Who We Are - Bold & Free Spirited People
Our Vision
We are dedicated to creating authentic, unforgettable experiences for visitors to East Africa by offering exceptional guiding services across the region, while contributing to the socioeconomic development of local communities as well as conservation efforts.
Our Passion
Our Passion lies in providing distinguished levels of guiding in many areas, facilitating growth and enriched safari experiences as well as opening doors for others to explore.
Our purpose is to share our passion, of this wild world we are so fortunate to live in. We stand for promoting sustainable and conscientious tourism, and the role played by local communities in East Africa's travel market.
Our Services
Holiday choices in East Africa are limitless and can feel overwhelming, but expect a positive experience with us from the get-go. We listen to your inquiries, particular interests, and expectations before suggesting the ultimate safari best suited to you, your family or friends Options also include coastal getaways, mountain trekking, or scuba diving. Your choices, combined with our expertise will create fun-filled memories to last a lifetime. Though we suspect you may well visit us again.
Meet Our Team
Colleen Hogg ~ Founder
Kenya born, Colleen's life is like a tapestry woven from threads of adventures. After schooling in Kenya and Europe, she trained in Photography at Croydon Collage of Art & Design before joining Napier Collage in Scotland to study advanced photography. Then before heading back to Kenya she completed work experience as a darkroom technician, photographer and Assistant Editor of The Hawick Express Newspaper. Though offered a position by The Nation Media Group's legendary Joe Kadhi, Colleen yearned to live in the wilderness so she chose a position as Assistant Manager for two sister lodges in Amboseli. Free time was spent exploring, photographing and meet remarkable conservationists. 'Ambo' with its gigantic elephants sauntering across the plains with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop truly was a haven. She then joined Nile Safaris in Sudan, accompanying safari groups exploring the heights of The Red Sea Mountains' home to Hadandawa pastoral nomads. Off season she lived in the Imatong Mountains and walked its length fringing southeastern Sudan into the Northern Region of Uganda. Following this she joined Cottars Camp in the Masai Mara and helped rehabilitate Kenya's largest recorded black manned lion with the support of Honorary Game Warden Ken Smith. After completing her Private Pilots License, one of life's turns led her to Abercrombie & Kent as a coordinator and host for their luxury tented camps. Passionate about sharing her bush sense and insight into nature Colleen subsequently became a guide for Park East Tours Zoological Safaris. Later a Key event led her to Somak Holidays & Safaris , as Operations Manager, as well as accompanying international film crew.
Embracing the opportunity to work solo Colleen embraced undertaking photojournalist for Big Life Foundation Tz- gaining their trust and her immense respect for anti-poaching rangers. She cares about responsible tourism interlinked with sustainable community growth and conservation.
Elisa Bettoni ~ Co-Founder
Elisa Bettoni is a certified safari guide with the Kenyan Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA).Originally from Italy. Elisa has always been driven by a strong desire to explore Africa, its hidden gems, traditions, and cultures, which led her to discover “Magical Kenya,” as she fondly describes her newly adopted home. Over the past fifteen years she has dedicated her time to exploring and learning a huge spectrum of knowledge and skills encapsulating wildlife, ornithology, culture, and traditions as well as designing safaris to Kenya less trodden areas, giving visitors truly unique bush experiences.
After exploring Kenya extensively Elisa began sharing her passion through tailor-made adventure safaris largely in areas of Kenya involved in conservation initiatives closely associated with responsible tourism involving local communities. Twenty years’ experience as a travel consultant and guide in Italy provided her with a solid foundation for creating personalised safari itineraries in Kenya – further enhanced by successfully completing The Safari Field EcoTraining Guides & Guardians course in the Masai Mara further enriching her knowledge of Kenya’s natural and historical heritage, fostering a solid bond with Kenya’ indigenous population.
In addition to a professional status most guides have a field they are particularly passionate about and in Elisa’ case its birdwatching, accumulating excellent knowledge of East Africa’s extensive avifauna.
Full of energy and spontaneous Elisa is a delightful guide to have on any safari making her a perfect addition to Conservation East Africa’s unique safari adventures.
When not on safari Elisa is based outside Nanyuki close to Mount Kenya and some of Kenya’s most renowned conservation ranches securing (amongst other wildlife) the rare Northern White Rhino and Mt. Kenya’s elusive Bongo antelope.
OUR ASSOCIATES IN ADVENTURE
Aafeez Jivraj - Mobile Camping Division, Tanzania
Tanzania born, Aafeez Jivraj has been a guide and entrepreneur in tented camps for most of his professional safari career. Affectionately called Fizzy, he began as a freelance safari guide over 30 years ago. An innovative thinker Fizzy went on to launch his tented safari career, with emphasis on producing a distinctive style - inspired by camping scenes from the world-renowned film 'Out of Africa' that encapsulated time proven African adventures. Fizzy has for many years largely focused on the annual Wildebeest & Zebra Migration crossing the great and wild Serengeti, part of Tanzania's Northern Circuit. Noting variabilities and environmental impacts,Fizzy has a knack for choosing isolated camp sites in the right place and at the right time. With all his experience, bubbly character and a camp team ( all vital staff including great cooks and drivers/guides) he
fits perfectly with our concept of comfort and safety in the wild. True adventure promoting responsible tourism. Our camps with Fizzy focus on remote areas in the Northern Circuit.
