Lisa Dyboll

Lisa Dyboll

Destination Manager

South Africa
Vietnam

Meet Lisa

Every trip we design is personal, and that starts with our brilliant team of Destination Managers. They handpick every hotel, route and excursion based on their own first-hand experiences, love of the country and passion for making your holiday the very best it can be.

Lisa is our brilliant South Africa and Vietnam expert, and travel has always been part of her life. She grew up in South Africa, with family trips to Kruger and Chobe sparking her lifelong love of wildlife (and a particular soft spot for owls). Road trips across mountain passes and time spent exploring the country gave her a real feel for its landscapes and culture. Later, her travels took her to Vietnam, where she was quickly won over by everything the country has to offer. With years of first-hand experience in travel, Lisa’s full of ideas and personal tips to help make your holiday the very best it can be.

Why do you love travel?

Why do you love travel?

“

For me it is mostly about the scenery and the wildlife that showcases just how diverse the world is, and how extraordinarily beautiful, even in some of the most unlikely places. Gorgeous views are quite literally food for my soul. I also love stunning architecture and am obsessed with history and the perspective that learning about new places gives you in terms of new ideas, new thoughts and new feelings.

How long have you worked in travel?

How long have you worked in travel?

“

I have always loved travel and was lucky enough to do some travelling within Southern Africa and Europe when I was young. I fell into the travel business after starting my career in marketing and PR, when my family bought a lodge on the Chobe River in Botswana. After a few years, I joined my dad in the family business, and my love for the industry grew – people who work in travel are interesting and quirky and generally great fun. Plus, the fact that you get to explore new and interesting places is an added bonus. I worked in the travel industry in South Africa for 20 odd years and when I moved to the UK in 2022, I started work with Holiday Architects and have loved every minute of it.

Off duty, where can we find you?

Off duty, where can we find you?

“

I live in the countryside so spend loads of time walking the trails and roads around my village, always with my lovely Jack-a-whip (yes thats a breed!), and sometimes with my young son and husband. We are all South African and love learning about our adopted country, so every couple of weekends we spend finding new places to explore and new pubs to visit.

Lisa's travels

Array
(
    [0] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => ljd---phu-quoc
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/31/_spmedia_thumbs/ljd---phu-quoc.jpg
                    [width] => 1536
                    [height] => 2048
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/31/ljd---phu-quoc.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Phu Quoc, Vietnam
        )

    [1] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => ljd---mai-chau
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/31/_spmedia_thumbs/ljd---mai-chau.jpg
                    [width] => 1536
                    [height] => 2048
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/31/ljd---mai-chau.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Mai Chau, Vietnam
        )

    [2] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => ljd---hoi-an
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/31/_spmedia_thumbs/ljd---hoi-an.jpg
                    [width] => 1368
                    [height] => 1824
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/31/ljd---hoi-an.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Team HA's Lisa and Katie in Hoi An, Vietnam
        )

    [3] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => ljd---ho-chi-minh-city
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/31/_spmedia_thumbs/ljd---ho-chi-minh-city.jpg
                    [width] => 2048
                    [height] => 1536
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/31/ljd---ho-chi-minh-city.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
        )

    [4] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => Gallery Item
            [item_type] => image
            [full] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/31/angara-mara_lisa.png
                    [height] => 1236
                    [width] => 898
                    [alt] => 
                )

            [video] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => 
                )

            [thumbnail] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => 
                )

            [video_aria_label] => Hit space to toggle, play or pause video
            [video_loop] => 0
            [image_focus] => top
            [caption] => 
        )

)

Find out a little more

I am from South Africa, so it holds all of my heart. My favourite travel memory simply has to be from there! I grew up visiting the Kruger and this is where I have some really special memories, not just of the incredible wildlife, but also of the time spent with family around the big fire pits, drinking great local red wine and swapping stories of the day.

Lisa in Nairobi with the giraffes

Reviews for Lisa

Array
(
    [0] => stdClass Object
        (
            [content] => Excellent company to deal with. Lisa Dyboll pulled together an exceptional South African itinerary for us and was available to us throughout our trip. We had one tiny issue and she dealt with it swiftly and effectively. Lisa totally understood our requirements and put together a perfect trip. I would highly recommend Holiday Architects and we will certainly use them for future trips and a special mention for Lisa Dyboll who has incredible knowledge of South Africa.
            [name] => Sue Atherton
            [location] => Trustpilot
            [text_color] => 
            [admin_label] => Item 1
            [quote_color] => 
        )

    [1] => stdClass Object
        (
            [content] => We have just returned from a 6 week epic adventure in South Africa and Mozambique , put together by Lisa Dyboll at Holiday Architects . She put up with my endless changes and requests and the end result was outstanding. To have a company take such time in ensuring we got exactly the trip with the right balances of budget and experience was amazing. Lisa gave us excellent advice and steered us away from potentially stupid ideas! We will absolutely use them again as their expert knowledge and service was invaluable.
            [name] => Rona Hulbert
            [location] => Trustpilot
            [text_color] => 
            [admin_label] => Item 1 copy
        )

