Zighe Mwachofi
Owner of , Zighe was born and raised in the Taita Hills area of Kenya. Most of her childhood was spent close to the Kenya/Tanzania border, near Amboseli National Park. From her home and school yard, she could glimpse the snow-covered peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro.
During holidays, Zighe regularly visited her grandparents’ ranch just outside Tsavo National Park. There it was common to see a variety of wildlife, including elephant, zebra, giraffe and more. It was at Tsavo National Park that she experienced her first safari excursion at the age of nine.
Then, like today, the park was visited by tourists from all over the world. Travelers in search of new cultural experiences would stop in at area villages and schools to meet the local people. This cross-cultural exchange, which Zighe experienced throughout her school years, marked the beginning of her interest in tourism.
After high school, Zighe attended Nairobi University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She taught at a local high school and then earned a scholarship for post-graduate studies in the United States at Ohio University. There she earned dual Masters’ degrees in International Affairs, African Studies and in Economics Development with an emphasis on Sub-Saharan African Countries. She went on to enter Ohio University’s Ph.D. program and to serve as Associate Professor of Micro and Macro Economics at National University in Los Angeles, California.
Seeking to remain involved in and to contribute to the economic development of Africa, Zighe saw tourism as her opportunity to travel and stay connected to Africa. Her career in travel formally began in 1990, when she opened Kenya Airway’s first office in the western United States in Beverly Hills, California. Subsequently, she worked at African Travel and Somak Safaris as a travel consultant arranging and escorting safaris and tours to Southern and Eastern Africa. She has also held the prestigious positions of National Sales Director and Trade Relations Manager for South Africa Tourism based in New York.
Furthering her career in tourism over the next 15 years, Zighe lived in and traveled extensively throughout the countries of Eastern and Southern Africa. Today she boasts a wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of the natural and cultural aspects of both regions. Sharing this in-depth awareness of the countries of her homeland and introducing guests to their vibrant cultures, inspiring landscapes and unique wildlife are among her greatest pleasures. Establishing represents the culmination of all her endeavors in the tourism industry to date.
|
