German born Cecile set off to Sri Lanka to volunteer at an NGO for three months and never made it back to Europe.
She runs an award-winning sustainable luxury camp in Yala National Park with her husband Noel.

 

Tell us about your life journey.

I always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. He worked hard to build a better life for us, something I admired deeply and am still very grateful for. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at a prestigious university in Germany and, at 22, set off to Sri Lanka to volunteer at an NGO for three months where I met my husband Noel, a Sri Lankan local. It might sound cheesy to say it was love at first sight, but we knew fairly quickly we wanted to be together. At the time, Noel was flying as a cabin manager for Sri Lankan Airlines and simultaneously running Leopard Safaris, then a fully mobile operation with just three tents and one jeep. Naturally, I started helping him run and grow the business so he’d have more time for me! A few months later, I was supposed to move to Austria for my Master’s studies – but instead, I decided to settle in Sri Lanka. I still completed my Master’s long-distance through a UK university to ease the guilt. Fourteen years later, we’re still living here happily and Leopard Safaris has grown into an internationally renowned luxury camp.

 

“Every day is a chance to grow, learn, and become a better person. Not all lessons are easy, but they’re all important.”

 

Any major turning points in your life?

Definitely moving to Sri Lanka. I used to be very career-driven, focusing on studies, and working in business consulting hoping to land a job at one of the top firms. I was chasing success and financial security. Of course, I still work hard – running your own business means constant challenges, but I’ve come to realise that success doesn’t need to mean sitting in an office every day. It’s so much easier when you love what you do.

Another big turning point was the birth of our son, Eli, nearly two years ago. We still travel and stay adventurous, but we’ve had to make adjustments and slow down a bit. It’s fun to see the world through his eyes.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I thought I had to choose a career early on and stick with it forever. I believed that diverting from the path would mean failure. My advice? Don’t be afraid to do what makes you happy. Our beliefs often limit us more than reality does.

Are you a risk taker?

I wouldn’t call myself a risk taker, but I’m definitely curious about life. I love to explore and learn new things. I believe that unless you try something, you’ll never know. You might love it or hate it – but at least you’ll know.

Any words of wisdom?

We can’t rely on others to make us happy – that has to come from within. Don’t let fear hold you back; it often leads to the greatest growth.

Any favourite memories?

So many! But my first-ever safari still tops the list. We’d just entered Yala National Park when we saw a female leopard drinking from a waterhole. Soon after, we saw another eopard being chased off by an elephant. We stopped near another waterhole to rest, and a dominant male leopard appeared. He kept trying to rest but was chased off repeatedly by crocodiles for over two hours. Eventually, fed up, he walked off – only to come across a smaller croc in the bushes. In a flash, he flipped it and bit its throat. It happened so fast, we barely got our cameras out! I was hooked on safaris from that point on.

Favourite destinations?

Childhood holidays in Denmark’s dunes, hiking in the Swiss Alps with my dad, a 2000km off-road motorbike trip through Mongolia with my husband… each was so different, but all unforgettable. Still, my favourite is Sri Lanka. For such a small island, it has everything: deserted beaches, misty tea-covered mountains, colourful temples, lush rainforest, waterfalls, and an incredible variety of wildlife. Did you know 16% of the country is still protected natural land?

Any places still on your bucket list?

Too many to count! Vietnam and Japan are at the top. Even in Sri Lanka, there are places I haven’t seen – Delft Island with its wild horses, Jathika Namal Uyana’s rose quartz mountains, the 300km Pekoe Trail, and the massive elephant gathering in Minneriya.

Expat or local?

Technically expat, but after 14 years, part of me definitely feels local.

Ups and downs of running a business in Sri Lanka?

Downs: volatility, lack of government support, especially during COVID and the economic crisis. For three years, we had almost no bookings and used our savings to keep paying our team. There’s also a brain drain – many skilled Sri Lankans left the country, especially in tourism, so we now train unskilled staff ourselves and run our own naturalist program.

Ups: there’s huge opportunity here and it’s fulfilling to create livelihoods and give back to the people and nature.

How does life in Sri Lanka differ from Germany?

In Germany, the system works. You take a number, things happen. The bus comes on time. Laws are predictable. In Sri Lanka, things can change overnight, especially after elections. But as I write this from my jungle home, overlooking the pool with our dogs, cat, ducks and chickens – and wildlife all around – I think it’s more than worth it.

Are you living the dream?

Maybe not the dream, but I’m definitely living my dream.

 

“Life offers us a beautifully abundant buffet of choices – we just have to dig in.”

 

In another life I would have been…

…commuting in the dark, stuck in traffic, scrolling Instagram at my desk, counting days to the next holiday. Then home in the dark, dinner on the couch, sleep, repeat.

Favourite/most used emoji?

☺️ (smiling face – always optimistic!)

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