Meet the Team
I guess it is sometimes nice to attach a face to a name. More often than not in our business we end up building a relationship with the client. Sometimes a file can grow to a rather impressive heap of communication and the process of finalising an itinerary (because we always tailor the safari) can take weeks and even months. So if you do have the pleasure of dealing a lot with any of our team members – here are their faces.
Leander Borg
Leander was born in Swakopmund 07.03.1972. He studied BA Arts at the University of Stellenbosch and lived in Germany for a few years. A few years at Rovos Rail in Pretoria followed before he moved to work for Penduka Safaris in Botswana. In 2001 he decided to become independent and self employed, moved back to beautiful Namibia where he joined NatureFriend Safaris. With three little children he is the most “productive” member for the Naturefriend Safaris team. He is the Managing Director and enjoys cycling, running and swimming. A healthy lifestyle and plenty of adventure keeps him charged.
Anne-Mari van Wyk
She has been with Naturefriend Safaris since 2001. Anne-Mari is the most senior consultant and got married in December 2004. She likes beautiful (expensive) stuff, grew up on a farm near Otjiwarongo and chows through novel after novel. Her birthday is 02.11.1980.
Mate Uiras
Mate started with us in July 2003 just after her studies at the Polytechnic of Namibia. She has been handling all our charter coordination and is next to Anne-Mari also senior tour consultant. Born 11.06.1983 in Windhoek she speaks Damara, loves her little VW Golf to bits, discovered pilatus lately and would love to spend much more time travelling... but then there is so much work to do.
Florida Gaingos
Born in Swakopmund on 06.08.1981 she is Damara and been with us since July 2005. Also a student from the Polytechnich of Namibia her hobbies are reading and socialising. She has her own little house in Okahandja which means that she has the longest way to work every day (70km one way).
Malory
Malory was born in Windhoek on 29 May 1984. She joined Naturefriend Safaris in February 2008. She likes dancing, music and being with friends. All our set fly-in departures are coordinated by her. Malory is also a product of the Polytech.
Jennifer
Jennifer has done an internship with us in 2008 and takes care of office administration as well as consulting. She is a herero (traditionally cattle herding people and related to the owahimbas), has a lovely little boy and loves to be outdoors and visiting the family farm.
Nico Visser
Nico has been with Naturefriend Safaris on and off since 2002 doing in house training while still a student. He has completed his NATH 2 course and is thus one of the better qualified guides in Namibia. He is always well dressed and extremely health conscious. Nico does consulting, looks after our database and takes care of our guest on the guided safaris.
David Jaumburuka Tjivava
David Jaumburuka Tjivava was born in the eastern town of Gobabis in the Omaheke Region, known as “Cattle Country”. He grew up in the countryside in the heart of the Kalahari, and showed a keen interest in animals and plants and now specializes in birding and geological excursion. David spent his youth exploring the bush with San friends gathering field food and hunting wild animals. The true nature friend. All what he likes.