MEET THE TEAM: VERA CASTRO

Visiting Tanzania with her grandfather in 2008 opened the door to a fulfilling career and an ongoing passion for Vera Castro. Vera is a true unicorn: an international consultant who has lived in many of the Southern African countries she sells and is also trained field guide. Knowing the industry from both sides allows her to give her clients exceptional advice and guide them into outstanding itineraries.

Since 2016, her varied career has seen being a senior field guide at a top South African Big 5 private reserve and work in rhino conservation in Zimbabwe. Since joining Biggestleaf Travel in 2024, she has delighted her clients with classic safaris and more off-the-beaten-track options to see the ruins of the Great Zimbabwe settlement and highly endangered shoebills in the Bangweulu Wetlands of Zambia, accessible only for a few months of the year.

Vera even planned her own self-drive honeymoon to Namibia with her wildlife photographer husband and is our go-to person when we need obscure African birds identified!

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After spending many years living in South Africa and Zimbabwe, working as a safari guide and conservation biologist, I had to move back to Portugal after becoming a mum. It felt like the perfect next step to continue sharing my passion and knowledge of Africa by helping people plan their dream journeys. Although I no longer guide on safari every day, I still get to inspire people to discover the continent that became my home.

I genuinely love helping people create their dream holiday. Every itinerary I design is as if I were planning it for myself. I always put myself in my clients’ shoes and think about the excitement I felt when I first discovered Africa in 2008. My goal is for every guest to return home with memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

One of the things I love most is that there is always something new to learn. Whether it’s discovering a new lodge, exploring a conservation project, or visiting a destination, I’m constantly expanding my knowledge. The industry has also taught me a lot personally, from being more organised to paying close attention to every detail.

The biggest change has undoubtedly been the rise of artificial intelligence. While AI is a useful tool, I believe people come to specialists like us because they want genuine personal advice from someone who has lived the experience. They want recommendations based on real knowledge and passion, not just information gathered online.

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For me, Africa is not simply a destination, it’s a dream. There’s something incredibly special about travelling through Africa. The landscapes, wildlife, people and cultures have a way of changing you. I truly believe that everyone leaves Africa feeling like a better, more connected version of themselves.

Technology has made travellers much more informed. Clients now come to us with a clearer idea of what they want, rather than simply saying they want to visit ‘Africa’. This allows us to create much more personalised itineraries while adding our expertise to refine their ideas into an unforgettable journey.

Having travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa and lived there for many years, I offer genuine first-hand knowledge and personal recommendations. As a Portuguese travel specialist, I also understand the expectations and preferences of Portuguese and many South American travellers. Finally, my background as a conservation biologist means I only recommend properties and experiences that I genuinely believe in and that support ethical tourism and wildlife conservation.

One of the most common mistakes is trying to visit too many countries in a single trip instead of slowing down and truly experiencing one or two destinations. Another is arriving with unrealistic expectations based on social media, assuming they’ll see every animal on every game drive. Nature doesn’t work to a schedule—that unpredictability is part of what makes every safari so magical.

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That’s a difficult one! The Okavango Delta is definitely at the top of my list, there’s nowhere else quite like it. I’d also love to explore Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, a place I grew up hearing incredible stories about, especially its inspiring conservation success. And finally, trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda would be an unforgettable experience.