Managing Director

The Marketer - Chania is passionate about anything that is a challenge, that is competitive and/or that involves spending money; travelling, entertaining, partying, shopping and sport ... her motto in life is 'laughter is the best medicine'.

Life in General - She was brought up on a tea estate in Kericho, in Kenya's highlands. Though she lived in Kenya all her life, she went to school in Dorset, England and university in Cardiff, Wales before moving back to Kenya in 1997 to pursue her interest in marketing and tourism ... and to enjoy life to the full. Chania lives on a farm, north of Nakuru, is married and has one little boy.

Life in Travel - Chania has worked in travel and tourism since 1994. She's worked in lodges, hotels, wildlife documentary logistic companies and marketed just about any product that needed marketing ... until she tripped into her passion, marketing Kenya. Chania has represented over 30 of Kenya's most fabulous lodges including Shompole, Alfajiri, Cottars 1920's and Manda Bay before developing fully informational visitors maps of Kenya (Chamchela maps). In 2008, Chania set up her ultimate passion, The SAFARI Company (www.thesafaricoltd.com our sister company) and ADVANTAGE East Africa.

Marketing

The fun-loving marketer – Pippa is mad about travelling and adventure and believes that every moment in life should be filled with fun and laughter. She is always keen to get out into the bush and do some crazy exploring whether it be in Kenya or other countries across the globe.
 
Life in General – Pippa was born in Kenya and went to school here until she was 16 then went over to the UK for the final hurdle before completing university in Cape Town, South Africa. After the university days were over she decided to hop around the world for a while to try and satisfy the travelling bug! However eventually the call of Kenya was too strong and she was taken under ADVANTAGE East Africa’s wing as the marketing manager and is now able to satisfy the travelling bug at home!
 
Life in Travel – Pippa has always loved to travel ever since the day that she could walk and talk. She has worked in a few of the most amazing lodges in Kenya including Mikes Camp and Pemba Afloat. Here she learnt what it was really like to run a lodge and what it means to keep your clients happy. Armed with this useful information and a thorough understanding of what people want on their holiday she found that marking these amazing places was the next natural step in the path of life…thus her time at ADVANTAGE East Africa began!

Marketing Assistant

Reservations

Internal Accountant

Life in General - I was brought up in the sugar belt region of Bungoma, the Western Kenya region, though l went to school in Nairobi where l am currently based.

Life in Travel – I have worked inthe tourism industry for 8 years, providing revenue collection and ticketing services to the greater Mara and county councils.

Financial Director

The Kitesurfing Financial Director - Paolo chose accounting and financial management over kitesurfing because...........He also doesn’t know why?

Life in General - Paolo was brought up in Watamu, a small village on the Kenyan coast. He went to Primary school in Kenya before going to High school in Natal, South Africa. After his Gap year he went to the University of Cape Town where he did his undergraduate and post graduate in Financial accounting.

Life in Travel - Paolo took a gap year after school and went to Cyprus and Greece where he did his Kitesurfing and Windsurfing instructors. Has also travelled around Europe and Africa on various occasions. Paolo has a passion for the outdoors and spends most of his free time exploring the beach or bush.

Non Executive Director

The Laughing Travel Agent – Roger’s advise is just don’t take anything too seriously....work hard, laugh a lot and keep your friends close.

Life in General – I was brought up in Kisii and went to school in Kericho and Nairobi. Afterwards, I went to College in Dundee and ended up as a croupier for a year before retuning to Kenya for my career in tourism.

Life in Travel – In 1973 I joined Southern Cross Safaris. After my stint in Nairobi, I ventured out into the ‘bush’, where I lived on Ol Pejeta working for Adnan Kashaoggi for 8 years,  then Universal Safari Tours for 5 years, Block Hotels for 6 years and owned Bunson Travel Service until 2008. It’s all been in travel...and loved every  minute of it !!!

Our girl in America – Having lived and worked in East Africa for seventeen years, Clair can offer first-hand experience and advice on any query you might have. Clair will also be on skype-live to the Kenyan office daily, so will be able to offer you up to the minute information.



Life in General – Clair was brought up in England and the Far East, after finishing at The University of Edinburgh she worked for the Expedition Advisory Centre of the Royal Geographical Society and was a press officer for David Bellamy.  She moved to Kenya in 1993 to work in conservation and suddenly found herself married to one of Kenya’s more notorious safari guides and rally drivers. Clair now has three gorgeous children who will be moving with her and her husband to Rochester, NY.



Life in Travel - Clair has run one of Kenya’s oldest family owned mobile safari companies (Mathews Safaris was formed in 1967) since 1995. Clair will be taking bookings and marketing safaris both for herself and The SAFARI Company whilst in the States.