Our Guides
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Abeduico "Shaka" Masuku
Abeduico “Shaka” Masuku was born in a small village called Mosojane close to Francistown in 1969. After completing high school he joined the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) where he worked for 10 years – it was this time spent with DWNP that instilled Shaka’s love of the bush and he decided that he wanted to fully immerse himself in the bush and proceeded to study to become a guide.
He spent 3 years in the mobile sector and then moved to the lodge sector where he soon became head guide for Wilderness Safaris at Vumbura Camp. After a few years here he moved to Orient Express as a lodge manager and spent a year in South Africa having extensive management training. On returning to Botswana he continued in the lodges as a camp manager and realised that his passion was guiding and sharing his love and knowledge of the bush directly with clients so he returned to guiding and the mobile sector, where he has been working again for the last 6 years.
His favourite animal is a Vervet monkey because it is cheeky and clean. Shaka is married with 4 children – 3 daughters and 1 son who he is proud to say is following in his footstep’s with his love of all aspects of the bush.
He spent 3 years in the mobile sector and then moved to the lodge sector where he soon became head guide for Wilderness Safaris at Vumbura Camp. After a few years here he moved to Orient Express as a lodge manager and spent a year in South Africa having extensive management training. On returning to Botswana he continued in the lodges as a camp manager and realised that his passion was guiding and sharing his love and knowledge of the bush directly with clients so he returned to guiding and the mobile sector, where he has been working again for the last 6 years.
His favourite animal is a Vervet monkey because it is cheeky and clean. Shaka is married with 4 children – 3 daughters and 1 son who he is proud to say is following in his footstep’s with his love of all aspects of the bush.
Alfred “Ali” Ntwayagae
Ali was born in Lobatse (Southern Botswana) and grew up in a small village called Kgomokasitwa. He has lived in the big cities but came to Maun in 2022.
Growing up in a small village away from wildlife, Ali watched many wildlife documentaries that made him fall in love with nature and encouraged him to make regular visits to small game reserves in southern Botswana when growing up.
Whilst his family reside in Gaborone, he has a partner and young daughter in Maun.
Ali’s favourite animal is the Honey Badger… small, fearless and tough animal! A great adaptor to any environment, and not many animals will stand in the way of a honey badger, no matter how big the animal is!
Favourite bird, the Lesser Flamingo, such beautiful pink colourings, that are a true reflection of “you are what you eat”.
Growing up in a small village away from wildlife, Ali watched many wildlife documentaries that made him fall in love with nature and encouraged him to make regular visits to small game reserves in southern Botswana when growing up.
Whilst his family reside in Gaborone, he has a partner and young daughter in Maun.
Ali’s favourite animal is the Honey Badger… small, fearless and tough animal! A great adaptor to any environment, and not many animals will stand in the way of a honey badger, no matter how big the animal is!
Favourite bird, the Lesser Flamingo, such beautiful pink colourings, that are a true reflection of “you are what you eat”.
Brent Reed
Brent Reed was born in the Magaliesberg mountains in South Africa where he developed a deep and abiding love for the bush and all things wild but snakes in particular. Although he has been a birder all his life it wasn't until he was near-fatally bitten by a Black Mamba in 2004 that he decided to focus more strongly on the avian fauna rather than the reptillian. Brent's guiding career started in 1997 when he moved to Botswana to join his brother after a brief career in IT which took him to Europe for 3 years. He has guided safaris in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Mocambique, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Madagascar. Brent is a Level III FGASA Trails Guide and registered Trainer & Assessor with FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa). Along with his brother, Grant, he is a founding director of Letaka Safaris and African Guide Academy (formerly Okavango Guiding School).
Brent lives in Maun at the southern tip of the Okavango Delta on the banks of the Thamalakane river with his wife Ashleigh and his two sons, Jarryd and Troy.
Brent lives in Maun at the southern tip of the Okavango Delta on the banks of the Thamalakane river with his wife Ashleigh and his two sons, Jarryd and Troy.
Grant Reed
Born in the Magaliesburg mountains in 1974, Grant was raised with a love for birds, snakes and all things African, a passion passed on from his paternal grandfather and father.
Grant’s run-in with snakes came earlier in life on his eighteenth birthday when he was bitten by a puff-adder and ended up spending six months in and out of hospital. Having survived hospital and the puff-adder bite Grant continues to be passionate about snakes and to this day Grant still lectures interested parties on snakes and snakebite. A consummate naturalist, Grant’s interests include such diverse subjects as dragonflies, birds, butterflies and wildflowers.
He is widely considered to be one of Botswana’s top guides and holds two post-graduate degrees in Nature Conservation as well as the FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) Level III certificate and a number of specialist qualifications. He is also a founding director of Letaka Safaris and of Okavango Guiding School and a large portion of his passionate energy is directed towards the training and development of guides in Botswana. Grant lives outside Maun on the banks of the Thamalakane River with his wife Trudi and his sons, Merrick and Ross.
