Founder Dave Herbert has appointed Great Safaris' business development manager, Guillaume Van Wyk, to succeed him as the company's CEO, a title that Herbert had held since the organization launched in 2010.
Van Wyk will also become
co-owner.
"I'm in the fortunate position to have a capable and passionate partner who will move the company forward with the same philosophy and culture I developed," Herbert said. "He brings a wealth of experience and an entrepreneurial mindset."
Previous to joining Great Safaris, Van Wyk was managing director of the Sanctuary, an eco-tourism development in Mozambique, and had previously worked as general manager of the Beacon Game Ranch in South Africa. He has a master's degree in wildlife management.
Citing strong demand for luxury African safaris, Herbert will remain involved with the company as chief experiential executive. In particular, he'll focus on some of the company's association and group accounts and will represent the company at some events.
Herbert became involved in the safari business when he founded African Travel 46 years ago. It was acquired by The Travel Corporation in 2003, and Herbert stayed with it as its managing director for another seven years before stepping down to start Great Safaris, in partnership with Toronto-based Goway Travel. That partnership was dissolved in February of last year.