My name is Divinah Koech, proudly based in Nairobi, Kenya, where I run operations for Kubwa Five Safaris, with over 10 years of experience in the tourism and safari industry to deliver seamless experiences for our guests. My expertise spans safari planning, lodge bookings, transportation, and ensuring unforgettable moments for our clients.

What makes me unique is that I also come from an accounting background. That skill taught me the value of precision, transparency, and keeping everything balanced — whether it’s finances, operations, or even managing unexpected safari hiccups. Numbers gave me structure; tourism gave me adventure. Put together, they shaped the organized-yet-flexible professional I am today.

I speak English, Kiswahili, and Kalenjin (yes, the community famous for producing the world’s best runners — don’t ask me to race though, I chose safari roads over running tracks! Glad I didn’t join the race, otherwise I’d still be panting! 😄). And when things get hectic, I sprinkle in a little Sheng to lighten the mood. Guests often ask how I stay calm under pressure, and I always smile and say:

“Hakuna Matata, kazi ya safari ni mipango tu!” (No worries, a good safari is all about planning!)

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What I love most about tourism is the magic of first-time experiences. The way guests shout “woooow!” when they see lions hunting or an elephant family crossing the road makes every long day worth it. Their joy is contagious — and it reminds me why I chose this path.

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I grew up surrounded by wildlife and culture, so joining tourism felt natural. Operations became my stronghold because I love structure and flow, but I also trained in tour guiding and driver guiding. Yes, I’m one of the few women in the industry who can plan your safari and also jump out to change a Land Cruiser tyre. Guests are always shocked, and I laugh saying:

“Mwanamke bomba, siyo story!” (A woman is the real deal, not just a tale!)

And trust me, if I can maneuver a safari jeep through Nairobi traffic during rush hour, then cruising the dusty Maasai Mara roads is child’s play. As I like to joke:

“Ukiona nimee-bypass jam ya Nairobi, game drive ni kaa Sunday drive tu.” (If I can beat Nairobi traffic, a game drive is like a relaxed Sunday drive.)

Even most of my clients admit — “We can’t drive in Nairobi!”

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•Marital Status: Not married yet 🙂

•Favorite Animals: Elephants — their wisdom and strong family bonds inspire me.

•Favorite Bird: The lilac-breasted roller — it looks like someone painted the sky and said: “weka hii kwa ndege!” (put this on a bird!).

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Life Beyond Work

When I’m not deep in operations, I’m either traveling, joining family and friends for relaxing outdoors. I also enjoy community work/Mentorship and telling safari stories — the kind that make people laugh and say: “Hiyo siwezi sahau!” (That, I will never forget!).