Meet Andrea, your host

From Wales to Africa

Andrea grew up on a farm, with horses, and at fourteen watched Out of Africa and knew where she was going. At seventeen she was teaching riding at a summer camp in New Hampshire. Later came a corporate career in marketing with British Airways Holidays in the UK, which opened the world and then, through an unexpected retrenchment, asked her what she actually wanted from it.

In 1999 she came to Africa for what was meant to be a career break. She guided horseback safaris on a rhino sanctuary, worked as assistant project manager for the Frankfurt Zoological Society in Malawi, and taught environmental education and English in Cambodia. Somewhere in that journey, with its share of heartbreak and rebuilding, Villa Palmera was born.

The guesthouse

Villa Palmera became Andrea's sanctuary by the sea, and then a place of connection for other people: travellers from around the world sharing tables, stories and the pool. Thirty years in the travel industry show in the details - the right recommendation, the operator she trusts, the transfer that actually turns up - and in a host who checks in every day and knows when to leave you alone.

The trust

In 2023 Andrea co-founded iOcean Trust with marine conservationist Sophumelela Qoma, to take young people from Mossel Bay's communities on a journey from learning to leadership, using the ocean as the classroom. She also serves on the board of Mossel Bay Tourism and as tourism and conservation fundraiser for Blue Ventures Global. Read how your stay supports the work.