Born in Sweden, I grew up in the countryside, swimming in lakes and exploring pine forests. Passionate about nature from a young age, I always had a desire to explore the wonders beyond Scandinavia.

 

When I was just three years old, my grandparents returned from Africa (their one and only overseas holiday) - every time I visited them, that photo album had to come out! During my twenties I spent time living in New York and Australia. Eventually relocating to London, I immersed myself in wildlife/conservation lectures. I longed to visit Africa and that dream finally came true in 2005, when I travelled with Born Free to visit their projects in Kenya. My life would never be the same.

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In 2007 I returned to East Africa, to climb Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro (5895m/19,341 feet) - raising money for Tusk Trust. Reaching the summit (Uhuru Peak) is one my proudest achievements. Further safaris to Kenya followed, always involving visits to conservation projects I support, such as Amboseli Trust for Elephants and often in the company of my late dear friend and mentor, Lynne Leakey. Lynne was one of the first female naturalist guides in East Africa, a true trailblazer - her influence will always be with me.

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Elephants have always been a particular favourite of mine since watching David Attenborough’s documentaries on the legendary ‘Echo’. In 2012 I spent three weeks as a research volunteer with Utopia Scientific as part of Stanford University’s elephant research project in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Studying these wondrous animals fuelled my desire to take my wildlife passion to another level. (See video below).