Travel has always been part of my life. With a mum who spent nearly a decade as an Air Hostess, I grew up encouraged to explore the world. After early adventures across Europe, the USA and later Thailand, Malaysia and Iceland, Africa captured my imagination in a way nothing else had.
An incredible safari in South Africa with Audley sparked a fascination with East and Southern Africa, ultimately leading me to Tanzania — a country I’d long been drawn to. I’ve since travelled through both the north and south, gaining a deeper appreciation for its landscapes, cultures and the warm, welcoming people who make Tanzania so special.
These journeys have shaped not only my understanding but also my genuine love for the country. I’m passionate about sharing Tanzania’s wildlife, scenery, and spirit with travellers eager to experience it at its most authentic.
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Q&A with Haydon
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
As I relaxed on the veranda before dinner at Dunia Camp, a vast herd of elephants emerged from the trees and moved straight toward me. Within moments, they were so close I could hear their breathing. I stepped back, knowing there were calves among them, and then the matriarch stopped. She fixed her eyes on mine — calm, steady, yet unnervingly powerful. Time seemed to freeze. I didn’t dare breathe until she finally turned and led her family past my tent. The whole encounter lasted minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.
What’s the one thing you always pack?
It may seem obvious, but a good pair of binoculars is the one thing I never travel without. Wildlife encounters aren’t always close, and without binoculars you can easily miss the details — especially when spotting leopards hidden high in trees. A quality pair lets you see far more than the naked eye ever could, from distant movements on the horizon to the fine scars a dominant male lion has earned over years of battles. They transform a safari, helping you appreciate both the bigger picture and the small, fascinating details that make each sighting unique.
What tips would you give for people who want to visit your specialty destinations?
My top tip for anyone visiting Tanzania isn’t to focus solely on ticking off the ‘Big Five’. The magic of safari often lies in the smaller moments: colourful birdlife, changing light across the landscape, or a newborn animal interacting with its mother. When you slow down and appreciate the details, the big sightings usually find you anyway. It also helps you avoid the crowds. Instead of joining a cluster of vehicles around one lion, you might drive on and discover a peaceful herd of elephants completely to yourselves. Those quiet, unrushed encounters are often the ones you remember the most.