Gerald Kyalo. (geraldbway).
Esther Njoroge: From Fired Travel Consultant to CEO of Bountiful Safaris, Pioneering Kenya’s Tours and Travel Industry
How a Toxic Work Environment Fueled One Woman’s Journey to Build a Thriving Travel Empire
Esther Njoroge is the founder and CEO of Bountiful Safaris, one of Kenya’s leading tours and travel companies, offering a wide range of services, including local safaris and international trips to destinations such as Zanzibar, Thailand, and Dubai.
Her journey to success, however, was far from smooth. Njoroge gained attention in recent years due to controversies surrounding her departure from Bonfire Adventures, a company where she previously worked. Yet, it was this very experience that fueled her determination to carve out her own path in the travel industry.
Born as the second child in a family of four, Njoroge spent her early years in Bogita, Thika, before her family relocated to Nyahururu, Nyandarua County. After completing her secondary education, she pursued a degree in social sciences at the University of Nairobi (UoN). During her university years, she secured an internship with a non-governmental organization (NGO), where she engaged in community service projects.
After graduation, Njoroge began working as a travel consultant earning Ksh 6,000 per month, later increased to Ksh 10,000. Her entrepreneurial spark emerged when a web developer helped her create a website for Bountiful Safaris, allowing her to advertise tours and travel services independently.
In 2009, Njoroge joined Bonfire Adventures, earning a monthly salary of Ksh 15,000, excluding commissions. “Besides the monthly salary, the top three performers would earn 10 percent commission,” she recalled. Quickly adapting to her new role, Njoroge began earning up to Ksh 100,000 per month in commissions, showcasing her talent and dedication.
However, she later revealed that the work environment at Bonfire Adventures gradually became toxic, prompting her to move on. Reflecting on her experience, she shared with journalist Lynn Ngugi, “Sometimes I don’t like talking about it, but at the end of the day, I say the experience changed my life in a way; I learnt something.”
Today, Bountiful Safaris stands as a testament to Njoroge’s resilience, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit—a journey from a modest travel consultant to a leading entrepreneur in Kenya’s travel and tourism sector.
