JAN MECKLENBURG

Special Subject:  South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Kruger National Park Specialist
Languages: German, English, Afrikaans, Si Lozi
Qualifications: National Diploma in Nature Conservation and Tourism. FGASA 2, GP, Mpumalanga, Limpopo
History and Experience: I have extensive experience as a Game Ranger in a ‘Big 5 Game Reserve’. I was able to gain 5 years of experience there by leading nature trails on foot which added to my love for the outdoors. I also have many years of Overland Safari experience – leading tours into 22 African Countries! I also have experience in leading different types of groups ranging from a German television crew to overseas groups. I am currently the Operations Manager in the Jenman Zambian office and am also guiding here - and loving it.
Favourite African Destination: Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda.

RIAAN BARNARD

Special Subject: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Garden Route
Languages: English and Afrikaans
Qualifications: FGASA Guide Level 2, First Aid, PDP (Professional Driver’s Permit), Business Administration and management.
History and Experience: I have been a tour guide for several other tour companies. My specialisations are nature guided tours and walks along the Garden Route.
Favourite African Destination: Zimbabwe (Matopos) and Mozambique.

HENNIE VAN WYNGAARD

Special Subject: Western Cape, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique
Languages: English and Afrikaans
Qualifications: Qualified and Registered Tour Guide, Professional Tour Guide, Qualified and Registered Hunting License, Qualified Safari Guide
History and Experience: Beside Africa, I learned a lot about Europe by travelling there for 2.5 years on two occasions. Because I like to meet different kind of people and want to show foreign people the beauty of this amazing continent, therefore l decided to become a guide. I started guiding 6 years ago and travelled all over South Africa. I am also specialised in Wine Tours in Western Cape.
Favourite African Destination: Kalahari – a desert, which is part of the huge sand basin that reaches from the Orange River up to Angola, and Mozambique with its Southern Coast – are marvellous places to explore the African continent!

GREGORY ALOYS SHETUI

Special Subject: East Africa.
Languages: English, Kiswahili.
Qualifications: Transworld Wildlife Services Ltd., Driver/Guide Courses, First Aid, PDP (Professional Driver's Permit).
History and Experience: I grew up in the Tanga region Lushoto where I studied at Dar Technical College and got a certificate in engineering. I was working as an engineer for several years until I moved to Arusha. I attended various tour guide courses and training sessions. Since 1999, I have been a professional guide and enjoy showing people from all around the world the beauty of the African continent.
Favourite African Destination: Tanzania. The Serengeti with its tree climbing lions - try beat that!

DAVID MUSANGU KAUNDA

Special Subject: Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Garden Route, Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls area)
Languages: German, English, Afrikaans, Local Languages (in Zambia, Namibia, Botswana)
Qualifications: Diploma in Travel and Tourism, German Language Certificate, Electrical Certificate.
History and Experience: I have done my Primary and Secondary Schooling in Zambia. British Diploma Travel and Tourism. Stayed in Germany for 5 years whilst studying electrical and German language at the Institution.
I have 10 years experience in the tourism industry with various companies: - A&K, A.T.C, Wild Horizons, Bushtracks Africa, African Eagle & SATS.
Favourite African Destination: Botswana and Zambia
Most memorable moment on tour: My memorable moment on tour was in 2007 July/August when I did back to back, Livingstone to Livingstone with 2 couples - 4 clients. It was a miracle tour, because every evening before sleeping the clients would demand that we come together and conduct a prayer for God’s protection including opportunity to see the Big 5 because we told the clients that a Rhino would not be easily seen. To my surprise and to that of the clients, at the end of the tour, we managed to see the Big 5. Clients were happy and since 2007, they communicate at least twice a year – end of year and beginning of year. This year 2010, they communicated last in February.
This is my memorable tour.

IAN MORGAN

Special Subject: Namibia, Botswana.
Languages: English, Afrikaans, Nsotho.
Qualifications: Level 3 First Aid, Trip Leader, Technician, Chef, PDP (Professional Driver’s Permit).
History and Experience: I worked as a technician and a chef before I decided to combine my previous knowledge and my love for people and nature. I’ve always liked tourism and showing foreign people the beauty of our country. I completed several courses and became a professional trip leader, also specialising in Astronomy, Birding and Geology. I’ve worked as a freelance Tour Guide for 8 years now and I’m still enjoying every second!
Favourite African Destination: Anywhere out there!

CHANTEL VAN DER LINDE

Special Subject: Namibia (desert, great geology) and Botswana (delta, Chobe)
Languages: Afrikaans, English.
Qualifications: FGASA, THETA, First Aid, PDP (Professional Driver's Permit).
History and Experience: I fell in love with the African bush and started working in the travel industry when I spent time on a private game reserve in the lowveld.My real love in life is people and the privilege for me to meet travellers from all over and to be the one to introduce them to the splendour of Africa is awesome.
Favourite African Destination: Vic Falls and Okavango Delta. Can't beat heading through the waterways of the Delta on a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe).
Most memorable moment on tour: Being charged by a female lion in Okavango delta… April 2004 – My first tour ever, we were walking on an island in the Okavango delta. We heard some lions roaring in the distance; soon we found their tracks and set off in pursuit. After about 20min trekking through the tall grass we came into a small clearing, when I saw movement on my left, as I turned I saw a large female lion came, running in my direction. Somehow I managed to stand my ground. She stopped about 20metres away from us and gave a low growl, before she turned slowly back into the grass. We regrouped and slowly made our way in the opposite direction. We found a large termite mound where we could get a better view and saw the female under a large Marula tree with a big male and 3 cubs of about 3 months old. The mother very kindly came and warned us that we were getting too close to her precious cubs. We were all too happy to give the family their privacy and we all have a wonderful story for the rest of our lives.

