NADIA ECKHARDT, Founder and President
Nadia Eckhardt was born in the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa. She lives in Seattle today, but still calls the Cape “home.” She has traveled to all seven continents and more than 125 countries, and plans on exploring a lot more with Expedition Easy and Africa Easy. Nadia is well-versed in many adventure destinations across the globe, from Antarctica and the Arctic, to the Galapagos Islands and Japan, and places throughout the diverse African continent. She divides her time between leading safaris and expeditions, and planning trips for travelers with colleagues in her Seattle office.
Her travel career began in the early 80’s, exploring the Indian Ocean islands, Seychelles, and Madagascar. In 1989, she boarded her first expedition ship (Society Explorer) as shopkeeper and zodiac driver in Bali, Indonesia, and from that moment on, she was hooked on adventure travel. For 30 years now, Nadia has worked extensively on expedition vessels for the top U.S. Tour Operators: Zegrahm, Lindblad, Abercrombie & Kent and Silversea. Nadia is a veteran Tour & Safari Leader, Cruise Director, and Shore Excursion Manager. She is actively involved in shore excursions for the leading expedition companies on exceptional programs along the African coasts and to fascinating places such as Cuba. Nadia combines her destination knowledge and experience, as well as her passion for travel to ensure others have extraordinary adventures to remote corners.
EMILY COCKING, Program Manager
Emily was born in Connecticut and currently resides in the greater Seattle area with her husband and 2-year-old son. She earned her associates degree in Business and is on her way to completing her bachelor’s degree in the near future.
Ever since Expedition Easy planned Emily’s first family trip to New Zealand, she has had a strong desire to travel and explore and hopes to one day visit all 7 Continents! Emily enjoys experiencing different cultures and adventure activities in remote regions.
After returning from her family adventure around New Zealand, Emily has continued to travel including a voyage to The Galapagos Islands and to Australia as well as the Caribbean.
Emily has played an integral part of the Africa Easy/Expedition Easy Team since signing on February 2016, wearing several hats including Marketing and Sales, bookkeeping and safari itinerary planning. Emily is passionate about adventure travel and is very much looking forward to her first Safari to Africa with her family in June 2019.
PHILIP GRISHAM, Administrative Assistant
Philip Grisham was born in Southern Missouri and now reside in Columbia, Missouri. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. He was always interested in the differences in guest management and hospitality practices in different countries.
He has been working for Africa Easy and Expedition Easy since August 2023 as an administrative assistant. He manages clerical work, saves client and partner communications, double checking itineraries and information, creating passenger manifests, and any other tasks as needed. He is passionate about travelling and enjoy learning the ins and outs of creating trips for our clients.
His family has gone on several trips planned through Africa and Expedition Easy.He has been to Tanzania, The Galapagos Islands, Morocco, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Croatia, and Slovenia, all booked and prepared through Africa and Expedition Easy. He would like to visit Australia.
ALEX ESTES, Marketing Assistant
Alex Estes, based in Columbia, Missouri, is a marketing graduate from the University of Missouri. During this time she got the opportunity to do some student led work in the Asia Pacific region which allowed her to travel to Malaysia and Singapore. She currently manages marketing for Africa Easy and Expedition Easy.
Alex’s passion for travel began early with her first international trip around the United Kingdom. Since then, she has traveled to sixteen countries. She recently completed a solo, two-month backpacking trip through thirteen countries in Europe. Her love for all things travel inspires her to share these types of experiences with other.
