Leadership is often at its strongest when it grows from within. After more than two decades of dedicated service with Private Safaris East Africa, Cleophas Mongare, the new CEO, not only brings a wealth of experience, but also an intimate understanding of the company’s people, culture and vision. Having journeyed alongside the organization through its many milestones, Cleophas now takes the helm with a commitment to preserving its proud legacy while steering it confidently towards an exciting future.
We caught up with him to learn more about his journey, his aspirations, and the person behind the position.
You have spent over two decades growing with Private Safaris East Africa, watching the company evolve while contributing to its success. As you now take over as CEO, what emotions accompany this milestone, and what does this appointment mean to you personally?
Taking on the role of CEO is both an honour and a privilege. Having spent more than two decades with Private Safaris East Africa, I have had the unique opportunity to watch the company grow and evolve under different leaders. Along the way, I have seen what worked well, and what did not, and I have been part of both the successes and the challenges. Those experiences have shaped my perspective and prepared me for this responsibility.
This appointment is deeply personal because it represents the culmination of a long journey of learning, growth, and commitment to the company. I believe the breadth of my experience across different aspects of the business gives me a well-rounded perspective and positions me to help drive Private Safaris forward.
I also recognize that no CEO succeeds alone. Progress is built on the support of our people, our shareholders, our partners, and our clients. My focus will be on continued investment in our people, innovation, and sustainable development, ensuring that we build on our strong foundation while preparing the company for the opportunities of the future.
Private Safaris has spent over 50 years creating memorable journeys across East Africa, earning a reputation for authenticity, personalised service and excellence. How do you plan to build on this remarkable legacy while preparing the company for the future?
Over the past 50 years, Private Safaris EA has evolved through different eras, each with its own vision, leadership, and purpose. We began as a proudly owned Kenyan company, in partnership with Swiss stakeholders, and then grew as part of the Kuoni Group, where our role and operational priorities were shaped within a larger global organization. Today, under Thomas Cook India, we have another exciting opportunity to define our own path.
I believe this is the moment for Private Safaris EA to truly stand out—not only as a trusted destination management company, but as a leading East African brand with its own voice, its own marketing strategy, and the agility to identify and execute opportunities that drive sustainable growth. We have the experience, the talent, and the reputation to position ourselves as a major player in the region.
Building on our legacy means preserving the authenticity, personalized service, and operational excellence that have defined us for decades, while embracing innovation, technology, and changing traveller expectations. We must continue investing in our people, strengthening our partnerships, and delivering experiences that are both memorable and responsible.
Equally important is our commitment to giving back to the communities and environments that make our business possible. The future of tourism depends on sustainability, and Private Safaris EA has a responsibility to contribute meaningfully. Whether through supporting education, promoting the blue economy, or investing in the regeneration of wildlife habitats and conservation areas that have experienced increased tourism pressure, we have an opportunity to create a positive and lasting impact.
Our goal is not simply to grow our business, but to ensure that our success contributes to the long-term prosperity of East Africa, its people, and its extraordinary natural heritage. That is the legacy I hope to build on for the next chapter of Private Safaris EA.
Today’s travellers are looking for far more than a holiday—they seek meaningful, immersive experiences. How do you see the safari experience evolving, and what role will Private Safaris play in shaping that future?
That is absolutely true. The modern traveller is looking for much more than a traditional holiday. Since the pandemic, we have seen a significant shift in travel preferences. Guests are taking longer, more meaningful trips, often booking closer to their departure dates. They are travelling as families or across multiple generations, and they are increasingly seeking authentic cultural connections rather than simply visiting iconic attractions.
The safari itself is also evolving. While seeing wildlife remains at the heart of the experience, today’s travellers want to understand the people, traditions, cuisine, conservation efforts, and everyday life that make East Africa so unique. They want experiences that are personal, immersive, and leave a positive impact on the destinations they visit.
At Private Safaris EA, we are responding to these changes by continuously training our teams to understand emerging travel trends and by working closely with our partners to create experiences that go beyond the traditional safari. We are also collaborating with local communities and small businesses to develop products that show case authentic aspects of Kenyan life — many of which have tremendous tourism potential but have never been presented as visitor experiences.
These could include exploring the vibrant art and graffiti culture inspired by Kenya’s iconic matatus, visiting local markets with a private chef to select fresh ingredients before preparing traditional Kenyan dishes together, spending time with artisans and community enterprises, or participating in conservation and community-led initiatives. These are the kinds of experiences that create lasting memories because they allow visitors to connect with the destination on a much deeper level.
