This week our blog entry is all about the boss! We thought we would ask Rob all about himself and his love of travel and give you a little more personal insight into the team behind Real Africa. Here is our little Q&A.
Q: Where is you favourite place in the world and why?
A: My favourite place is North Norfolk where I live. Plenty of space, natural beauty, a sense of community and a great place for kids to grow up. I love travelling but I always look forward to coming home.
Q: What is you favourite part of Africa , when did you go there and why do you like it so much?
A: I’m going to cheat and say three places for different reasons!
1. Cape Town. There is so much to do and it’s a great place to relax and enjoy eating out in their incredible restaurants. I go whenever I can and I even managed to catch a couple of World Cup matches there – they certainly know how to throw a party!
2. Ethiopia for its culture and history. It’s got such an amazing past. I led the first UK group allowed in after the Civil War in the ‘90’s and was based out of the Embassy. It was an amazing experience.
3. The Mara Northern Conservancy in Kenya for safari. You always see incredible animals, there is a good variety of terrains and they offer some truly great lodges. I was last there in 2011.
Q: How many times have you been to Africa and where have you been?
A: Lots of times, it’s the big perk of working for a safari specialist! The only places I’ve still to visit are Uganda to see the gorillas and Namibia but they’re on the list. I’ve been to South Africa and Kenya the most as I go regularly to catch up with our local staff out there.
Q: Where else in the world have you been to?
A: I’ve travelled widely, but most of my travelling outside Africa has been in Asia. I lived in Kathmandu for two years as a mountain guide so I love Nepal. I also love Marrakech which I worked out of for two seasons in the Atlas mountains.
Q: What is your favourite travel memory?
A: Standing on the summit of any Himalayan peak. The sense of achievement, the relief of being there and the fact there is no more up…
Q: What is your funniest travel memory?
A: On a two week trek through the interior of Borneo, we’d been sleeping in small jungle shelters we made every night and had been eaten alive by insects, leeches and beetles. Half way through, in the absolute middle of nowhere, we met an Australian prospecting for oil and slept that one night in total luxury in an a/c portacabin after a steak and beer supper. We were two very happy trekkers that night!
Q: What was your worst travel experience?
A: I did a two day voyage between Borneo and Java on a small freight boat carrying a cargo of eels. They kept escaping and got everywhere and the smell….
Q: How did you get into the travel industry?
A: I qualified as an archaeologist but my first job in Baghdad fell through because of the Gulf War (the first one). I started working in travel as I liked to travel and explore.
Q: As a family man what is your number one tip for having a good holiday with a family?
A: Don’t do too much day to day travelling. See what you want to see but stay in the same place for a few nights at a time and make sure there is a pool. Visit places the kids want to go as well as what you want to see.
Q: What other interests do you have other than travel?
A: I write, I farm, I’m a member of the RNLI and I run a taxi service for my children.
Q: What is your favourite book?
A: “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay. If I ever manage to write anything half as moving I will be very, very happy.
Q: What is your favourite film?
A: Currently “The Muppets”… Like most men I love “The Shawshank Redemption” and I also like “Empire of the Sun.”
Thank you Rob! There will be more interviews with other Real Africa team members in the future so look out for them here in our weekly blog.
