OUR FOUNDERS & OUR TEAM
Albert Hartog
As a very successful entrepreneur and investor, amongst others, in green and environmental technology, Albert has funded for more then 15 years research relating to Leopards and protection of this threatened species. His funding and work ultimately have resulted in a change of traditional ceremonies and hunting laws.
This funding encompasses a wide range of vital subjects, from support to the Wildlife Department with aircraft, anti-poaching and re-introduction of endangered species such as rhino and sable antelope, but also schooling of local young people and the assistance and protection of farmers against that same wildlife.
Dick Zeldenthuis
Dick is Managing Partner and co-founder of Active Capital Company and Chairman of the Board of Timbo Afrika Foundation. In his capacity he motivates the companies part of the Active Capital Company portfolio to donate a fixed amount of their profits towards the Foundation and assists the operational companies in Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa with their financial structures. A passionate supporter of our projects and ambassador in The Netherlands resulting in many of his business relations becoming guests in our Camps. A real Africa lover with a passion for elephants.
Jurgen Elbertse
Left Europe in 2005 after having worked in the Oil & Gas industry for many years. Ultimately changed his career to development and management of private owned nature reserves in the Greater Kruger National Park region. In this capacity worked closely with the WWF on the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and pioneered the first successful community based tourism projects allowing local communities to develop and manage safari operations.
Albert and Jurgen met in 2012 by accident as both were looking for an opportunity to put their vast experiences into a long term sustainable project. This ultimately resulted in the Botswana and Mozambique Operations.
OUR TEAM
Meet the extraordinary team that makes the Africa Experience truly special
Moses Mosebola, Senior Guide
Moses is a highly experienced guide who will be able to tell you not just about the wildlife you encounter on your drives and walks, but also about the local history and local customs. You will recognise him at all times with his wide smile!
Solomon Ramofi, Senior Tracker
Solomon is one of the senior trackers in this industry. Originally from our area but having worked in the Delta for many years, he decided to return to his roots. With him and Longwy on one of our game drives or bush walks you can be sure nothing will be missed. His eyes are still the best from all of us and he makes an exceptional G&T.
KB Mosena, Assistant Guide
KB has been with us from day 1. He started in the volunteer camp as a caretaker but during the construction of Koro River Camp his real talents surfaced quickly. Technically very gifted on almost every aspect varying from carpentry to roofing, but his passion for the bush changed his career path and he became a guide. Having lived in the bush his whole life he has a natural ability to spot and explain the wild life in our reserve. His biggest asset though is probably his big smile!
Kgomotso Masilo, Chef
In our opinion the best bush chef you can find. Before she joined us she already had a successful career of no less than 24 yours in another bush lodge. She still is eager to learn new recipes and try new dishes. Her high teas with the most delicious cakes, dinners with real artisan cooked food and off course her own vegetable and herb garden have become famous amongst our guests. She is always in for a cook off with one of guests star chefs!
TT Serumola, Sous Chef
The sous chef and the most artistic, creative kitchen staff we have. He can turn a simple tomato & mozzarella salad into a little piece of art. In his quiet time in the kitchen you can often find him reading new recipes or other cooking books.
Happiness Mangogola, Assistant Manager
Happiness is a charming young lady with a strong character and strong hands. She is specialised in providing wellness and massage services in our little pavilion and also is your host during the day.
Joseph Leshiba, Head of Technical Department
Joseph has been with us from the beginning. Quietly he has been working his way up to the head of the technical department. Because he has been involved in the actual construction of our Camps as well there is no technical matter that can surprise him. Over and above this he has a great sense of humour and an even bigger smile.
Margereth Monekwe & Elina Malesela, Housekeeping
Responsible for our housekeeping and laundry. Margeret joined us in 2017 after she had recovered from a Hippo attack! Her hard work shows and you can hear her laughing from far away! Elina is the opposite, her mysterious smile makes you wonder…
Sander Vissia, Researcher
Sander is in charge of research aimed at various subjects. One of them is the Human-Wildlife conflict, one of the most pressing matters in nature conservation as communities can be under pressure from wildlife venturing into the live stock or crops. Furthermore he has set up an elaborate program to monitor the leopards and hyenas in our area.
Sarah Morgan McSmith
A passionate and committed hospitality professional, Sarah has a deep rooted vocation for great service. Perhaps it is the very basic knowledge that everyone likes to feel special and considered that drives this particular brand of “Sarah’s Service”.
Coming from a family of a mix of business and hospitality, the transition to Ngala Game Lodge in the late 80’s was not difficult, and here began a long lasting relationship with lodges, camps, wilderness and the people within and around them.
Sarah has gained experience in a cross section of service orientated platforms. Spending a few years as a travel consultant for a top inbound destination management company was an exciting and hugely advantageous time. Sarah and her husband Alan, have spent many years running privately guided safaris to several African countries, offering top notch guiding, hosting to some of the most unique, remote and exciting destinations.
She has owned and operated restaurants and coffee shops and spent three years running a non-profit organisation that focused on awareness and tolerance towards each other and our environment. Key areas were food security, tree planting, education as well as wilderness trails for disadvantaged children and young adults.
As a mentor to our staff in her fields of expertise she has already been embraced by that same staff who fondly call her mmaJack.
Alan McSmith
Once a permanent resident of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, he co-pioneered a series of unsupported, exploratory dugout canoe traverses of the delta.
He is an established motivational and TEDx speaker and has travelled extensively advocating leadership and conservation at numerous European forums. As a passionate elephant conservationist, Alan is well known for his knowledge of these remarkable animals, and constantly strives to raise the bar of awareness.
A lifetime of exploration and discovery, not to mention the traditional knowledge and wisdom of baYei, Bushman, Herero and Shangaan trackers and guides have made lasting impressions. Wilderness, therefore, is no longer a place but a way of life and he remains committed to share meaningful wildlife encounters, storytelling and old school hospitality around the Africa Experience campfire.
His mentorship brings invaluable experience to our operations what will help get the best out of staff’s skills and improve the safari and conservation products we offer to our guests.
