Claudia Hopkins

Claudia's favourite destinations:

I love the Caprivi. It’s so different to the rest of the country and there’s incredible wildlife and birdlife. Next on the list has to be the desert in Sossusvlei and the abundance of game in Etosha National Park.

Favourite itinerary:

The 16 Day Namibia, Chobe and Victoria Falls Safari as it includes multiple nights along the Caprivi ending with more wildlife in the Chobe National Park and the incredible Victoria Falls which is a highlight for sure.

Favourite travel quote:

“Where there is a will there is a way.” Sure it might not be specifically related to travel but it should be.

Her story...

Claudia has training as a hairdresser and diplomas in Motion Picture Design and Early Childhood Development. She was once a teacher, school principal, surf school manager, surf coach and tour guide in Europe but with her roots in Namibia and travel in her veins, it’s no surprise she just simply can’t stay away from the beauty of Africa and finds herself in tourism.  

Claudia loves to travel, which is just one of the reasons she has always been an excellent fit at NTS. After years of planning personalised holidays for guests, she has now moved into our Trade Relations position where she oversees everything to do with travel agents. In this role, Claudia is the key contact for agent-related requests, including preparing sample itineraries, rates and image packs; answering agent questions and supporting communication; and sending introductory and profile emails to our trade partners.

For Claudia, travel is personal – and working with agents to help craft unforgettable journeys to our remarkable part of southern Africa is no different. Having grown up across South Africa, from Johannesburg to Cape Town, she later relocated to Windhoek, and that was that. No matter how far she roamed in pursuit of different careers over the years, returning to Namibia was inevitable. Now based in Swakopmund, she’s doing what she loves along with the rest of us at NTS: helping people discover one of her all-time favourite places in the world.

Surfing, hiking, yoga and spending time outdoors are among Claudia’s most cherished pastimes, making both Swakopmund and Namibia ideal places to call home. She enjoys jet-setting overseas – with Russia, Switzerland, New Zealand and Japan topping her list – but would happily spend more time exploring Namibia, ideally with Nash (her dog and best friend) in tow. The desert landscapes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife of Etosha and the lush wetlands of the Caprivi remain her most treasured destinations, each special for different reasons and each worthy of a visit.

When travelling, Claudia loves mixing things up: luxury stays balanced with camping and sleep-outs under the stars. To her, it’s all about the experience – the combination of location, activities and carefully chosen accommodation. With her thorough, precise approach and appreciation for even the smallest details, Claudia ensures that every trip we create – whether for guests or for our valued agents – is memorable for all the right reasons.