Lee Kelsall
I started my career as a project finance lawyer at Milbank and Norton Rose, advising on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure, mining, and energy projects across emerging and frontier markets. One highlight: the US$4.4 billion Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine in Mongolia — at the time one of the largest mining developments in the world.
After a decade in law, I moved into travel. As CEO of Ker & Downey Africa, I built and scaled a luxury safari OTA and tour operator across the continent — raising capital, launching new ventures, and growing the business into one of Africa's leading luxury safari operators. I then co-founded Fluent Living, a short-term rental platform in Cape Town, scaling from zero to 250+ keys across four buildings in under two years.
Today I work with travel-tech and hospitality founders on commercial strategy and revenue growth, and with travel-focused funds on dealflow and investment research.
Komorebi (木漏れ日) is a Japanese word without a perfect English equivalent. It describes the sensation of sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees — a fleeting moment that can be felt but never fully captured. The best travel experiences, and the best businesses, share this quality: they create a feeling that must be experienced to be understood.
Based in Cape Town. Originally from the UK.
Advising travel-tech and hospitality businesses on commercial strategy and growth. Providing sector research and dealflow support to travel-focused investors.
Writing on travel, hospitality platforms, and the businesses shaping how people move and stay.