Helen Aitchison
My expertise
I'm based in
Kloof
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
It's Nice To Meet You
Greetings from the leafy suburb of Kloof in Kwazulu-Natal!
My name is Helen and I've been with Travel Counsellors since April 2008. I made this move after spending the previous 15 years working for various airlines, tour operators and retail agencies in SA and London. It was here my passion for travel grew as I handled varied travel arrangements.
Travelling to many destinations has been a joy and a privilege which I am grateful for. I've visited many cities around the world spanning the continents of Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Experiencing diverse cultures, meeting people from different nations and my adventurous nature are some of the reasons I love to travel.
Cruising the Inside Passage in Alaska was incredible. Viewing game in the Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater National Parks and the Okavango Delta is something I'll treasure forever. Historical Europe and iconic cities like Hong Kong, New York, London, Sydney all have been wonderful. There are many more, and the list of places to see still too long!
I want to help you gather treasured moments and memories with your friends and families. Assisting you to get to your preferred destination is what makes my job fulfilling and interesting and I can’t wait to plan it with you. I will guarantee you an exceptional level of personal service and attention to detail. Working from home puts me in the unique position of being able to meet you where ever and whenever it suits you. I am not limited by standard office hours so feel free to drop me an email or give me a call when it is convenient with you.
You are also covered by our exceptional Financial Protection Plan which protects your money against supplier insolvency. No other travel company in South Africa offers this. So peace of mind travel is a vital part of the service.
I've also spent some time working at a game lodge and had numerous trips around South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, so really do know what to look for when it comes to planning the perfect safari. These are some great places for multi-generational family trips.
Conservation and community focused lodges are my speciality.
Travelling in nature is my absolute passion, so also enjoy curating those "once in a lifetime" trips to far flung areas where you can explore the remote and pristine wilderness areas left in the word.
Thinking of the exploring places your friends haven't considered? Think Arctic Circle, the incredible Northwest Passage and the land of polar bears. Or head south to Patagonia and onwards on an exploration ship to the icebergs of Antartica.
Looking forward to hearing from you and turning your dreams into a reality!
regards
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Okavango Delta Dream Trip
I had been dreaming of visiting the Okavango Delta in Botswana since I was a young child. I remember watching BBC wildlife documentaries narrated by Sir David Attenborough and thinking this place was like paradise on earth. Fast forward about 25 years and I finally found myself on a plane to Maun for what was one of my best trips ever. I cannot wait to return It was February and this particula
08 Dec 2020 5 min read
Mpumalanga Magic
I remember my first trip into Mpumalanga several years back like it was yesterday. I fell in love with this area of my country and have been back several times since then. It is a province offering some incredible experiences and some jaw dropping views. Most people around the world are familiar with this area for our famed Kruger National Park (shared with Limpopo province). This is So
05 Aug 2020 5 min read
Treasures of KwaZulu-Natal
Kwazulu-Natal is a treasure trove for travellers and compared to popularity of other parts of South Africa, is often considered to be a bit of a hidden gem. With our Eastern boundary being the Indian Ocean and our North-Western border, the mighty Drakensberg, there is much to discover within her somewhat small surface area. As mentioned, to the North-West of the province is the UNESCO Heritage ar
07 May 2020 5 min read
Vic Falls & Hwange exploring
Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The smoke that Thunders” is such a fitting name for Victoria Falls. You don’t even have to visit in the height of the flood season to experience the wonder and majesty of this natural wonder, only an hour away from Johannesburg. The water flows powerfully year around and boy is there a lot of water. The difference is really only your percentage of saturation! Be warned, tak
14 Feb 2018 5 min read
New SA Immigration Act for Children under 18yrs
From 01 June 2015 all children under the age of 18 will be required to produce an unabridged birth certificate in addition to their passport when entering, departing or transiting South Africa. Airlines will be forced to refuse travel to families not in possession of the unabridged birth certificate and this will happen regardless of the child’s nationality or regardless of whether the child i
24 Jun 2016 5 min read
Ultimate beach and bush experience - Tanzania
To be given the opportunity to visit Tanzania – land of iconic destinations like Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater and Zanzibar, was an experience that I will treasure for years. We flew into the capital, Dar es Salaam on the direct SAA flight from Johannesburg and took a 45 minute transfer to the Sea Cliff Hotel. This 5 Star hotel offers excellent accommodation if you are stopping off en route to
24 Jun 2016 5 min read
Sensational Seychelles
Seychelles has always been top of my list of places to go. Ever since doing a training course provided by the Seychelles Tourism board many years ago, I knew I would love it. When I got the opportunity to go, I jumped at the chance and proved my gut instinct had been right all along! The main attraction for me is the country’s attitude towards conserving their coastline and the plethora of mar
29 Sept 2015 5 min read
Facinating Dubai
As a Dubai Xpert, I was recently hosted by Dubai Tourism on a whirlwind trip to Dubai. Having only transited through the city before, I really appreciated this opportunity. Dubai surprised me at every turn. Considering its monumental growth to a modern, vibrant city in the last 60 years, it is remarkable to see it today. Our base was the 4 Star Majestic Towers Hotel in Bur Dubai, the his
28 Jun 2012 5 min read
Mauritius - Tropical Island on our doorstep
After being in the travel industry for over 15 years, it is hard to explain why Mauritius has eluded me until now. Thanks to our annual travel conference being hosted on this beautiful island, I can now see why it is such a popular travel destination for anyone. Mauritius is a mere 4 hours away by flight with Air Mauritius, SAA or BA Comair. One minute you are in the routine of your busy, stres
30 May 2012 5 min read
Marbella & Madrid
Visiting a new destination is always exciting, so when I had the opportunity to attend our Annual International Conference in Marbella, Spain, I jumped at the chance to finally set my feet in Spain. I was not disappointed and in a relatively short time, I managed to take in a few of Spain’s beautiful cities and get a feel for what is truly a remarkable European country. First stop was Marbella
23 Aug 2011 5 min read
Alaskan Cruise - trip of a lifetime!
What a joy to have a chance to share with you some of the highlights of possibly one of my best holidays I have ever had! I was fortunate to have been invited by Princess Cruises to board Diamond Princess for a cruise of the Inside Passage in Alaska. Clearly, dreams really do come true. My cruise was a round trip from Seattle, a fantastic city to begin with and I would highly recommend you add
28 Jul 2008 5 min read
Hong Kong - Cosmopolitan Surprise
Hong Kong is a city that leaves the senses completely overloaded. With a multicultural population, everything from food to shopping, entertainment to relaxation is varied and cosmopolitan. Flying to Hong Kong in Business Class on British Airways was second to none. The flatbeds and exceptional service made a 12 plus hour flight from London quite enjoyable! I stayed on Hong Kong Island in the
26 Jul 2008 5 min read
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Why use a Travel Counsellor
Let's plan your dream trip together
Tailor-made for you
Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
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