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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
Europe's Leading Safari Tour Operator' at the World Travel Awards
"Decided to return again to Zambia, and as previously contacted Yellow Zebra for the booking, and was well looked after by Kirsten, who made all the necessary arrangements and requests I required, very proficiently."
Shirley Taylor
"My husband and I booked our 2-week Zambia and Kenya safaris with Yellow Zebra after doing extensive research and obtaining quotes from multiple top-rated safari companies. Sebastian provided helpful suggestions and possible itineraries in a timely fashion that far exceeded the service we received..."
Judy Ratkos
"Great service and experience so far! Matt has been extremely helpful and friendly. Together with his great safari knowledge and patience with our decision making, he has helped us to create a safari holiday we are very much looking forward to."
Alison Simmons
"Unreal experience and helpful the whole way! "
Matt Finkes
"This is my 3rd safari with Yellow Zebra, and I can say they continue to provide outstanding service and safaris designed with every detail taken into account. My booking with Catherine and the operations team was seamless!"
Laura & Miles
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