About

About Nala Africa Collections

A Childhood Shaped by Africa

I grew up on a family farm in northern Zimbabwe, where Africa was not just a place but a way of life. My earliest memories are of wandering the hills behind our house. A fallen log looked like the silhouette of a leopard, and my brothers told their friends it was prowling. Often, I sat quietly on the rocks, waiting for the small oribi that grazed nearby.

The sable antelope — regal and rare — became my favourite. Meanwhile, kudu watched us shyly from the bush as we drove past in the Land Rover. Not all my memories were gentle, however. My brother raised a warthog named Orch after its mother died. Since I was small, Orch would shove me with his snout when I tried to play outside. Eventually, as he grew older, we had to move him to his own side of the garden. Even then, I learned that Africa can be both tender and fierce.

Memories of Kariba Dam

Trips to Kariba Dam left a lasting impression on me. The cry of the fish eagle as it swooped over the water, the fiery sunsets over drowned tree stumps, and the sudden splash of hippos or crocodiles surfacing nearby — all of these moments are etched into my heart.

At night, we gathered around a crackling braai fire. As the scent of rain lingered in the grass, family stories filled the air. Some were tales of narrow escapes from rhinos in the bush. Others were fish stories that seemed to grow larger with every telling.

The Magic of the Wild

Africa is full of contrasts. Zebras drink peacefully at a waterhole, only to scatter moments later. Lions roar across the plains, their voices carrying for kilometres. Then, elephants arrive with quiet majesty. Often, a calf darts off the path, forcing its mother to rush protectively after it. In those playful, tender moments, you can see their personalities shine. This is the Africa that shaped me — wild, unpredictable, and endlessly beautiful.

Sharing Africa With the World: Our Expertise and Commitment

At Nala Africa Collections, I wanted to share that magic with others. This space is about more than products and safari trips; it’s fundamentally about an experience.

My name is Ronel Kraukamp, and Nala Africa Collections is the culmination of this lifelong connection. I draw on decades of experience curating and sourcing authentic African artistry, and I specialise in the beauty of Africa, the beautiful landscapes, wild animals still roaming the savannahs wild and free and the beautiful artworks. The bright and colourful paintings, handcrafted sculptures, the carts made of wire that you push with a handle made to look like a steering wheel, it’s shoe polish wheels firmly attached. Sadly, wire cars and pebble games are not what is on sale here, but our products are still handmade and create work for a local community here in South Africa.

We bring you the vibrant and enchanting world of Africa through:

• Travel stories and guides that capture the wonder of safaris, landscapes, and hidden gems.
• Jewellery and art inspired by heritage and crafted by African artisans.
• Home décor that channels Africa’s wild beauty into your living space.
• Curated collections that connect you to Africa’s traditions, artistry, and spirit.

Welcome to the African Experience

Whether you dream of watching elephants at dawn, wearing jewellery that carries African heritage, or transforming your home with safari-inspired décor, Nala Africa Collections is here to inspire you. This is my Africa — both the childhood home that shaped me and the vast, diverse continent that continues to amaze me. Welcome to Nala Africa Collections. Welcome to the African experience.

“You cannot leave Africa. It is always with you, there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents in the swirl of your thumbprints; our drumbeats counting out your pulse; our coastline the silhouette of your soul” — Bridget Dore