A snapshot

Born and raised in Italy, Romy joined the Operations Team at Yellow Zebra in 2022. Having spent 16 years overlanding across Africa, Romy brings a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience. 

African countries visited

Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Most memorable experience

“It is impossible to pick just one out of so many incredible and extraordinary experiences over the years in Africa – one cannot choose between hearing a lion roar at night, a first encounter with a gorilla, elephants coming to drink at sunset. However, when I have a chance to look at the breathtaking landscape, from a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, a balloon flight over the Serengeti plains, or a sundowner from a lodge overlooking the Mara escarpment or the Ngorongoro Crater, I cannot help thinking that this is the ‘Va, pensiero’ of which Verdi would be proud.”

Romy's biography

Born and raised in Italy, in the Renaissance city of Florence, Romy spent her childhood on the gentle hills of Tuscany among vineyards and olive trees. Growing up, her primary school location provided the opportunity for daily visits to her grandparents’ farm for fresh milk, homemade cookies, and Nonno and Nonna’s wisdom – we think it’s fair to say that these were far more enjoyable and informative than the schooling process!

In her early 20s, Romy traded the Tuscany countryside for the irresistible charm of London. After 7 years in the fast lane, opening stores throughout the UK and Europe for a leading retail brand, she decided on an impulse to take a break and joined an overland trip to Africa. 

The ‘break’ lasted over 16 years, and during that time Romy’s endurance was put to the test. After a few years as an overland driver and guide in Africa and the Middle East, she succumbed to the irresistible call of the wild and left the life on the road to begin a new adventure in East and Southern Africa, gaining invaluable knowledge working for some of the luxury travel tour operators and lodges. Groups and Incentive travel, ground operation for cruises and private jets, leading VIP safaris, as well as participating in conservation projects, were the occupations that helped Romy attain invaluable understanding of Africa operation, culture, and potential. 

Now back in her beloved Tuscany hills with her dogs Fletcher, Abigail, and Johnny, and two cats who made the journey from Kenya, her motto was and still is, ‘A bad day in the bush beats a good day in the office.’