Read more about my exciting trip to Zambia...

Chantel won the guide of the year award (2010) - To read a comprehensive & interesting profile about her please click here

SAM KADONZVO

Special Subject: Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana
Languages: English and Shona
Qualifications: 0’Level certificate, first aid, FGASA 3 certificate, customer care certificate.
History and Experience: Since 1992 I have been on the road - over 18 years now and I am still enjoying it! 
Favourite African Destination: RSA, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique
Most memorable moment on tour: One memorable time of my tour was when I did a tour to Victoria Falls. It was a group of 10 clients and one of the clients used a battery to breath at night. The first few days went well. On the third day, the battery went off and we were in the middle of nowhere – no electricity, only water and food, and still had three more days left. I was with a cook, so I was the helping hand. I had to then make a plan or else the client was to die and the group had already started panicking. I connected the speaker wires to charge his batteries during the day as a trial, and it worked. We could stay in the park for 3 more days and all my clients were happy. I managed the trip till the end.

HELY RAKOTOMANANTSOA

Special Subject: Madagascar.
Languages: French, English.
Qualifications: Degree in Tourism Management (Brussels), Master Degree in English at University of Madagascar, Driver/Guide Courses, First Aid, PDP (Professional Driver's Permit).
History and Experience: Since I completed various tour guide courses, I have become an experienced guide and know the island of Madagascar very well. Additionally I attended trainings on group leadership in order to develop my skills as a professional guide. Guiding is my passion and I really enjoy providing our guests an unforgettable time and holiday in Madagascar.
Favourite African Destination: Madagascar; I've lived here my whole life and it has to be one of the most unique ecosystems in the world.

GARY WEBBER

Special Subject: Birding
Languages: English, Afrikaans and Xhosa
Qualifications: South African Registered guide.
History and Experience: I have four years guiding experience in Namibia and lead tours through Africa. I was also manager of a game farm for 3 years.
Favourite African Destination: Okavango Delta, Sossusvlei.

GARLAND MOMMSEN

Special Subject: Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, SA, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
Languages: English and Afrikaans
Qualifications: FGASA1, First aid 1, SARA Level 1, Swift water rescue 1
History and Experience: I’ve been working in Southern Africa for the past 10 years and have a true passion for Africa, its people and the wildlife!
Favourite African Destination: I love all the countries I work in as each country has something special! If I would have to choose one then I would have to say Namibia because of its sheer beauty and contrast and the warmth of the locals!
Most memorable moment on tour:  I was on tour through Namibia with a group of 6 clients. The day was a very hot one in the Etosha Game Reserve in the Northern Part of Namibia. We were watching a pride of lions at a waterhole called Leeubron and seeing that the sun was about to set we had to make our way back to our rest camp, Okaukuejo. The lion sighting on its own was a sight to remember but on our way back, the sky turned bright orange from the reflection on the dust particles in the sky. Far off in the distance we saw a commotion - only to discover that it was a group of black jackals of about 15 individuals eating a springbuck. This might sound savage but the contrasting colours and very unusual sighting brought back home both the harshness and beauty of this wonderful continent I work on.

TODD LEONARD MENTZ

Special Subject: Southern Africa (Wildlife and History of San Rock Art)
Languages: English and Afrikaans
Qualifications: Registered field guide level 1, Kenyan Wildlife Association (Field guide)
History and Experience: I have 11 years of overland experience and have been part of a few expeditions. I also did a Zambezi Wakka Expedition to raise money for anti-malaria campaign.
Favourite African Destination: Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. However every African destination is a favourite.

To read a comprehensive & interesting profile about Todd please click here

CHRISTINE LAUSANNE RAUCH

Special Subject: South Africa
Languages: English and Afrikaans
Qualifications: Graphic design Diploma. Tour guide for Western Cape and Garden Route.
History and Experience: I completed my studies in East London. Worked in Cape Town as Traffic controller then went off to London and got back in 2000. Started my own photo portrait studio. Decided to spread my wings and therefore did the tour guide course and after that I haven’t looked back.
Favourite African Destination: Everywhere!!

RHINO E. GROHMANN

Special Subject: Botswana, Namibia
Languages: English and German
Qualifications: FGASA Level 2
History and Experience: After 15 years in the motorcar industry, I have discovered my true calling and started a career as a Safari guide.
Favourite African Destination: Kalahari Desert.

STEPHAN VAN DER MERWE

Special Subject: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique, Kruger National Park.
Languages: Afrikaans, English and a little bit of Spanish
Qualifications: 4x4 Trails and Overland Tourist Guide, Registered Guide, First Aid, Code 14 and PDP (Professional Driver’s Permit).
History and Experience: Born in South Africa!! Travelled and worked in Europe from 2000-2004 and then really missed Africa and came back to start Overlanding! Started guiding early 2004, a mix of adventure and safari guiding. Experienced in driving, guiding and cooking for anything from 1-33 people in 8 African countries! 
Favourite African Destination:  All of it!! Africa is AMAZING!!   

NTANDO JAKE ULABANGANA

Special Subject: I enjoy wildlife but I am more into history, tradition and cultures of the people. I enjoy people and focus more on their strength and learn from their weakness
Languages: English, Ndebele, Tonga, Nyanja, Shona
Qualifications: Zim O’ level, NP L.P. guides license, class I drivers license (code 1A), 1st aid certificate, boat license
History and Experience: I started as a food waiter at a hotel in Vicfalls, worked as a food cashier + boat captain. I joined the guiding industry in October 2010 in Hwange Zambezi National Park as a safari guide. At one point I worked as a sales consultant for two years
Favourite African Destination: Mozambique, Velankulos area