Built on Experience. Shaped by Journey.
Outline Africa is a Southern Africa travel company founded by professional guide Riaan Botha and travel planner Yvonne van Zyl, creating privately designed journeys built on first-hand experience.
From safari and Cape Town to Botswana, Victoria Falls and the Indian Ocean, every journey is personally planned around the traveller.
Where It All Began
Meet Riaan and Yvonne
Outline Africa was founded by Riaan Botha and Yvonne van Zyl, brought together by a shared love of travel and a deep connection to Africa.
We met in 2023, and Yvonne moved from Pretoria to the Greater Kruger region, where we both worked at Thornybush Private Nature Reserve.
Surrounded by the bush and working closely with travellers from around the world, we began talking about the kind of travel company we would want to book with ourselves: personal, knowledgeable, flexible and genuinely connected to the places it recommends.
Riaan's professional guiding experience and Yvonne's background in planning and guest experience became the foundation for Outline Africa.
Co-Founder | Professional Guide & Safari Specialist
Riaan Botha
Riaan has spent more than 14 years guiding in Africa, with most of his career based in the Greater Kruger region, as well as experience in East Africa and the Kalahari.
He holds an FGASA Level 3 qualification and is an SKS Birding specialist — one of the highest specialist birding qualifications within the South African guiding industry.
Today, that experience plays an important role in every Outline Africa journey. From choosing between reserves and lodges to considering season, location, guiding quality and the finer details that can completely change a safari, Riaan brings a professional guide's perspective to the planning process.
For travellers who want an even more personal experience, Riaan can also accompany selected journeys as a private guide.
Co-founder | Travel Planning & Operations
Yvonne van Zyl
Yvonne oversees the planning and operational side of every Outline Africa journey.
Her focus is on the details that make travel feel effortless — itinerary flow, accommodation, flights, transfers, activities, communication and everything that happens between one experience and the next.
Having worked directly with international safari guests before co-founding Outline Africa, she understands both the excitement and uncertainty that can come with planning a journey to Africa.
From the first enquiry until guests return home, Yvonne remains closely involved in each trip.
Travellers Ourselves
Our perspective has also been shaped by travelling beyond Africa. Having explored destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, we've experienced travel from the guest's side too.
We understand how much the seemingly small things matter — thoughtful pacing, smooth logistics, good communication and knowing that someone is there when plans change.
We bring those lessons home to every journey we design in Southern Africa.
Through Riaan's Lens
Years spent behind the camera have shaped how Riaan observes wildlife — and how he guides guests who want to photograph it.
Real Guiding Experience
Built on years of working directly in Africa’s leading safari environments.
Personally Curated
Every destination, lodge, and experience is selected based on first-hand knowledge.
Detail-driven
From the overall flow to the smallest logistics, every element is considered.
Our Approach to Travel
We believe that exceptional travel is not about how much you see, but how you experience it.
That means taking time where it matters, choosing places for character and quality rather than simply reputation, and designing journeys that feel natural rather than rushed.
Sometimes the best decision we make for a client is adding something. Sometimes it's telling them to take something out.
What Our Guests Say
★★★★★
"The best experience ever - everything was perfect the organisation, hotel, food, trips so well organised we didn’t have to do a thing except enjoy ourselves. Outline Africa travel definitely recommend I would give 10 ⭐️ thank you for looking after us"