Ginny Russell

Ginny Russell

Co-Founder and UK MD

First seduced by an African sunset in the 80's, Ginny was easily persuaded by her sister Kate to join her in founding Cedarberg Africa almost 30 years ago. Having been less than impressed by the food and comfort of her old-school camping in Kenya (Spam sandwiches in mouldy bread, anyone?), she was convinced that there was a better way to craft safaris around individuals - and that she and Kate were the team for the job!

Although based in East Sussex in the UK, Ginny gets to combine frequent research trips to Africa with her twin passion - talking about the places I love! She is a strong advocate of travel at a more relaxed pace and she has travelled throughout “our” patches of Africa. Her favourite places contain an eclectic mix, ranging from places where she's rubbed shoulders (in blissful ignorance) with celebrities to paraffin-lit rondavels.

She practices what she preaches; like several of our clients, Ginny and her husband married under African Skies.

More on Ginny

What animal sighting do you most look forward to?

Hearing the roar of a nearby lion. Documentaries can bring a great deal of drama and endless fascination of wild landscapes into people’s living rooms. But they cannot replicate the way that you FEEL the reverberation of that roar in your diaphragm as well as hear it.

What are your favourite kind of trips to plan?

It’s always a joy to be working on a trip to celebrate a special occasion, especially when various generations are involved. We KNOW how well a wildlife and nature-oriented tour brings all the different ages together brilliantly.

One thing I always pack

Ultra lightweight mesh packing cubes to keep clothes neat, separated and easy to find, even when limited to an allowance of 15kg in a soft bag.

What is your favourite indulgence to enjoy at a lodge or hotel?

A massage in the fresh but balmy air, listening to the birdsong.

Where are you planning to visit next?

Back to the Greater Kruger, the Garden Route and Kenya

Ginny's Favourite Destinations

Mahale & Katavi

The most inaccessible spots reward the adventurer; vast herds of buffalo & the chance to track wild chimpanzees.

Damaraland

Damaraland’s innate rugged beauty and the chance of tracking its desert-adapted elephant and rhino offer a mesmerising combination.

Central Kalahari

The Kalahari Desert offer a wilderness like no other – a place where you can see the curvature of the earth and listen to the still small voice inside you.