Jacques says…

Having a family history of game farming and conservation as part of my DNA, I naturally gravitated towards nature, wildlife and the open spaces, my true north. After graduating with a diploma in Nature conservation, I started to work for the South African National Parks (SANParks) where I was involved in exciting projects such as breeding disease-free buffalo, roan and sable antelope. These projects were established to ensure viable populations for reintroduction into other national parks. While at SANParks, I was also involved with the capture and movement of over 2,000 head of game to the new Mokala National Park from Vaalbos National Park and was the very first SANParks ranger to be stationed at Mokala National Park.

I wanted more, to travel, explore and to learn, so I eventually joined AndBeyond (originally CC Africa) and was stationed at Phinda Game Reserve in Northern Natal in 2008 as a guide after going through their intensive training program. Here is where my eyes lit up with the abundance of wildlife, the ecology and diversity of habitats. I was privileged to be surrounded by colleagues and mentors, who later became lifelong friends, who inspired me and who imparted a wealth of knowledge onto me. I was fortunate to share these moments and my love for the bush, not only at Phinda but at many other AndBeyond lodges, with my guests from South Africa and all over the world.

Having developed a deep appreciation for the role that great mentors played in both my professional and personal development, I too became passionate to share their advice and skills and soon found myself doing the same for younger and/or less experienced guides, naturally gravitating into a mentoring and training role. As a trainer I had the benefit of travelling the broader African continent with the responsibility of training various teams, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.

Katlyn writes…

Born and bred in Chicago with a career in fashion as a personal shopper, I never imagined that I would be living a safari lovers dream in South Africa just a few years later. But after my first safari to Tanzania in 2011, I was hooked and by 2013 I had moved to Johannesburg and began to travel the African continent with my now husband Gavin Lautenbach.

Some of my highlights over the past years include trekking Lowland Gorillas through waist-deep water in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Congo, searching the forests for crazy creatures in Madagascar, and tracking Rhino on foot at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Now having travelled throughout most of Southern Africa and beyond, I can offer my knowledge of these magical destinations to those who are first time safari-goers or seasoned travelers.

My favorite part of safari is the feeling you get inside that you are suddenly one with nature and everything else in the world seems to fall away for that time and I think everyone needs to experience this at least once in their life!

Gareth writes…

Travel after university took me to the Sabi Sands Wildtuin and Londolozi Private Game Reserve.
It was whilst guiding at Londolozi that I excelled at the “gentle game drive” and soon developed a reputation for berating any other guide who messed with my mojo of serenity – two notable recipient’s of such a dressing down were Mammoth’s safari guru Gavin and a one-eyed elephant bull in full musth. Whilst I chose to have words with Gavin from the comfort of my Land Rover, I gave the bull elephant “what for” at somewhat closer quarters. The bull had it coming though as he was very naughty for trying to kill 8 guests and myself whilst we were out on a leisurely bush stroll. It is worth mentioning that Gavin and I have been best of friends ever since I put him in his place.

I left Londolozi to follow my other passion and work in the wine cellars of the world. Following harvest jobs in South Africa, France and California, I qualified as a winemaker with a degree in Oenology from South Africa’s premier Agricultural College. Winemaking, vineyard management, wine sales and wine-related conservation jobs all followed as various opportunities took me to a variety of exciting projects, working for a number of fine South African wine estates as well as on the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative for the World Wide Fund for Nature (www.wwf.org.za).

I am very fortunate to now be in a position to work closely with amazing friends and to invite people to journey with me to meet these friends. To share their wines, their farms, our gorgeous province, country and beyond and in so doing make many more friends along the way.
I am, over and above all of this, a father to the world’s most amazing daughter, who inspires me in all that I do.

Alastair says…

I have been out in the nature since I was born. It started with an encounter with a Puff Adder when I was still in my cot and has not slowed since. My early days were spent in the mountains and rivers of the Cape. I was blessed to grow up on a farm and explore most of South Africa before I started guiding at the incomparable Phinda Game Reserve in 1998. It is one of the most superb reserves to be found anywhere and here I honed my skills in tracking big game, birding, botanizing, photography and and a range of other life forms…including people!

Some of my most exciting encounters have been whilst out training guides in South & East Africa. My wife and I started a family in the Serengeti whilst managing the Kleins community concession in Tanzania. In between I have been privileged to explore Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, India, parts of North America and Europe. I am now based back in my home Elgin Valley, managing Mammoth Safaris and guiding short trips in the spectacular Cape mountains in and around Cape Town. As a professional guide I am also still leading longer trips further afield in Africa and Madagascar as well as assisting other guides to develop with passion through our Essential Guiding courses.

With my binoculars and camera at hand in my office and my children who drag in all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures (dead or alive!) for me to comment on, life is always interesting at the southern tip of Africa!