We are experienced hospitality professionals who together run and manage high-end Chalets, priced at up to £26,000 per week, in the European Alps*. Simon is a Host, primarily responsible for looking after the guests, up to 15 at a time, and for the smooth running of the Chalet. Pippa is a Pru Leith-trained Chef who also has a lot of interaction with guests. She is also involved with the day-to-day chalet management, particularly concerning menus and cooking. She is conversant with ‘dietaries’ and food ‘allergies’. We are fastidious about cleanliness and food safety. Both of us have Food Safety Certification.

We are from a wildlife film-making background, having run our own Company, Lighthouse Films; Pippa, a Production Manager tasked with ensuring the harmonious working of the teams and logistics; Simon, a Director, ensuring that the team knows and is focused on the task in hand. We have worked on projects around the world, in Africa; in Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Nigeria, Mali, Niger and the Sudan, often spending long periods in the wilder corners of these countries. Our production background has been an excellent grounding for running hospitality establishments. We aim to get the best out of teams through unobtrusively leading by example; hands-on, first up, last to bed. We manage all aspects of the running of our guest services; arrivals and departures; stock-taking; planning; managing stores and laundry; demanding high standards in the kitchen; working with staff to ensure that they are clear about what they have to do and why, and that they are confident in their ability to do it and know that they have our support.

5-Star Service

We know the importance of the first Impression on guests’ arrival, the warm, but not effusive, welcome, the smart, cared-for appearance of the chalet, the Lodge. They expect a 5-star experience. We ensure that they get it.

We are confident working with guests, anticipating their needs and ambitions, responsive to specific requests, whilst ensuring their security. We are both First Aid-qualified. We also have experience of getting close to and photographing wildlife whilst looking after the best interests of both the wildlife and of the people keen to see it.

We are practical, well able to cope with the unexpected: late arrivals, vehicle breakdowns, the repair and maintenance of domestic equipment, power outages, etc. We drive a LandRover. We have radio-operating licences.

We are adept at planning and making things happen as planned or coming up with workable alternatives on the spur of the moment when the unexpected occurs. We are used to briefing teams so they know what to expect and what is expected of them so that they can prepare for it. We know the importance of good humour and good staff interaction. And we know how it can sometimes be difficult for established staff to accept ‘someone new perhaps wanting to change the way things are done’. We are sensitive to that. But we will carry staff with us to ensure a 5-star experience for our guests. We have stayed at top Safari Lodges in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, and know the standard to aspire to and where some fail.

Further Valuable Experience & Skills

We are good at handling ourselves ‘in the wild’, having spent much time under canvas in Africa. We are passionate about wildlife and habitat conservation, having made such films in Europe, Africa and the Himalayas*.

We have stayed with Richard Bonham at Ol Donyo Wuas in the Chyulu Hills. We have worked with Richard Kock of Kenya Wildlife Service, capturing man-eaters in the Aberdares; with Mike Kock in Hwange de-horning rhinos; with the late Barclay Hastings, who inoculated the mountain gorillas in Virunga against measles*. We have spent time with the Dinka, the Rendille, Turkana, Wodaabe, Tubu and others.

We have spent many years in India and in East Asia. We are very comfortable working with people from China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Simon, coincidentally, teaches English language and etiquette at a Vocational college in Thailand, enabling youngsters to find work in Koh Samui’s 5-star hotels. Simon also speaks some French and Spanish.

We are both fit and resilient. We ski the season. We work out in the gym. We sail, having recently sailed our own boat from the U.K. to Tahiti. Running a Chalet, or Lodge, is not unlike captaining a ship. A well-run ship is a happy ship.

We are confident that we can run and manage all aspects of a Safari Lodge for you, to the very highest standard, ensuring a memorable 5-star experience for your guests. We are currently running a chalet in Courchevel, France, till late March 2025.

*References can be provided.

Simon and Pippa Normanton
E: Simon / Philippa
T: +44 7850 054590