The BelAfrique team of experts

Isabelle Dechamps

Founder & director

Hello, I am Isabelle Dechamps, the founder of BELAFRIQUE. I was born and bred in Antwerp in Belgium but I have been living happily in Cape Town in South Africa for over 15 years. Or rather I should say “Africa has been living in me” because once bitten by the contagious African love bug, it stays with you forever. And gladly so! The people, the beauty, the lifestyle and not to forget, the adventure Africa has to offer, it all fits me like a glove. But sharing all these experiences with you excites me even more. I like to call myself the Mary Poppins of Travel. I want to share my love and passion for Africa and making sure that you have a wonderful journey is my mission. Talk to me, write to me, share with me. I love to listen and will poke you until I have all the ingredients I need. This is what I enjoy doing and what I do best: translating all your information into a perfectly TAILOR MADE HOLIDAY just for you. At BELAFRIQUE, we don’t just book a hotel, we offer you A LIFE TIME OF EXPERIENCES. My favourite African word “Ubuntu” is a word often used by Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu, which in simple terms means “I’m happy, if you are happy”. The English equivalent is probably “No man is an island”, I therefore try to surround myself with like-minded people & BELAFRIQUE is very proud & happy to say that a few kindred spirits keenly joined BELAFRIQUE’s philosophy to share our passion with you.

Sarah Phitides

BELAFRIQUE's Muse - on eternal maternity leave

Hello, I'm Sarah, your travel expert on all things in Southern Africa.  I am South African born and bred and have a deep love and passion for this beautiful continent that I luckily get to call home. When I'm not soaking up the sun on my local beach or spending time with family and friends, my favourite thing to do is go travelling and nothing beats a long road trip with a stop in the African bush! I have travelled the length and breadth of Southern & East Africa and everywhere in between and despite all my travels, I still get goosebumps from all the experiences that this gorgeous part of the world has to offer. I have a passionate love affair with Africa and I fall even deeper in love with her when I meet her friendly people, see her wild animals and stand in awe in one of her beautiful places. I studied at the University of Cape Town completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Politics, Philosophy & Economics (Dean's Merit List) and then a Post-Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management (placed First in Class). After a few stints of living and travelling overseas, I returned to South Africa and have been working in the tourism industry for close on a decade. I am devoted to conservation and responsible tourism and my favourite thing about what I do for a living (other than the numerous travel opportunities and that I get paid to do what I love) is that through my skills and experience, I get to share my love and passion with like-minded individuals and at the same time make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of a continent that has given me so much to be thankful for.

Platon Trakoshis

Fly-fishing aficionado

Growing up in Zimbabwe, I went fishing with my father virtually every weekend. It was a mild obsession for him and the gene was passed onto to me. As fun as it was catching Bream in the often muddy, still water dams of my youth, there was always something alluring about fishing running crystal clear water. Finally one day, I had the opportunity the to fish in Nyanga, Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands, full of crystal clear lakes and streams and the thrill of catching my first Trout on fly has never left me. Living in Cape Town for a fly fisherman is paradise. Only an hours drive out of the city, one can be knee deep in crystal clear, free stone streams, framed by huge rugged mountain peaks and beautiful fynbos, sight fishing to free rising wild Trout.  Spending the day slowly fly fishing upstream with a leisurely lunch next to a cascading pool and even a dip if it’s hot, is one of the best ways to spend a day in the Cape. I have been fly fishing the Cape streams for around 22 years now and still get excited when preparing for a trip. I love fishing but also get great pleasure from showing fishermen the beauty of the Cape streams.

Beth Mc Donald

Travel planner & environmental science aficionado

I am proudly South African, I grew up in Johannesburg and moved to the beautiful Cape Town in 2016. I am a holiday addict… any opportunity I get to travel and explore I am there. I love the tranquility and peace of mind that comes when one relaxes with a good view and soaks in the beauty of nature. Its food for the soul! A break from our busy daily lives is crucial to rejuvenates one’s energy.

To me a sign of a holiday done right is when one loses track of time and lets the day just happen. I have been in the tourism industry since 2011. I have a Diploma in Tourism Management as well as a Degree in Environmental Management.

When one travels and immerses themselves in the beauty of their surroundings whether it is the wild savannah bush in the Kruger Park, the tropical beaches of the KwaZulu Natal or the winelands of Cape Town one cannot help but appreciate nature and relax! I cannot wait to send you to your own little piece of heaven.