Are you dreaming of an individual safari in Namibia or in southern Africa? Our safari experts will organize a guided or self-drive safari for you.
Our Team
Namibia Individual Travel was founded more than 25 years ago by Namibian guide Andrew Bassingthwaighte and Swiss partner Franzpeter Ackermann, with a simple idea: create authentic, well-planned safaris based on real experience and a deep knowledge of Namibia.
What started with a passion for guiding and exploring our country, has grown into a dedicated team of travel consultants, guides and operations staff who all share the same goal – creating memorable safari experiences for our guests.
Over the years we have built strong relationships with our guests, guides, lodges and partners, both in Namibia and internationally. Our passion remains the same as when we started – sharing the beauty, wildlife and wide-open spaces of Namibia and Southern Africa with our guests.
Andrew Bassingthwaighte
Andrew is a Namibian safari guide, wildlife enthusiast and the owner of Namibia Individual Travel. With more than 25 years of experience in tourism, his knowledge comes from many years spent guiding safaris through Namibia, Botswana and Southern Africa. Having explored remote wilderness areas, worked closely with guests in the field and completed various guide training courses, Andrew brings a practical, first-hand understanding of what makes a safari truly special. Today he is based in Windhoek, where he focuses on developing tailor-made guided, self-drive and fly-in safaris throughout the region. Although he no longer guides regularly, his passion for Namibia, wildlife and creating unforgettable journeys remains at the heart of every safari we offer.
Franzpeter Ackermann
Originally from Canton Schwyz in Switzerland, Franzpeter qualified as a civil engineer and spent many years working as a project manager on large projects throughout Europe and Africa. During a power station project in Namibia in the early 1980s, he discovered the beauty of the country and returned regularly before making Namibia his permanent home in 1998. Together with Andrew Bassingthwaighte, he founded what later became Namibia Individual Travel. Today Franzpeter is retired from the daily operations of the company, but his influence and experience remain an important part of our foundation. His Swiss approach to precision, reliability and trust helped shape Namibia Individual Travel into the company it is today.
Gabi, Desirée, Ilona, Sabine and Sasha
run the NIT office in Windhoek and are responsible for the organisation and administration of all trips. They are focused on making each individual tour a “safari of a lifetime”, with an attention to detail and a desire to satisfy the exact wishes of each individual guest. No two tours are the same; meaning that we are truly a tailor-made safari company.
Meet Our Safari Guides
At Namibia Individual Travel, we work with a number of professional freelance guides who know Namibia exceptionally well. Having spent many years travelling throughout the country, they have a good understanding of Namibia’s history, geology, landscapes, wildlife, plants, and diverse cultures.
Travelling with a guide can make your journey much easier and more enjoyable. Besides sharing their local knowledge, they take care of day-to-day logistics, assist with practical matters, and help ensure that everything runs smoothly. Having somebody alongside you who knows the country, the roads, the people, and the places you are visiting allows you to relax and make the most of your time in Namibia.
Our guides are passionate about the country they call home and enjoy sharing its many highlights with visitors. While their main area of expertise is Namibia, many of them are also familiar with neighbouring Botswana, and some have experience guiding in other parts of Southern Africa as well.
Jaco Dorn-Schnirring
My name is Jaco Dorn-Schnirring, and I have been working as a professional tour guide since 1995. I speak Afrikaans, English, and German, and I enjoy sharing my passion for Namibia and Botswana with guests from around the world. My friends would describe me as open-minded, helpful, understanding, and always ready with a smile. I believe that a great safari is about more than just the places you visit – it is about the people you meet, the experiences you share, and the memories you create along the way. I am passionate about what I do and take great pride in introducing guests to the remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and cultures of Namibia and Botswana. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing an unforgettable safari experience with you.
Rodger Murangi
My name is Rodger Murangi. Although I spent part of my childhood in Cape Town, I grew up primarily in Namibia, which I proudly consider home. Since 1997, I have been working as a professional tour guide, a career that allows me to combine my greatest passions: nature, travel, and meeting people from around the world. I enjoy sharing Namibia's unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultures with my guests and take great pride in showcasing the beauty of my country. I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia and helping you experience everything that makes this destination so extraordinary.
