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Karen Sharpe

Karen Sharpe

Assistant Africa Specialist | Namibia

I was born in Namibia and grew up in the bush. I always think: you may leave Africa but Africa never leaves you.

Karen Sharpe

Karen is in the UK and usually available:
UK time: 09:00-17:30 Mon-Fri, and occasional Saturdays.
See our office hours and locations.

More about Karen...
I had the incredible fortune of growing up surrounded by the wilderness in northeast Namibia. My childhood on a farm near the Zambezi River was filled with weekends of river rafting and wild camping adventures in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, all thanks to my parents' passion for nature.

One of my fondest memories is walking through national parks with my dad as a young girl. Those early experiences taught me to respect and read the wilderness, sparking a lifelong appreciation for wildlife.

I attended junior school in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where my love for sports blossomed alongside my deep connection to nature. It wasn't unusual to have elephants wander by as we trained—just another part of daily life!

For senior school and university, I moved to South Africa, exploring Cape Town’s vibrant city life and the stunning Garden Route. After studying hospitality and tourism management, I returned to Namibia, where I worked at a safari lodge in the Caprivi Strip, welcoming guests, and later joined my family's safari business. The need for new adventures then led me to a skydiving company on Namibia’s Atlantic coast in Swakopmund.

Yet, the call of the wild remained strong. Combining my experiences, I established my own safari company in Swakopmund, later merging it with my family’s business to showcase the wonders of southern Africa. The Caprivi Strip, in particular, became our speciality—a hidden gem for adventurous travellers.

In 2020, I moved to the UK with my partner and our two children to work for a general tour operator. However, my deep love for Africa never wavered. In 2023, I was thrilled to join Expert Africa, where I can fully share my passion.

With a lifetime of travel experience across southern Africa, I'm genuinely excited to share my knowledge and help craft your dream African adventure!

Karen's most recent Africa trips


Namibia

Namibia

May 24 13 nights

It’s wonderful to revisit Namibia. This time I explore the fiery dunes in the south, self-driving on well-graded gravel roads, with frequent stops to admire the stunning views along the route from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei. As always, some particularly memorable highlights; including an exhilarating hot air balloon flight over the Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib-Naukluft, and a climb of the formidable ‘Big Daddy’ dune, almost 330 metres tall, overlooking the striking Deadvlei. I can’t wait to return!

Namibia

Namibia

Apr 24 13 nights

My adventure began in Namibia's most wildlife-rich area, Etosha National Park. It holds a special place in my heart with its varied and prolific wildlife, which continually entice me back.Surrounding the park are several private reserves, which also offer rewarding animal sightings. A standout moment from my trip occurred at Andersson’s at Ongava, where I witnessed a black rhino (known for their grumpy temperaments) chase two male lions around a waterhole.Continuing my journey, I ventured into the rugged and ever-changing landscape of Damaraland. The vivid sunsets are always breathtaking - a must-see spectacle. Spending time in this area allows you to truly appreciate its beauty, and to photograph incredible scenery and encounter desert-adapted wildlife.

Namibia

Namibia

Aug 23 4 nights

Karen's previous Africa research


Country Arrived Length of stay Areas visited
Kenya June 2023 2 nights Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Maasai Mara Conservancies
Namibia March 2020 10 nights Damaraland
Namibia November 2018 4 nights Etosha National Park
Namibia July 2017 2 nights Namib-Naukluft National Park
Namibia December 2015 6 nights Central Highlands
Namibia January 2015 8 nights Southern Namibia, Fish River Canyon, Luderitz, Namib-Naukluft National Park
Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia March 2010 7 nights Central Highlands, Caprivi Strip, Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park

Reviews from Karen's latest travellers


A & K from Bolton

Arrived 9 Oct 2024, 15 nights

"My Oct 2024 trip"

"We had a great time. We had a great time. Partly due to booking late in the d …" Read A & K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

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