Grant’s run-in with snakes came earlier in life on his eighteenth birthday when he was bitten by a puff-adder and ended up spending six months in and out of hospital. Having survived hospital and the puff-adder bite Grant continues to be passionate about snakes and to this day Grant still lectures interested parties on snakes and snakebite. A consummate naturalist, Grant’s interests include such diverse subjects as dragonflies, birds, butterflies and wildflowers.
He is widely considered to be one of Botswana’s top guides and holds two post-graduate degrees in Nature Conservation as well as the FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) Level III certificate and a number of specialist qualifications. He is also a founding director of Letaka Safaris and of Okavango Guiding School and a large portion of his passionate energy is directed towards the training and development of guides in Botswana. Grant lives outside Maun on the banks of the Thamalakane River with his wife Trudi and his sons, Merrick and Ross.
Ishmael “Khumo” Khumoegang
Khumo was raised in the Tsau/Semboyo village on the western side of the Okavango Panhandle.
From the Yei tribe, Khumo grew up in the tourism hub of Maun. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature everyday, this inspired him to train and become a safari guide. Since a young age, he has been mesmerized by the environment’s landscapes, diverse plant life as well as the many species of birds and animals that inhabit the Okavango Delta. The environment has shaped and sparked a deep passion for wildlife and nature, encouraging his desire to showcase what the delta has to the world.
Khumo qualified as a guide in 2015 and has guided and been based in a variety of areas of Botswana, from Nxai Pan, Linyanti, CKGR, Moremi, Mababe and Chobe conducting guided walks, mokoro poling, boat cruises and game drives.
Khumo’s favourite animal is the Caracal, a beautiful and very smart cat with great hunting skills and success rates. Special bird to Khumo is the Saddle Billed Stork, attractive and striking colours, making it very photogenic!
When not guiding in the bush, Khumo will be found with his daughter and son who live in Maun too
From the Yei tribe, Khumo grew up in the tourism hub of Maun. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature everyday, this inspired him to train and become a safari guide. Since a young age, he has been mesmerized by the environment’s landscapes, diverse plant life as well as the many species of birds and animals that inhabit the Okavango Delta. The environment has shaped and sparked a deep passion for wildlife and nature, encouraging his desire to showcase what the delta has to the world.
Khumo qualified as a guide in 2015 and has guided and been based in a variety of areas of Botswana, from Nxai Pan, Linyanti, CKGR, Moremi, Mababe and Chobe conducting guided walks, mokoro poling, boat cruises and game drives.
Khumo’s favourite animal is the Caracal, a beautiful and very smart cat with great hunting skills and success rates. Special bird to Khumo is the Saddle Billed Stork, attractive and striking colours, making it very photogenic!
When not guiding in the bush, Khumo will be found with his daughter and son who live in Maun too
Mbara Ndjavera
Mbara grew up in a small village called Kareng, about 50km from Sehitwa near Lake Ngami.
Growing up in such remote areas meant he kept himself busy in the outdoors and this sparked his love and passion for wildlife and especially birds, from a very young age.
With said passion he pursued the skills and training to become a guide and has been doing this job he so loves since 2014. Mbara has spent a fair amount of time in the Chobe National Park working in different lodges there and has now taken on the challenge of mobile safari guiding, learning about several different safari areas and being an expert on them all. When not on safari, he is with his fiancée and his two daughters.
His favourite animal is a Cheetah because he hardly ever sees them but when he does it is such a special sighting.
Avian favourite is the Kori Bustard, the national bird of Botswana, and Africa’s heaviest flying bird.
Growing up in such remote areas meant he kept himself busy in the outdoors and this sparked his love and passion for wildlife and especially birds, from a very young age.
With said passion he pursued the skills and training to become a guide and has been doing this job he so loves since 2014. Mbara has spent a fair amount of time in the Chobe National Park working in different lodges there and has now taken on the challenge of mobile safari guiding, learning about several different safari areas and being an expert on them all. When not on safari, he is with his fiancée and his two daughters.
His favourite animal is a Cheetah because he hardly ever sees them but when he does it is such a special sighting.
Avian favourite is the Kori Bustard, the national bird of Botswana, and Africa’s heaviest flying bird.
Opegilwe “Crush / JR” Maphane
JR grew up in Gunotsoga Village, north-east of the delta, an area full of wildlife, which inevitably sparked and grew his interest in wild animals. Day-to-day life growing up with wildlife in and around his village, meant a hunger for learning more about the flora and fauna of the delicate environment of the Delta.
JR has been guiding since 2010 and enjoyed exploring many different areas to be on safari in. The Elephant is his favoured animal, given it is a keystone species, playing a huge part in the ecosystems of Botswana.
