Kamananisa Ras M.

I grew up near Lake Ngami communal lands and in the nearby Kalahari desert, 150 km South West of Maun, where my parents (Mbanderu /Herero) farm. This area is well known as a big 'cattle baron' traditional farming area in Botswana.

Back on the farm my father had asked a few San (Bushmen) friends to give my brother (BB also a guide) and I some tracking lessons, to develop our power of observation skills and bush survival lessons. My dad believed that learning by doing is the best method of knowledge transfer. Consequently we were taken out on hunting expeditions by these elders to master their arts and skills.

In my youth, back in 1981, I saw a Bird Safari hunting vehicle while herding cattle with my younger brother and I was fascinated by the design. I said to brother I would like to do something that when I finish school. We skipped school once in a while to go watch hunters shooting birds and we acted as beaters and took birds home to eat.

In school years I joined the wildlife club and I was lucky enough to have gone on a school trip to Moremi , Savuti, Chobe where I again saw safari vehicles after a long gap.

After high school I did national service (Tirelo Sechaba) in Molepole /Dutlwe Wildlife camp / Khutse Game Reserve with the Department of Wildlife National Parks 1995 - 1996. This period further inspired my passion for a bush safari, wildlife and teaching people about these wilderness mysteries.

After school I did a short course on the introduction to travel and tourism, took 4 x 4 driving lessons in Maun with one of the pioneers of the industry the late hunter Willie Phillips. While I was there I heard about a guiding license examination and I applied to write and succeeded. Armed with my guiding license I completed my driving test and secured a drivers licence too.

In 1997 there was advert for newly opened lodge that were looking for guides, with no experiences but with licenses, to come work for them in order to get exposure.

I applied successfully and started there under the mentorship of the most knowledgeable guide Philney Matengu in April of 1997.

While in the Chobe National Park and I heard about the Kwando / Linyanti game area after seeing Dereck & Bevely Joubert's films. I met the manager of Kwando Safari's Lagoon Camp, Phil Aaron, at Ngoma Gate. Phil Aaron had a safari vehicle with no roof and tracker seat, something that was new to Botswana and this piqued my interest. We

exchanged contacts and I then met Kevin Leo Smith the MD at that time. I quickly connected with Company and joined them in 2000. Phil became a mentor and here enjoyed a great experience from which to explore more of this industry.

These Safaris offered extensive on the job guide training while being groomed by Kevin Leo Smith with his great passionate and effective leadership. My passion for guiding really popped here and after 5 years new challenges beckoned.

I contacted another Safari company in 2006 to see what made their business special and what they did differently to other operators. They were providing a local training empowerment program for guides and managers in which I participated. I was shown a new dimension with different level of guiding and environmental ethics which kept me with these group for longer.

My great passion for the lifestyle, a good command of English allows me to educate and share this pristine area of Botswana with my guest.

I enjoy studying animal behaviour, birding , videography, photography, walking and understanding predator movements.

I truly believe that " for any idea to succeed you need passionate people to drive your core values "

After 20 years of keeping the tourism wheel turning for other people and companies, I took a risk of not working for a salary and then registered to operate a safari guiding and eco tourism logistic support services to self drive travellers.

I started as an online brand and will in the future diversify into various tourism enhancements for self drive travellers.

Thank you very much team and support each other going into future

Guided self drive trips for, FIT, Solo, small groups 6 guest Max, specialized photography and filming

Independent tour guide and for such will recommend a private trip.