About Chaka Travel
At Chaka Travel we pride ourselves on providing a highly personalised service and having an intimate knowledge of some of the worlds' most exciting destinations, including Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, South Africa, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Cyprus, Morocco, USA and Europe.
We specialise in golfing holidays, weddings and honeymoons, beach and activity holidays.
Meet the team
Mark Marais : Managing Director
Originally from Zimbabwe, Mark has a love for the outdoors, wildlife and foreign cultures which prompted him to start his own travel company. Whilst enjoying seeing the company grow Mark is keen to maintain the high level of friendliness and personal service that has made so many clients become 'friends'. His only regret is that his golf game doesn't do justice to the world class courses he has been lucky enough to play! Mark is the proud father of Louise and Emily, both girls are now well seasoned travellers and are getting into golf.
Sales Consultants
Our sales consultants have visited the destinations and the resorts and can speak from experience about the holidays we offer.
Stuart Thompson : Senior Sales Consultant
Before joining Chaka Travel, Stuart spent 15 years working in different sectors within the travel industry where he enjoyed visiting numerous countries including Dubai, Singapore, Thailand as well as North America and the Caribbean. He is a keen sportsman and gets in a round of golf whenever he gets a chance, he has played in Dubai, Cyprus as well as Mauritius and Seychelles since joining Chaka Travel. He is the proud father of Ben.
Jonny Moore : Sales Consultant
Jonny takes great enjoyment in assisting to ensure the best possible travel experiences using his extensive experience in customer service. He believes that understanding the clients’ individual requirements and paying attention to detail are essential. He loves socialising with his friends and family (and his cat!), and learning about different cultures and religions. A lover of wildlife his goal is to experience an adventurous tour of Sri Lanka. Jonny passionately believes that the world is to be experienced in all of its splendour!
Gerard Watson : Senior Sales Consultant
"I have been lucky enough to have travelled to some wonderful places throughout the world, South Africa, Bermuda and Mexico are some of my favourites. I love nothing more than sharing my knowledge with our customers and putting together a memorable holiday for them that they will remember for years to come. Apart from travelling my other interests are keeping fit and hitting a ball around a golf course which I must admit is a struggle sometimes! I play my golf at Holywood County Down where Rory McIlroy hails from. I have been happily Married to my wonderful wife Christine for a several years and we share our home with our two dogs, Buffy and Lucy. I love working at Chaka Travel because everything we do has our customers at heart. Chaka Travel has been built on long lasting and positive relationships with our customers and this is what we pride ourselves on! I look forward to speaking with you and helping you organise that dream trip." Gerard
Jen Harrison : Senior Sales Consultant
Having vast experience in travelling worldwide, Jen carries her passion for travel into planning and organising your holidays. Jen loves to share her knowledge of a holiday resort to ensure she finds the right one for you. Since her backpacking days are long gone, Jen dream is to win the lottery so she can travel the world in style!
Andrew Lockhart : Senior Luxury Travel Consultant
"I have been lucky enough to have travelled to over 60 countries, some several times over the past 25 years. I set up and ran Northern Ireland's first long haul quality tour operator which was voted Best in its field twice by the travelling public and is now incorporated into Chaka Travel. I take great pride in delivering a 100% client satisfaction rate by spending time visiting and researching destinations so that I have first hand experience and can offer unique and thoroughly fantastic trips. I particularly love Africa and South East Asia for atmosphere, food and one-off hotels that just make a trip unforgettable." Andrew
Administration
Lesley Marshall : Administration Manager
Lesley joined Chaka Travel as administration manager, with several years experience in the travel industry, including over 20 years spent in South Africa. Lesley enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures & cuisines.
Anne Kirkpatrick : Administration
"I have been in the travel industry for nearly 20 years. During this time I have had the fortune of educational trips on top of my own trips abroad. My first educational was when I was 18 and I still remember the delight at being offered the chance to camp in France. I also remember the terror of sailing into gale force winds on the Cork to Roscoff Ferry. Among my favourite personal trips are Venice, Rome and Hong Kong. Drinking coffee (or red wine) watching the world going by in St. Marks square, a romantic gondola ride down the Grand Canal, standing in the middle of the Colosseum imagining Gladiator life and haggling in local back street markets of Hong Kong. All experiences I will cherish." Anne