Your Private Africa is a boutique travel company specializing in highly personalized trips across the continent.
Drawing on more than two decades of first-hand experience, we bring together exceptional places, trusted people, and thoughtful details to create a trip that feels entirely your own.
“They say business isn’t personal, but in our case, it very much is. We’re dedicated to helping people connect to themselves and the world around them, through exploring one of the most beautiful, diverse continents on the planet.”
Our team brings together decades of experience living, working, and traveling across Africa. We each know the continent in a different way, but share the same curiosity, attention to detail, and commitment to getting every trip right.
Every trip is a collective effort, supported by a team that genuinely cares. As Ashley puts it: “We take things personally, and that’s important.”
Nick’s passion for travel began as a child when his parents moved the family from California to France for three years. In the years that followed, Nick continued to explore the world and spent extensive amounts of time in Africa, Europe and the Americas. Passionate about wild places, Nick was drawn to Africa time and time again, leading him to become a safari guide in South Africa in 2003. Nick spent most of 2004 to 2006 living, working and studying in East and South Africa including a whole term of University studying community based wildlife conservation in Tanzania where he learned conversational Swahili and stayed in a Maasai manyatta located near Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Nick eventually moved home and started using his extensive knowledge of Africa, through both personal experience and a degree in environmental studies and African politics, to plan African safaris professionally.
Nick has been involved in the travel industry for two decades, having worked for several adventure travel and luxury tour operators before founding YPA with his wife and business partner, Ashley. However, Africa is not the only continent Nick is passionate about and thus the evolution of YPA now includes select destinations worldwide. Nick has visited six continents already and is eagerly anticipating visiting Antarctica.
Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Ashley comes to YPA with a personal background in finance and small business management. In 2010, as the financial industry was attempting to repair, Ashley changed course from the world of finance to the world of fitness. Ashley developed a passion for communication and connection through a decade spent teaching and practicing yoga, amongst other modalities.
She believes travel and movement have many parallels, primarily both set out to create connection with yourself or the world in which you exist. Going somewhere out of your comfort zone gives you insights to who you truly are because when we step outside our routines, magic happens. Aside from managing operations, Ashley personally works with YPA clients to ensure everyone arrives feeling prepared and excited for their adventure.
Briarley is the Operations Manager based in South Africa who works with Nick and Ashley to assist with business operations and guest experience. She is passionate about the tourism industry and believes in working together as a team to make magic happen. She loves YPA’s motto to “always be in search of a YES”, and she values the integrity, transparency, and commitment of the team.
Having worked in several sectors of the leisure tourism industry for the past 16 years, Briarley has a well-rounded skill set which makes her a huge asset to the company. She has had the privilege of travelling the 7 continents of the world while working as part of an expedition team on a luxury adventure cruise liner, and has experienced a multitude of different cultures. A fun fact: Briarley started her career in the South African Navy where she spent three years at Simonsberg Naval Base in Cape Town. Her love for running was born here and she enjoys spending time on the road or trails. Her bucket list trip is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and summit Uhuru Peak.
Born and raised in Windhoek, Namibia, with a family deeply rooted in hospitality, Laila’s journey into tourism was inevitable. Passionate about showcasing Africa’s natural beauty, her teenage travels through Namibia ignited this desire. After studying tourism in Cape Town, she spent 18 years consulting, including stints with Kuoni Destination Management and Singita. Now part of the YPA team, she thrives on crafting unforgettable experiences and making dreams a reality. Beyond work, Laila is a self-taught seamstress and avid traveler, with the Serengeti holding a special place in her heart for its unparalleled wildlife encounters.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Laila provides operations and reservations support to the day to day running of YPA.
Born in Kenya, Stefanie has always been deeply curious about people and cultures. That curiosity and desire to see the world through many lenses naturally led her to a career in travel. After completing her degrees in Communications, she joined Abercrombie & Kent’s Africa & Middle East team as a Sales Assistant, where her journey in the industry began. Over the years, Stefanie has worked with some of Africa’s most respected travel brands, including Angama and Wilderness, gaining extensive knowledge of the continent’s most remarkable destinations. Her greatest joy lies in creating journeys where guests feel truly seen, cared for, and inspired. Today, as part of the Your Private Africa team, Stefanie brings her warmth, expertise, and passion for connection to every trip she helps design.
Kathryn’s journey in luxury travel began with her love for nature and passion for discovery. Born and raised in South Africa, she is captivated by Africa’s beauty, especially the Serengeti.
Starting her career in digital marketing, Kathryn transitioned to travel, spending a decade with luxury safari brands. As Communications Director at Your Private Africa, she combines her expertise to showcase the continent, introducing travelers to Africa’s spectacular destinations and fostering deep connections with nature and culture. Kathryn believes in the power of micro-adventures and lives by the quote, “The earth has music for those who listen,” always seeking new ways to explore and contribute positively.
Kate is our vibrant and passionate marketing associate based in Johannesburg. Growing up in Johannesburg, she frequently ventured into the bush, fostering a deep appreciation for the safari lifestyle and African wildlife.
An avid traveler, Kate has a diverse skill set and a keen eye for promoting the beauty of different regions. Thrilled to share her passion for Africa, she aims to showcase its raw beauty, vibrant cultures, rich traditions, and unique wildlife.Joining the YPA marketing team, Kate promotes the unlimited opportunities in Africa, inviting others to embark on unforgettable adventures across this extraordinary continent.
Your Private Africa was founded by Nick and Ashley Bay, whose relationship with Africa inspired a shared vision for the company.
Nick’s knowledge of the continent comes from more than two decades of living, working, and traveling across it. For Ashley, Africa felt unexpectedly familiar from her first visit, leaving her with a desire to help others form their own connection to the continent. Together, they created YPA to plan trips that are thoughtful, highly personalized, and grounded in first-hand knowledge.
Over the years, our team and reach have grown, but our approach has remained deliberately personal. Africa is always changing, yet we believe the best way to plan travel here remains the same: know it well, listen carefully, and never lose sight of the people taking the trip. Together we strive to connect people with nature, offer freedom outside of life’s routine and make travel to Africa less intimidating.
Your Private Africa (YPA) is a specialty travel company with a mission to design and implement uniquely crafted adventures, honeymoons, family explorations, special requests, and events in some of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Private aircraft charters, exclusive camps and lodges, and specialized private guides are hallmarks of our itineraries.
With 20 years of experience traveling to Africa and planning safaris professionally since 2007, we have lots to share. We are skilled at creative, personalized luxury travel experiences that capture our clients’ wildest dreams and boldest aspirations.
Our vast experience crafting itineraries for all types of travelers sets us apart, as does our personal connections on the ground, our passion for excellence, and our dedication to delivering an experience of a lifetime. We’re here to help you discover stress free travel that will meet and exceed all expectations – let’s chat!
