WHO I AM ~ ROBYN
Starting my own safari company.
Approximately 18 years ago, my life took a turn whereby I found myself separated and suffering from clinical depression. It wasn't a nice space to be in. In 2007, my daughter convinced me I should venture overseas. As a solo traveler, I was petrified !! I bought a business class ticket and flew to London. Business class because it included chauffeur drive at both ends because, coming from a small town, I knew nothing about getting on trains and buses! I chose to travel on organised coach trips so I didn't have to think about anything other than what time I woke up in the morning. And for the next two months travelled from London, throughout Europe and Scandinavia. There were times between those trips that I found myself on my own waiting for the next trip to start. I ventured out but always drew in my mind where I had to go to get back to the hotel and not get lost. I knew no one. At the end of that journey I told myself if I could do that solo then I could go anywhere.
Africa had always held a special place since primary school days. And so, in 2009, I flew to South Africa and travelled overland through 10 different countries. The trip ended in Kenya and I was only there for 7 days. That seven days was the catalyst for what was to follow. In 2010 I found myself back in South Africa doing another overland trip around that country and tagged on a two week wildlife conservation course. I won a photo competition in 2011 that was run by the overland company I traveled with and, coincidentally, ended up doing the very same trip again that I had done in 2009. This time through 11 African countries. Kenya was still drawing me back there and having already seen so much of Africa already, I decided to go and explore Kenya some more. That was 2012, and still solo travelling all this time. I embarked on another wildlife conservation course - this time for six weeks, and afterwards spent all my time out on safari watching and learning about the wildlife and taking photos. In 2015 I formed my own safari company, REP Kenya Safaris, and now host people from around the world. I am also a five time international wildlife photography finalist.
I went from someone with little confidence to someone independent. I totally stepped out of my comfort zone. I came from a background of being easily influenced but now can make up my own mind about my life choices.
Being out in the big world was exciting. Seeing new countries/lifestyles/cultures was enlightening. Particularly having travelled so much around Africa, it taught me that material things don't matter. Seeing the smiles on the children's faces as they run alongside the vehicle in bare feet and dirty clothes makes you think about what's really important. They're happy without knowing any different way of being.
If someone was going through what I went through I would say ' You CAN do it". One step at a time. Maybe it could mean doing something with another person supporting you. For me, I went solo because that's the way it was. Being scared is OK. Being nervous is OK. And the first step is always the hardest! There's a new way of being on the other side.There are so many people around the world who are much worse off and that we should appreciate the little things. Appreciate what we already have. "Want" and "Need" are two different things.
On the hard days I’m inspred by knowing that there was a time back in the past when I couldn't see a way forward but came out the other side. This side is where I choose to stay. It's a conscious choice. I focus on
family and "the little things". I choose a simple life. Being in nature and keeping grounded.
I’m proud that I still have the confidence to go off solo and fly overseas and pursue my passion for wildlife photography. During my extensive time travelling around Kenya, I have been given several different tribal names depending on what location I am in. I am known by these names, not my English name. It's awesome to be greeted tribally and treated as a local. It's a means of acceptance.
