Charlotte is not only a professional field guide but has also run and managed a number of camps across Safari Africa. These include YZ favourite Mwagusi, located in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park.
Following the Yellow Zebra tradition, Charlotte worked as a camp manager and professional guide in Tanzania and South Africa before moving back to the UK and working for a top Africa travel specialist. Charlotte joined YZ in 2018, and her specialist country is Tanzania.
Tanzania and Zambia
Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar, South Africa, and Zambia
Charlotte was born with a passion for African wildlife, and safari was something she always dreamed of as a little girl. Dream turned to reality when she finally went on her first safari to East Africa with her family in 2003, and of course it surpassed all expectations! This was quickly followed by another two East Africa trips, in 2004/5 and 2006.
In 2007, Charlotte packed her bags and headed to the Limpopo area of South Africa, where she completed a six-month field guide course at the Bush Academy, obtaining her FGASA Level 1 qualification. After six months’ guiding and assisting with lodge management at a small private game lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, she heard about an opportunity to manage a camp in Southern Tanzania. She jumped at the chance and moved to the bush, to the little-known gem that is Ruaha National Park, where she managed Mwagusi Safari Camp.
In June 2009, Charlotte returned home to London and rejoined the rat race. However, Africa continued to call. She finally made a decision to part-relocate to Surrey in order to become a safari consultant with a top Africa travel specialist, remaining there for over two-and-a-half years before moving back to London full time and joining the Yellow Zebra team.
“It has to be Ruaha National Park, as this is where I have spent the most time and nothing allows you to fall in love with a place more than living there. It feels so remote and wild compared with the more famous northern parks of Tanzania, and with its variety of landscapes, enormous baobabs, and superb wildlife viewing it really is a very special place.”
“Being woken early one morning to be told by our head chef that my laptop had been eaten by a hyena overnight is the most unusual experience I’ve had – and surprisingly, even with a hole and part of the screen missing, it still worked! Other moments include seeing my first and only pangolin and watching the arrival of water into the dry Mwagusi riverbed on Christmas Day – these were special, but nothing gets the blood pumping more than bumping into an elephant or a lion in the dark whilst walking back to your banda or hearing the distinctive ‘sawing’ of a leopard whilst you try to sleep.”
"From the time I discovered, started communicating with Charlotte (Burbridge) and finally got on to a plane to head to Tanzania - this was one of the best interactions I have had with a Travel advisor / company! Charlotte asked all the right questions, had all the right information and the right advice - all making for a fantastic African experience! Thanks again Charlotte and YZ!!"
Blending beautifully into the bush, adventurous Mwagusi Safari Camp is a big favourite at YZ! Children of all ages are welcome, but please note that the minimum age requirement for walks in Ruaha is 16 years.
Old Mondoro is located within the Lower Zambezi National Park boundary. It is one of our top three camps in Africa and has won several awards.
This peaceful farm property is a fantastic base from which to explore the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park! Children of all ages are welcome.
Oliver’s is one of our favorite camps in Tarangire! It’s amazing value and boasts a fabulous location from which to explore the park. Children aged 5 years and older are welcome, and access for disabled persons is available on request.
Listed at the 4th longest river in Africa, the mighty Zambezi offers a variety of epic activities, as YZ Charlotte discovered on her safari to Zambia in October 2018.
By Charlotte | 03 December 2018
Night drives provide access to an alternative world – the wildlife you don’t usually see during the day becomes abundant and opens up an entirely new experience on your safari as Charlotte recently discovered on her trip to Zambia.
By Charlotte | 27 November 2018
