Say Hello To The Team
Penny Hooper
Penny founded Samphire Travel Consulting in 2012, following six years of representing African properties with Travel e-Sense. She worked for Expert Africa (selling Tanzania and Mozambique) and Discover the World (selling Iceland and New Zealand) before moving to Representation, where she has promoted properties in Egypt, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, DMCs in Morocco, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, adventure activities in Kenya and Tanzania, and small-group and overlanding tours worldwide.
From 2001- 2003 Penny led adventure tours for Explore Worldwide, working in France, Djibouti, Morocco, South Africa and Swaziland. As well as living in Germany and China, and earning an honours degree in English & European Literature at the University of Warwick, Penny has travelled widely in south-east Asia, South America and sub-Saharan Africa. More recent adventures include Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar and Mauritius, and taking her young family to Malawi. Penny sings in the classical London choir Coro, and has sailed all her life, most recently racing RS 800 and Laser 4000 dinghies, J 24s, J-92s and is a rescue scuba diver. She’s also learning Mandarin!
Sorcha Rodbard Hedderwick
After living and working in Tanzania as a marketing consultant and project development manager for Leonotis Adventures & Summits Africa, specialising in off-the-beaten-track adventures, Sorcha has returned to the UK, bringing a wealth of diverse experiences that fuel her passion for the tourism and travel industry.
Her journey has taken her from the skies as cabin crew, an Officers and Sergeants Mess in an army camp, a luxury boutique hotel and a ski resort bar! Sorcha has lived in many places including Scotland, Devon, France, London, New Forest and now Wales where she is settled with her family…for now!
Sorcha's heart, however, belongs to Africa. During her time in Tanzania, she wasn't just consulting; she was immersed in the local culture, helping run Lake Natron Camp in collaboration with the Maasai community. This experience deepened her commitment to promoting sustainable tourism that respects and benefits local communities. Sorcha loves sharing her experiences and insights with anyone eager to listen, highlighting the incredible adventures that Tanzania and the wider African continent have to offer. She has also summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai!
With a deep-seated love for travel and a knack for connecting with people from all walks of life, Sorcha is dedicated to showcasing unique and responsible adventures in Africa and beyond.
“The key to marketing within tourism is not only a good working knowledge of the product and experience of the region, but also an understanding of the different types of traveller targeted, and most importantly, a true passion for travel and the brands that we promote.”
— Penny Hooper
