Celebrating 25 Years of Adventure: A Journey Back to Africa

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that brought us here—the highs, the lows, the challenges, and the triumphs. It’s been a quarter of a century since we embarked on this safari adventure, and the love for Africa that ignited our journey has only grown stronger.

Africa has a way of stirring the soul like no other place on Earth. Some may focus on the continent’s political turmoil, the challenges governments face, or the contrast between Western mindsets and African cultures. But for me, the magic of Africa lies in something much deeper.

When you set aside the complexities and look beyond the surface, Africa reveals itself in its vast, open spaces, its vibrant smells, and the colors of the landscape. It’s in the warmth of the people’s smiles, the gentle hum of life, the rhythmic pulse of the land, and the endless contrasts. From donkeys pulling carts to women grinding corn in gourds, from the poorest villages to the most luxurious resorts, Africa is a place of stark contrasts—and yet it’s all part of the same beautiful story.

And then there’s the bush, the untamed wilderness where nature thrives in all its glory.

After spending 13 years in Sweden, my late wife Ingrid, our two children, and I returned to South Africa. As a game ranger before I moved to Sweden, the call of the bush was always in my blood. It was time to return.

Relocating to a new country is never easy. But in the year 2000, at 39 years old, with no job or income, we found ourselves in White River, South Africa. The first year was difficult—paying bills, renting a house, and adjusting to a new way of life. Since we spoke Swedish, we naturally turned to the Swedish market for business.

I attended guiding courses and became an accredited tour guide. Slowly but surely, our dream started to take shape. We reached out to Arne Rudler, a Swedish tour operator from Jambo Tours, that changed everything. Arne came to meet us in White River, and although we were new to the business, he recognized our potential.

From that moment, Nature, Culture and Wild Animals (Natur, Kultur och Vilda Djur) was born. A full year passed before we received our first group of six clients. We were over the moon. It was the beginning of something extraordinary. By the next year, we started receiving more and more tours from Sweden.

Swedes are incredibly rewarding to work with, and having both South African and Swedish cultures allowed us to connect on a deeper level, enriching our tours. The highlight of every trip was always a safari in Kruger National Park, where guests experienced some of the most incredible wildlife sightings imaginable. Over time we invested in our fleet of safari vehicles.

Our success with Nature, Culture and Wild Animals allowed us to expand into upmarket tours, led by my wife Ingrid. While she wasn’t initially a natural guide, she pushed herself beyond her limits and excelled. I am immensely proud of her. As the years passed, we began offering tours to Botswana and Namibia, creating unforgettable adventures for our guests. One guest, called his Botswana trip the best of his life—a remarkable compliment, given his extensive travels.

But then, in 2020, the world changed.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and my wife Ingrid, who had been battling cancer, passed away. The loss was devastating, and with the travel industry coming to a standstill, we faced an uncertain future. I decided to return to Sweden, ready to give up on the career I loved.

But fate had other plans.

A dear family friend, Margaux, came to say goodbye. She had freelanced with us in the past and was now working at Singita, one of the top lodges in Africa. Little did I know, this visit would change the course of my life. Margaux’s stay turned into something much more, and before long, we were married in 2022. We made the move to Hoedspruit, the South African Safari Capital, and with God's intervention, a new chapter in both our personal and professional lives began.

Together, Margaux and I now run Hylton Langley Safaris from our home, which is situated on a small game reserve that overlooks Kruger National Park in the distance. We guide our clients when we can, and we are grateful for the many clients we’ve worked with. Since Margaux’s arrival, our business has evolved significantly, with a strong focus on creating custom safaris tailored to our clients’ specific desires. We’ve expanded to offer high-end luxury tours throughout Southern and Eastern Africa, while still providing intimate, exclusive experiences, such as private game drives in the Kruger National Park using our own safari vehicle.

This new chapter has taken us across Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and, of course, South Africa. Along the way, we’ve made new friends, experienced diverse cultures, and explored some of the most breathtaking wildlife destinations on the planet. What a gift it is to love what we do, and even more so to see our clients’ dreams come true.

As we mark our 25th anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for the journey we’ve taken and the people who’ve been part of it. Here’s to the next 25 years of adventures, memories, and dreams realized. Thank you for being part of our journey.