)

“

Excellent company to deal with. Lisa Dyboll pulled together an exceptional South African itinerary for us and was available to us throughout our trip. We had one tiny issue and she dealt with it swiftly and effectively. Lisa totally understood our requirements and put together a perfect trip. I would highly recommend Holiday Architects and we will certainly use them for future trips and a special mention for Lisa Dyboll who has incredible knowledge of South Africa.
Sue AthertonTrustpilot

”

“

We have just returned from a 6 week epic adventure in South Africa and Mozambique , put together by Lisa Dyboll at Holiday Architects . She put up with my endless changes and requests and the end result was outstanding. To have a company take such time in ensuring we got exactly the trip with the right balances of budget and experience was amazing. Lisa gave us excellent advice and steered us away from potentially stupid ideas! We will absolutely use them again as their expert knowledge and service was invaluable.
Rona HulbertTrustpilot

”

Holidays Lisa recommends

Holiday

South Africa Safari Explorer

South Africa

South Africa's wildlife at its best.

14 days
Safari Wildlife & Nature
from £5,850 pp
Holiday

Vietnam Express

Vietnam

A short, but perfectly formed introduction to Vietnam.

11 days
Family Express + 1 more + 2 more
from £2,825 pp
Holiday

South Africa Family Holiday

South Africa

The ultimate family adventure through South Africa's highlights.

15 days
Family Safari + 1 more + 2 more
from £3,495 pp

Excursions Lisa recommends

Excursion

Bush Dinner in the Kruger

When at a private safari lodge, dinner is usually eaten in a variety of different locations around the lodge, changing from night to night. One of the most exciting options is a bush dinner. It’s normally a surprise, and at the end of your evening game drive, when you think you’re heading back to the lodge, you’ll find the ranger pulling up in a secluded spot where there’ll be tables set up with the usual full silver service, all romantically lit by lamplight. The chefs will be beavering away nearby, preparing food of the usual high standard for you to enjoy beneath the open night sky.

Excursion

Hoi An walking tour

An introduction to Hoi An. Its a small town and all you need to tick off the main sights and orientate yourself is a half day walking tour. With your guide, stroll through the charming, old narrow streets, stopping off at traditional houses, former merchants' homes, the town's iconic 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market where an array of fresh ingredients are on offer. Once you have done this tour, you can then simply relax in to Hoi An and soak up the unique atmosphere of the town. The tour can be taken either in the morning or afternoon, although the market is obviously far better in the early morning.

Excursion

Chapman's Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak Drive runs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Amazingly until the road was opened in 1922 after 7 years of construction, there was no way from Hout Bay southwards down the peninsula, except to cross over the central mountain ridge and head down the opposite, eastern side. As well as its logistical benefits to local residents, the road is now one of the great marine drives in the world. Picnic spots and viewpoints are dotted along the 9 kilometre route, and you should take advantage of these to get out and appreciate the amazing views over the cliffs, beaches, coves and mountains of the Cape Peninsula. In whale season, you may well even see the telltale spout, or flipper, or even a full breach of one of these massive creatures. As you explore the Cape Peninsula it’s likely you pass over Chapman’s Peak Drive as it is the link between Cape Town and the southern peninsula, but don’t treat it just as another part of the journey: it’s much too spectacular for that!

Excursion

Good Morning Saigon!

This is an insider's early morning jaunt, taking you around Saigon in the early hours when it is absolutely buzzing with activity. A 6.30 start means you catch the first rays of the sun and witness Saigon waking up. The traffic is light at this hour and your open-style van will allow you to feel fully immersed in the city vibe. First stop is Tao Dan Park, where locals gather for morning exercises – Tai Chi, aerobics and friendly, non-competitive badminton. Stroll around the park to a small pagoda where the devout perform daily prayers. Buddhism in Vietnam has had a symbiotic relationship with Taoism, Chinese spirituality as well as aspects of indigenous Vietnamese religion. You then have the opportunity to enjoy a café sua da at the birds' club at the end of the park. The locals gather here to relax, talk, enjoy a morning coffee and compare their caged birds. Next stop is a local wet market where shoppers haggle over the abundant fresh produce on offer. Wander through the stalls where vendors are selling everything from live seafood to dried meats, fresh seasonal vegetables and home-ware goods. At last, its now time for breakfast. Alongside the locals you sample of bowl of Vietnam's national dish - pho at Pho Binh, also known as the 'Peace Noodle Shop'. During the war Pho Binh was a secret base the Vietnamese resistance fighters - the Viet Cong. Nowadays its rightly famous for its noodle soup. You will be back to your hotel for mid-morning.

Chat to Lisa

Get in touch to chat all things holidays with Lisa today.

Get a Quote 01242 253 073

Open Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm

Image

We'd love to keep in touch.

Sign up to get our latest team news, travel tips and holiday inspiration straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Holiday Architects ltd. All Rights Reserved.