Biography
After graduating with a degree in Geography, Liberty spent three winters skiing in the French Alps working her way up from Chalet Host to Resort Manager. During the summers when she wasn't skiing she headed to East Africa and gained a real passion for this region.
During her various trips she has travelled through the Serengeti, climbed Kilimanjaro and dived with whale sharks off the Mafia Islands. She has also headed to Madagascar to teach English as well as working on a volunteer project in Mozambique.
Since joining Audley, Liberty has been lucky enough to return to both Kenya and Tanzania on an extensive trip, taking in many incredible safari destinations as well as going back to Zanzibar and Mafia.
My Most Memorable Experience
"The Selous Game Reserve is set on the banks of the Rufiji river in southern Tanzania allowing for a very different safari experience. Taking a boat safari out onto the main channel or weaving in and out of the numerous interconnected lakes provides an amazing chance to see wildlife and is a definite highlight.
On my last trip, as we were heading back to camp, all of a sudden my guide slowed our boat right down coming to a complete stop in the river. Ahead of us a family of six elephants, including two small calves, were crossing the river. Watching these incredible creatures traverse the watery channel right in front of us before clambering out the other side was incredible!"
My Favourite Destination
"The is something truly special about arriving on Mafia. As your light aircraft dips down over the azure waters to land on the bumpy orange dirt of Kilondoni airstrip you know you are well off the standard tourist track. It's a place that time forgot - there are no tarmacked roads on the island with most people getting around in beaten up old 4x4s, rickety old bicycles or on foot. All supplies are brought from the mainland either by light aircraft or by the notoriously unreliable ferry and as such everything on Mafia happens pole pole, literally translated as slowly slowly.
The islands are lush with thick vegetation boasting exotic palms and baobabs while along the coast dense mangroves stretch out into shallows. A short dhow ride across the bay from Mafia proper, is the totally unique island of Chole. Here giant fig trees encroach upon crumbling Arabic ruins while huge gothic fruit bats throng the trees. At dusk these flying foxes stream across in a dark mass to feed on ripening fruit nectar and pollen in a spectacular exodus from the island.
However, arguably Mafia's main draw is the sheer abundance of marine life teeming below the surface of the tropical waters. Sitting in the Indian Ocean directly in the path of the nutrient rich waters flowing from the Rufiji river delta and protected as a marine park, Mafia offers some of the best diving and snorkelling on the East African coast.
During whale-shark season (Nov-Feb) these gentle giants are regularly spotted off the coast and the area is also home to sea turtles and the elusive dugong. The dive sites range from beginner to expert and offer some amazing wall and drift dives as well as plenty of colourful coral gardens just below the surface."
My Favourite Accommodation
"Located in the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta wildlife conservancy, between the foot hills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, the Kicheche Lakipia camp provides an unparalleled selection of safari activities from a truly luxurious setting.
Not only can you experience traditional style game drives from the camp, you can also go on night drives, game walks and track radio collared lions. If this wasn't enough, you also have the opportunity to visit the park's incredibly rare northern white rhino (there are just seven left in the world) and the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
The camp itself is set overlooking a large water hole with six beautifully furnished tents and an intimate communal dining area. Spend the evening swapping stories with fellow guests around the fire pit before drifting off to sleep to the sounds of the bush."
