A lover of wild dogs, birdwatching and Kalahari summers, German-speaking private guide Richard Avilino was born and raised in Maun, the gateway to the wonders of the Okavango Delta..Captivated as child by the comings and goings of hippo, crocodile and birdlife along the banks of Thamalakane River where his grandfather farmed, Richard’s attraction to fauna and flora intensified while visiting his uncle, and later his brother, who both worked in the Delta.

With clear aspirations for the future, Richard obtained his professional guide’s license in 1998. And then a few years later to further himself – and satisfy his interests – Richard headed for Düsseldorf to add German to his portfolio of languages (English and Setswana) and later obtained an Advanced Birding certificate from South African Birdlife. Richard’s knowledge of ecology and wildlife is encyclopaedic; at the same time he is affable, highly intelligent and, if you are so inclined, well-informed on current affairs in Africa. You can also add history, geology, botany, photography, orator, chef and multi-tasker to his collection of talents. One of his favourite activities is to walk on the wild side and track animals on foot, making his guest feel part of the African wilderness and the chase.

If you are looking for a guide to educate you in the synergy of the African wilderness, and to have great fun at the same time, then look no further. His fireside tales will keep you up all night, his passion for his “work” will enthral you and he is sure to elevate your safari from good to life-changing.

Ona's experience and professionalism, as well as his passion to pass his knowledge, make him a great guide to have in the bush. It is no surprise that when he is not out looking for wildlife for the guests, he is training and assessing junior guides.

Ona was raised in a tribal village within the reaches of the Okavango Delta. Keen to pursue his wildlife passion, he undertook formal guide training in 2003. He has worked on mobile safaris where he became an expert on Botswana's ecosystems, as well as a camp guide.

Ona is a trained mechanic - always handy when you are stuck miles from anywhere. He is also an expert at photography, tracking, ornithology, and his favourite mode of transport - mokoro poling!

Growing up on a game farm, Gerhard developed a burning interest in wildlife, nature and indigenous culture at a very early age. His holidays were spent horse-riding, walking in the African bush, sleeping under the stars, fishing, conducting game capture operations, and helping his father repair fences destroyed by elephants. After school he joined Namibiai's national airline and gained valuable experience handling all kinds of cargo, even a bad-tempered rhino called Brutalis! Gerhard then joined a courier company as Operations Manager, but not being in the bush challenged the need for nature in his heart. After nine years in the freight-handling business, Gerhard switched back to the bush to share his passion for wilderness with guests.

After qualifying as a guide, Gerhard spent the next two years running safaris throughout Namibia. He joined Wilderness as a private guide, and is now based in Windhoek as the General Manager for Wilderness Explorations Department in Namibia, and is still actively involved in all aspects of guiding.

He believes that he has the best job in the world as it allows him to pursue his profound love for Namibia's diverse wildlife, traditions and cultures. Safaris involving tracking free-roaming black rhino and desert-adapted elephants in the Namib Desert are among his favourite activities.

Isaac Kalio was born in 1978 in Zambia and grew up in a small village on the Zambezi and has worked his way up to become one of the Kafue’s top guides and a rising star in the guiding industry in general. He started with canoe safaris after schooling and later qualified as a guide in the Lower Zambezi in 2004. Since then he has worked in many top lodges in the Lower Zambezi followed by many years of guiding in the Busanga Plains, an area that is unique in demanding skills from top level field guiding, through to balloon logistics, bridge building over swamps and even Mokoro skills!

Married to Jenala with four children (Frazer, Taurai, Fungai and Smith) he is a keen educationist having run a small kindergarten with his wife in a deprived rural area for several years in order to give back to his community. He is a passionate conservationist and photographer who is now actively promoting and selling his work.

He brings an easy manner, passion and ability in quantity and is a joy to be with.