Our role is to curate these experiences thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring they benefit both our guests and the communities that host them. I believe the future of safari is one where extraordinary wildlife encounters are complemented by genuine cultural engagement and sustainable tourism, and Private Safaris EA is committed to being at the forefront of that evolution.
Every business faces its share of challenges. Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest opportunities—and the biggest challenges—for you? How do you intend to address them while ensuring sustainable growth?
As a pure destination management company, one of our biggest challenges is the changing competitive landscape. We are seeing more DMCs investing in accommodation, creating vertically integrated businesses that can offer everything from lodging to ground handling under one umbrella. This model gives them greater control over the guest experience, stronger commercial advantage, and additional opportunities to invest in sustainability by working directly with the communities surrounding their properties.
We have already seen the impact of this trend, including losing a key client to a hotel-based DMC. It is a clear reminder that the industry is evolving, and we must evolve with it.
Rather than trying to replicate that model overnight, our strategy is to build deeper, more strategic partnerships with carefully selected accommodation providers across East Africa. We want to work closely with properties that share our values, co-develop exclusive guest experiences, support community initiatives together, and jointly promote responsible tourism. By aligning ourselves with the right partners, we can deliver many of the same benefits while remaining true to our strengths as a specialist DMC.
At the same time, one of our greatest opportunities is regional growth. Expanding our DMC presence into Tanzania will allow us to strengthen our East African offering, negotiate rates that are more competitive for our international partners, and maintain greater control over service delivery across the region. This will enhance consistency for our clients while creating new opportunities for growth.
Another key priority is investing in our digital capabilities. From technology that improves operational efficiency to better customer engagement, data insights, and digital marketing, we see innovation as essential to remaining competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Ultimately, sustainable growth will come from a combination of strong partnerships, regional expansion, digital transformation, and continued investment in our people. Our objective is not simply to respond to industry changes, but to position Private Safaris as one of East Africa’s leading destination management companies for the long term.
The heart of any hospitality company is its people. How do you motivate your teams and create a culture where employees feel valued, inspired and empowered to deliver exceptional guest experiences?
I recognize their achievements and reward them accordingly.
Tourism today is increasingly linked with responsible travel and conservation. How important are sustainability and environmental concerns to Private Safari?
For Private Safaris, sustainability is not a separate initiative—it is fundamental to our business. Quite simply, without sustainable tourism, we have no tourism business. The natural landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make East Africa such a remarkable destination are the very assets on which our industry depends.
That is why sustainability and regeneration are among our highest priorities. We believe our responsibility goes beyond protecting what we have today; it is about restoring ecosystems, supporting local communities, and ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from tourism.
One company alone cannot achieve this. It requires collaboration across the entire tourism value chain, including governments, conservation organizations, local communities, accommodation providers, and industry partners. Private Safaris is committed to playing an active role in these partnerships, whether through supporting conservation initiatives, promoting community-based tourism, reducing our environmental footprint, or encouraging responsible travel practices among our guests and suppliers.
Our vision is to ensure that every journey we create leaves a positive legacy—not only for our travellers, but also for the people, wildlife, and environments that make East Africa one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.
On a lighter note…
We would like our readers to meet the person behind the title. Tell us a little about your family, your interests, and what keeps you grounded outside the world of business.
My family consists of….
I am a father of 3 boys and a girl. My first born has given me three grandchildren.
When you are not thinking about itineraries, guests and business strategy, how do you chill and relax? Do you have a favourite hobby, sport or hidden talent that might surprise us?
As a retired footballer, I am a great fan of football. I can spend the whole afternoon and evening watching soccer.
A quick ‘Safari Snapshot’!
- Favourite destination in East Africa? – Kenya
- Favourite animal to observe in the wild? – Elephants
- Sunrise game drive or evening sundowner? – Sundowner
- Bush camp or luxury lodge? – Bush Camp
- Book, music or podcast? – Music
- One place in the world still on your travel wish-list? Australia
- One word your colleagues would use to describe you? – Loyal
And finally….
Private Safaris creates journeys that leave lasting memories for travellers from around the world. As you begin this new chapter as CEO, what message would you like to share with your colleagues, partners and the wider Thomas Cook India Group?
Let us explore our synergies to build TCI!