Growing up in East Africa, no matter how long I have been away, it has always kindled a warm feeling of home.
In 2001, my family and I moved to Tanzania, which opened another world of bush adventures. I started my career in tourism when I was 19, running an exclusive lodge in the northern Serengeti. I took a sabbatical from that job to pursue my education, and obtained my field and marine guiding qualification in South Africa, after which I returned to Tanzania and joined one of East Africa’s biggest safari operators. At first I managed Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire National Park, then moved to the more remote wilderness areas in southern Tanzania. Here I spent 6 years running Kwihala, in Ruaha National Park. Then I moved into an operations role, overseeing the construction and launch of several new camps in Ruaha and Nyerere national parks, including Jabali Ridge and Roho ya Selous.
I’ve been extremely fortunate to have travelled extensively around Tanzania (usually in quest of some unusual species of bird) exploring lesser-known areas such as the Mahale Mountains, Katavi National Park, Kilwa, Amani forest, Lake Natron, Tanga and the Ruvuma region. And I’ve also spent lots of time in the well-known regions – the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Zanzibar and Mafia island.
I’ve always loved sharing my knowledge with like-minded travellers. I’m fascinated by local culture, languages and cuisine, exploring the wilderness areas, supporting the communities and engaging with the conservation work that goes on in these vulnerable areas. After many years as a camp manager welcoming Expert Africa guests to Tanzania, I am thrilled to be a part of the team that gets them there. I want to continue expanding my knowledge of East Africa and creating incredible experiences for all our wageni (guests or visitors in Swahili).
I live with my safari guide husband in Italy and travel home frequently to Tanzania to see my family and friends.
Tamara's most recent Africa trips
Kenya
Although I went to school in Kenya and spent time there when I was younger, this was my first trip to Kenya with Expert Africa. I focused on two of the best wildlife areas in the country – the Ol Pejeta Consrvancy in Laikipia, and the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Being such unique conservation models, the Maasai Mara conservancies were particularly interesting for me, as they are leading innovative and promising partnerships between local communities and tourism partners. Another highlight was to spend time with the last two northern white rhinos and learn about the incredible work that has gone into preventing the loss of these amazing animals. Some of my other memorable sightings included black crake chicks and an impressive hunt featuring a juvenile martial eagle on an unfortunate scrub hare. With every safari, there’s always something new and wonderful to see!
Tanzania
This trip was focused on Tarangire National Park. As a personal favourite, this unique ecosystem which forms park of the important Maasai Steppe is often overlooked or missed completely. We explored the wildlife management area Randilen, a vital wilderness buffer zone and enjoyed excellent game viewing in Tarangire. Our highlights were the surprise sundowner and bush breakfasts along the Silale swamp. As someone who adores elephants, we were spoilt with the enormous herds that Tarangire is very well know for.
- I visited
- Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Tanzania
After three years and a radical switch from being based on the ground, running bush camps to putting on an Expert Africa specialist cap, it was wonderful to be back in Tanzania. Despite the huge impact of Covid on the tourism industry, it was great to see so many camps back on their feet and gearing up for what looks to be an incredible season. This trip started off heading to the Ngorongoro Crater, spending a couple of nights in Karatu. The camps along the Crater rim and at its foothills were already teeming with overly excited visitors. The morning trip into the crater was thrilling and I was happy to get stuck into some birding. We saw excellent game, such as 3 rhinos in the distance, elephants and sleepy lions. The highlights were the serval that nonchalantly pounced on unsuspecting lizards and the 20 minute chase of a hyena after a small Thomson's Gazelle... which it naturally snapped up. Three nights on the crater, we were rearing to head further north. Descending the crater onto the endless plains of the Serengeti- it matters not if you have seen it a hundred times or seeing it for the first time, it is still unlike anything else you can experience. We travelled and visited camps located in central Serengeti, a few nights around the Moru Kopjes and headed to the Eastern plains . After more lion sightings than I can count, we headed north to Kogatende and Lamai near the Mara river. I also experienced my first Hot Air Balloon ride which will be something I will never forget. We floated along the Mara River, over disgruntled pods of hippos and we saw two cheetahs!
- I visited
- Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Migration Area
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