About Umlingo

“Umlingo” is a very versatile word…

In Zulu it means Magic.
”Lingo” also means words or language.

Thus … Creating Magic with Words

Travel is also probably the closest thing we have to magic on planet Earth…

Fresh Shoots…

Umlingo was a new start-up business born from the Covid-19 pandemic. Mother Nature teaches us a lot about life and renewed hope. There is nothing quite like seeing fresh green shoots growing from the ashes after the first rains. All storms eventually run out of rain - making way for rainbows and new beginnings. This is ours.

Well-Worn Boots…

Although Umlingo is brand new, founder Claire Roadley has over 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing, copywriting and social media for the tourism industry.

Claire worked for Ethos Marketing - one of the UK’s original and most respected representation companies - for nearly 20 years, representing iconic tourism brands including The Blue Train, Serena Hotels, MalaMala Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve and Newmark Hotels amongst many others. We also represented Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, a regional Tourist Board and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for many years.

Ethos also represented some boutique hotels in Europe in Italy, Spain and Madeira as well as a beach resort in the British Virgin Islands.

Before that Claire worked for a remote elephant park in KwaZulu-Natal called Tembe - so she offers experience ranging from world-renowned luxury brands to intimate, owner-run properties totally “off the beaten track”.

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

— Nelson Mandela