Tim Best

Back in the '70s, my brother and I inherited Rowland Ward, the largest taxidermist company in the world, founded in the 19th Century. Taxidermy was clearly not my vocation, so Iopened a shop in Knightsbridge specialising in new and antiquarian books on travel and natural history, and glasses hand-engraved with animals. Two more shops followed with partners in Johannesburg which complemented the two already in Nairobi. This gave me the opportunity to travel in Africa over a period of thirty years. I spent three years marketing specific safari camps in Botswana and Tanzania, and lodges in Nepal. I like to explore little known regions and have recently been to Cuba and Libya, while also concentrating on favourite countries such as Kenya and India, travelling with my eyes and ears open and always having in mind the question "Who would this suit?"

Tim Best Travel started in 1994 and flourished for 15 years, and early in 2009 I sold the company to Original Travel, reasoning that the two businesses dove-tailed, having complementary portfolios, and like-minded enthusiastic teams. Integration has not proved a problem, and the enlarged company, operating with the same values, gives as personal a service as can be found anywhere. When someone is planning a holiday and asks what I think is most important, I tell them to speak to an expert who understands what you are looking for, and who knows first-hand the places he or she is recommending. I'm also often asked what the secret to an exceptional safari is and it's simple - a top guide.