Chantelle Francis

Favourite destinations:

Namibia has so many beautiful destinations, choosing one is difficult. Damaraland and Kaokoland showcase the most beautiful landscapes which are ever changing as you travel from Twyfelfontein further north. Caprivi is also very special, with its wetlands and amazing wildlife encounters, you are sure to be in for a treat.

Favourite lodges:

Wolwedans Desert Lodge, Kwessi Dune Lodge, Camp Kipwe, Serra Cafema, Onguma The Fort – WINE CELLAR!!! Do I need to say more…

Favourite itinerary:

16-day Nam, Delta, Chobe and Vic Falls. It combines the best of all three countries.

Best memory on safari:

Fly-in safari to Botswana with Tanya. Educational to central Namibia, with Willa, Edward, Bianca and Wayne.

Travel tip:

You can never have enough water and sunscreen… the Namibian sun has no mercy.

Best kept travel secret:

Comfortable shoes are a game changer.

Favourite travel quote:

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” Jack Kerouac

Her story

Chantelle Francis, but everyone calls her Telli, grew up in Windhoek and spent weekends and school holidays at her grandparents’ farm in Gobabis, which made her a true “plaas meisie” with a love for nature and rural life.

After high school, Telli headed to Cape Town to study events management, which really sparked her passion for the industry. Back in Namibia, she started as a banqueting manager but quickly realised it wasn't for her. She jumped into freelance work, even planning events like the Boyz II Men concert in Windhoek.

In 2015, she moved to Swakopmund and joined NTS as a consultant until the pandemic hit. Afterward, she returned to Windhoek, where she tackled sales, navigating the ups and downs of selling dishwashing liquid. After two years, she went back to freelance work, managing a car rental, and eventually returned to NTS, now diving into fleet management. Telli’s all in on the car rental scene - she's totally hooked!

Outside of work, Telli loves gardening, painting, and spending time outdoors. She has a soft spot for Botswana’s wild beauty, and while she hasn’t travelled outside Africa yet, she’s explored almost every corner of Namibia, except for Fish River and Lüderitz.

Telli appreciates the simple things in life, enjoying camping as long as there’s a proper flushing toilet! Family means everything to her; she has an older brother, a beautiful baby boy, and a big extended family with 18 cousins and 28 nephews and nieces. They’re super close and often gather to make great memories together.

Telli lives by the motto, "Life is too short for matching socks," embracing individuality and spontaneity. This fun-loving approach shines through in both her personal life and work, where she loves meeting clients and hearing their stories about Namibia’s stunning landscapes.

In her busy tourism career, Telli makes it a priority to balance work with time spent with her loved ones. As she continues her journey, her story is all about resilience, adventure, and a deep love for her country and its people.