MEET RICHARD
My first African adventure was when I just 10 and my parents decided to take a 3 week adventure self-driving through Zambia and Zimbabwe in two Land Rover Defenders. They soon discovered that I shared their passion for wildlife and travel, and we have repeated similar trips throughout southern Africa every year since.
After completing a degree in Zoology I knew I wanted to be back in Africa so I jumped at the opportunity to work as a scuba diving instructor in Mozambique. From here I followed a career in guiding which lead me to spending 2 years at Jacks Camp in Botswana showing the beauty of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
On my return, I knew I wanted to share my love of Africa with others and so began working for a very reputable travel operator specialising in African Travel. Throughout this time my knowledge of Africa has expanded along with my love for its people, wildlife and environments. Most recently being a Major contributor to both the Bradt Botswana Safari Guide the Bradt Namibia Guide.
MY EXPERTISE –
Most of Southern Africa with a particularly good knowledge of:
MY TOP TRAVEL MOMENTS
- Wild Dogs in Mana Pools - Stumbling into a pack of Wild dogs walking through Mana Pools in Zimbabwe on my first trip to Africa as a child.
- Diving with Giant Mantas – Whilst leading a dive to a cleaning station of the coast of Tofo, Mozambique.
- Navigating the Okavango Delta – Spending 6 days birding and camping deep in the Okavango Delta with friends.
WHERE I'VE BEEN RECENTLY
- Botswana
- Zimbabwe – Central Kalahari, Okavango Delta, linyanti and finishing at Victoria Falls.
- Namibia – Swakopmund, Sossusvlei
I LOVE STAYING AT....
- Duba Plains – Okavango Delta, Botswana – Having grown up watching many of Derek and Beverly Joubert’s wildlife documentaries such as Eternal Enemies and Eye of the Leopard I love stay where they were filmed.
- Six Senses Laamu – Maldives – Rustic Luxury with incredible diving, amazing food and a brilliant house reef of your decking.
- Victoria Falls Hotel – Zimbabwe – Staying here is like going back in time. Its location to the falls, afternoon tea and views up the gorge to the falls are not to be missed.
MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS
- Give yourself enough time – It may be tempting to try and see everything, however sometimes its best to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Every day on safari is different and it gives you a reason to visit again.
- Ask questions – having guided myself I really appreciated it when my guests asked questions.
- Don’t be afraid to travel out of seasons – although many destinations have a peak, shoulder and low season don’t be afraid to travel in shoulder and low seasons. With the right camps you can have equally good game viewing and experiences at a quieter and often more affordable time.
