for nearly 20 years, taking over the role of CEO in 2023.
Helen began her career in Inbound Tourism in 1996 with Thompsons Tours, an exciting and growing sector of the industry at this time and often credited as being the forerunners of the market, as international travel to South Africa wasn’t a reality during the dark years of Apartheid. In 1999 Helen was appointed in the senior position of Reservations Manger for Europe and in 2004, after having her first child, took a more flexible roll as Training Manager. In 2011 she decided to take some time out to raise her 3 young children and, although longer than initially anticipated, she enjoyed 8 special years focusing on her family before returning to her work ‘family’ at New Frontiers Tours in August 2019. Interesting timing some may say! Helen is delighted to be back in the game, sharing her love and passion for selling this incredible corner of Africa as a holiday destination.
Pippa has recently joined the team to focus on the North American market. Pippa completed her National Diploma in Travel and Tourism and after working for SAA, she decided to focus on the outbound tourism sector. In 2004 she joined Thompsons Tours promoting the big wide world to the South African market. She travelled extensively, leading familiarization trips all over the world – from Russia to Aussie to Disney and everywhere in between. After having her two boys in quick succession, she decided that she would focus closer to home and in 2011 joined Beachcomber Tours as the regional manager selling the fabulous Beachcomber Resorts in Mauritius. After many happy years looking after the travel agents and travelling to Mauritius, Pippa has decided to move into the Inbound Sector and join the NFT family. Southern Africa has so much to offer and she’s found it fascinating being part of making client’s safari aspirations come true. Pippa is looking forward to building great relationships with her market and living the African Dream.
Megan began her career in travel over twenty years ago, assisting in the Contracts Department at a well known inbound tour operator. Quickly realising her passions lay not only with South Africa as a destination but also in the product and marketing fields, Megan then moved to the domestic division of the company becoming South Africa Product Manager. After working closely with a number of hotels, lodges and airlines, she left to spend over ten years with one of South Africa’s largest leading hotel groups, where she honed her marketing skills in the hospitality industry. Six years ago she decided to return back to her travel roots and was delighted to join New Frontiers Tours, initially as a Consultant in the UK Team, before joining the Sales and Product Team. Megan was since appointed as South Africa Product Manager and she has relished being able to discover and learn even more about what makes South Africa such a unique, varied and fascinating country to visit.
Sarah eagerly entered the travel and tourism industry at the age of 21 as a junior travel consultant at a small owner run company in Cape Town. After a few years she headed back to her hometown Durban and joined the New Frontiers family as a UK consultant. Sarah gained experience and knowledge over the years and found herself managing the UK department. Her passion for product was ignited on an Okavango Delta educational which was a 6-night whirlwind trip with 24 flights! Sarah was appointed New Frontiers’ Regional Product Manager in November 2020, Her goal is to ignite her passion into the New Frontiers team – she loves getting stuck into an itinerary build and making sure the right product is selected for a client.
Craig Smith was the Founder of New Frontiers Tours and served as its Managing Director for nearly 20 years. Travel has been part of his life ever since his childhood when TV Bulpin’s Discovering Southern Africa was the family bible. He graduated from Pietermaritzburg University with a degree in languages, and has been involved in the inbound industry for the last 20 years, first as a sales consultant and then sales manager at Thompsons South Africa, before starting New Frontiers in 2004. We feel privileged to have worked closely with him for so many years and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Travel Trade Resources
For trade-related information and resources for New Frontiers Tours and New Frontiers Escapes, please visit their comprehensive Agent Zone: www.az.newfrontierstours.com. Contact us for credentials if you’re not already registered.
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