Spotlight on Chris Rodgers

Chris Rodgers, based in Tanzania, officially joined the Royal African Family just over 5 years ago.  We hope you enjoy getting to know him better through our interview Q&A below.

1.    What drew you to Royal African Safaris? 

The Royal African family is a wonderful collection of like-minded personalities who truly love the African continent, its people and its wildlife.  Being able to be part of something larger than yourself and share ideas, areas, camps and logistics makes so much more possible than as a stand-alone safari operator. Each of us with different personalities are held together with a similar ethos of how to safari. Collectively we can achieve so much more within the communities and conservation areas we have come to love and know so well.

2.    What got you into guiding?

Growing up in Tanzania with my family, enabled me to see and absorb the beauty of the wilderness, its people and its wildlife. My father was a botanist, ecologist and conservationist who shared his love and passion with me right from the start. The beauty of guiding is to be able to share and facilitate this passion and love that was once shared with me.

3.    What is your greatest accomplishment? 

Co-founding a horse back safari company which has pioneered many areas in Tanzania on horse back.  This has been a great learning curve and one that has taught me veterinary skills and better horsemanship. I’ve also learned how to build relationships with different communities. For example, helping a young Maasai man into the saddle for the first time and sharing the love of horses with people I have never seen before is extraordinary.

4.    What is your motto in life? 

Days are as long and as full as you make them – a long full day is the most rewarding. Taking time for everything and anyone is always rewarding.  Don’t rush, stop, listen, and then if there’s time left, tell your story.

5.    What drives you? or What are you passionate about?  

My daughter Willow has become a new drive in life. She makes sure I’m up every day at 5.30 am – probably reminding me that a long day is most rewarding! I’m hugely passionate about nature, be it wildflowers, trees, elephants, or humpback whales.  Nature never ceases to change and amaze. Different cultures and ways of life are a great reminder of many things I have forgotten to enjoy and so spending time with these people drives me to take the most from life.

6.    If you had one last safari where would you go and why?

This is a hard one as how long can a safari be? In many ways our lives are a safari in which we travel and experience new things together.  My favorite area to end a safari would have to be in the Serengeti or “S’iringit” in Massai – “the place where the land runs on forever.”  I find it evokes great feelings; the wilderness is vast and humbling and has a great romance about it.

Hannah, Chris and their daughter Willow