Guides

Festus grew up in Otjinene, a village in the Kalahari Desert in eastern Namibia. Festus was raised in the bush where tending his family's free-ranging cattle herds was an important full-time occupation from early on. Growing up side by side with Kalahari San Bushmen, he absorbed much of his superb bush knowledge. Initially, Festus and his friends walked to the local farm school, but later his village life was interrupted when he was packed off to high school in the capital city, Windhoek. After completing secondary school, Festus's first job, in 1992, was as a Himba translator on Namibia safaris. Soon his natural field guide talents became apparent and his big break came when he was promoted to a guiding position at Ongava Game Lodge. Four years of guiding experience in the big game country of Etosha National Park was the launching pad for his career into specialist guiding leading safaris in the living desert. Cross-country safaris were a natural progression for Festus and demand for his leading and guiding skills is at an all-time high. His profound knowledge and passion for Namibia and its people is a marvel to experience.

Jeremia was born in the far northern reaches of Namibia, known as Owambo land, to the ululations of women dancing bare-footed in the soft sand and the beat of cowhide drums. His daily chores were herding cattle and cultivating millet crops. During school holidays he would visit his father who worked at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Etosha National Park. After completing his schooling, his interest in nature was affirmed when he was introduced to Dr Peter Morkel, the renowned rhino veterinarian. He started working as a veterinary assistant to Dr Morkel, before expanding his experience elsewhere. He met up with Dr Morkel some years later and assisted him with game capture operations in South Africa and Botswana. In 1998 he returned to Namibia to work as a veterinary assistant and game capture supervisor.In 2000, he did hotel management training with Namib Sun Hotels and then joined CC Africa (&Beyond) where he became a guide. In 2008 Jeremia joined the Wilderness Safaris team as an Explorations Guide. He is continuing his studies at the Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality, on a part time basis, in order to become a specialized guide.Jeremia calls nature his home, conservation his pillow, trees his office and wildlife his media.