About Us - Namibia Individual Travel

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 Heinrich

Namibia has been part of my life for many years. My first visit was in 2000, followed by many more holidays before I finally decided to make the country my home in 2009. Originally from Germany and with a background in business, my fascination for Namibia naturally led me into tourism. Since then, I have enjoyed planning individual tours and sharing my knowledge and experience with our guests. My husband and I regularly travel to different parts of Namibia ourselves, discovering new places as well as returning to old favourites. This first-hand experience is something I enjoy bringing into my work, helping guests plan a holiday that allows them to experience Namibia in their own way.

Desirée Grosse-Weischede

Born and raised in Namibia, I have worked in tourism for about 14 years, mainly as a tour consultant. I enjoy putting together tours through Namibia and its neighbouring countries that suit each guest's interests and way of travelling. Marketing also forms part of my work and gives me another way to share my love and knowledge of Namibia. Damaraland is my favourite part of the country because of its beautiful scenery, open spaces and peaceful atmosphere. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping guests experience the country I call home and knowing they return home with many happy memories.

Ilona von Maltzahn

Growing up on a farm in Namibia’s Otjozondjupa Region gave me a close connection to nature and the people of Namibia from an early age. As a family, we travelled extensively throughout the country, giving me the opportunity to discover many of its different landscapes, wildlife areas and lesser-known places. Namibia has always been much more than simply the country I call home. I enjoy sharing my local knowledge and experiences with our guests and helping them discover the many different sides of Namibia. For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of my work is creating tours that combine the well-known highlights with special places and experiences along the way, allowing our guests to get to know Namibia in a personal and memorable way.

Sasha Louw

I take care of the administration and accounts in our office, helping to keep everything organised behind the scenes. Having grown up surrounded by Namibia’s nature, there is so much I love about this country – from its birdlife and wildlife to the landscapes, different cultures and places waiting to be explored. It is difficult for me to choose just one favourite! Being part of a team that helps people discover Namibia is something I really enjoy. I hope every guest gets to experience a little of what makes this country so special and returns home with many wonderful memories.

Our Operational Team

Behind every successful safari is a dedicated operations team making sure everything runs smoothly. Led by our operations manager, Hagen Heinz, our team plays an important role in looking after our guests before, during and after their journey. With years of guiding, camping and driving experience, they know Namibia and its remote areas extremely well. They welcome our guests on arrival, assist with transfers and vehicle preparations, support our guided and camping safaris, and often join tours as guides or experienced camp assistants. They are true all-rounders — skilled drivers, outdoor specialists, camp cooks and problem solvers. Most importantly, they are friendly Namibians who love their country and enjoy sharing their knowledge and hospitality with our guests.

Hagen Heinz

As Operations Manager, I make sure our vehicles are fully prepared and ready for every guest before they set off on their safari. Keeping our fleet in top condition and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes is an important part of my work. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time outdoors. Camping, fishing and e-biking are some of my favourite ways to relax and make the most of Namibia's beautiful surroundings. I take pride in making sure our guests can travel with confidence and enjoy Namibia without having to worry about the practical details.

Marki Kashiyukile

My name is Marki, but you can call me Tate Kawa, my village name. With 28 years in the tourism industry and many years spent exploring Namibia, I have gained a wealth of knowledge about the country. I especially enjoy guiding and sharing this knowledge, along with the stories and experiences I have gathered over the years, with our guests. One of my favourite destinations is the Etosha Pan, with its unique landscape and wildlife. These days, I spend most of my time working on the ground at NIT, where you may well find me underneath one of our vehicles, checking that everything is in order and ready for the road. I still enjoy guiding whenever the opportunity comes along, but I am just as happy behind the scenes, making sure our guests can set off on their safari well prepared and with everything in place.

Frison Haiduwa

After eight years in the tourism industry, I still enjoy the fact that no two days are quite the same. At NIT, I am one of the drivers who may welcome you when you arrive in Windhoek and transfer you to your accommodation – often making me one of the first members of our team you will meet. Etosha is one of my favourite places, where the variety of wildlife means that every visit brings something different. I enjoy meeting people and getting to know them, whether during an airport transfer or while travelling through Namibia. I like making our guests feel welcome from the moment they arrive and helping them start their time in Namibia on a friendly note.

Marius Tueufilwa

With 17 years in the tourism industry, meeting people and travelling through Namibia are still two of the things I enjoy most about my work. I enjoy connecting with people, and the opportunity to meet guests from different parts of the world is something I truly value. Etosha is my favourite destination because of its incredible variety of wildlife. I especially appreciate Namibia for its wonderful climate and its rich mix of cultures. I also enjoy spending time in the garden and taking care of the plants and outdoor areas around our NIT office. I like seeing everything grow and keeping the garden looking welcoming – something you may notice when you arrive to meet us. For me, it is the people, the surroundings and being part of a friendly team that make NIT a great place to work.

