Our Home, Yours to Explore
The spirit of Africa has been embedded in our family for generations; for over a hundred years our family has journeyed to the great and hidden wildernesses all over the continent. These epic journeys have enriched our lives and have given us invaluable exposure to the customs and cultures that define so much of Africa. We have embraced the wildlife that surrounds and inspires us and have created a wildlife sanctuary on the family homestead in Zimbabwe.
Tied to Africa
The Mavros family is built on a strong heritage of providing exceptional service. The passion to explore and to serve runs deeply in our blood and our wealth of knowledge and experience affords us the confidence to give our clients an authentic opportunity to experience “Safari” and to be touched by the real Africa. With offices in London and Harare, we are at your service.
Meet the teamconservation always
By working only with partners committed to a sustainable Africa, every trip with Mavros Safaris will benefit local communities and wildlife directly and be a force for good on the continent. Simply by booking a trip with Mavros Safaris, you are making a positive impact on our planet. We are passionate about preserving the world’s last great wildernesses and its wildlife for future generations. .
time and space
Africa allows our guests the time and space to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with the world at large, often in a profound way. Africa is a balm and we are proud to administer its potions: the song of a night jar and the baritone laugh of a hippo; the gentle sway of an elephant’s tale as it makes its way down to a river to drink. Igniting an authentic and lasting connection with the African wilderness lies at the heart of everything we do at Mavros Safaris.
little black book
We have a Little Black Book of friends and family all over Africa built up over five generations. We always have the inside track and break boundaries in order to stay ahead of the game. Our insights and recommendations are always be based on personal experience.
our hospitality
We pride ourselves on our hospitality from start to finish and beyond. We welcome all our guests as we would new members of our family and will always respect your trust in us.
private guides
We would never sell anything we don’t know first hand and consider first rate. We work with the best wildlife and cultural experts in Africa and many of them are personal friends we have known since childhood.
our promise
We promise you will have the best time of your life We like to have fun and want you to have the trip of a lifetime. We will always take your happiness seriously!
Founder and Director
Alex grew up on a game farm overlooking the Umwimsi Valley outside the Zimbabwean capital of Harare. Together with his three brothers, he spent his childhood exploring the wilderness around him, camping on riverbanks from the age of five and learning about its wildlife firsthand, from the laborious life of tiny dung beetles to the intuitive interaction of magnificent elephants.
READ MOREAlex grew up on a game farm overlooking the Umwimsi Valley outside the Zimbabwean capital of Harare. Together with his
three brothers, he spent his childhood exploring the wilderness around him, camping on riverbanks from the age of five and learning about its wildlife firsthand, from the laborious life of tiny dung beetles to the intuitive interaction of magnificent elephants. That sense of freedom and adventure has never left him and Alex is happiest off grid in the African bush camping beneath clear night skies, especially if a little fly fishing is involved.
As marketing director at Patrick Mavros the family’s luxury African silverware brand Alex was often asked for advice on where to go on safari, so it made sense to share his knowledge and passion more broadly.
In 2016 Alex launched Mavros Safaris with his Austrian born wife Alec. They make a brilliant team, with Alex in his element coming up with unforgettable African adventures for his clients and Alec making sure it all runs smoothly, and in great style. Alex and Alec divide their time between London and Harare.
Founder and Director
Alec was born in New York to German parents and they travelled extensively as a family. Soaking up different cultures seemed to come naturally to Alec and she went on to study International Relations at Brown University, followed by a Masters’ in Business Administration at Oxford.
READ MOREAlec was born in New York to German parents and they travelled extensively as a family. Soaking up different cultures seemed to come naturally to Alec and she went on to study International Relations at Brown University, followed by a Masters’ in Business Administration at Oxford.
Alec fell in love with Africa while working for the United Nations in Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Malawi; she later served as an independent advisor on emerging markets, including Zimbabwe.
Alec first met Alex Mavros through mutual friends in London and some years later, about to visit Zimbabwe for the first time, called on him for advice. He said he was happy to help in return for a dinner date. Alex and Alex were married 3 years later and have three young children. The launch of Mavros Safaris was born out of their shared love for Alex’s homeland Lake Kariba is Alec’s all time favourite spot in Africa and a determination to protect the African wilderness and its wildlife and help local communities benefit from its survival.
They make a formidable team, with Alex producing innovative and fun itineraries and Alec deploying her business acumen to insert the backbone and structure as well as the charming personal details this family owned safari outfit is known for.
General Manager
American-born Kelley is a Virginia native but an African convert, calling Zimbabwe home since 2010. With over 25 years in the luxury travel industry, she found her true calling when joining the Mavros Family to launch Mavros Safaris.
READ MOREAmerican born Kelley is a Virginia native who previously worked for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in California, specializing in the Caribbean and Mexico.
She first came to Africa on honeymoon in 2006, and couldn’t wait to get back. Four years later Kelley moved to Zimbabwe, where she started her own travel company in Harare before joining forces with Alex and Alec for the launch of Mavros Safaris.
Kelley is on hand 24 hours a day to take care of clients’ needs, from the moment of arrival to departure and beyond. She is in constant contact with lodges and camps, private guides and everyone working hard behind the scenes to make the magic happen.
Kelley’s favourite places in Zimbabwe are Gonarezhou National Park in the southeastern Lowveld home to enormous herds of buffalo and elephant and the misty Eastern Highlands, specifically Tony’s Coffee Shop in the Bvumba Mountains, famous for its enormous cakes. She has two young boys who she proudly describes as ‘bush kids’, two dogs and a cat named Congo, after her solo 40th birthday gorilla trek in the DRC and to summit the world’s most active lava lake volcano.
Office Manager
Moyra grew up in Zimbabwe’s beautiful Lowveld where her family own a game ranch and although she has lived in Harare for 16 years, she still feels more at home in a tent in the bush.
READ MOREMoyra grew up in Zimbabwe’s beautiful Lowveld where her family own a game ranch and although she has lived in Harare for 16 years, she still feels more at home in a tent in the bush.
Moyra has worked in the African tourism world for many years, with stints at Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls and Kariba, as well as Livingstone in Zambia and in London, where she threw herself into promoting adventure holidays across the continent. Seeking out beautiful new properties for clients and hearing about her guests’ experiences are the highlight of her work at
Mavros Safaris, where she helps create itineraries and has a lot of fun hosting. Her favourite camping spot in Zimbabwe is Chipin da Pools in Gonare zhou National Park in the south east of the country, not far from her family home, and she says the quiet fishing village of Vilankulo in Mozambique is her ideal beach holiday destination.
For Moyra, safaris are all about quiet reflection and quality time spent watching wildlife in unspoilt, remote areas of Africa.
We have already done two trips with Mavros Safaris and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. Everything was so well organized, the itinerary was personalized to our needs and expectations regarding adventures with kids. Mavros Safaris will make you Safari dreams come true!!!
Daisy Seilern
Botswana, Apr 2022
