The Vintage Camps - History and personnel.

James Egremont-Lee

James Egremont-Lee pioneered Vintage Safaris in 2002. This led to the portfolio of The Vintage Camps, in 2009. He has spent the last 19 years working with wildlife, both guiding and in wildlife management. He has travelled extensively within remoter regions of East and Southern Africa, and whilst immersed in the simple pleasures of life on several extensive unsupported safaris and expeditions, he and long time friend, Ben Freeth, laid plans to begin a safari outfit which would naturally become known as "Vintage".

Expedition Experience - Rufiji River
His first major exhibition was at the age of 21, where he and Ben became the first to successfully canoe the length of the Rufiji River in Tanzania. The expedition began at the Kabasira swamp on the Kiilombero River and spent a full month completely without contact with anyone - even native fisherman - whilst within the Selous Game Reserve.

Unsupported and unarmed, the six week experience was a genuine adventure; hippo and crocodile attack, surviving off crocodile eggs, wild honey and scavenged leopard kills, capsizing in rapids and encounters with big game. Being within the largest, remotest game reserve in Africa all the while amongst abundant wildlife, gave them a keen taste for exploration.

Omo Valley
The Omo Valley and Turkana rift trek of 1995 was another extraordinary experience. Sponsored by the Winston Churchill Mermorial Trust, this journey involved a three month unsupported trek from the Ethiopian highlands, through the seldom visited Omo Valley, to the southern end of Lake Turkana, Kenya.

Mules and donkeys transported all the kit and supplies for the journey and travelling through a varied terrain of lush mountain forest, savannah and desert, the expedition met with the fascinating lowland tribes of south west Ethiopia who are historically feared by outsiders.

The opportunity to travel in a manner not dissimilar to those travelled a century or more ago led to the concept of Vintage Safaris, offering others the taste of travel and safari life before the advent of vehicles.

James has lectured at the Royal Geographical Society and written of his expeditions.

Guiding and Safaris
Other than expeditionary highlights, James has been involved with wildlife and safaris since 1990.
His sound knowledge of the bush, and attention to detail has led to an exceptional safari operation and guests, whilst in the care of The Vintage Camps' 1 st class guides, have a remarkable experience they will never forget.

Timothy Jackson

History
Timothy Jackson started his interest in Africa and wildlife as a child. Timothy became involved with Vintage Safaris in 2002 and this led to the formation of a joint venture called The Vintage Camps; our portfolio of tented camps throughout Southern Africa. Throughout this period and during the years of personal travel on several expeditions, the guiding of groups and formal guide training it became very apparent to Timothy that the safari industry was lacking travel consultants who know the destinations they are selling. It is with this gap in the travel market Timothy went on to create a Destinations company called Vintage Destinations & Camps.

Timothy has a background in education with 8 years in the classroom where he believes strongly in living a life of life-long learning. Timothy started his love of Africa and Nature at age five watching David Attenborough Television series and growing up on a large dairy/sheep farm where he was closely connected with nature. Timothy's Godparents farmed in the Kenyan Highlands for many years and this connection started what has now become a way of life for him and to which he is greatly thankful to them both.