Born in Botswana and raised in Tanzania, Charley Swynnerton’s life is a journey woven across continents and cultures, each experience shaping her into the multifaceted artist, chef, and creator she is today. From high school in South Africa to university in Sydney, Australia, and culinary school in the UK, Charley’s path has been as diverse as it is inspiring.

 

Her career has taken her into the yachting world, where she has honed her skills as a chef in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Back in Africa, Charley has managed and worked in some of the continent’s top camps and lodges before establishing Acacia Grove in Arusha, Tanzania—now one of the top Airbnbs in the country. She has been dedicated to training chefs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, and Ethiopia, bridging the gap in hospitality education and helping local chefs meet the needs of international guests. She has also served as a private chef for high-profile clients, including Dr. Jane Goodall and members of the Royal Family. Charley’s expertise in hospitality and her passion for creating exceptional guest experiences have made her a sought-after professional in the Safari industry.

 

Beyond the kitchen, Charley’s art captures not just the beauty of nature, but also the vibrant way of life lived by locals across Africa. Her latest collection, "My Ode to Africa", a mix of photography and sketch prints, is inspired by the East African coast, where she spent part of her childhood. These works reflect the intricate blend of culture, tradition, and daily life, offering a deep and personal insight into the world she knows so well.

 

Charley’s creative spirit and global perspective are deeply influenced by her mother, Nicola Swynnerton (Granddaughter of "Fatty" Pearson). She has worked for iconic brands such as Pringle of Scotland and Burberry.

She joined Condé Nast as a fashion editor for Vogue Magazine in Sydney, Australia. She worked as a freelance stylist in New York, as well as a fashion editor in London for W Magazine and the Evening Standard. Nicola’s illustrious career took her from the fashion capitals of Europe to the bushlands of Africa, where she met Charley’s father, Colin, on safari. Nicola’s work with iconic brands and her extensive travels for fashion shoots, brought a unique blend of style, creativity, and an appreciation for aesthetics into Charley’s life. These experiences have profoundly shaped Charley’s artistic vision, infusing her work with a global sensibility and a refined eye for detail.

​

Charley’s family legacy is also steeped in adventure and contributions to Africa’s natural heritage. Her great-grandfather, C.F.M. Swynnerton, was a pioneering naturalist and the first game warden of Tanganyika (Tanzania). His work laid the foundation for modern conservation practices, including the establishment of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. His contributions to botany and entomology are honoured through numerous species named after him, including the bird genus Swynnertonia and carious plants and insects.

 

Another great-grandfather, Alec “Fatty” Pearson, was a legendary pilot known for his extraordinary skill, larger-than-life personality, and remarkable adventures. He is perhaps best known for his role in saving Ernest Hemingway's life, an event that inspired the character in Hemingway's short story, The Snows of Kilimanjaro.

 

Charley’s great uncle, Jack Bousfield, founded the iconic Jack’s Camp in Botswana and was known for his daring exploits, including surviving six plane crashes.

 

Her grandfather, Peter Whitehead, chronicled his adventures in his autobiography, Bwana, There’s a Body in the Bath!, detailing his life as a national parks ranger, big game hunter, and animal wrangler on film sets like  Hatari! with John Wayne and handling lions for the movie  Born Free.  His adventures also saw him surviving two aircraft crashes, encounters with man-eating lions, and near-drownings in crocodile-infested rivers.

 

Charley’s father, Colin Swynnerton, carried this adventurous spirit forward, working in wildlife conservation, racehorse training to extensive travels across Africa, including hitchhiking from England to Kenya through the Sahara Desert. Known for his love of the African bush & his zest for life, Colin taught Charley much about birds and wildlife, and his adventurous spirit was evident when he took Charley and her mother on a journey across Africa when she was just two years old, travelling from Cape Town, South Africa to Dakar, Senegal.

 

​​​Despite this extraordinary heritage, Charley has always sought to stand on her own two feet. She honors her family’s legacy by weaving its stories into her work but does so through her own lens, informed by her unique experiences. Her creations—whether in art, photography, or culinary arts—are imbued with the grace that comes from a life lived close to nature and the richness of African culture. Like her forefathers, Charley is a storyteller, but it is her own voice that shines through in her work.

 

Charley invites you to bring a piece of Africa’s spirit into your space, connecting you with the natural world and the vibrant life that inspires her every day.