Ruth

MEET RUTH

My love of travel, and Africa specifically, started with an amazing three-week overland trip to Botswana with my family when I was just fourteen. We hired an ancient Unimog and off we went from Maun up to Vic Falls. This is without doubt when I was bitten by the ‘Africa Bug.’ After a brief few years at university in Leeds, I saved every penny I could and finally made it back to Africa! I spent two months in a dusty overland truck, pitching my little tent every night, and travelled all the way from Nairobi to Cape Town. I then headed back up to Botswana to stay for a few weeks with my Aunty - or so I thought - six weeks suddenly turned into five years!

Whilst in Botswana, Africa became cemented in my heart, and when I returned to the UK I continued my career in travel. I have spent the last fifteen years tailor-making dream trips for specialist operators (including an amazing six-week sabbatical to New Zealand).

In addition to the twelve African countries I have visited, I am fortunate enough to have spent the last ten years exploring nearly every corner of the Indian Ocean, many of the Caribbean Islands, as well as the amazing Oman.

MY EXPERTISE

I am happiest when I'm helping to arrange African holidays - anything from self-drive trips to Namibia, mobile camping safaris in Botswana; right up to a luxury fly-in safari in the remote Tanzanian Wilderness! I pride myself on working out exactly what it is that you want and finding the perfect trip.

It isn’t just Africa; the Indian Ocean is also high on my expertise list as I have visited well over 100 hotels throughout, so I have lots of tips and tricks to find the perfect hotel/destination (hopefully saving you hours, days, or weeks of looking online). I am also truly passionate about the underrated beauty of Oman where I have visited the beach, hiked in the Jabal Akhdar mountains, and gone dune bashing in the desert!

I also have two young children, so am very much a family specialist and can share with you my top tips on travelling with kids and ways you can give them the most incredible experiences and make treasured, lifelong memories.

MY RECENT TRIPS

• March 2023 – Island hopping in the Maldives.
• August 2023 – 10 fabulous nights in Mauritius with my husband and two young children.
• March 2022 – Driving tour in Oman.
• November 2019 – Safari in Madikwe National Park, Sabi Sands, and Marakelle National Park.

MY TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Sunrise training run in the Lower Zambezi with my own personal guide vehicle… I will never forget running with the giraffes!
• Snorkelling with Manta Rays, sharks and turtles in The Maldives
• White water rafting on the Rive Nile, Uganda

I LOVE STAYING AT

• Shinde Camp – Okavango Delta, Botswana. Incredible location and a huge variety of activities to truly see the Delta from every angle.
• Sindabezi Island - Livingstone, Zambia. A true hidden gem…waking up to the sound of the Zambezi is like nothing else I have experienced.
• Six Senses Laamu – The Maldives. Pure perfection!

MY TRAVEL TIPS

• Slow down, get out on foot.
• Have breakfast in bed
• Talk to the locals.

MY FUTURE ADVENTURES

I want to take my family to Namibia and show them all the amazing things there. A return to Kenya is also a must for me - there's still so much to explore!

MY INTERESTS

• All things travel – there are so many places on the list…it’s just a matter of finding the time!
• Keeping fit – it’s tough keeping up with the small people.
• Getting outside….no matter what the weather.