Meet the Team
Sashi
Sashi Fernando Wijesena is the Founder and Managing Director of Mikaya Travels, the vision she brought to life from her love of travel, wildlife, art and adventure. As the heart and soul of the company, she brings together her professional experience, creative vision and personal passion to shape Mikaya’s identity and the journeys it creates.
Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Sashi is a travel designer, artist and photographer whose international outlook and appreciation for different cultures are reflected in her approach to bespoke travel.
Educated in the USA and Sri Lanka, Sashi has called Botswana home since 2000, with over five years spent living in Sydney, Australia, along the way. Having lived, worked and travelled across different parts of the world, she brings an international perspective and a deep appreciation for the cultures, landscapes and experiences that make each destination unique.
With an artist’s eye for detail and a traveller’s curiosity, Sashi approaches every itinerary as an opportunity to create something personal and meaningful. She combines destination knowledge, thoughtful design and trusted local partnerships to connect travellers with the wildlife, landscapes, cultures and people of the places they visit. Her passion for art has also inspired Mikaya’s Art in the Wild safaris, bringing creative expression and the beauty of the African wilderness together.
As an entrepreneur, Sashi continues to build relationships across continents, working with trusted partners to create distinctive journeys while supporting conservation and community initiatives. Her vision is at the heart of Mikaya’s philosophy: to create extraordinary, thoughtfully designed journeys that go beyond the ordinary and are as individual as the people who take them.
Kosala (Kos)
Kosala Wijesena is a Director of Mikaya Travels and a Partner at one of the leading Big 4 Accounting firms in Botswana, where he has spent over 26 years. At Mikaya, he focuses on corporate governance, compliance and supplier relationships, helping ensure the business operates with integrity and strong professional standards.
Beyond his corporate career, Kosala has a deep passion for travel, wildlife and the natural world. A keen self-taught naturalist, he has developed an impressive ability to read the signs of the wild, interpreting animal tracks, behaviour and the subtle clues that reveal the stories unfolding in the bush.
His commitment to conservation extends beyond his love of nature. As a past Treasurer of BirdLife Botswana, Kosala volunteered his time and played a part in helping build and strengthen the organisation. He continues to support conservation efforts and remains deeply committed to protecting Botswana’s birdlife and natural heritage.
A lover of African culture and music, Kosala is particularly passionate about percussion instruments, especially the African djembe drum. He is also an enthusiastic sportsman with a lifelong love of rugby, cricket and golf.
Combining corporate leadership with a genuine passion for the wilderness and conservation, Kosala brings a thoughtful balance of business insight, curiosity and respect for nature to Mikaya Travels.
Mikesh
Based in Sydney, Australia, Mikesh Wijesena represents Mikaya Travels in the Australian market, connecting travellers with bespoke journeys across Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Having grown up in Botswana, Mikesh brings a personal connection to the region and an understanding of what makes its wildlife, landscapes and experiences so distinctive. He plays an important role in introducing Australian travellers to Mikaya’s approach to thoughtfully designed, personalised travel.
With a strong interest in technology and innovation, Mikesh brings a modern perspective to travel planning, combining digital solutions with a commitment to responsive service and seamless coordination. His role bridges the Australian market with Mikaya’s destination expertise and trusted local partnerships, helping ensure clients receive a personal and well-supported experience from their initial enquiry through to journey planning.
As part of the Mikaya family, Mikesh shares a passion for travel and a commitment to creating exceptional journeys that reflect each traveller’s interests and aspirations.