Who We Are
We are a dynamic team who offer customized safaris and adventure throughout East Africa. By using our creativity and firsthand knowledge of the region we create a safari that comprises of private and exclusive destinations that we have traveled to ourselves.
Kenya is our home and sharing it with others is our passion. Getting to know it cannot be done behind our desks, so we spend time visiting popular destinations as well as exploring the new and finding areas that are still untouched.
I would want people to know we had … the trip of a lifetime. It really changed our lives … offered us a full range of experiences … and I would recommend you to anyone. To the best safari consultants.
Opal and Hans Abbink, USA.
Joe & Gillian
The founders of East Africa Safari Ventures are Joe and Gillian Charleson whose vision and personal experience have shaped the style of safaris offered to our clients. We both have extensive experience in the safari and hospitality industry in various parts of Africa.
Joe grew up in Kenya with family safaris as part of his childhood. After graduating with a biology degree, he started working as a Professional Safari Guide in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert before returning home to Kenya in 1999 and has been leading and hosting safaris across the continent since then. He now heads up our team of private guides, with a particular interest in providing exceptional safari experiences through our privately guided Luxury Mobile Safaris.
Gillian was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa where she started her career working in some of South Africa’s finest hotels and resorts. She made her way to Tanzania in 1995 and quickly fell in love with East Africa and its way of life. We divide our time between Nairobi, being out on safari and at Leleshwa Camp, our permanent tented camp on the edge of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Mouse Levitan
Mouse is a born and raised second generation Kenyan who completed her schooling in Kenya. She then trained as a Cordon Bleu chef in Cape Town, South Africa, after which she travelled and worked her way through South Africa, England, Italy, Scotland and Zanzibar, working in all departments in hotels, café’s, bars and restaurants, learning all aspects of the hospitality trade.
On returning home to Nairobi, Mouse settled into Tourism, concentrating on operations and logistics. She has a personal knowledge of Kenya and spends much of her free time camping with her family and friends all over the country. She is most comfortable in the bush surrounded by “the real Africa” and has a true passion for Kenya and its wildlife and community.
The Team
Liz Mugure was born and brought up in Nairobi, Kenya and has been working with East Africa Safari Ventures since 2009. Besides having graduated with a Business and IT degree from Strathmore University in Nairobi, Liz realised she has a passion in tourism and has grown with the company through the years developing quotes and itineraries for clients .Liz specialises in tailor made safaris to East Africa and has travelled through Kenya and Tanzania.
When Liz is not in office she enjoys going for road trips out of town, swimming and camping with friends and family.
Edna Michira was born and brought up in Kenya. After the completion of her Degree programme in finance and accounting, she joined the industry in 2008 in the accounting department and started working with us since 2010 in accounts. Edna is very passionate about her work and her love for the beautiful serene and its wildlife in Kenya as a whole.
Private Guides
East Africa Safari Ventures pride ourselves with having only the best private guides in Kenya for your safaris. Privately guided safaris are a true experience, having your own personal guide throughout your safari who will share his knowledge and experience, is a fantastic way to make your safari even more spectacular. It also allows for better consistancy throughout the safari. All our preferred guides are KPSGA rated and come with many years of personal experience. They have a firsthand knowledge of the African bush, wildlife, flora and fauna, as well as a close link to the African culture and the many tribes you may encounter whilst on your safari. The costs of each guide is different and are each guide is subject to availablity. All costs depend upon to length of safari, time of year and vehicle hire rates.