Richard Riedel
My name is Richard Riedel, and I have been working as a professional tour guide for over 18 years. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of sharing Namibia's remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and cultures with travellers from around the world. I have obtained numerous guiding qualifications and certificates, continually expanding my knowledge and expertise. Tour guiding combines two of my greatest passions – the outdoors and meeting people from different backgrounds. I guide with enthusiasm, professionalism, and genuine care, always striving to ensure that every guest feels welcome, safe, and inspired. Many guests leave Namibia with wonderful memories, and some even become lifelong friends.
Tuhafeni Hamundjebo
My name is Tuhafeni, although most people know me as "Tuffi". I am passionate about Namibia, its people, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. Sharing the beauty of my country with visitors and helping them create lasting memories is what I enjoy most about being a tour guide. From the towering dunes of the Namib Desert and the vast Etosha Pan to Namibia's rich cultures and hidden gems, I love introducing guests to the places that make this country so unique. When I am not exploring the outdoors, I enjoy cycling, camping, and planning my next adventure. I believe that travel is about meaningful connections, great stories, and experiences that stay with you long after the journey has ended.
Hans Liechti
My name is Hans Liechti. I was born in South Africa and have been living in Namibia since 1998. As a qualified National Tour Guide with many years of experience, I have led safaris not only throughout Namibia but also in several other African countries. The natural world has always been my greatest passion, and guiding gives me the opportunity to share these extraordinary wilderness areas with others. Whether you are visiting Namibia for the first time, are a seasoned traveller, or have a special interest in birding, I look forward to introducing you to the beauty, diversity, and wonder of this remarkable country.
Falco Moisel
My name is Falco Moisel, and I have been guiding throughout Namibia since 2007. Over the years, I have led tours across the country and developed a deep appreciation for its remote and untouched wilderness areas. For me, the best place to be is at a secluded campsite, far away from the crowds and surrounded by nature. As a proud Namibian, I believe that the most authentic way to experience this incredible country is through comfortable camping, or "glamping", which allows guests to connect with Namibia's landscapes, wildlife, and star-filled skies. I look forward to sharing the beauty of my homeland with you and creating unforgettable memories along the way.
Stefan Dietz
My name is Stefan Dietz. I was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and spent much of my childhood in Africa, living in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Tanzania, and Rwanda before completing my schooling in Germany. In 1999, I returned to Southern Africa, where I have lived and worked ever since. For many years, I have been working as a German-speaking tour guide, sharing my passion for Africa with travellers from around the world. I love exploring new places, meeting people, and creating meaningful experiences together. My goal is to inspire guests with Africa's incredible diversity and ensure they leave with unforgettable memories.
Augustinus Gawiseb
My name is Augustinus, and I have been working as a professional tour guide since 1998. Meeting people from different parts of the world and sharing experiences with them is one of the aspects I enjoy most about my profession. It gives me great pleasure to introduce guests to my homeland and help them discover the beauty, diversity, and unique character of Namibia. Over the years, I have travelled extensively throughout the country and developed a deep appreciation for its remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Whether exploring the vast deserts, searching for wildlife, or visiting remote communities, I enjoy sharing the stories, traditions, and hidden gems that make Namibia such a special destination. My goal is to ensure that every safari is both enjoyable and memorable, leaving guests with a deeper understanding of the country and its people. I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia and sharing an unforgettable safari experience with you.
Jean Visagie
My name is Jean Visagie, and I am delighted to accompany guests on their safari through the beautiful landscapes of Namibia. As a passionate tour guide, I enjoy sharing my knowledge, experiences, and enthusiasm for this remarkable country with visitors from around the world. My interests are closely connected to nature and the outdoors. Whether it is fishing, hunting, swimming, or simply spending time in the wilderness, I appreciate every opportunity to enjoy the peace and beauty of Namibia's untouched landscapes. What I enjoy most about being a tour guide is the chance to spend time in nature while meeting people from different backgrounds. It gives me great pleasure to introduce guests to the wonders of Namibia and to share my passion for this unique country. I have a particular interest in the mammals of Southern Africa and have spent many years observing and learning about these fascinating animals. From majestic elephants and elegant giraffes to the region's impressive predators, Namibia's wildlife has countless stories to tell. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and helping you discover the incredible wildlife and natural beauty that make Namibia such a special destination.
