UK / International
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Product Manager
Christina’s role at Yellow Zebra involves spending half of the year researching and connecting with our partners on the ground in Africa. Her working environment shifts between camps and in African cities or tourism towns that are on the edge of game reserves and conservancies.
An incredible people’s person, and with an initiative and resourcefulness that saw her migrate from a small coastal town in Canada to London before forging herself as one of the industry’s leading product managers for African safari, Christina joins us with a wealth of safari experience spanning the entire continent.
Christina has not been on a personal or work trip outside of Safari Africa in the last 4 years! She spends every moment she can in the bush, on the ground visiting friends she has made over the years, and taking opportunities to grow her knowledge. Her last trip took her to Botswana and into the Delta, the Linyanti region, and the Makgadikgadi Pans. She was also one of the first people to visit Wilderness Mokete – a truly remote camp in the legendary Mababe Depression where vast lion prides regularly hunt in daylight.
“I’m extremely grateful to have made so many incredible friends throughout Africa. Safari guides, bush pilots, conservationists, photographers – they’ve taught me so much about what goes on beyond luxury lodges. I love the way the bush grounds you and takes you out of your comfort zone – for me, there’s nowhere else that brings people together so authentically in the spirit of storytelling. The smallest moment or sighting can change your life. One of my favourites was my first-ever night in Botswana. It was in the Delta at Duba Explorers Camp. At the end of dinner, we suddenly heard around twenty hyenas all calling as if they were surrounding us. My guide kindly took me back to my room to ‘retire’ for the night, but I was too excited. From my room I used my torch to search through the mesh to try to spot the hyenas, and I found a few. I watched them in awe with my face pressed against the mesh, before, suddenly, there was an extraordinary roar that went right through me. I hadn’t realised it, but a lion was directly next to the canvas of my tent with his successful kill! I rushed back into the safety of my bed. It was one of the most raw and powerful experiences, and exactly how Botswana had been described to me – authentic and truly wild.”
Christina was born and raised in a beachside town outside Vancouver, Canada. She spent most of her childhood outdoors – whether it was on the coastline, or climbing to the top of those extremely tall trees British Columbia is famous for! Her parents gave their kids a choice between more commercial holidays such as Disneyland, or surfing, bear-watching, whale-watching, and hiking on Vancouver Island. It was an easy choice and definitely planted the seed for Christina’s love affair with the wild. A spontaneity and free-spiritedness led her to move to London at the age of 18, without knowing anyone, or making any real plan other than arranging a flat to live in! The flat turned out to be a scam, but rather than call her parents or turn back she resolved the matter herself and sofa-surfed through the kindness of Londoners she’d just met. A first job in a fancy establishment in a sales events role in hospitality made her realise that she wanted to work in Travel. She proceeded to land a job at prestigious Audley Travel, starting as Office Coordinator, and after 3 months of working surrounded by the Africa team she was hooked! With little experience and not even having been to South Africa (just reading every possible South African history book and watching documentaries), she tenaciously made her way from a Sales Support role to landing her dream job as South Africa Product Executive. Her knowledge has since grown and grown, with over 15 trips to the continent. Christina’s ability to connect with people, her love of sharing ideas and passion for Africa, has turned her into one of the finest product managers in the business. She loves what she does and it shines through in her approach. We are absolutely delighted to have her join us here at Yellow Zebra!
Brian Jackman, safari expert for The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Condé Nast, and the BBC
10 years in a row, since 2015
"Matt, my planner contact, has been wonderful: super knowledgeable, efficient, thorough, friendly. I don't travel for some months, but the research and booking processes were excellent. Started with two additional travel companies but narrowed it to Yellow Zebra as the best. "
Jeanne Likins
"Incredible from start to finish. From giving them our budget to coming up with an amazing safari adventure , everything planned from touch down in nairobi to departure day. Leading up to departure they were great at supplying full itinerary, advice on clothing, photography, tips, and sorting out..."
Heidi
"Excellent service from Yellow Zebra. Excellent communication before and after our safari to Walkers Plains camp. Catherine really listened to what we wanted ) being our first safari ) and gave her hands on experience and advice. Could not fault them at all. Excellent holiday and service "
monica elizabeth
"Lauren Noakes gave us exceptional service as she helped us plan our first-ever Safari on short notice. We were given red carpet treatment all along the way and had the time of our lives on our Yellow Zebra Safari. Thank you Lauren! Your knowledge and passion for your work are an asset to those..."
Catherine Trescony
"Yellow Zebra was easy to work with. They listened to my needs and made the best recommendation. Our trip is going to be amazing because of Yellow Zebra. "
Sandy Young
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