Our Team
OrbiTrav is the brainchild of two individuals who have a personal relationship and heritage link to both Namibia as a country, and Africa as a continent.
We recognized an opportunity to bring a diverse group of people to an equally as diverse continent that has plenty to offer. Many of Africa's most beautiful countries continue to remain a relatively small market for those wishing to travel internationally, from all sides of the globe, and this is something that we aim to change.
Our ultimate goal is to offer an experience to our customers that is both unique and authentic, and that memories gained during each trip will be held of high importance to those who have experienced what Africa has to offer.
- The OrbiTrav Team
Connor McKinon (Co-Founder)
Born and raised on a farm in South Africa, my family and I later moved to New Zealand where I continued my education. Upon completion of my studies, with a Commercial Pilots License in hand, I set off for Namibia with the intention of experiencing an extraordinarily vast, diverse and beautiful part of Southern Africa. I was excited to explore the region where my grandfather was born and raised, somewhere I have always felt drawn to.
As a pilot in Namibia I was extremely fortunate and experienced all that the country had to offer, from a variety of different perspectives. The air, the ground, as a local and through the eyes of guests on luxurious African charter holidays. These perspectives, shaped the way I viewed the country and helped me establish an ever deepening love for it’s culture.
The company I worked for specialized in private charters/ fly-in safari holidays, whereby I would fly guests to any desired lodge in Namibia and spend up to fourteen consecutive days with them. In addition to this, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to operate in neighboring countries such as Botswana, where my guests could experience wildlife specific to the amazing river deltas.
I truly believe that the experience I gained during my time in Namibia allows our company to offer extremely authentic and genuine experiences, backed by knowledge of a country we care greatly for and respect deeply. I am confident that each and every individual will leave Africa feeling enriched by the country’s tremendously diverse and outright beautiful landscapes.
Experience working with guests of various cultures is reflected in our company core values. In particular, I believe that this allows us to fulfill our goal of maintaining excellent customer service. You can rest assured that with any OrbiTrav experience, you are welcomed as a part of our family and will be taken care as such.
My favorite regions in Namibia are (and follow a ‘South to North’ pathway through the country); Fish River Canyon, the Sossusvlei and Namib Deserts (highest sand dunes and oldest desert on earth), the completely unique coastline of the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland, and last but not least Kaokoland, an area that is home to the beautiful culture and traditions of Namibia’s Himba people.
I urge anyone with a desire for luxurious travel, first class customer service, incredible landscapes and amazing wildlife encounters to get in touch with OrbiTrav and begin planning your tailored holiday!
We look forward to hearing from you very soon.
Best wishes,
C. McKinon
Ralf Ritchie (Co-Founder)
My family migrated to New Zealand from Cape Town, South Africa. Ever since I can remember, I have always had a deeply ingrained passion for African culture and this passion is exacerbated by the fact that, through family heritage, I have strong links with both South Africa and Namibia.
I have been extremely fortunate, in having the ability to travel the world throughout my life, and as of today I have visited approximately 30 countries with many more on my ‘to do list’.
Through these travels, I discovered the importance of exploration and adventure on the pathway to understanding more about our world and enjoying the life in which we are fortunate to be living.
The experience I gained visiting Africa encouraged me to return to the continent multiple times. Each new visit provided me with great enjoyment and valuable memories and after each trip was complete, I arrived home feeling fulfilled, yet at the same time I knew that Africa had much more to offer me in the future.
Each and every time I visit Africa, I am mesmerized by the local atmosphere, whether it be food, people, wildlife, mountains, rivers, towns or cities. As soon as I step foot on African soil, I instantly feel at home. In all honesty, simply looking out the window of a plane, or even the smallest aspects of travel such as packing a suitcase, fill my mind with a plethora of amazing memories that I have made during my travels. Above all else, the passion that I feel towards Africa is something that I want to share with anyone who has the opportunity to visit the continent.
I am motivated by the ability to help people experience what I have experienced myself. I can wholeheartedly say that Africa provides its visitors with an experience like no other and I am extremely proud to able to share my love of Africa with those around me, inspired by genuine memories, experiences and friendships.
From the very first phone call, both Connor and I set out with the goal of operating with utmost authenticity, transparency, sustainability and passion. I believe that what makes us unique is our experience in Africa, and our understanding of Namibia from the perspective of a group who truly care about the region and its inhabitants.
When you choose OrbiTrav to plan your African adventure, you aren’t simply a ‘client’ or a ‘customer’, you are part of the OrbiTrav family and we will treat you as such. You are our peers, who share our passion for travel and want to explore a country that can offer an experience that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
We look forward to hearing from you very soon.
Best wishes,
R. Ritchie