Spotlight On James Aduoli

What is your role here?

Head Chef

Where are you from?

Kenya’s Western Province

Tell me more about your family and home

I have 8 kids: the first two are married, the third is at guiding college, the fourth is at medical college, the fifth is studying medical engineering at university, the sixth is in form 2, the seventh in form 2, the eighth is in primary 8. Many of my children want to become engineers and doctors, that is their wish. I did not go to college or university. I studied as a steward for 6 months in Marindi. Then I became a baker.

How long have you been working for Royal African?

Since 2015

How did you come to work here?

I worked for Sunworld Safaris in Nairobi for 5 years. I heard that the Royal African Safaris camp in the north was looking for a new chef. I was introduced to Amanda Belcher by one of the camp’s crew members. They did not know the potential I had, but in time they came to know my potential and the love I have for the job.

What do you like most about working here?

I like cooking and specifically baking. Italian food is my specialty. It’s like a kitchen, but it’s my office. I love this place (Samburu) because of the culture. The Samburu people have stuck to their culture, at my home we have moved away. 

What is your favorite safari memory?

I went to Arusha and the Serengeti then to the Ngorongoro Crater which I really loved and had a lot of fun. We started in Nakuru where I saw a lot of flamingos, it was very lovely, muddy and quiet. The Serengeti was quiet with a lot of tsetse flies which to me was something I had not seen. I had read a lot about the crater and this time I got to see it. 

What other places have you been?

I have been to Turkana and saw the hard life there, it was a surprise to me. I stayed in a lodge on an island in Lake Baringo which was so nice. Uganda neighbors my home so I have been there. It is very warm and the people are very inviting, I like it because of that. 

Do you have a favorite animal?

Mr. elephant