The idea of the Octagon Safari Lodge came about when I visited Tanzania a number of years ago. My wife Pamela is Tanzanian. She was in Ireland studying law, then working, and then we went to her country to get married. Once we arrived, we began to hatch a plan for the lodge.

Gradually, we both decided we wanted a change of scenery, came up with a plan that would involve the two of us. I used to be a professional actor – I was on Fair City a few years ago – but that side of my life has taken something of a back seat.

The property is on a farm which belonged to my wife. With the help of about 50 locals, we build the lodge within a year. Setting it up was a lot of hard work, but in terms of opening the business and getting moving, I’d have to say it wasn’t too difficult. Tourism is quite strong in Tanzania at the moment, and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area – which the lodge services – are very popular attractions from the time we opened last September, it has been quiet busy. The client-base is broad. For example, when we were cooking Christmas dinner, the clients on the right were from Brazil, Korea and Europe. On any night, we could have any nationality really, Irish people too, of course, some honeymooners.

Pros and cons? In terms of moving over here, I realize I m in something of a privileged position as my wife is from here, which means I had relations on the ground who were able to facilitate the legal side of setting up the business. That’s a real advantage over someone arriving fresh off the plan. The pros are what you’d imagine them to be, the wildlife, the weather and the scenery are spectacular, and the people are particularly nice, which is a real bonus. It is a very beautiful place and a special courtesy.

While I’m in Tanzania the acting is on hold. I’ll be busy enough, anyway we’re fairly stuck into running the lodge by this stage. It is a substantial investment, and we’re quite settled. Everything is going well, and I can’t see myself anywhere else for the foreseeable future.

THE IRISH TIMES MAGAZINE