Jo's biography
Jo was born in Dorset, UK, into a family with a love for travel and a particular connection to Africa. Her first recollection of the continent, from about 7 years old, is watching slides of her dad’s travels in East Africa. She was fascinated. Jo’s father lived in Nigeria, so her first African experience was the remote northern city of Kano!
Family holidays followed to Kenya, with trips to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, lakes Naivasha and Nakuru, and Mount Kenya. A move to South Africa created the opportunity for school holidays spent exploring the game reserves throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, and Namibia.
Jo studied for a BA (Hons) in Geography at Liverpool University – a field trip to Jamaica was a major highlight – and travel experiences have always been at the top of her agenda!
After finishing university, Jo headed to Africa. She joined &Beyond at Phinda Mountain Lodge and led the Front of House team there. Jo met her husband at Phinda and together they were part of the opening team at Tswalu Kalahari – a place that will always remain very close to her heart. After Tswalu, Jo joined Virgin Limited Edition and headed to Necker Island, BVIs as Island Manager before returning to the bush again as Lodge Manager at Ulusaba Rock Lodge. Next up, Jo headed to the Serengeti, Tanzania and helped open Singita Sabora Tented Camp. Family life then followed, based initially in Cape Town and then in a long list of amazing destinations in the Maldives, Mozambique, and the Greater Kruger.
In 2020, Jo returned to the UK and made the transition from Operations to Sales, joining a niche safari company in the Southwest before moving to Yellow Zebra. She is very much looking forward to continuing to share her knowledge and passion for Africa.