Martial Eagles intrigue JR with their incredible hunting skills and tactics!
Family life and trio of sons spread between Maun and Gunotsoga, mean a natural desire to pass on knowledge!
JR has been guiding since 2010 and enjoyed exploring many different areas to be on safari in. The Elephant is his favoured animal, given it is a keystone species, playing a huge part in the ecosystems of Botswana.
Martial Eagles intrigue JR with their incredible hunting skills and tactics!
Family life and trio of sons spread between Maun and Gunotsoga, mean a natural desire to pass on knowledge!
Otlhagile "Bait" Keemekae
Bait was born in 1985 and grew up in the pan-handle of the Okavango Delta. Growing up in the heart of the Okavango Delta, he grew his passion for wildlife and nature in general.
This interest and passion drove him to obtain his professional guide’s license in 2009 and further grow his knowledge of Botswana flora and fauna.
In his years of guiding, Bate has worked in many lodges in the delta until he joined Letaka Mobile Safaris in 2019.
Bait’s favourite animal is the Wild Dog, he loves their social structure and the way they look after each other and share food. His favourite bird is the Rosy-throated Longclaw, because of their elusive nature and it is a great accomplishment finding them!
When he isn`t on safari he lives with his wife and two kids in Maun, the Gateway to the Delta.
This interest and passion drove him to obtain his professional guide’s license in 2009 and further grow his knowledge of Botswana flora and fauna.
In his years of guiding, Bate has worked in many lodges in the delta until he joined Letaka Mobile Safaris in 2019.
Bait’s favourite animal is the Wild Dog, he loves their social structure and the way they look after each other and share food. His favourite bird is the Rosy-throated Longclaw, because of their elusive nature and it is a great accomplishment finding them!
When he isn`t on safari he lives with his wife and two kids in Maun, the Gateway to the Delta.
Tumisang "Tumi" Disho
Tumi was born and raised in a village called Kachikau, not too far from Kasane in the Chobe District of Botswana.
His father was a nature lover and safari guide, so guiding and protection of wildlife was instilled in him from a young age. He learnt a lot from his father about the wilderness and this pushed him to get his guides license and pursue a career in guiding like his father.
His guiding career blossomed in 2016 and he started working for lodge companies and doing overnight mobile safaris in the Chobe National Park. Since then he has grown his knowledge of mobiles and joined Letaka in early 2024.
His favourite animals is the Leopard. He is mesmerized byte hir spots and camouflage, making them hard to find but the sense of achievement when you do find one is next to none!
Avian favourite is the Bataleur Eagle or Short-tailed Eagle! A master of the skies displaying acrobatics and rocking motions in flight, a pleasure to watch!
His father was a nature lover and safari guide, so guiding and protection of wildlife was instilled in him from a young age. He learnt a lot from his father about the wilderness and this pushed him to get his guides license and pursue a career in guiding like his father.
His guiding career blossomed in 2016 and he started working for lodge companies and doing overnight mobile safaris in the Chobe National Park. Since then he has grown his knowledge of mobiles and joined Letaka in early 2024.
His favourite animals is the Leopard. He is mesmerized byte hir spots and camouflage, making them hard to find but the sense of achievement when you do find one is next to none!
Avian favourite is the Bataleur Eagle or Short-tailed Eagle! A master of the skies displaying acrobatics and rocking motions in flight, a pleasure to watch!
Vincent Kachere
Vincent was born in Kasane but grew up 50km west of there in a small village called Kavimba.
His love of nature started from a young age. His family reared cattle, and he was a young herd boy in charge of driving the herd to and from the grazing grounds and the river, which meant learning animal and bird behavior for survival whilst in the bush for occasionally days at a time.
His passion for the bush could only grew and drove him to become a guide in 2008. Over the years he has worked in different lodges to gain experience in several different areas like Chobe, Moremi, CKGR and Linyanti.
Vincent’s family reside in Kasane and he has two children.
He is a lover of all animals as they are all unique in their own ways but his favourite bird is the Rosy-throated longclaw as it is a rather rare and special bird and he enjoys watching its flight pattern.
His love of nature started from a young age. His family reared cattle, and he was a young herd boy in charge of driving the herd to and from the grazing grounds and the river, which meant learning animal and bird behavior for survival whilst in the bush for occasionally days at a time.
His passion for the bush could only grew and drove him to become a guide in 2008. Over the years he has worked in different lodges to gain experience in several different areas like Chobe, Moremi, CKGR and Linyanti.
Vincent’s family reside in Kasane and he has two children.
He is a lover of all animals as they are all unique in their own ways but his favourite bird is the Rosy-throated longclaw as it is a rather rare and special bird and he enjoys watching its flight pattern.