- Details
Laurine is currently our only female Tour Leader on the Grand Adventurer trips in Africa. She is currently 40 years old and was born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. Laurine started overlanding in 2010 raising from a cook to a formidable tour leader in a few years. Her favorite countries are Namibia n landscapes and the desert merging with the Oceans, and definitely Tanzania in East Africa. Her favorite places on the GA trips is the Gorilla Trekking in East Africa, the Eastern Highlands and rhino trekking in Zimbabwe, Etosha in Namibia and the winelands of Cape Town. She also loves guiding in Africa because the culture is diverse and feels there are new things to learn all the time.
Lets get to know Laurine a bit more!
How long have you been driving with Oasis Overland?
1 year 8 months
What do you love most about being a guide for Oasis Overland?
Trips is not rushed, community interaction.
What is the most unique or unexpected moment you experienced while on the road?
A year ago we encountered floods in South Africa. Being in a spacious truck the adventures began when all 8 of us slept in the truck and no one complained. The truck being equiped with a tow steel rope in front we saved the day for other motorists who were stranded as the trees blocked the roads, we were pulling fallen trees off the road... I will never forget that.
What advice do you give to travelers for making the most out of their adventure?
Travellers must be willing to be taken out of their comfort zone. Meaning they must feel free interacting with locals. Some activities also offer such experiences, do something that you don't normally do at home. Let your guard down a bit.
What are some challenges you face as a guide, and how do you overcome them?
The challenges may vary, but recently I think it may be noticing how dynamics have change in travelling and people have become more sensitive in general. Being mindful on how we interact with the guest, as much as I am the guide give them space also to do what they want so it doesn't feel like I am over bearing or trying to control their holiday.
How do you keep travelers entertained and engaged during long drives?
During long drives normally people sleep in the morning. Mid morning everyone is awake so during briefing, point out things that people should be expecting to see. Make stops to stretch legs regularly it cuts the feeling of a long journey. Play games in the truck e.g card games sometimes music.
What lessons have you learned from your travels and interactions with diverse groups of people?
Everyday is a lesson. Respect people and you will in turn receive it back. How I interact with locals the group will follow and be respectful to them too.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of driving for Oasis Overland?
I love doing voluntary work in animal shelters or recently in hospices or attending first aid events under the Zimbabwe Red Cross.
What would you like travelers to take away from their experience with Oasis Overland?
The adventure that comes from places that we visit. Community interaction, the numerous game viewing that they go on and everytime they see what they came to see e.g cats or big 5. How our company supports and is involved in uplifting members of the community e.g the orphanage in Harare. The work that was done in Chimanimani during the after the cyclone. I usually take them to a local bar where they have an Oasis wall of fame.. names of guides and travellers are written on the wall.