I have been to Africa three times and it has always been my favorite place. However, on my last trip with Chris as a guide, it was very special. Chris makes it a point to talk with everyone and learn what they like and what was on their wish list. He made sure I sat next to the pilot on most of our private flights because I mentioned I was a private pilot!! He went out of his way to make sure our flights and accommodations were in order AFTER he left us. Who worries about his clients after they leave him? He overheard me tell someone I was cold the night before when I slept outside on the balcony and the next night I had two comforters instead of one and I had never said anything to him about being cold. All of our accommodations where outstanding. Each place we stayed was nicer than the last. He knew all the people in the areas we visited and we were welcomed with open arms and everything went like clockwork. He was extremely knowledgeable about the animals we saw and the areas we visited.
Being on Safari with Chris was like being in “Out of Africa”. I tried to adopt him but he said he had a mother. Next time I go to Africa it will be with Chris.
We have been on two fantastic trips to Africa, and Chris , was our guide on both trips. He is a superb leader and a first-class person. For our second trip, Chris helped us with a customized itinerary. We gave Chris an idea of what we wanted to do and see, and he used his expertise to offer options that added quality to the trip. On numerous occasions, Chris arranged special experiences for our group that we would never have thought of on our own.
When you travel in Africa, you can count on some things that do not go as planned—TIA (This Is Africa). When these occurred, Chris took care of everything—often without our awareness—and we were left to just enjoy the marvelous natural features and the culture. We have traveled with Chris in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He has years of experience dealing with the tented camps, lodges and transportation providers in all these countries, so he is able to get the accommodations that fit your travel style. And he is an expert observer and interpreter of the plants and animals that one will see on an African trip.
We are confident that an exploration of Africa with Chris would be an unforgettable, amazing and wonderful experience.
Chuck and Carol S
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
I went with Chris to Namibia, where he had arranged a three-part safari: the scenic sand dunes of Sossusvlei, a visit to a Himba village for exposure to a local culture far different than I had ever imagined or experienced, and several days at Etosha National Park. Chris had arranged everything—travel, meals and lodging, along with knowledgeable and interesting guides—and as he learned of individual interests, he found ways to focus our travels and attention on them. I had a birthday while on safari, and Chris arranged for an incredible performance by the lodge staff, and a gluten-free cake (I’m celiac)! He paid special attention to my interest in termites, and to other’s interests in birds, while insuring we all had opportunities to see the large and small wildlife for which Etosha is famous. His guides and he were interesting, quite conversant in several languages, and knowledgeable about wildlife behavior and natural history, as well as conservation biology and its politics. I hope to travel with him again!
Bob C, Ph.D. Zoology
Emeritus, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and our family immigrated to the USA when I was 10 years old. I wanted to visit all the places I remembered from my childhood and thanks to a colleague from Zimbabwe’s referral, my husband and I were very fortunate to have found Chris to guide us through a “homecoming” tour. Some things have changed tremendously, but other things are amazingly still the same and familiar. Chris is the consummate professional. From the initial email correspondence, travel proposals, and final itinerary, he was available and attentive. Because Chris is very well connected, we were able to visit the home I left in 1963, churches, parks, and the elementary schools we attended as children. We were able to do many activities the locals enjoy and he adapted our schedule as we delved into the culture.
What we most treasure of our eight days together, is that he took us to Hippo Valley, Chiredzi, and the bushveld where my Father installed irrigation systems in the 60’s. Chris went above and beyond the typical guide as he found local historians who might have worked with my Dad. We were actually able to visit the old pump station and geography from my childhood. Another highlight was the day we spent at Great Zimbabwe. Chris suggested and arranged some very unique lodging and accommodations to suit our tastes as well as ensuring we visited my highly specific requests to places I remembered.
Bea Y and Tom S
California, USA
We traveled with Chris to Namibia in 2018 on our first-ever personal trip abroad. Our travel mates did the direct pre-trip coordination with Chris, but we certainly witnessed his thoroughness as our “trip of a lifetime” come together. That thoroughness went a long way to alleviate our rookie travel anxieties. And, once we arrived in Africa and met Chris face-to-face, any residual trepidation soon melted away. I had traveled extensively during my business life, mostly with professional “handlers.” and I can’t think of one trip that didn’t have at least one major glitch. Our trip with Chris was flawless and felt effortless (though I’m sure the effort Chris exerted to make it feel effortless was extraordinary). Our Namibia experience was a beautiful balance of culture, scenery, and wildlife and truly was a trip of a lifetime. We will never forget it.
Brian and Judy K
Seattle, WA, USA
Prior to meeting Chris, I would never have guessed that my easiest and least stressful international trip would be in Africa. From the moment Chris met us at the airport and hustled the 13 of us through security until we had to say our final good-byes, there were no worries. There was no stress. There were no problems. The food and lodging arrangements were surprisingly good, and our transportation, which included prop planes and pilots along with the expected safari vehicles, perfectly met our needs. Of course there was the wildlife and the beauty of Africa’s National Parks that brought all of us to Africa in the first place. But what made this trip so special was Chris. His meticulous attention to details ensured that our travels were uneventful except for our desired encounters with wildlife. His knowledge of Africa, the land and its inhabitants, enriched our daily safaris. His insights into animal behavior served to enhance our appreciation of all we witnessed each and every day. Chris is a very honorable and honest man with a sincere desire to inspire, to teach, and to serve. I saw how often he would be talking with staff and our local guides, how often he would be on his phone or at his computer working out details so that our time in Africa would be special. I had thought of my trip to Africa as a once in a lifetime thing, but I now fantasize a trip to another part of the African continent with Chris as my guide.
Tom and Bonnie P
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
When my wife and I took our second African Safari we had the pleasure of having Chris serve as the guide for our group.
During safari your guide is the critical link for a successful adventure. Chris did theplanning of our itinerary for the country of Namibia. He coordinated complicated travel arrangements within the country that took us to the capital city of Windhoek, the Namib Desert and Etosha National Park. Chris handled the logistics of moving 13 people and their luggage hundreds of miles without any serious bumps. The lodging he arranged was top of the line and the food served excellent.
Chris’ personality is very warm and low key. His knowledge is outstanding. Whether a question is about history, geography, animals, birds, flowers or people you can expect an accurate answer. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Chris and would highly recommend him to anyone considering an African Safari.
Gene and Pattie R
Reno, NV USA
Chris was our extraordinary guide in 2018. He showed us the wonders of Namibia. Chris is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, patient, kind, funny and very organized. He was also a wonderful listener.
If you needed something or simply made a suggestion he very quietly took care of it no matter what. The birthday party that he arranged for one of our group made the Top Three list. His sincere, humble manner is something you will not forget.
Therese A
California,USA