Safari Specialist & Manager of Safari Online
A FGASA Nature Guide and South African Tour Guide, Walter enjoyed an extensive guiding career in Southern Africa, leading tours in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.
Looking for a change of direction within tourism, he combined his hands-on guiding experience with a Business Administration degree to establish Safari Online in 2005, allowing him to blend theory with practical aspects of the travel industry.
COUNTRIES VISITED
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Swaziland, Lesotho, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, Madagascar, Ghana, Burkina Faso, UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, US and more.
FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS
Sabi Sand, Namib Desert, Etosha NP. Okavango Delta, Savute Region, Chobe NP, Victoria Falls, Serengeti, Masai Mara and more.
Favourite Destination
My favourite safari destination is the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. It is extremely beautiful – the rugged escarpment, the African bush, the wild Zambezi River – and has so much to offer in terms of activities and experiences: day and night game drives, guided nature walks, river cruises and canoe trips. There are only a few safari camps available – either in the park itself or on a private concession – so there are never many other visitors and I especially like the chance to visit local communities.
Favourite Safari Moment
This would be in the northern part of the Okavango Delta. We were wild-camping on an island without many home comforts – a true ’back to nature’ experience. One afternoon I was on the island on my own, looking after camp and preparing food, when I looked up to see the whole camp surrounded by elephants feeding from the surrounding thorn trees – in fact, they ended up right inside camp!
What a thrilling experience this was! To be among these silent, gentle giants, surrounded by a beautiful wetland paradise, with no sign of anyone else – this moment was deeply ingrained in my heart and flooded me with joy.
Favourite Safari Activity
My personal favourite must be fishing in Africa’s wilderness areas. And not just for any fish: tiger fish – the most exciting freshwater game fish in Africa. My perfect day in Africa involves standing on a boat waiting for the bite of a ’tiger’ while surrounded by crocodiles and hippos – preferably somewhere in the middle of the Zambezi River or Okavango Delta!
Fishing for tiger fish, for those who are keen, is one of the seasonal specialties of the Zambezi River – the best time to catch them is during the hotter months from late August to mid-November which is also a great time for game viewing.
Some of my Reviews
Walter is exceptional. His communications and his can-do attitude was brilliant and he responds quickly and positively to every email. It was a pleasure dealing with him. Our holiday was not the easiest to organise as we had family coming from both Australia and the UK to celebrate a special birthday but Walter organised everything to the last detail, including organising accommodations and internal flights all to work seamlessly with the international arrivals. Really, from arriving at J’burg airport we didn’t have to think about a thing. We were met, greeted and treated like VIPs everywhere we went.
We all loved every moment of our stay at Jamala, everything was super, the food was top quality and the staff were top notch. The safaris were fabulous and overlooking the waterhole meant there was always something amazing to see. Walter, thank you so much for all the effort and work you put in to making this important family holiday run so smoothly. We cannot recommend you highly enough.
Walter was awesome throughout the initial communications process and quickly offered multiple options each time we amended the original itinerary, until we ultimately settled on Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.
Each location was unique, and that was by design. The lodges were all great, and each one was nicer than the last, culminating at Savanna in the Sabi Sands GR. Likewise, the game viewing improved with each location. I can’t say enough about Walter’s efforts in helping us put together a great trip. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again when we book another safari.
At the start of our Botswana trip planning I was totally confused and overwhelmed with the choices of places to visit and accommodations on offer. Over a few weeks, Walter guided us through the decision making process with incredible efficiency, patience and adeptness. His responses from afar ( we live in Australia) were always prompt, polite and very helpful. We eventually were able to organise an itinerary which fulfilled our every need and wildest dreams. We couldn’t have asked for a better Botswana experience.
We visited Chobe, Savute and the Okavango Delta and we so pleased with Walter’s suggestion to visit these three diverse and amazing places in Botswana. They were all different but thrilling in their own way. The amount of wildlife we saw in each place was just mind blowing. The organisation of the trip by Walter was seamless.
My Favourite Tours
Some of my Colleagues
African Travel Specialist Karina has been in tourism since she graduated in the subject & has a deep love for African wildlife – no wonder she lists Botswana as her favourite destination.
Handling the company’s admin & accounting, German-born Melanie has lived in Africa since the early 2000s & has travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa.
African Travel Specialist Sabrina graduated in tourism in her native Italy & hasn’t stopped exploring Africa’s top destinations since! Her favourite? Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.