Joe Charleson divides his time between his home in Nairobi, which he shares with his wife Gillian and their son Kian, and the East African bush, when he's guiding safaris. Joe was born in 1975 in northern England, and at the age of 10 moved with his parents to Kenya, where his lifetime of adventuring in Africa began. Joe's father soon had the family out on camping trips exploring many unfamiliar corners of the map—the more remote the better—and in such settings, Joe's passion for nature and wilderness was nurtured.

After schooling in Kenya, Joe returned to England to attend Bristol University, graduating in 1997 with a degree in Biological Sciences that has supported his deep interest in wildlife and its conservation. Joe captured a coveted position as a resident guide at prestigious Jack’s Camp in Botswana, cutting his professional teeth in the arid, inhospitable Makgadigadi Salt Pans on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. With his family still in Kenya, he returned ‘home’ to continue a career as a professional safari guide and manager at Cottars 1920s Camp in the Maasai Mara game reserve, where he met his wife Gillian.

Soon Joe established his own company offering professional safari guiding services, and shortly thereafter, he and Gillian established Leleshwa Camp, an intimate private tented camp on the edge of the Maasai Mara. Owning a camp provided invaluable experience in developing his skills as a guide, leading trips, acting as a host and revealing the natural wonders of Africa to guests. In the process, Joe got to know the local Maasai community well, living side by side in a remote part of the Mara ecosystem untouched by tourism. Joe took an active role in working with the community leadership to establish the Siana Conservation Area, and continues to work with the community as a whole to ensure that this important wilderness area is protected, and that all community members see the benefits of tourism on their land.

Joe loves to explore new areas and search out unique experiences which, when combined with a sense of fun and adventure, guarantee an amazing safari. In 2009 Joe and Gillian welcomed their son, Kian, opening up an opportunity for Joe to watch a son of his own grow up in the bush, sharing his parents' passion. Family life has added a rich dimension to Joe's safari experiences, with a deeper appreciation for the joy of learning about Africa, its remarkable wildlife and fascinating people, and sharing this knowledge with people of all ages.