Michele Seamark
Michele Seamark
Director
Michele was born and grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe. After school she completed an intense secretarial course before things started to go rapidly ‘down hill’ for the country. Aged 18, she made the decision to leave and arrived in Suffolk in November 2001 to start a new life. Michele joined Safari Consultants as a personal assistant in 2002.
Having been with Safari Consultants for two years and gained an intimate understanding of the business, she needed a different challenge and joined the sales team. She has never looked back, and has now travelled over 50 times to Africa, covering Seychelles, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. Her favourite regions are the South Luangwa in Zambia, and the Selous and Ruaha in southern Tanzania, though Zimbabwe naturally has a special place in her heart. Gorilla tracking in Uganda also remains a personal highlight as this was the first place she experienced the great apes. With her southern Africa ‘roots’ Michele is passionate about her job and is meticulous in her organisation, always willing to go that ‘extra mile’.
Michele’s top 3 EXPERIENCES
Adventure Fly Camping with Serian in southern Serengeti
Spending a few nights adventure fly camping in the southern Serengeti with Alex Walker’s Serian is without a doubt up there with one of my best safari experiences in Africa. Culture plays a huge part of the experience, as you walk not only with a professional guide, but with local Maasai and Hadzabe, who add their own cultural bush skills to the mix. Searching for and eating delicious Mopane bee honey; finding a trap door spider hole; breakfast in a cave traditionally used by Masai as a meeting place, were definite highlights. But it is also spending time with these characters and their infectious passion and humour which really brings your Safari to life. With a group of local experts tracking and reading the different angles of the bush, the wildlife did not disappoint either: spotting a wildebeest giving birth amongst the thousands; a cheetah on a kill and sitting ground level with wild dogs! Throw in all the above, add to it the fact that I did not see another vehicle or person the entire time, and you leave Africa having totally immersed yourself in the true meaning of a safari.
Wild Camping in Namibia
Exploring the remote Kunene region of Namibia with a private guide and vehicle wild camping for a few nights was an awesome experience. The incredible and everchanging landscapes from jagged mountains, expansive desserts and surprising river oasis just blows your mind. Desert elephant roaming through dry riverbeds, giraffes silhouetted against stark mountains, the wildlife is not plentiful, but fascinating to see in such a harsh environment. Simple camping in dome tents in pure wilderness, lamb chops cooked over an open fire and gin & tonics that never tasted so good, what’s not to love!
Tiger Fishing on the Zambezi River
Catching a Tigerfish is an exhilarating experience and where best to enjoy it but on the mighty Zambezi River. What I love about fishing on the Zambezi is whilst you are waiting for that ‘bite’, you are never short of watching wildlife: pods of hippo’s just off the shoreline, crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbank, elephants coming down to drink and an abundance birdlife. The Tigerfish is just a bonus!
Michele’s Favourite Places To Stay
Offbeat Mara Camp, Mara North Conservancy, Masai Mara
Set in a little valley surrounded by open plains often dotted with wildlife, Offbeat Mara Camp offers authentic yet comfortable accommodation in a prime game-viewing area. You feel immediately relaxed and well taken care of as soon as you step foot into this camp with its friendly, personal team. Of all the camps in Africa, its where I decided to celebrate my 40th birthday!
Musango, Lake Kariba
The camp has a lovely exclusive feel with lovely views of the lake. Simple, comfortable accommodation, home cooked fresh food, excellent guiding and down to earth personal service gives it a wonderful ‘home away from home feel’.
Bilimungwe, South Luangwa
A small, charming camp in the remote southern section of the park. Located in a beautiful mahogany grove with only four rooms which overlook three waterholes (yes three waterholes!). The waterholes are frequented daily by animals in the dry season and your post brunch siesta can be spent lazing on your deck watching elephants in particular enjoy their afternoon drink or mud bath!
