Ellen Cantle
Ellen was raised in safari camps in the Okavango Delta, where her parents guided and hosted international guests.
This instilled an early love for the natural world and an understanding of the safari business. After school she managed a safari camp in the Selinda Spillway in northern Botswana, before moving to Maun, where she worked in the reservations team for a renowned safari operator. In her early 20s she had the opportunity to move to the UK. She subsequently worked for several tour operators, where her extensive knowledge and passion have contributed to designing exceptional safaris.
Ellen’s Recent Travel Experience
Ellen’s latest journey took her to the Tuli in south-eastern Botswana, an area that’s been on her travel bucket list for ages. She was captivated by the spectacular rock kopjes, baobab trees, and roaring Limpopo River. Being a keen birder, she was in her element and managed to tick off a few firsts. Highlights included breathtaking sunrises over the river, an unforgettable leopard sighting while having sundowners, and unique bushwalks.
Ellen’s Most Memorable Experience
“There are so many to choose from, including male lions fighting in camp in the middle of the night, and galloping on horseback through the Okavango Delta, but the one I’ve decided to reflect on is walking in Ruaha National Park. There is nothing more exhilarating than exploring the bush on foot with a knowledgeable guide. We were incredibly lucky to see two leopards, which we surprised around a cluster of boulders. After enjoying a brief sighting from a safe distance, we continued ambling through this vast wilderness with its towering giant baobab trees. Later in the morning we came across fresh lion tracks, and we spent time studying their spoor and grooves in the sand where they had been sleeping. Unfortunately, the tracks led into a thicket, so for safety reasons we retreated and instead enjoyed a packed breakfast and coffee while reflecting on our thrilling morning.”
Ellen’s Bio
Ellen’s earliest childhood memories involve exploring the wilderness with her family, and every school holiday was spent fishing and swimming in the crystal-clear channels of the Okavango Delta. After completing secondary school in South Africa and receiving a rejection in response to her application to veterinary school, Ellen moved back to northern Botswana to manage a camp in the Selinda Spillway. Although this was an incredible experience, she sought to expand her knowledge of African safaris, which inspired her move to the UK in 2016. A lifelong dream of visiting Kenya finally came true later that year, and Kenya remains one of her favourite countries.
Ellen has explored numerous regions in Southern Africa as well as Kenya and Tanzania, and she is most at home in the bush, especially in the Waterberg area of South Africa where her parents live. She’s a keen birder and is almost never without her binoculars. She is looking forward to continuing sharing her love for Africa’s wild spaces and designing life-changing journeys here at Yellow Zebra.
Expert Destinations
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Kenya
The original birthplace of safari, where world-class wildlife experiences and beautiful beaches meet.
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Tanzania
A classic safari destination home to big game, epic wildlife events, and iconic national parks.
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Botswana
From dusty salt pans to delta floods, Botswana is a celebration of pristine African wilderness.
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Namibia
Towering dunes, rugged coastlines, and breathtaking night skies. Namibia’s scenery is unlike anywhere else in Africa.
Ellen’s Top Lodges
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Selinda Explorers Camp
From AU$2,120 – AU$2,999 ppSelinda Explorers Camp is a wonderful expedition-style camp with an enchanting location on the banks of the Selinda Spillway as it flows into the Linyanti river. Small, intimate, and exclusive, this is an ideal choice for anyone seeking a combination of…
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Beagle Expeditions
From AU$1,939 – AU$1,939 ppBeagle Expeditions is a truly authentic and remote mobile camp owned and run by one of Botswana’s most recognised wildlife guides, Simon Byron. Accessible only by helicopter, the camp moves between two pristine wilderness locations along the Kweene River…
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Ngare Serian
From AU$2,190 – AU$2,706 ppOne of eight camps in the Serian series, Ngare brings all the characteristics of the collection to the riverside. Nestling between the Mara River and the escarpment, the camp’s defining feature is its air of seclusion. If you are after peace and quiet, you…
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Ikuka Safari Camp
From AU$1,158 – AU$1,451 ppIkuka Safari Camp is an upscale yet beautifully understated property in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, run by safari experts and hands-on owners Mark and Chloe Sheridan Johnson, together with a top-notch team. Ikuka Safari Camp is an upscale yet beautifully…