Durr Ferreira
My name is Durr Ferreira, and I am a Namibian tour guide with over 22 years of experience leading tours throughout Southern Africa. Camping safaris are my true passion, and preparing meals over an open fire is one of my specialties. There is nothing quite like sharing stories under Africa's star-filled skies after a day of adventure in the wilderness. As an avid bird enthusiast, I have recorded more than 800 bird species across Africa and have travelled extensively throughout the continent. I have a deep interest in Namibia's history, cultures, and traditions, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the country's diverse communities and fascinating heritage with my guests. I speak English, German, and Afrikaans, and I also have a good understanding of the Damara and Herero languages. As a lifelong student of nature, I continue to learn from the natural world every day and look forward to sharing that passion with you on your safari.
Stefan Fischer
My name is Stefan Fischer, although most of my friends know me by my nickname, "Panzer". I am a proud Namibian and spent 30 years living on a farm, where I developed a deep love for nature and gained a strong appreciation for the country's landscapes and wildlife. After school, I moved to South Africa to study Tourism and Travel Management. Following a short time working in an office and at a lodge, I discovered my true passion as a tour guide and have never looked back. My favourite regions are the Zambezi Region and Chobe in Botswana, where wildlife and natural beauty come together in spectacular fashion. I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia and sharing the people, cultures, and landscapes that make this country so special.
Angelo Pelser
My name is Angelo Pelser, and I am a proud Namibian with a passion for nature and the outdoors. Growing up in this beautiful country sparked my interest in wildlife and conservation from an early age, and becoming a safari guide was a natural choice. I enjoy sharing Namibia's incredible landscapes, wildlife, and cultures with guests. Whether we are exploring the Namib Desert, searching for wildlife in Etosha National Park, or visiting the Fish River Canyon, I always enjoy introducing visitors to the places that make my country so special. One of the things I enjoy most about guiding is meeting people from around the world and sharing new experiences together. I believe every safari is unique, and I do my best to ensure that every guest feels welcome and leaves with wonderful memories of Namibia. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing the beauty of my homeland with you.
Sustainability and social responsibility
Our Projects
It is important to us to contribute to the well-being of the local population and the protection of the fragile ecosystem in Namibia through sustainable tourism. Below we present three projects that are particularly close to our hearts and for which we would like to ask our guests for support.
How can you contribute? We would be happy to take you on a visit to the projects during your stay in Windhoek – regardless of whether you have booked a guided safari or a self-drive safari. You are of course free to decide whether you would like to support the organisations financially or through donations in kind. In addition, all three projects have donation accounts, details of which can be found on the respective websites.
Havana Soup Kitchen
Havana is an informal settlement with inadequate infrastructure in Katutura, a township on the outskirts of Windhoek. Ten or more residents often share a small tin hut, which usually has no electricity or water supply. A lack of education, unemployment and lack of prospects are widespread and often lead to alcoholism, domestic violence and child neglect. The Havana Soup Kitchen was founded in 2010. Currently, around 40 pre-school children are lovingly looked after there in the mornings, receive two balanced meals a day and are prepared for school through play. Frieda and her team not only teach the children important life skills, but also show them that they are valuable. They also support the families in improving their general living situation.
TOSCO (Tourism Supporting Conservation)
In Namibia, people and animals, including large animals such as lions and elephants, still live side by side in many places. These wild animals, which roam freely through the country’s picturesque landscapes, are a unique tourist asset. However, this also often leads to conflicts with people whose livelihoods are negatively impacted by wildlife. After a series of such human-wildlife conflicts, we and other tour operators want to take responsibility and help minimise such conflicts to a tolerable level in the future – for the benefit of all, local communities, wildlife and tourism. The TOSCO Foundation was established in 2012 to generate funds to support the rural population in their efforts to protect the natural resources of tourism, especially wildlife.