A travel business built on relationships, judgement, and care.
Next Trip reflects Francesca van der Merwe's way of working: attentive, capable, and quietly thorough from the first enquiry to the moment a traveller gets home.
Meet Francesca van der Merwe
Founder of Next Trip
With more than 18 years in the travel industry, Francesca has built Next Trip around a simple belief: travel should feel personal, well managed, and far less stressful than it often does.
Clients know her for attentive service, practical thinking, and the ability to stay calm when plans become complicated. She works closely with each client to shape travel that fits their needs, whether that means a straightforward business booking, a large delegate movement, or a highly personal leisure itinerary.
What matters most to Francesca is consistency. The calls get answered. The detail gets noticed. The experience feels human. Through Next Trip, she offers clients a trusted travel partner who understands that the real value is not only in where you go, but in how smoothly you get there.
"The best travel support is often felt in the background. It keeps things moving, keeps people informed, and makes the whole journey feel easier."
The principles behind the service
Detail first
The smoothest trips usually feel effortless because the thinking happened early. We pay close attention before the traveller ever departs.
Quick, practical response
When plans change, clients need useful action more than long explanations. We move fast, keep people informed, and sort what needs sorting.
Personal knowledge
We keep track of how clients prefer to travel, who needs what, and the small details that make the experience feel considered rather than generic.
Grounded locally
Next Trip is rooted in South Africa, with local supplier knowledge, practical route familiarity, and strong relationships where they matter.
Three areas where experience makes a visible difference
Corporate travel
Support for companies that need business travel handled properly, with dependable service, clearer oversight, and less administrative drag.
Learn moreEvent & delegate travel
Travel logistics for conferences, roadshows, and corporate gatherings where timing, rooming, transfers, and communication all matter.
Learn moreLeisure planning
Tailored private travel for families, couples, and travellers who want thoughtful recommendations and a steadier hand behind the scenes.
Learn moreRooted in South Africa, connected further afield
Local knowledge that helps in real situations
We know the major South African routes, supplier networks, transfer realities, and seasonal pressures that shape travel on the ground. That local understanding helps us move quickly and make sound decisions when timing matters.
It also means more thoughtful recommendations, better communication, and a service style that reflects the market we actually work in.
International trips, handled with the same care
For international travel, we work through trusted global distribution channels and supplier relationships to coordinate flights, stays, transport, documentation, and support.
Whether the traveller is heading to Cape Town, Nairobi, London, or further afield, the standard stays the same: thoughtful planning, clear communication, and dependable follow-through.
If you value thoughtful service, we should talk.
Whether you need support for business travel, a major event, or a personal trip, we'd be glad to understand what you need and help shape the right plan.