Ben Nelson (NH, 2007)

I attended College from 2002 to 2007 and I recall these years very fondly. Now, at 35, I am a father and a business owner, spending most of my time juggling these responsibilities. Long gone are the blissful days of playing cricket on the immaculate grounds at Cheltenham College.

Did Cheltenham set the scene for my current work endeavours?

I believe it did. My travel company, Nelson Travel, started as an African safari specialist, sending clients all over southern and eastern Africa. Why Africa? Well, I partly have College to thank for that – it was during my time at College that I made my first trip to Africa; to Kenya.

Several things happened that inspired this visit. Firstly, I met my close friend Simon Kenyon (NH, 2007), whose home is in Kenya. Secondly, during my time there, College had a travel scholarship programme for community work in Kenya, which I secured alongside Bruce Mason (H, 2007). Thirdly, Mark Durston (Christowe Housemaster) played a key part in reassuring my parents that a trip to rural Kenya was a good idea!

Hyenas in the Seba wilderness

My first successful trip to Kenya… and fast forward 20 years… Nelson Travel was born.

We are a specialist travel company offering luxury holidays to Africa and beyond. The Nelson Travel team have a genuine passion for travel, as do the people we work with around the globe. We only take commissions from our suppliers (meaning our service is free to you!) and expertise, service and price are the cornerstones of what we do.

www.nelson.travel

Luxury lodging in the Serengeti