Working hard while guests are on game drives or at dinner, ensuring each tent is kept in impeccable condition. Changing the linen, sweeping the floors, restocking bathroom supplies, or placing a “bushbaby” under your duvet to ward off the evening chill. The housekeeper often goes unseen, but their impact cannot be ignored.
Born in the vibrant town of Moshi, at the foothill of Mount Kilimanjaro, 48-year-old Godbless Kimathy grew up with the greatest mountain of Africa as his backdrop. As a result, his first job was as a porter, carrying heavy loads for climbers determined to reach the summit. It was tough work, but it paid off. Every step he took up Kilimanjaro was a step closer to his dream, saving enough money to put himself through college.
In 2004, that dream took a new shape. He joined Asilia, a newly formed safari company operating from Arusha. After completing initial training, he was stationed in the company’s first mobile camp, Sayari, a seasonal camp moving between the northern and central Serengeti. Starting out as a housekeeper, Godbless quickly fell in love with the nomadic rhythm a mobile camp offers, the way they move with the seasons, setting up deep in the bush and disappearing without a trace. That ever-changing environment became a source of inspiration and curiosity. “It keeps my mind fresh,” he says, “No two days are ever the same.”
Over the years, he’s watched the camps, and the technology that supports them, evolve dramatically. Additional mobile camps, like Suyan, Olakira, Piyaya, Kimondo, and Ubuntu opened and developed over the years as the mobile camping model was refined and perfected. Olakira and Ubuntu camps are still going strong today, offering the authenticity of a traditional East Africa safari, while Sayari Camp became a permanent fixture in a prime location in the northern Serengeti in 2008. Godbless worked across all the mobile camps, rotating with the seasons, sharing his knowledge and learning from others. The experience of a mobile camp has changed since those initial days of 2005, most noticeably through the addition of solar power which has transformed the way they operate, making life in the wild more efficient and sustainable. Godbless has watched the transformation and growth over the years with pride, quietly contributing to the success from behind the scenes.
For over 20 years Godbless has specialised within the running of mobile camps but, for him, the heart of camp life has always been about more than the operational logistics. It’s the people, the connections with guests, and the camaraderie with his fellow team members that give the job its soul. Today, he holds the position as Head of Housekeeping at Ubuntu Migration Camp, his second home traversing the plains of the Serengeti.
His family home is now in Arusha, with his wife and four children – three boys and a girl. Godbless carefully balances his deep love and connection to bush life with his family and friendships. When he’s not in camp, you’ll often find him dancing to Congolese rumba or classic Tanzanian tunes. Music is more than a pastime for him, it’s a source of joy, rhythm, and connection after long stretches in the wilderness.
Even after two decades in the industry, his passion hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s grown stronger. He knows the bush intimately, how to navigate it and, as an experienced housekeeper, how to keep a camp running seamlessly in remote conditions whilst ensuring guests feel at home in the heart of the wild. He still recalls a day in Sayari, when it was still a mobile camp and the northern Serengeti was wild and untamed. Maasai warriors had chased male lions through the camp as the big cats had tried to use tents as cover whilst stalking wildebeest surrounding the camp. “It was a moment I’ll never forget,” he says with a wide grin.
His dream now is to become a housekeeper trainer, to share what he’s learned and help shape the next generation of camp staff. He believes that every detail matters, that excellence is built from the ground up, and that with the right guidance, the best camps in Africa can keep getting better. Godbless Kimathy’s story is one of a deep love for and a strong commitment to human connection. From the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the shifting wilds of mobile camps, his journey is a testament to what’s possible when you follow your calling, and dance a little along the way.
It’s the people like Godbless that set Asilia apart. Bringing a wealth of experience into a space where the details make all the difference. Start planning your safari today, and experience the genuine difference Asilia offers.
