Who We Are - Bold & Free Spirited People
Our Vision
WildFootSteps are dedicated to creating authentic, unforgettable experiences for visitors to East Africa. Offering excellent guiding services, promoting socioeconomic development of local communities and conservation efforts.
WildFootSteps-ea
Our Passion lies in providing distinguished guide services in many areas across East Africa, facilitating growth and enriched safari experiences.
Our Services
We listen to your inquiries, particular interests, and expectations before suggesting the ultimate safari best suited to you. We suspect you may well visit us again.
Meet Our Team
Colleen Hogg - Founder, Kenya Born
Colleen was schooled in Kenya and Europe, and trained in Photography at Croydon Collage of Art & Design and Napier Collage, Scotland. Work experience began as darkroom technician, photographer and Assistant Editor of The Hawick Express Newspaper.
Returning home to Kenya she accepted a position as Assistant Manager for two sister lodges in Amboseli. Free time was spent exploring, photographing and meeting remarkable conservationists. 'Ambo' with its gigantic elephants sauntering across the plains with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop truly was a haven. Colleen then joined Nile Safaris in Sudan, accompanying safari groups exploring the heights of The Red Sea Mountains' home to Hadandawa pastoral nomads. Off season she lived in the Imatong Mountains and walked its length fringing southeastern Sudan into Northern Uganda.
Later she joined the original Cottars Camp in the Masai Mara and helped rehabilitate Kenya's largest recorded black maned lion supported by the late, Honorary Game Warden Ken Smith.
After completing her Private Pilots License she joined Abercrombie & Kent as a coordinator and host for their luxury tented camps. Passionate about sharing her bush sense and insight into nature Colleen subsequently became a guide for Park East Tours. before joining Somak Holidays & Safaris as Operations Manager in Mombasa, Kenya, which included accompanying international film crew on safaris, as well as expanding safari and daily adventures. Colleen went on to accept an opportunity as a photojournalist for Big Life Foundation, Tanzania, working in the field with anti-poaching rangers.
Elisa Bettoni - CoFounder, Marketing Head Europe
Born in Italy, Elisa Bettoni is driven by a strong desire to explore Africa, its hidden gems, traditions, and cultures, which led her to discover 'Magical Kenya.'
Over the past 15 years she has dedicated her time to exploring huge spectrum of knowledge and skills encapsulating wildlife, ornithology and cultures, ideal for designing safaris into Kenya's less trodden areas - giving visitors truly unique bush experiences.
After exploring Kenya extensively Elisa began sharing her passion by marketing tailor-made adventure safaris largely in areas of Kenya involved in conservation initiatives closely associated with responsible tourism promoting sustainable opportunities for local communities.
With 20 years’ experience as a travel consultant in Italy, and having successfully completing 'The Safari Field EcoTraining Guides & Guardians' course in the Masai Mara as well as being certified as a safari guide with the Kenyan Professional Safari Guides Association.
Her enriched knowledge of Kenya’s natural and historical heritage enhances Elisa's skills in promoting East Africa as the perfect safari destination within the international travel and adventures market. Elisa’s is particularly passionate about birdwatching, East Africa’s extensive avifauna and renowned conservation efforts within Kenya's Northern Ranches, securing (amongst other wildlife) the rare Northern White Rhino and elusive Bongo antelope - for future generations.
Spontaneous and full of energy Elisa is a perfect addition to WildFootSteps East Africa.
TEAM ASSOCIATES
Our Tanzania Safaris Partner
As a young man straight from college Simon ventured into the Tourism Industry. Energetic and raring to go, bush life bekoned. His career quickly fell into place quickly - beginning as a Safari Guide, exploring Tanzania's wilderness as well as the countries pristine coastline. With his all-encompassing knowledge Simon accepted a new challenge managing Mobile Tented Camps shaping him into a 'hardy bush manager' enhancing skills in equipment, logistics and human resource management.
During 'off seasons' Simon's flare in communications, sales and marketing bloomed. Simon
values precision in communication as the foundation of running a professional and successful service. Understanding every client’s expectations became his trait - hence his nickname being 'Mr. Details.' Constant refresher courses for the Safari Guides, Simon works strictly with expert certified providers in accommodation and domestic flights.
Simon and Colleen first met when he commissioned her as a photographer and digital designer to showcase his safari services in Tanzania. Sharing a mindset for professionalism, knowledge of the wilderness, and striving to meetpeople's expectations Simon invariably became our ideal Tanzanian partner in this new safari and holiday venture.
Quoting Simon, "nothing gives me more joy, than the sight of thrilled clients. It is what I strive for, ensuring every task is executed perfectly to meet the larger objective. It is my modus operandi."
