Andre is 30  years old and is a born Namibian. Having always been a nature lover, he decided to pursue a career in conservation and completed a diploma in Nature Conservation. He then worked in several national game parks all over Namibia where he was, amongst other duties, involved with anti-poaching, lion monitoring, problem-animal control and wildlife censuses.

He resigned as a game ranger from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in 2000  to further his career in the private sector. He managed a private game farm for a year ... but then started to feel restless. He then packed up all his belongings and travelled Europe for a year. But the calling for his home country became too strong and he returned to Namibia at the end of 2001.

Starting in 2002, Andre worked as a Research Technician for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Lüderitz. In 2004, he was promoted to Senior Research Technician working in the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund. In contrast to his bush experiences, here he had a most splendid time scuba diving, fishing and clocking loads of sea-hours.

Andre is also a keen snake lover and part-time beekeeper.

Andries Alberts is a 30 year old Namibian citizen currently residing in the remote settlement of Tsumkwe in the north east of Namibia.  He has devoted more than 12 years of his life to the country's conservation effort under the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management. He also holds a 3-year Diploma in Nature Conservation and Resource Management. 
 
Living in the bush has taught him many things, including how to cope with isolation and the magical tranquillity that only the wild can offer.  Other experiences also gained throughout this time include  community work with the Ju'hoansi bushmen of the Nyae Nyae areas and management of valuable and rare and endangered species. 
 
He has also built a reputation as one of Namibia's most lyrical and passionate nature writers.  His dream of one day writing a novel depicting the historical trek of the "Dorslandtrekkers" (Thirstland trekkers) is already underway and will be completed within a year or so. 
 
Most memorable and scary moments: Almost being eaten by lions whilst on a full moon game count in the Khaudum National Park and repairing broken water installations so as to provide water for wildlife in the sandy, dry Khaudum park. 

 

             Kobus Alberts                             Andre van Niekerk                             Dries Alberts
 

Kobus Alberts is 34 years of age and is married with 2 children. He was born in Usakos, Namibia, and is currently living in Swakopmund. He holds a diploma in Nature Conservation and has spent 11 Years of his life  living in most of the National Parks and Game Reserves of Namibia. He has most recently been heading up the National Marine Aquarium of Namibia in Swakopmund, a position he held for 5 years.

Loving a good challenge has led him to attempt to cross the ice-cap of Greenland in April 2006. After an unfortunate incident on the ice-cap, Kobus was forced to return home after finishing just less than half of the anticipated journey. Kobus has been involved in leading several walking expeditions as well, so much so that he has walked more than       1 700 kilometres, on different trails, to date.

He loves the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. Nature is and always will be an integral part of his existence.

With Kobus, what you see is what you get. In the words of the man himself (borrowed briefly from Frankie Roosevelt), "Fear nothing but fear itself."