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Lucy Copson

Lucy Copson

Senior Africa Specialist

Destination Manager: Seychelles

Africa – it's my home, and offers something unique for everyone; from diverse landscapes and culture, to vibrant cities and the unspoilt wilderness.

Lucy Copson
Specialist countries
Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Seychelles

Lucy is in South Africa and usually available:
SA time: 08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri .
See our office hours and locations.

More about Lucy...
It was in my early childhood that my love for travelling really began. I grew up in Cape Town, with a Dutch father and South African mum who both loved to explore and get away for family holidays.

After school I studied a years diploma in Travel and Tourism, before beginning my varied career in tourism. I worked at Groot Constantia Wine Estate, and then managed some guest houses, before spending time in the US. When I returned in 1997, I started working for a leading groups and incentives tour operator, before moving with my MD who started the first internet-based African travel company in 1999.

In 2005 my husband and I relocated to London with a plan to work and travel through Europe. I joined Expert Africa and it was here that my knowledge for Southern Africa really began to grow. It wasn’t long until I was sent to Botswana to explore the Okavango Delta. This lead to numerous trips through northern Botswana visiting camps in Chobe, the Kwando-Linyanti, Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

I then moved on to research Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, Seychelles and Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, North Luangwa, Liuwa Plain, Lower Zambezi National Park, Kafue and Livingstone.

My most recent trips have been to Zimbabwe, exploring Hwange National Park and Mana Pools. Two very different areas, but both equally as fascinating.

I’ve been privileged throughout my 25-years in travel to experience some incredible destinations, but the sunny shores of Cape Town enticed me back home. I operate a satellite office for Expert Africa in the seaside village of Kommetjie, and feel I have the best of both worlds - living in Cape Town, and still connected, daily, to the UK.


Lucy's most recent Africa trips


South Africa

South Africa

Nov 23 1 nights

One of my absolute favourite properties along the Cape's most beautiful Garden Route... Schoone Oordt Country House, in Swellendam. If I could stay for one week or more, I would! This visit was unfortunately just a short, one night stay, to break the drive from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape (as a section of the N2 freeway was closed due to recent flooding) but Schoone Oordt provided the most comfortable beds and friendly welcome. We will be back!

I visited
Swellendam
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Jun 23 8 nights

Nine months after my first safari to Mana Pools, I got to return to Zim, to explore the diverse and expansive Hwange National Park. But before the start of my safari, I had a night in Victoria Falls – having come off the very convenient Cape Town / Vic Falls direct flight. For this safari I wanted to explore as many different parts of Hwange as possible – in just 10 short days. I started in the south-eastern corner of the park, then headed to the more central parts, before ending off in the more remote and rugged northern region. There was a lot of driving involved, with some very long and bumpy road transfers between the camps (most guests will fly!) but witnessing the change in landscapes made it all worth it!

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Sep 22 10 nights

After all my years in the travel industry, I had yet to go on a big game safari in Zimbabwe – other than the Zambezi National Park of course. For this trip I got to focus on Mana Pools, and a few of the private concessions beside it - and what a treat it was!

Lucy's previous Africa research


Country Arrived Length of stay Areas visited
Zambia, Malawi, South Africa November 2021 9 nights Johannesburg, Lilongwe, Likoma Island, South Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park, Livingstone & Victoria Falls
South Africa October 2020 1 nights Winelands
Zambia, Zimbabwe October 2019 5 nights Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Liuwa Plain National Park, Victoria Falls
Botswana March 2019 8 nights Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Moremi Game Reserve
South Africa December 2018 3 nights De Hoop Nature Reserve
South Africa November 2018 0 nights Cape Town, Winelands, Namaqualand
South Africa July 2018 8 nights Tsitsikamma | Garden Route National Park, Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route, Wilderness | Garden Route National Park, Knysna | Garden Route
South Africa October 2017 3 nights Swellendam
South Africa July 2017 5 nights Addo Elephant National Park, Shamwari Game Reserve
Zambia October 2016 7 nights Lusaka area, South Luangwa National Park, North Luangwa National Park
Botswana April 2016 7 nights Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Botswana November 2015 7 nights Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Seychelles April 2010 6 nights North Island, Mahe Island, Fregate Island, Denis Island
Seychelles October 2009 2 nights Mahe Island, Praslin Island
Botswana, Zambia May 2008 6 nights Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Kalahari's Salt Pans
South Africa December 2007 2 nights Hermanus
Botswana October 2007 11 nights Moremi Game Reserve, Kwando-Linyanti area, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, North-west Kalahari & Panhandle, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Kalahari's Salt Pans
Zambia May 2007 14 nights Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park
Zambia October 2006 13 nights Kafue National Park, Lusaka area, South Luangwa National Park
Botswana, Zambia March 2006 13 nights Kalahari's Salt Pans, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Moremi Game Reserve, Kwando-Linyanti area, Chobe National Park, Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Botswana October 2005 12 nights Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Kalahari's Salt Pans, Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Kwando-Linyanti area, Moremi Game Reserve
Botswana, Zimbabwe October 2004 3 nights Kwando-Linyanti area, Victoria Falls
South Africa June 2004 5 nights Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Zambia

Zambia

Contributor 5th edition 2012

As a Zambia specialist, my primary role for the 5th edition guide was to organise the research trip for one of our key contributors. With extensive knowledge of the camps we feature, I also played a significant part in updating several lodges.

Reviews from Lucy's latest travellers


Mrs M & Mr D from Germany

Arrived 29 Nov 2023, 8 nights

"My Nov 2023 trip"

"The commitment and support from Lucy and Expert Africa was outstanding …" Read Mrs M & Mr D’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

M and D from Brockenhurst

Arrived 30 Sep 2023, 17 nights

"My Sep 2023 trip to Zambia "

"a wonderful trip with superb wildlife sightings... very pleased to return …" Read M and D’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs G from Dartmouth

Arrived 6 Oct 2023, 18 nights

"My Oct 2023 trip"

"we have come to rely upon Expert Africa and they never disappoint …" Read Mr & Mrs G’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

J & J from York

Arrived 17 Oct 2023, 22 nights

"Our Oct 2023 trip"

"Absolutely loved each park …" Read J & J’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

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