Spotlight On: Kegakametse (Kay) Maphomo

What is your role

I’ve been working on safari as a chef with Royal African Safaris for 7 years.

How did you come to work for Royal African Safaris?

I had been working in the lodges around the Okavango and decided that I wanted to change my lifestyle and spend more time at home with my family, particularly my children. After making this decision and handing in my resignation, I met one of the Royal African Partners in the lodge. This Partner fell in love with my food and wanted to compliment the chef. After a wonderful first encounter, the story of my desire to come back to town was divulged. The Royal African Partner offered the perfect solution – a job as a chef in the bush but only on a per safari basis instead of the three months on duty/one month vacation that is the usual work schedule the permanent lodges work on. The mobile safari model offered the perfect solution to my work and home commitments.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am from Maun Botswana. In 2014, I married Patson Maphomo, who works as a bookkeeper for a company that builds lodges in the Okavango. I have 4 children; 1 daughter and 3 sons. My first-born son is now 26 years old.

What is your favorite safari area and why?

The Kalahari. I enjoy the wide-open spaces and love any opportunity to see some of Botswana’s culture and the Basarwa people.

Do you have any memorable safari moments?

On one safari there was a leopard that had killed an impala in camp; then a pack of wild dogs chased the leopard off the kill. It was pandemonium in camp and for hours everyone had to stay in their tents. We all got a front row seat for the show. It was incredible.

What do you like the most about your job?

I love to cook on a fire. There is something relaxing and so satisfying about being able to make all of these delicious meals in the bush. I really get so much joy out of it.

What’s your favorite animal and why?

Lion – I love to hear them roar. The sounds is so powerful and you can always tell when they are close by because the hairs on your body stand up from the sound.