A couple from Melksham emigrating to Africa to set up a safari company will be taking a bit of Wiltshire with them to remind them of home.

Paul and Erika Sweet, of Shaw Hill, have bought a thatched game lodge next to Arusha National Park in north east Tanzania, which boasts views of the active volcano Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.

They have christened their new business Shaw Safaris, after the west Wiltshire village, and have bought and customised two Land Rovers to take visitors out into the game reserves, to see a rich variety of animals including big cats, buffalo, giraffes and black and white colobus monkeys.

The specialised cars, which have built-in sun awnings, a cooker, fridge and shower, will be taken in containers to Tanzania and Mr and Mrs Sweet will then follow them to start their new life in August.

Mr Sweet, 43, said: “The idea came after we’d got married in Kenya three years ago and taken a honeymoon safari in a hired Land Rover in Tanzania.

“We had a great time but, although the vehicle was okay, the equipment provided was rubbish.

“It was then we thought we could do the same, but better.

“Our big problem was finding a name for our new holiday company. We researched Sweet Safaris, but the name was already being used.

“Over the years, Shaw village has incorporated its name into the darts and football teams, names like ‘Shaw Thing’ for instance.

“So I thought why not Shaw Safaris. I’ll be proud to take the name of my old home with me to Africa.”

Last year Mr Sweet sold his business, Paul Sweet Engineering, on the Bowerhill Industrial Estate to JACS UK Ltd and the couple started making plans.

Mr Sweet said: “The idea was to run self-drive safaris for people visiting the four big game parks in Tanzania.

“But we knew we’d first have to get some really special Land Rovers, so we went to a big Land Rover show in Northampton.”

It was at the show the couple met Paul Marsh, from Footloose 4 x4, and had their specialised Land Rovers.

Shaw Safaris will welcome guests from Kilimanjaro Airport before helping them set out to explore major game reserves like Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.

Mr Sweet said: “We’ve bought a beautiful thatched game lodge which is so close to Arusha National Park that giraffes come into the garden.

“Guests will get a day’s training in the vehicles but are then free to travel all the nearby reserves.

“If they don’t fancy camping we can arrange other accommodation for their itinerary.”

The couple's website is at www.shawsafaris.com