Julian Carter-Manning
Julian is Yellow Zebra’s Director and Founder, and one of the most experienced safari planners in the industry. He has designed 5,000+ trips to the continent and was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists, reflecting his decades of knowledge and passion for Safari Africa.
He is the designer of our on-the-ground operations across Africa and has personal knowledge and expertise in every country in which we operate. He has designed and overseen approximately 5,000 trips to the continent.
In 2025, Julian was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists, a prestigious list that recognises the most trusted and knowledgeable experts in global travel. As one of only a handful of safari specialists to make the cut, the award reflects Julian’s decades of first-hand experience across Africa and his deep commitment to designing safaris that are as seamless as they are unforgettable. For clients, it’s a reflection of the passion, insight, and personal care that Julian brings to his work as Yellow Zebra’s director.
Julian’s recent travel experience
Tanzania’s Lake Natron and surrounds, the Maasai’s Mountain of God ‘Oldonyo Lengai’, Maswa Game Reserve and other off the beaten track destinations in northern Tanzania.
Julian’s Bio
As he believes that the very best safari experts are either professional guides or ex-camp managers, it’s ironic that Julian has never worked in Africa! He has, however, travelled extensively across ‘Safari Africa’, and with well over twenty trips to the continent as well as 15 years’ safari tour operating under his belt, he is an expert on safaris as a whole.
Julian studied Tourism at Birmingham University in the UK, specialising in African tourism. He travelled to nine African countries south of the Sahara during university holidays, and his final-year dissertation focused on South Africa’s ecotourism industry – specifically, the great white shark diving industry of South Africa’s Gansbaai.
On graduating from university, Julian joined up with a small safari specialist in London and was a major player in transforming the company into one of the leading safari companies in the UK today. During his time there, he set up the company’s operations in Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Tanzania.
Above all else, Julian is passionate about the quality of the team at Yellow Zebra. He is a believer that genuinely expert safari designers are a rare find yet they are fundamental to a good safari company. Based on their experience and passion for Africa, Julian guarantees that Yellow Zebra’s consultants are some of the very best in the entire industry.
Julian has helped write significant parts of the Cadogan Guide to Tanzania and has been interviewed by the influential safari magazine Travel Africa.
Expert Destinations
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Botswana
From dusty salt pans to delta floods, Botswana is a celebration of pristine African wilderness.
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Mozambique
A standout mix of remote, wild spaces and magnificent tropical beaches.
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Namibia
Towering dunes, rugged coastlines, and breathtaking night skies. Namibia’s scenery is unlike anywhere else in Africa.
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Seychelles
A picturesque archipelago of white-sand beaches, rare wildlife, and exclusive private islands.
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South Africa
Big Five safaris, lively cities, and dramatic coastlines. South Africa delivers exciting contrasts and variety.
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Tanzania
A classic safari destination home to big game, epic wildlife events, and iconic national parks.
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Zambia
From walking in South Luangwa to Zambezi exploration, Zambia is as authentic as safari gets.
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Kisiwa House
From £149 – £149 ppKisiwa House is privately owned and operated. Built in 1840 by wealthy Omani merchant Nassor ibn Abdullah Al Barwani, today it’s a luxurious hotel with a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor! The accommodation is usually booked on a B&B basis, including…
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Baraza Resort & Spa
From £487 – £704 ppBaraza Resort & Spa is family owned and run. Boasting beautiful architecture, luxurious accommodation, and superb service, as well as offering numerous activities, it’s a contender for finest property on Zanzibar, in our view. Baraza has won a lot of awards,…
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Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
From £996 – £1,295 ppZanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa is an eco-conscious boutique hotel on the island’s east coast. With a range of spacious villas and a wide variety of land- and water-based activities, this is a great choice for families seeking a relaxed island…
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Zuri Zanzibar
From £435 – £435 ppZuri Zanzibar may be situated on arguably the island’s finest non-tidal beach, but this luxury resort is making all sorts of big waves. The resort is owned and operated by Design Hotels, whose portfolio comprises a staggering 284 properties worldwide, all…
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Sunshine Azure Hotel
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsSunshine Azure Hotel is a simple hotel with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that suits people who enjoy the simplicity of a great beach and unpretentious hotel. It offers extremely good value compared to other hotels in its price bracket, and a relaxed,…
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Zawadi Hotel
From £405 – £629 ppZawadi Hotel is a fabulous and serene retreat in a beautiful part of Zanzibar island. It is the latest addition to the famous Zanzibar Collection, which includes Yellow Zebra favourites The Palms and Baraza Resort and Spa.
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Zanzibar Palace
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsWe think the Zanzibar Palace epitomises Stone Town – it is a lovely place to stay. Since the opening of this hotel in 2006, we have only had favourable reviews. Simply put, when you compare the Zanzibar Palace Hotel to other, arguably more famous hotels in…
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Xanadu Villas Retreat
From £367 – £741 ppXanadu Villas & Retreat is ideal for travellers considering a very lavish beach break. Privately owned, it offers a fabulous location in the midst of gardens and close to a white-sand beach. Each of the villas has either one bedroom or two bedrooms, so Xanadu…
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Villa Kidosho
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsVilla Kidosho is privately owned and operated. Together with another villa property – Asili House – it forms part of Matlai Zanzibar. In the Kiswahili language, the word Matlai means the first breeze in the early morning, signalling the beginning of the day…
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Unguja Lodge
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsUnguja strives to provide its guests with as personalised an experience as possible – and with the attentive owners Ralph and Elies on site, the lodge always manages to achieve this.
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The Residence
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsThe hotel’s main selling points are the sheer quality of accommodation and the excellent location to make the most of the nearby activities. The beach is good, but not as good as elsewhere.
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The Palms Zanzibar
From £375 – £569 ppThis is an absolutely fantastic place to stay – beautifully decorated, extremely exclusive, and very romantic. It is the perfect place for couples who want time to themselves, particularly as children under 16 are not admitted!
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Sunshine Marine Lodge
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsSunshine Marine Lodge is a fantastic option for travellers on a budget looking for a remote property with good access to diving. Many clients choose to complement their stay here with a few days at sister property Sunshine Hotel.
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Qambani
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsQambani is privately owned and operated. Originally envisaged as a family home, today it offers luxury accommodation and superb service standards. It can be booked on a full-board or self-catering basis, both including parking, Wi-Fi, and a laundry service.…
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Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsThe accommodation is super-stylish, winning both Best Hotel Interior Tanzania and Best Hotel Interior Africa in 2015! All in all, Park Hyatt has everything we look for in a city hotel. Whether you are passing through Stone Town or staying here for a few days,…
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Kisiwa On The Beach
From £311 – £390 ppKisiwa on the Beach is privately owned and operated. Sister property to Kisiwa House, it has received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor! The accommodation is booked on a half board basis, including parking and Wi-Fi.
