Meet Swedy, our head waiter and soon-to-be guide at Sayari

Meet the multi-talented, headwaiter, bartender extraordinaire and soon-to-be guide, Swedy! Always seen wearing a huge grin, Swedy has been part of the Asilia family for three years and can be found creating delicious cocktails for our guests at Sayari. Please scroll down to read more about our bubbly, fantastic Swedy.

What is your favourite animal?

When I was younger, I was obsessed with basketball and I wanted to be a professional when I grew up, so my favourite animal has always been the giraffe. I wanted to be as tall as the tallest giraffe because all basketball players have to be tall.

What is your favourite wildlife encounter?

I’ve had some amazing sightings, but for me, nothing beats the Great Migration. It’s an amazing spectacle that is only seen once a year. Last year, I was lucky enough to watch thousands of wildebeest cross the river into Kenya and the feeling I got is indescribable. Nature is so amazing.

What is it that you like about the bush?

I am so thankful to have worked for Asilia for three years because I truly love living in the bush. Of course, I love all of the wildlife, but most of all I love the silence, solitude and peacefulness. In Arusha, where I’m from, there are many voices, lots of sounds, cars and too many people. Here, you only hear the birds, a few hippos at night and the sound of the hyenas.

What is your biggest achievement?

I am very proud of the journey that I have had with Asilia. I started out being a waiter and have since progressed to bartender and Head Waiter here at Sayari. I am also excited to say that I will be beginning my guiding training in a couple of months. I can’t wait to further my knowledge and learn more about all the wildlife in the bush.

I am also very proud of my family. I have a wife and a little girl who is five years old now. She wants to be a doctor so that she can help people and that fills me with pride. Sometimes I do find it difficult to be away from my family, especially when they ring and tell me that they miss me, but I know that I am supporting my family by working hard and I hope that my daughter will one day achieve her dreams.