There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
Karen Blixen
HOW IT ALL STARTED
As serendipity would have it, a solo safari to Tanzania in 2009 was the catalyst to leave my career in corporate America and move to Arusha, a small town in northern Tanzania. Arusha also happens to be the hopping-off point for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mt Kilimanjaro to name but a few safari destinations.
Here is where I found the freedom to breathe life into my vision for Sidai Designs, a social enterprise that now connects the skilled craft of Maasai women with many other women around the world. Ten years later Sidai now employs over 120 Maasai women, providing them with financial independence while helping them develop their own skills and capacity.
Safaris Became My Passion
As more and more people heard stories of “my other life” in Tanzania I was asked to organize their trips and safaris. These initial trips showed me how much I enjoyed sharing my love of this country with others. I found myself wanting to share even more, and enable other's journeys to this place that has given me so much. Eventually after organizing many of these trips, Safari Atelier was born.
Through the years, I have developed deep and respectful relationships with many of East Africa’s exceptional guides and tour companies, traversed the national parks and learned where the best places to watch wildlife are and at what time of the year. I have visited and carefully handpicked all the camps and lodges that I work with. And having worked with the Maasai for 10 years, I have access to this incredible tribe that few other safari companies are able to offer.
IT ALL BEGAN IN 2015
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
There are lots of baboons in our garden in Arusha.
Pili is our longest living rescue, she is 13.
Proud mama to one incredible little human.
Missy adopted us 5 years ago, she is the queen of our home.