Alluring Africa is proud to celebrate a remarkable recognition in the world of luxury travel: Susan Neva has once again been named a Travel + Leisure A-List Travel Advisor for 2026.
This prestigious honor highlights Susan’s decades of expertise designing extraordinary African safaris and reinforces Alluring Africa’s position as a leader in highly personalized luxury journeys across the continent.
At a Glance
- Susan Neva has been named a Travel + Leisure A-List Travel Advisor for 2026, one of the travel industry’s most prestigious recognitions.
- The Travel + Leisure A-List highlights the world’s top travel advisors, selected for their expertise, insider access, and ability to design exceptional journeys.
- Susan brings over 30 years of experience designing transformative African safaris, combining deep destination knowledge with personal insight.
- At Alluring Africa, Susan crafts highly personalized journeys that connect guests with the continent’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultures in meaningful ways.
What is the Travel + Leisure A-List?
The Travel + Leisure A-List is an annual recognition of the world’s top travel advisors, selected by the editors of Travel + Leisure for their expertise, industry influence, and ability to design extraordinary journeys.
Each year, the magazine’s editors evaluate travel specialists across the globe and curate a highly selective list of advisors who consistently deliver exceptional experiences for discerning travelers. Being named to the A-List signals not only deep destination knowledge but also trusted relationships, insider access, and a reputation for designing transformative journeys.
Within the luxury travel industry, the Travel + Leisure A-List is widely considered one of the most respected acknowledgments of excellence.
Who is Susan Neva?
Susan Neva is an award-winning travel designer at Alluring Africa, specializing in highly personalized luxury safaris across the African continent.
With more than three decades of experience, Susan has built a reputation for designing seamless journeys that combine extraordinary wildlife encounters, exceptional lodges, and meaningful cultural experiences.
Her extensive travels across Africa have shaped a deep understanding of the continent’s landscapes, ecosystems, and communities. That knowledge allows her to craft journeys that feel effortless for guests while revealing the depth, beauty, and diversity of Africa.
As Susan explains:
“Drawing from my roots in Africa and a lifetime of travel, I have gained an understanding of each journey’s complexities. My goal is to ensure guests feel transformed, not just by the joy of discovery, but by an experience crafted around their preferences.”
What does it take to become a Travel + Leisure A-List Travel Advisor?
Travel + Leisure selects A-List advisors based on a combination of expertise, industry relationships, and the ability to design exceptional journeys.
Advisors recognized on the A-List typically demonstrate:
- Deep destination expertise and firsthand travel experience
- Specialized planning skills for complex itineraries
- Strong industry relationships that unlock exclusive experiences
- Access to exceptional properties and private guides
- A commitment to highly personalized travel design
In short, the A-List celebrates advisors who consistently transform travel ideas into unforgettable journeys.
Susan Neva’s recognition reflects decades of dedication to this craft.
What makes Susan Neva’s approach to African safaris unique?
Susan’s approach centers on designing journeys that feel personal, seamless, and transformative.
Rather than relying on standardized itineraries, she works closely with each guest to understand their interests, travel style, and dreams for the journey. Every safari is then designed around those individual priorities.
This philosophy allows Susan to create experiences that might include:
- Privately guided wildlife encounters in remote reserves
- Extraordinary lodges that blend luxury with conservation
- Meaningful cultural connections with local communities
- Carefully paced itineraries that balance adventure and comfort
The result is a safari that feels both effortless and deeply memorable.
Why Uganda and Namibia hold a special place in Susan’s journeys
While Susan designs safaris across the entire African continent, she often expresses a particular affinity for Uganda and Namibia, two destinations that offer profoundly different yet equally compelling safari experiences.
Uganda is known for its lush landscapes and rare wildlife encounters, including unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Namibia, by contrast, captivates travelers with its dramatic desert landscapes, unique wildlife adaptations, and extraordinary sense of remoteness.
Together, these destinations reflect the incredible diversity of Africa and the wide range of journeys Susan helps her guests experience.
Susan Neva and the Alluring Africa philosophy
At Alluring Africa, every journey is designed to reveal the continent in a deeply personal way.
As one of the company’s experienced travel designers, Susan embodies this philosophy by crafting bespoke safaris tailored to each guest’s interests and aspirations. From family adventures to milestone celebrations, her itineraries combine thoughtful planning with authentic experiences that connect travelers to Africa’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultures.
This dedication to meaningful, personalized travel is exactly what Travel + Leisure recognized when naming Susan Neva to the 2026 A-List of top travel advisors.
Plan your safari with Susan Neva
Designing an extraordinary African safari begins with expert guidance.
If you’re considering a journey to Africa, Susan Neva and the team at Alluring Africa can help craft a personalized itinerary tailored to your interests, travel style, and dreams for the continent.
To begin planning your journey, contact Susan directly at:
FAQ
What is the Travel + Leisure A-List?
The Travel + Leisure A-List is an annual selection of the world’s top travel advisors, chosen by the editors of Travel + Leisure. Advisors are recognized for their destination expertise, industry relationships, and ability to design exceptional travel experiences.
Why is the Travel + Leisure A-List important?
Being named to the A-List signals that an advisor is among the most trusted and respected experts in the travel industry. Travelers often rely on this list to identify specialists capable of designing extraordinary journeys.
How much experience does Susan Neva have designing African safaris?
Susan Neva has more than 30 years of experience planning African safaris and luxury journeys across the continent. Her extensive firsthand travels and industry relationships allow her to create highly personalized itineraries for discerning travelers.
What kinds of safaris does Susan Neva design?
Susan designs tailor-made luxury safaris that can include wildlife expeditions, family adventures, honeymoon journeys, cultural experiences, and conservation-focused travel across Africa.
How can I plan a safari with Alluring Africa?
You can begin planning your journey by contacting Susan Neva at Alluring Africa. She will work with you to design a personalized itinerary based on your interests, travel style, and preferred destinations.
Why work with a luxury safari travel advisor?
A specialist advisor provides destination expertise, insider access, and trusted relationships with lodges and guides. This ensures your safari is thoughtfully designed, seamless to experience, and tailored specifically to your interests.
About Alluring Africa
Alluring Africa is an award-winning luxury safari company that designs highly personalized journeys across Africa. The company is recognized for its deep destination expertise, trusted industry relationships, and exceptional attention to detail when crafting bespoke safaris.
