Though born and raised in Switzerland, Christine Eichin has been a native African since before she could spell "Swahili." At the age of six, Christine announced that she was leaving home to try her luck with a family of Africa's native mountain gorillas, and armed with a suitcase filled with everything she'd need along the way (band-aids, a change of clothes, and Swiss chocolate), Christine set out on her own personal safari.

Sadly, her local bus driver respectfully declined Christine's offer of a footnoted section in her future autobiography, and the young adventuress was forced to cast her dreams to the wayside and return, dejected, to her home three blocks away.

As the years progressed, Christine developed a passion for travel, and after completing her schooling in Switzerland, she landed a sought-after business apprenticeship and received training as a customs officer. In 1983, after marrying and starting a family, Christine immigrated to the U.S.

After achieving permanent U.S. residency in 1987, Ms. Eichin began her studies at the Go Western travel school and in 1994 started her own travel business. Two years later, after making the journey thousands of times in her dreams, Christine Eichin set out to visit the land she had loved her entire life. Finally, she was Home.

Since that first, magical visit, Miss "Africaholic," as she is known, has returned to Africa eighteen times and counting. Past destinations include Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda, as well as the Indian Ocean islands of Seychelles and Madagascar. With each visit, her passion for the Dark Continent grows ever-deeper, her love for the African people and wildlife compounding with each new experience.

Christine has since served on the Board of the Northern California Chapter of APTA (Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa), and on their National Executive Board. Above and Beyond Africa, Christine's pride and joy, continues to draw adventurers from around the globe.


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