Scintilla is part of Bidtravel, which has been providing travel services through some of the best known travel brands in South Africa for the past 15 years.
It goes without saying that in that time, we have recruited, grown and nurtured some of the best travel talent that Southern Africa has to offer. We know – and love – our part of the world, and our team prides itself in sharing their experience and knowledge with you to make your time here not only seamless, but also allowing you to leave with a deeper understanding of our people, region and culture. We are driven by innovation and curiosity, and you’ll see this in our website, which seeks out lesser known wilderness areas and experiences not commonly found in the travel world.
You’ll be able to do this with the comfort that your travel arrangements are backed by one of the most financially sound, listed companies in South Africa, with a strong emphasis on good governance and ethical business leadership. This means that your booking and payment is always secure with us, and wherever you travel in Southern Africa, we have the required network and backup to ensure we are always there to assist.
Professionalism, attention to detail and creativity: it’s a combination of which we are extremely proud!
Introducing Guided Scintilla
We take great pride in our exclusive touring brand, accompanied by some of the most exceptional guides in the industry. Our expert guides will accompany you to our favourite spots and sights throughout the Cape Peninsula and beyond, providing opportunities to mingle, connect, and engage with the locals and their captivating stories. Recognizing that touring plays a pivotal role in shaping your holiday experience, we have meticulously developed and curated a distinct selection of tours that elevate your exploration of Cape Town City, the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands, and the Overberg region.
Our Travel Team
Meet the people who have criss-crossed Africa to understand it better, so you can experience the very best of it.
Lidia Folli
A veritable doyenne of the travel industry in South Africa, our CEO Lidia grew up travelling to Cape Town annually for her family holidays and has lasting memories of this beautiful part of the country. With a wealth of travel experience, one of Lidia’s favourite times to travel to bucket-list destinations is during the low season, to fully appreciate the destination without the crowds. With the travel restrictions of the past few years, Lidia seized the opportunity to explore her backyard and reconnect with her sons on long self- drive holidays across the country. Taking the roads less travelled and exploring remote mountain passes, has reignited her love for South Africa’s off-the-beaten-track places where life is slower, simpler and the connections with locals leave a lasting impression.
Ilse Steyn
Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, Ilse ignited her passion for luxury travel and exploration, when she joined a globally acclaimed 5-star hotel at the age of 19. Welcoming international visitors to Cape Town, sparked inner joy but also left her yearning to explore, and Ilse swopped posh hotels, for a life at sea onboard luxury cruise liners in 2012. Feeling a strong desire to return to Africa, Ilse settled back home in 2015, and has been promoting and selling Southern Africa since then, travelling extensively through-out Botswana and Zimbabwe. It’s fair to say that travel is Ilse’s happy place and high on her list, is using every opportunity to share her favourite must-visit places with whomever she meets along her road tripping adventures. Ilse spends her downtime in nature – if not on safari, you’ll find her participating in trail running races, cycling and open water swimming events. If you’re looking to plan a bucket-list trip, you know who to call …
Janine Southwood
Janine’s wanderlust spirit was ignited at a young age, on annual family road trips from KwaZulu-Natal, along the Garden Route to Cape Town. She has travelled extensively and is fascinated by Africa’s incredible natural wonders, many of which support the most bio-diverse ecosystems on the planet – from the mysterious rock churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia to the ancient pyramids of Egypt, the ever-changeable waterways of the Okavango and the incredibly fertile, Ngorongoro Crater. She’s racked up over 27 years in tourism, and began her career in sales, promoting Africa across the world, and injecting her passion and enthusiasm wherever she went. To fully experience the joys of the bush, Janine recommends a trip to North Luangwa in Zambia – a place she holds dear for its stillness and capturing the true essence of a safari. People and places are ‘her thing’ and sharing the beauty of Africa, comes easily to this down-to-earth girl from Durban.
Why Book With Us
We help bold travellers discover authentic Southern Africa. Our travel experts are vastly experienced, with extensive knowledge of Southern Africa that allows them to curate itineraries just right for you while also having a positive impact.
Impact
Home to some of the world’s greenest destinations, the African continent has put sustainable travel front and centre for years. Sustainability initiatives are in place at many of our handpicked properties and our tours and experiences, aim to inspire and offer meaningful cultural connections with the people and places you’ll encounter along your Scintilla journey.
Guest Testimonials
Discover why our guests select Scintilla for their travel to Southern Africa.
