Meet the Team
Emma Seaman - Our Leading Lady
Founder and Journey Designer
Tendai Bushe - Our Social Butterfly
Marketing & Client Relations
Moses Chimedza - Our Daredevil
Journey Designer
Karen Seaman - Our Resident Photographer
Journey Designer
Christabel Phiri - Our Creative Planner
Journey Designer
Joleen Riley-Hawkins - Our Conscious Curator
Journey Designer
Nathalie Ijff - Our Organizing Queen
Office Administrator
Julius Bwalya - Our Rising Star
Junior Journey Designer
Nashka Pauhalad - Our Beach Lover
Operations Administrator
Girish Ladkoo - Our Explorer
Operations Director
Dave Seaman - Our Chief Chocolate Supplier
MD of Tours Africa
Emma is our lioness epitomising leadership, strength, purpose and focus on community. She is our “go-to” for everything- always making a plan, coming up with a solution and exchaching gret ideas with us. She makes our team feel like a real family. She runs the show, alongside our office dog Scotty - who is the real boss!
With her roots fastened in Zimbabwe and her heart entangled in Zambia, Emma’s passion for hospitality spans over years in the hotel and destination management field. She found love for the travel industry and a husband who shared it too and they ventured out on their own adventures. People and Places is her pride and wild-loving joy.
Her favourite destination is Liuwa Plains. The quantity and variety of wildlife and it’s 360-degree plains breath peace and tranquillity into her bones and is food for her soul. Emma’s most memorable trip was their first to Namibia which they enjoyed so much that they missed their flight home…by 5 days! She now boasts meticulous attention to detail in the planning process of guest itineraries and personal ones but her family will never let her forget that mishap!
Tendai is a bubbly and charismatic member of our family. She started out as total city girl - afraid of the bush. Now she thrives in both settings, although she admits she is happiest in nature and even enjoys sleepouts! Her energy and enthusiasm for travel shines through in everything she does.
She started in 2016 as an intern then became a travel consultant, dabbling in marketing here and there before taking it on full time. Whether she’s connecting with people, nurturing relationships with our industry partners, or working alongside the team to brainstorm new ideas and create unforgettable experiences, she is always looking for ways to make elevate the safari experience. Outside of work, she has a wonderful circle of family and friends who keep her grounded and thoroughly entertained!
Her favourite park is Lower Zambezi. She loves water so naturally, boat cruises and canoeing are her favourite safari activities. Canoeing in particular is very special to her because it is a slow-paced way to take in beautiful views, listen to laughing hippos, watch animals on the banks and enjoy the sunset over the water!
We knew we found a gem when Moses joined us for an internship so naturally we made him an official member of our family. He has grown and built his own family over the years of being with People and Places - he is now a loving husband and dad to 2 daughters! He is a master of balance - bringing both professionalism and fun to the team. He has the biggest smile and it's very contagious.
Moses previously worked in administrative support roles in an infrastructure development company in Zambia. in 2021 he graduated with a Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management from the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies. He is an enthusiastic member of the team who has gained a lot of travel knowledge over the last few years. He uses his personal travel experiences, online research and guest reviews to curate bespoke itineraries for our guests.
Moses favorite travel memory is bungee-jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge! He was wearing a Captain America inspired T-shirt that read ‘Captain Zambia’ - his nickname. Needless to say, Moses is an adrenaline junkie who didn't let his fears of heights stop him from enjoying the adventures of the Victoria Falls. His ultimate activity combination is the bungee-jump, gorge swing, and zipline from the Victoria Falls Bridge. He adds that a special treat that is well worth it is a bird's eye view of this majestic site by helicopter!
Born on Christmas Day, Karen’s middle name of Noel and her cheery, generous nature fits the season of giving very well. She was born in Ghana and currently lives in Scotland but she has spent a lot of time over the years in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Karen works remotely from Edinburgh, coming out to Zambia every year. She is dearly missed when she is away, she always takes care of everyone- dogs included.
She previously worked in administration, providing support to executives in large multi-national companies. She has settled into our family and feels right at home- even miles away. Her personality adds flair to the team. She is always dressed in bright colours and patterns (except on Safari for obvious reasons), organizes her bookshelf by color and always wears odd socks!
Karen loves safe-keeping her memories through photography! Her favourite place in Africa is South Luangwa National Park because its ever-changing seasons make every visit feel like a first. However, it was Zimbabwe that delivered her greatest adventure on a four-day canoe trip from Chirundu to Mana Pools. With canoes laden with all their supplies, they made the journey without tents or a proper toilet. It was worth it to experience the stunning remote areas full of animals that sometimes seemed a little close for comfort!
Her passion for tourism and hospitality bubbled in her from a young age. She jumped right into the industry and obtained a Hospitality Management Diploma. She started working for major safari companies in different national parks of Zambia from the age of 22 and eventually switched gears to experience the other side of the industry.
The cosy working environment of P&P is what Christa looks forward to each day. She is very organized – making sure all admin tasks are done well ahead of time so she can focus on the core of the business and passionately plan trips with no distractions. We all know better than to mess with her intense filing system! Even outside of her work here, she stays busy with an event planning business. The cherry on top is the gentlemen in her life- her husband and little boy who keep her life fufullied and no doubt extra busy! We reckon she juggles life, work and her businesses so well because she is a master organizer.
