Vivienne has been Godsend to me. She has helped me accomplish things that I never could have done without her and her expert help. She worked a miracle when it came to me going to Egypt to see the pyramids. That was the last thing on my bucket list and at 86 years old, I thought it was impossible. Not so. Vivi made it possible and in the most wonderful way. She organized and planned every single detail to perfection. Her company and cherry uplifting spirit made it a trip of a lifetime. I have been around the world and in all seven continents and traveled with many people, but if I had my choice to do it over again, Vivi is the one I’d want to do it with. She never lets anything stop her. If something went wrong, I never knew about it. She handled it with grace and knowledge. I’ve taken three trips with her and there was never one minute I felt worried or concerned. Just knowing her has enriched my life.
Vivienne is a specialist in her field with decades of experience in aviation ranging from finding the best-suited aircraft for “flying safaris”, leading expeditions and managing logistics. Tending to every detail of the tour group’s needs in an artistic manner comes naturally, whilst topping it by sharing her positive energy to round off every expedition and every adventure as a “once in a lifetime experience”! Bravo Vivienne, you lead by example!
January 30, 2026 Vivienne Gunning Cape Town, South Africa gunningvivienne@gmail.com Dear Sir or Madam, It is a pleasure to recommend Vivienne Gunning, whose outstanding performance and long-standing contribution to Bushtracks Expeditions have consistently exceeded expectations and earned the trust of our most discerning travelers. Over a period of 25 years, Vivienne has demonstrated exceptional versatility, developing management capabilities across a wide range of complex operational, aviation, expedition, and project-based roles within our organization. She initially supported Bushtracks with highly complex ACMI, long-haul, multi-stop airliner charters across Africa, including routes from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa, Cape Town to Casablanca, and a circumnavigation of North Africa and the Sahara aboard a private VIP Boeing 737. Her responsibilities included end-to-end flight planning, securing overflight and landing permits, contracting airport ground handlers, coordinating onboard catering and cabin crew, managing fueling logistics, and maintaining high passenger service standards throughout. Building on her success in aviation charter management, Vivienne progressed to become our most experienced Expedition Leader, completing more journeys, serving more guests, and operating across more destinations than any other leader in our organization. In parallel, she developed strong project management expertise, most notably leading the establishment of a 50-bed Moroccan Caidal tented camp in the Sahara Desert in Niger. This included designing, setting up, and managing a highly successful remote field kitchen capable of delivering high-quality meals to private jet guests in an extremely challenging environment. Vivienne later managed another demanding remote assignment: our contract with Doli (Elephant) Lodge in the Central African Republic. This project required her to plan and source fittings and soft furnishings in South Africa and the CAR, oversee transport into a remote rainforest location, creatively refurbish the lodge and its landscaping within a strict budget, train and uniform staff, and train the chef and kitchen team while implementing a structured weekly menu system. In subsequent years, Vivienne led numerous Southern Africa Private Air Safaris for National Geographic Expeditions, contributing significantly to a highly successful 17-year partnership that concluded in 2024. Most recently, she personally escorted a mature Bushtracks guest with restricted mobility through Egypt, demonstrating exceptional care, sensitivity, and attention to detail—qualities that continue to distinguish Vivienne in the delivery of bespoke, high-touch travel experiences. In summary, I recommend Vivienne Gunning without reservation for a suitable role within the tourism, expedition, or luxury travel industry. She is a deeply committed professional who combines operational rigor with empathy, leadership, and consistent accountability. Sincerely, David Tett Founder & CEO Bushtracks Expeditions
