WILDERNESS RESERVATIONS MANAGER – PRIVATE GUIDES, GROUPS & INCENTIVES

SHANNON DE BRUIJN

Shannon embarked on her Wilderness journey in 2015. Her passion for tourism has led to her growth and success within the company. Focused on growing the Groups & Incentives team, alongside establishing the Private Guides department, Shannon looks forward to contributing to the group’s long-term growth and stability, whilst creating unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Johannesburg, Shannon is a bush girl at heart. After completing her schooling at Rand Park High School, Shannon studied Tourism through the Travel Training Institute, South Africa and achieved certificates in Programming and Project Management from Damelin.

Shannon’s career path began at Impact Incentives in 1998. Starting out as an Operations Assistant, she progressed to Senior Key Account Manager in 2009. Shannon then moved into Events Management at XO Africa for five years before accepting an Account Management position at Dragonfly Africa.

Passionate about the travel industry, Shannon’s career in the Incentive and Events field has taken her across the globe, exploring many thrilling destinations – yet it’s the wild expanse of Africa that truly captivates her heart.

Shannon joined the Wilderness family in 2015 and has never looked back. Her Wilderness chapter began as a Senior Journey Specialist in the Groups department, before being promoted in 2016 to Reservations Manager. In 2021 Shannon headed the then newly created Private Guides team, a testament to her resilience and pioneering spirit.

Shannon thrives on a challenge, and is in her happy place when dealing with the demands of privately guided safaris or large events. In her current role, Shannon’s responsibilities now include the strategic oversight and operations of the Private Guides and Groups & Incentives Reservations teams.

Shannon is excited about the future, leading a team of dynamic individuals striving to reach new heights at Wilderness. “Our Wilderness values truly resonate with me. I have always wanted to work for a company that I can feel wholeheartedly a part of – here at Wilderness we contribute daily to something greater than ourselves, and that excites me”, Shannon noted.