This fearless traveller will never forget being led on a walking safari through Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, and working at the mobile camps-again doing lots of walking in the bush. She loves walking safaris and being in the thick of the action but every busy lady has to take a break now and then. Her favourite resting place is Likoma Island - Lake Malawi. She fondly recalls her magical stay at Kaya Mawa and the way she felt waking up to the water, walking along the beach and enjoying the unbelievable sunset!
Her gentle soul, bright smile and pensive nature is noticeable from the start. She enjoys reading and solving puzzles - crosswords, sudoku and occasionally writes poetry when the urge arises. Whilst she is more reserved, she is quite the ambivert. She is always ready to pull out her bubbly persona to make connections with colleagues across the trade. Joleen works remotely from Victoria Falls, travelling up to Lusaka every few months to spend time with the team as well as exploring new camps and parks.
She spent a decade working for an airline in reservations before joining a leading safari operator, where she spent over 15 years curating itineraries. She fell deeper in love with the freedom of creating tailor made itineraries when she joined People and Places. She loves working in an environment that allows her to dive into diverse destinations and unique, sometimes unusual, itineraries that constantly challenge her to think outside the box. She is well balanced and pours her passion into her work with us, her church and her family- most especially her mother and son. Her attention to detail serves her well on educational trips and we all enjoy reading her thoughtfully scribed blogs on her return.
Her favourite destination is Lower Zambezi, she especially loves the leisurely boat safaris. Meandering down the river while soaking in the sights, sounds and serene and peaceful aura is her type of relaxation. One of her most memorable trips was her first experience at an authentic bush camp, just imagine a city girl faced with an open-air bathroom and bucket shower. It was both hilarious and exciting at the same time — safe to say she survived!
Born and bred in Zambia, Nathalie’s deep love for the country led her into tourism. She balances life as a working mother of 2 – keeping her family happy and staying busy with several projects. She is a very healthy eater, and her lunches are mostly vegetarian. She has a beautiful home garden and often shares her produce with everyone in the office.
Nats, as we fondly call her, lived and worked abroad for 10 years but the space, lifestyle, climate and ‘pull’ of Africa eventually got the best of her. She returned home and got involved in the tourism industry as co-owner of a travel agency, and working for a large safari operator managing camps in Kafue for 4 years. She then spent many years focusing on family commitments and working in various administrative roles. She recently returning back to the travel industry with a bang! Nats keeps the team in line making sure the office and everyone in it is super organized and very supported!
Her favourite travel memory is a family trip to Indonesia with her mother, sister and maternal grandparents, describing it as a lovely multigenerational trip. She is a sentimental person so her favourite places are less to do with the locations, and more to do with the fond memories, that in particular the Lower Zambezi and Kafue National Parks bring.
Julius is the youngest in our office but the oldest in his family. He has 1 younger sister and 2 younger brothers. He loves working with people who are determined and enthusiastic in an environment where he can constantly learn new things and evolve.
He completed his secondary school in 2022 and started working at Tours Africa in 2023. He was based at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport working in guest relations. He spent a lot of time doing meet and greets and entertaining guests during their layovers. He sharpened his customer service skills and then transitioned to People and Places for an administrative internship where he supported the team with a variety of back of house tasks all while showing interest in bookings. He is now focused on trip planning and enhancing his product knowledge.
Julius has visited Kafue, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls but he is still looking forward to exploring the world of safaris. He has done a lot of research on different areas and camps while building itineraries and drafting vouchers. Lower Zambezi stood out to him the most from the beginning - it was his favourite destination to read up on and he loved to admire the pictures - safe to say it lived up to his expecations and being there was a dream come true!
Nashka’s daydreams are full of going on adventures to faraway destinations, learning about different cultures and experiencing the great outdoors in new places! She was born, raised and still resides at La Ville-Lumière (curepipe) in Mauritius.
Nashka lives by the motto “be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire”, and the world of travel brings out a definite glow in her. Being part of People & Places means that when she isn’t head down in administration, computer science and accounting, she is basking in the possibilities of exploring new places.
If you are tyring to catch her when she is out of office, try the beach- her favourite place! You will find her enjoying the relaxed island-life of sandy toes, cool ocean breezes and the calming sound of the waves.
The travel bug bit Girish many years ago. He has left footprints throughout Africa and believes that a trip trip to at least one of the continent’s beautiful destinations is a must for everyone.
Alongside his passion for Africa is an equal love for getting to know people. That is what drew him to People & Places and we are so lucky to have him as our Operations Director. His kind heart and relaxed nature means he handles all situations with empathy.
You can find him in our Mauritius-based Head Office, making sure the company is running smoothly and turning business dreams into an exciting reality for us and of course you, our guests! Girish’s favourite tune is a Mauritian folk song called the Sega. Ask him to sing it and he won’t turn you down! He takes two things with him wherever he goes – a pair of trail shoes and a warm smile.
Dave has a soft spot for the boss- his darling wife. He is a loving father to 3 young men and even more dogs! He boasts broad shoulders, is a masterful sounding board and his stationery addiction is invaluable. Dave is a favourite in the office - always spoiling the team with sweet treats.
With an insatiable love for African travel, Dave runs Tours Africa. He and his team meet and greet our guests and manage transfers from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. His tourism background is highlighted by childhood experiences exploring Africa, his time as a hotel student in Bulawayo and his professional experience working in the African hotel industry alongside Emma. He is a respected and pivotal part of the Zambian travel industry.
His favourite place is Nyanga, Zimbabwe - beloved for its scenic beauty, long hikes and marshmallow roasting around the night time log fires. His most memorable trip was to Pamushana in his early days where he saw his first leopard and didn’t have to share the sighting with anyone else.
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