About Odyssey Safaris

Born in Princeton, New Jersey, Mark graduated from high school and The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut before heading off to Amherst College. During this time, he compiled extensive travel experience throughout the Caribbean, Europe, and South America. Upon graduation, Mark moved to Nanyuki, Kenya to work as a counselor and teacher at the Laikipia Baraka School, an American school funded by the Abel Foundation, a program that works with the Baltimore City public school system to give at risk, inner city boys a chance at a better education. During his time in East Africa, he developed extensive knowledge of Kenyan travel and tourism, through his organization of trips for the student body and himself. It was Kenya's breathtaking natural attractions and the friendships and personal experiences that he gained here that have motivated Mark to bring them to others.

Born in Nanyuki, Kenya, Eliud grew up in the small village of Onturiri. As a youth, he joined Nanyuki Primary School, where he became very interested with the wildlife and ecosystem of Kenya. This inspired Eliud to attend the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) based in Naro Moru and earn his wilderness certificate. He then joined Mountain Rock Lodge where he worked as assistant guide and was later promoted to head guide. Now self-employed, Eliud has been promoting and running tours throughout Kenya for the last twelve years, sharing his vast knowledge of the terrain with foreigners and visitors alike. Eliud married Beatrice Wanjira Karimi, they have a son Kevin Mwai Karimi, who is now 6 years old.

Born in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Shaj moved to the U.S. when he was 12. Shaj's interest in computers turned into a career as the internet bubble grew and he gained experience working in internet development, information technology, television production, and ultimately served as CTO of a recruiting website serving 50 fortune 500 companies. Upon meeting Mark in New York he decided to merge his internet skills with his other passion--travel! Already passionate about the environment, wildlife, and cultures of native peoples, Africa was a natural draw.