The idea for The Safari Boys germinated in 2008. Returning from an Overland trip to Lesotho, the two directors, (Willem Coetsee and Schalk van Wyk) decided that enough is enough and exchanged the Corporate Jungle for the African Bush. We now permanently persue our passion to share Africa with other travelers.
We could choose no better base than truly beautiful Namibia. And we could noth think of better people to share it with than other truly enthusiastic overland travelers, such as yourself !
So nearly three years of painstaking work followed. We re-visited and scouted virtually every Game Park or Wildlife Reserve in Southern Africa, concentrating on the more challenging ones in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We did this, not from the comfort of an armchair (or a Google Browser) but with trusty Land Rovers. We recorded hundreds of thousands of kilometers on GPS tracks, took 18 000 pictures and captured 2500 GPS waypoints before selecting the true gems. Whether that gem be a remarkable luxury lodge, a clean and friendly community based rest-camp or an informal bush camp in a unique setting.
Many of our tracks eventually ended up on a Google Earth Layer, through a project that we volunteered for.
Along the way, we added to our considerable experience and knowledge, to become experts in our field. We tested and re-tested our equipment and made sure that our itinerary is carefully designed to provide you with an unforgettable experience. And we acquired a property for our logistical and support headquarters.
During this discovery period, we ensured that we get to know and comply with every local regulation. We established the necessary infrastructure and procedures to assure you, our client, of a safe, comfortable and memorable experience in Southern Africa. We also completed formal training and qualified as Overland 4×4 Guides. Finally, we obtained the necessary certification from the governing bodies (a truly daunting task!) and joined reputable industry associations to protect you, the customer.
The Safari Boys is operated by the shareholders who brings many years of management experince in multi-national Technology companies to bear on making your overlanding trip a success ! However, all our staff is locally sourced, with a preference for supporting marginalised San communities and families. We do not use foreign, freelance or temporary guides (often just doing their GAP year in Africa). Instead, we, the stakeholders, are your hosts assuring you of personal and professional attention at all times.
We do not have the widest selection of scheduled itineraries in the industry. In fact, we may well have one of the smallest sets of itineraries. But those trips that we do, we do extremely well.
We consciously chose as our area of operations a rugged and relatively unknown area :
- From Gobabis in central Namibia, through Bushman Land and into the Kaudom, ending up in the lush Caprivi strip at the northern tip of Namibia.
- From Gobabis though the beautiful and extremely remote Southern Kalahari to the Kalgadi Transfrontier Park , shared between Botswana and South Africa.
We chose these routes for the following reasons :
- We want you to have a truly unique wilderness experience
- We are committed to support communities and areas that have traditionally not benefited as much as others from mainstream tourism
- It is way off the touristy track – just the way you like it.
Our head office is located in Gobabis, a short drive from Windhoek (by Namibian standards) and the Hosea Kutako International Airport. It is the gateway to your Kalahari adventure. Gobabis is in prime cattle and game country and a very convenient stop on the way to the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
In addition to airport transfers, we could provide accommodation in our exclusive boutique rest camp.
If you require a 4×4, we have a pick-up and drop-off arrangement with Rafiki Vehicle Hire, potentially saving you a full days vehicle rental. It also allows you to thoroughly familiarise yourself with your equipment, vehicles and local conditions. We provide a basic course on sand driving and 4×4 techniques on request.
And enjoy some of the finest beef steaks you will ever experience.
Which brings us to our equipment. We are as passionate about the technology (or lack thereof) in the vehicles that we use for guiding and logistical support, as we are in what we do ! Our equipment have been selected through many years of personal overlanding experience, and learning from and contributing to enthusiast groups such as the Overland Forum and Tracks4Africa (T4A). We ensure that we have suitable equipment, ranging from an extensive first-aid kit, through spares and tools to advanced satellite communications and navigation. Everything to ensure your safety and comfort, down to the finer details such as an an extensive library !
However, we are very serious about using sustainable resources, so we chose to painstakingly refurbish and maintain our vehicles, rather than add to the carbon footprint of your trip by acquiring new ones, as is the norm in our industry. It is a proven fact that the manufacture of a new vehicle may add as much carbon to the atmosphere, as it may produce throughout its entire operational lifespan, without even taking into consideration it’s disposal. It is our small contribution to make your trip less stressful to the environment.
Our services range from free advise and guidance on your trip, through informally and non-intrusive guided trips to all-inclusive fully catered and accommodated luxury trips.
It all depends on the type of experience that you desire. Your wish is our command !
