Specialties
Regions: Southern Africa and East Africa
Travel Types: Luxury Safaris, Primate Treks, Private Air Safaris, Incognito Safaris, Hosted Private Safaris
Special Interests: Wine, Ultra Luxury, Hiking & Walking, Unique Experiences
Destinations Visited
Africa: Botswana, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Peru
Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Laos
Arctic: Greenland
Antarctica: Antarctica Peninsula, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island
Additional Countries: India, Australia, numerous countries in Europe, Asia, and Polynesia
Why I’m a Travel Consultant
I have been to Africa more than 60 times, so it should suffice to say I am mildly obsessed with the place! Having “seen the World in the Navy” and growing up in the safari business I now own, it is also quite difficult for me to sit still. I have never really had a desk job. I love the landscapes in South America and being on the open ocean. Beyond just working in travel, owning a company is rewarding to me. I love seeing our staff develop personally and professionally and spend their entire careers at Travel Beyond. The quality people I work with every day at Travel Beyond challenge me to be not only the best consultant and trip designer I can be but also the best leader. It truly is a pleasure to show up at the office whether that happens to be a desk, a Land Rover or a zodiac.
Education
BS Systems Engineering, US Naval Academy ‘94
MS Nuclear Engineering, Georgia Tech ‘96
Career History
I graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1994. My first assignment on active duty was two years in graduate school at Georgia Tech where I studied Nuclear Engineering (pressurized water nuclear reactors/fission). After graduate school and submarine officer training, I served three years each on the USS Rhode Island and USS Columbus before purchasing Travel Beyond from my family in 2005.
Professional Awards & Accomplishments
- Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist 2020-Present
- Travel+Leisure ® A-List 2011-present
- Safari Professionals – Co-Founder, Member at Large
- Trip Advisor – Botswana & South Africa Destination Expert
Most Memorable Travel Experience
My most vivid memories are from my first safari to Zimbabwe and Botswana in June 1984. I remember equally well our first game drive as a family in 2008 when our kids were old enough to go on safari. It goes to show that being a kid on safari or seeing a kid on safari for the first time is something that etches itself into your mind forever. I also don’t think I will ever forget the views from the Antarctic Peninsula, the Masai Mara, the Okavango Delta from a helicopter (doors off) or Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
My Most Recent Trips
Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda (2024): In November 2024, I visited Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda with my wife Kay, my two daughters Sydney and Kyndall, and Sydney’s husband John Hororan and his family. It was the Horan’s first trip to Africa. We visited Mara Toto which opened in July 1, 2024 as a brand new, reserve level Great Plains property. Next we spent two nights at Singita Explore Mobile. This property is Singita’s only canvas-on-dirt tented camp and it is totally private for each booking. We finished off the family portion of the trip by staying at Singita Sasakwa which is arguably the finest safari lodge in East Africa. When our family left for home, Kay and I continued to Rwanda for a whirlwind 48 hours to inspect properties that had opened since my last visit. Our visit was cut short by two flight schedule changes on Delta but we went the flow and were happy to get home for our parent’s birthdays on December 6 & 7.
Botswana (2024): In May 2024, I signed-up for an educational trip to Botswana hosted by Craig Glatthaar of Wilderness. The trip took me to all brand-new camps, the highlight of which was Karangoma and Mokete. Mokete is the most unique new property I have seen in many years. If you are going to Botswana, ask me about it!
Kenya (2023): In December 2023 I went to Kenya with my wife Kay and two co-workers, Erin and Steph. We were together for six days visiting lodges I had never seen before. My wife and I split off from the others and went to a four-day gathering of US-based safari specialists, hosted by Great Plains at three of their Kenya lodges. After that, we spent two more nights at a lodge owned by a friend. Before heading home, we rejoined Steph and Erin for two final nights at a lodge in the Masai Mara that I had not visited before.
Zimbabwe & Botswana (2023): I went to Zimbabwe and Botswana alongside five coworkers in May of 2023. We stayed at the new villa at Victoria Falls River Lodge, where we were treated to exceptional views and service. From there, we visited multiple camps in and around Botswana’s Okavango Delta and the wildlife was incredible. In fact, we saw the baby five– young elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino!
South Africa & Zimbabwe (2022): In November of 2022, my wife Kay and I went to Southern Africa for nearly four weeks. We spent time in Cape Town enjoying the city’s excellent culinary scene and exploring the peninsula. Our two daughters joined us here and then we all made our way to Singita Pamushana in Zimbabwe for some excellent wildlife viewing. Our next stop was Tswalu Tarkuni in South Africa where we enjoyed a wide variety of safari activities. The trip ended with some time with friends in Plettenberg Bay.
Kenya Air Safari (2022): In March 2022, I went on a private air safari to Kenya during which I visited exclusive use properties such as Ol Jogi and Lengishu along with Segera, Angama Mara and AlfaJiri Villas.
Recommended Right Now
The Great Migration in August and September, seen from both the northern Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. In Southern Africa, try combining Mashatu Euphorbia with any safari conducted in South Africa or Botswana.
Favorite Properties
Mara Toto Tree Camp (Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya)
This four-suite lodge which opened in July 2024 offers multi chamber one bedroom suites and only eight guests. The guests have the option of seeing animals in the Mara North private Conservancy or the Mara National Reserve. Despite the rainy weather, we had epic animal viewing in November 2024.
Wilderness Tubu Tree (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
This camp was torn to the ground and rebuilt and reopened in June of 2024. The new property has made happy many Travel Beyond clients this year with epic leopard sightings on Hundu Island. Recent tectonic plate shifts have dried this concession out making it one of the top dry land animal viewing properties in Botswana. Some of the water that used to flow to this confession now flows to Mokete. (See below for more on Mokete!)
Singita Pamushana Lodge (Malilangwe Reserve, Zimbabwe)
The only Singita property in Zimbabwe, it is the epitome of luxury, service, and immersion into the African bush.
Wilderness Mokete (Mababe, Botswana)
At Mokete, you’ll witness some of Africa’s largest herds of buffalo and elephant while enjoying stunning rooms and a lodge that positively impacts the local economy by involving the community in its operations. This is the only property on a brand-new photographic safari concession, formed by tectonic plate shifts in northern Botswana just a few years ago. The local staff are new to hospitality, and while their enthusiasm is evident, they are still developing their service skills. The warm hospitality and incredible wildlife experiences make it truly worthwhile! If you haven’t visited Botswana in the last decade, this area didn’t even exist as a safari destination—please ask me about it!
Waterside at Royal Malewane (Thornybush Reserve, South Africa)
How did I wait so long to come visit this property? I was thoroughly impressed on my first visit in May 2024.