Along with his wife, Gillian, Joe Charleson manages East Africa Safari Ventures from Kenya, where he divides his time between Kenya and Tanzania. Joe was born in northern England and at the age of 10 moved with his parents to Kenya, where his lifetime of adventuring in Africa began. Joe’s father soon had the family out on camping trips exploring many unfamiliar corners of the map—the more remote the better—and in such settings, Joe’s passion for nature and wilderness was nurtured.
After schooling in Kenya, Joe returned to England to attend Bristol University, graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences that has supported his deep interest in wildlife and its conservation. Joe captured a coveted position as a resident guide at prestigious Jack’s Camp in Botswana, cutting his professional teeth in the arid, inhospitable Makgadigadi Salt Pans on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. With his family still in Kenya, he returned ‘home’ to continue a career as a professional safari guide and manager at Cottars 1920s Camp in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, where he met his wife Gillian.
Soon Joe established his own company offering professional safari guiding services, and shortly thereafter he and Gillian established Leleshwa Camp, an intimate private tented camp on the edge of the Maasai Mara. Owning a camp provided invaluable experience in developing his skills as a guide, leading trips, acting as a host and revealing the natural wonders of Africa to guests. In the process, Joe got to know the local Maasai community well, living side by side in a remote part of the Mara ecosystem untouched by tourism. Joe took an active role in working with the community leadership to establish the Siana Conservation Area, and continues to work with the community to ensure that this important wilderness areas is protected and that all community members see the benefits of tourism on their land.
In March 2005, Joe was invited to join The Original Ker & Downey Safaris, one of the oldest and most respected safari companies in Africa, as a partner and professional safari guide on their truly traditional private luxury mobile camping safaris, further enhancing his depth of skills. Joe loves to explore new areas and search out unique experiences which, when combined with a sense of fun and adventure, guarantee an amazing safari.
In 2009 Joe and Gillian welcomed their son, Kian, opening up an opportunity for Joe to watch a son of his own grow up in the bush, sharing his parents’ passion. Family life has added a new dimension to Joe’s safari experiences, with a deeper appreciation for the joy of learning about Africa, its remarkable wildlife and fascinating people, and sharing this knowledge with people of all ages.
2012 marked the next big step in the evolution of Joe’s safari-based career path, with the advent of his and Gillian’s partnership with East Africa Safari Ventures.