2021 Influential Businesswoman Awards

30 Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2021 Aug21672 Travel Consultant Businesswoman of the Year 2021 (East Africa): Tamara Britten Prolific travel writer, Tamara Britten, has been travelling around East Africa for over 15 years. Tamara runs two holiday booking companies, Karibu Kenya and Exclusive Ethiopia. With her unique insight into the region, Tamara is able to tailor unforgettable holidays for her clients. any of us love the idea of a long-haul break to a far-flung destination. We dream of sitting on the porch of a luxury game lodge, idly sipping a gin and tonic, as we watch a breath-taking sunset after an exhilarating day on safari. But how do you go about making the dream a reality? With its abundance of National Parks including the legendary Maasai Mara, Kenya immediately springs to mind. The country’s reputation as a premier African safari destination has never wavered. But of course, there’s much more to the country than safari. Think about exploring the cradle of mankind in the Great Rift Valley, doing a road trip across remote deserts, scaling icy mountain peaks, white water rafting down rushing rivers, relaxing on white sand beaches and scuba diving in sparkling seas, not to mention exploring the bustling capital, Nairobi. Kenya has it all. As if the huge range of destinations and plethora of activities, adventures and water sports wasn’t enough, there’s also a dazzling array of accommodation. The task of planning your break, although exciting, can be daunting. The time we have to spend in these spectacular locations is precious and often limited. We want everything to be perfect. Luckily for us, Tamara Britten has already done the work. Tamara is the author of the Karibu Kenya Accommodation Guide and founder of booking service, Karibu Kenya. By 2010, Tamara had extensive experience working in Kenyan Tourism, having managed luxury safari camps and mobile tented safaris. She decided to combine her knowledge of the country with her talent for creative writing and write a guidebook to Kenya. The next two years saw her travelling around the country, speaking to locals, mapping out routes, reviewing accommodation and trying out activities. Tamara left no stone unturned, driving, flying and taking boats to every corner of the country and recording her findings to share with the world. Her book is full of logistical detail and useful information and is highly regarded by travellers to the region. M Today, the guide, first published in 2012, is the only comprehensive guidebook to Kenya. It’s endorsed by the Kenya Tourist Board, the Kenya Tourism Federation and the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association. The meticulous research that Tamara undertook for the book enabled her to launch her unique Karibu Kenya booking site. The company employs a friendly and professional team whose aim is to make planning your stay in Kenya effortless. Karibu Kenya caters to the client’s interests, preferences and budget, designing a unique personalised holiday for each, then assembling flights, transfers, accommodation and activities in one hassle-free package. With Tamara as its personal travel guru, Karibu Kenya has an unrivalled confidence in its recommendations to its clients. Tamara’s love of Kenya endures to this day. Her avid investigation of the country that first kindled her passion for East Africa is an ongoing project. As well as her guidebook, Tamara continues to write compelling articles about the region for magazines and websites. In 2018, Tamara partnered with Mulugeta Ababu, an Ethiopian Federal Tour Guide. Travelling the length and breadth of Ethiopia, the pair explored tourist destinations, checked out accommodation and tried out activities. With all findings documented, they launched Exclusive Ethiopia. Sister company to Karibu Kenya, Exclusive Ethiopia tailors individual travel experiences for visitors to the country. Although a lesser-known destination, Ethiopia is no less spectacular. The country was recently tipped by Forbes as most likely to become a major tourist destination in the post-COVID travel world. Ethiopia has a long and fascinating history peppered with myths and legends, and its mountains and national parks make it a joy to explore. Think of clambering up cliffs to rock-hewn churches, exploring ancient castles, boating across lakes to visit island monasteries, participating in colourful festivals, visiting tribal peoples, and searching out rare species of wildlife. Exclusive Ethiopia’s team of experienced professional guides ensures those who travel with them get the best from their holiday. Being passionate about ecotourism, both Tamara’s companies are committed to ensuring that every holiday they organise benefits