“When I was six years old, a teacher asked me what I want to be when I grew up, and I responded that I wanted to drive a Jeep in the bush.”

Chris’s passion for wild places led him to work on game reserves when he was only 14. “I just wanted to be in the veldt and made a nuisance of myself with anyone who would listen. And this led to some great experiences.” Chris’s passion for the land is all-encompassing, and he is able to share his passion and expert knowledge on birding, history, culture, zoology, ecology, geology, photography, and a number of other disciplines in a natural dialogue. His home country of Namibia is his first love, “I can’t get enough of this place; I want to know it all, every nook and cranny, and then make sure it is looked after.”

Chris now lives in San Diego, California, the headquarters for Piper & Heath where he acts as CEO (yes, it is an act). Chris travels to Africa multiple times a year, including an annual trip with his two sons to ensure the passion for Africa is passed on to the next generation.

Nick Louw is a passionate individual whose life has been shaped by two enduring loves: nature and people. Growing up on a farm surrounded by the African Bush, Nick’s deep connection to the land and its wildlife was evident from an early age. His childhood experiences instilled a profound appreciation for the natural world and a curiosity about its inhabitants in him.

After completing his studies in Nature Conservation, Nick embarked on a journey and explored the vast landscapes of Southern Africa. Using his skills as a game ranger, he implemented wildlife management best practices and captured and relocated game across the region. These experiences solidified his bond with nature which also led him to work for the South African National Parks Board for a few years. He acquired knowledge in coastal marine conservation at the West Coast National Park, as well as the Tsitsikamma National Park.

As a qualified freelance guide, Nick found a way to merge his passions for nature and people. With 30 years of experience, his ability to connect, communicate, and build relationships with people has earned him respect and trust among those he encounters.

Spending time with him leaves travellers with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the African Bush. With a lifetime of dedication to conservation and a commitment to sharing his knowledge with others, he continues to make a lasting impact on both the natural world and the people who journey alongside him.

Dedicated to documenting our natural world for future generations, professional photographer Roy Toft of Toft Photo Safaris is one of the premier wildlife photographers of our generation. With a background in wildlife and conservation biology, Roy chooses to focus solely on wild images that convey a sense of the animal’s character and spirit.

From a young age, when his family would vacation at their private game reserve in northern Zululand, Matt developed a passion for wildlife and the outdoors. This passion was enhanced with practical knowledge and developed at the University of Natal where he graduated with a BSc degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation in 2007. During school breaks, Matt helped post-graduate students with their research and field studies. Immediately after graduating, he trained as a game ranger at the world-famous MalaMala Private Game Reserve, where he guided for seven years as head ranger, and head photographic ranger. During his time at MalaMala, his passion for ecotourism, wildlife, photography, and travel grew to the point where he knew this would be his lifetime career. In 2017, Matt embarked on The Long Ride to Free Them: a 2,000 mile bicycle journey from the border of Canada to the border of Mexico towing 350 pound Lunar, a life size rhino replica, behind him. Raising money and awareness, it was Matt’s contribution to saving the rhino. The combination of personal interaction, conservation projects, and safari led him to pursue his dream of private guiding.

On the coffee and dairy farms where Mike McCartney grew up, and encouraged by his father’s passion for wildlife and wild places, Mike quickly became an avid and keen naturalist, delighting in the study of birds, plants, butterflies and wild animals. Mike has been guiding safaris regularly since the early 1990s. Between 2002 and 2008 he also worked for a conservation organisation affiliated to some of Kenya’s most well respected high-end safari operators. During this period Mike was very actively involved in the establishment of the successful community conservation areas and conservancies which have been set up around the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. He also assisted with a number of other conservation and community wildlife conservancy projects in various other parts of Kenya. In 2008 Mike decided to focus on guiding safaris full time, whilst continuing his tourism and conservation work on a freelance basis.

Mike has previously served on the Kenya Tourism Federation Environment and Conservation Committee and the KTF Safety and Communications Committee. He also sat on the committee of Ecotourism Kenya, and was Secretary to that committee for two years. During this time he helped to set up Africa’s first Eco-rating Scheme for tourism accommodation facilities. He has also conducted training courses for local Kenyan driver-guides at numerous smaller luxury lodges and camps around Kenya. Mike is a Silver Level member of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association, and he was also on the KPSGA Examination Committee for 5 years, during which time he assisted with the invigilation and marking of their Bronze and Silver Level examinations.

Rich Adams grew up surrounded by nature on a small farm in rural New England, where he captured images daily using black and white film. After many years away from the camera, a fateful trip to South Africa reignited Rich’s passion for photography. While the magic of Cape Town and its unique culture and character offered a compelling subject, it was the wildlife and amazing quality of the light in the Kruger National Park that inspired his work to new levels. Since that serendipitous trip in 2003, Rich has returned to the African continent every year since to continue his exploration of this fascinating landscape.