Erik Hifindwako

With five years in the tourism industry, I have enjoyed exploring Namibia and sharing the country with visitors from around the world. Meeting people from different walks of life is one of the things I enjoy most about my work, along with being part of the friendly and united team at NIT. Sossusvlei is my favourite destination, where the impressive dunes and wide-open landscapes always leave an impression on me. What I appreciate most about our country is its incredible diversity of wildlife and landscapes. I also really enjoy driving, so a long road trip through Namibia is never a problem for me! Being out on the road, seeing the scenery change along the way and discovering new places are all part of what makes working in tourism so enjoyable for me.

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

Having worked as a professional tour guide since 1995, I still enjoy every opportunity to show guests the beauty of Namibia and Botswana. I speak Afrikaans, English and German, and love sharing my knowledge of the countries I call home. My friends would describe me as open-minded, helpful, understanding and always ready with a smile. For me, a great safari is about more than just the places we visit. It is about the people we meet, the experiences we share and the memories we take home. I am passionate about what I do and enjoy introducing guests to the landscapes, wildlife and cultures that make Namibia and Botswana so special. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing an unforgettable safari with you.

Rodger Murangi

Although I spent part of my childhood in Cape Town, I grew up mainly in Namibia, the country I proudly call home. Since 1997, I have been working as a professional tour guide, combining my passion for nature, travel and meeting people from around the world. I enjoy sharing Namibia's landscapes, wildlife and different cultures with my guests, and showing them what makes this country such a special destination. I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia and helping you create many unforgettable memories during your stay.

Richard Riedel

For more than 18 years, I have been working as a professional tour guide, sharing Namibia's landscapes, wildlife and cultures with guests from around the world. Over the years, I have completed a number of guiding courses and qualifications, allowing me to continue learning and expanding my knowledge. Tour guiding combines two of my greatest passions – spending time outdoors and meeting people from different backgrounds. I enjoy making every guest feel welcome, comfortable and well looked after, and it is always rewarding to know they leave Namibia with wonderful memories. Some guests even become lifelong friends.

Tuhafeni Hamundjebo

My name is Tuhafeni, most people know me as "Tuffi". I am passionate about Namibia, its people, wildlife and landscapes, and I enjoy sharing my country with visitors from around the world. Showing guests both the well-known highlights and some of the lesser-known places is one of the things I enjoy most about being a tour guide. Whether we are exploring the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park or other parts of the country, I love helping guests experience what makes Namibia so special. When I am not out on tour, I enjoy cycling, camping and planning my next adventure. I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia and sharing an unforgettable safari with you.

Hans Liechti

I was born in South Africa and have been living in Namibia since 1998. As a qualified National Tour Guide, I have spent many years leading safaris throughout Namibia as well as in several other African countries. The natural world has always been my greatest passion, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm with guests. Whether you are visiting Namibia for the first time, returning to explore more, or have a special interest in birding, I look forward to showing you the landscapes, wildlife and diversity that make this country so special.

Falco Moisel

I have been guiding throughout Namibia since 2007 and still enjoy spending as much time as possible out in nature. Over the years, I have travelled across the country and discovered some of Namibia's most remote places. For me, there is nothing better than a quiet campsite, far away from the crowds and surrounded by nature. As a proud Namibian, I believe camping – or "glamping" – is one of the best ways to experience the country. It gives guests the chance to enjoy the landscapes, wildlife and clear, star-filled skies at a slower pace. I look forward to sharing my favourite places and helping you experience Namibia from a different perspective.

Stefan Dietz

I was born in Stuttgart, Germany, but 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. As a German-speaking tour guide, I enjoy sharing my passion for Africa with guests from around the world. I love exploring new places, meeting people and introducing visitors to the landscapes, wildlife and cultures that make this part of the continent so special. I look forward to welcoming you and helping you experience Africa through my eyes.

Augustinus Gawiseb

I have been working as a professional tour guide since 1998, and I still enjoy meeting people from different parts of the world and sharing my country with them. Over the years, I have travelled extensively throughout Namibia and enjoy introducing guests to its landscapes, wildlife, cultures and people. Whether we are exploring the deserts, looking for wildlife or visiting local communities, I enjoy sharing the stories and experiences that make each part of Namibia different. My goal is to make every safari enjoyable, relaxed and memorable, and I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia.

Jean Visagie

Being out in nature has always been a big part of my life, and I enjoy sharing that passion with guests from around the world. Whether I am fishing, hunting, swimming or simply spending time in the bush, I appreciate every opportunity to be outdoors. As a tour guide, I enjoy introducing guests to Namibia's landscapes, wildlife and people. I have a particular interest in the mammals of Southern Africa and have spent many years observing and learning about these fascinating animals. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and helping you experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Namibia such a special place.

Durr Ferreira

For more than 22 years, I have been leading tours throughout Southern Africa, with camping safaris being my favourite way to experience the bush. I enjoy preparing meals over an open fire, and there is nothing better than ending the day around the campfire, sharing stories beneath Namibia's star-filled skies. Birding is another passion of mine, and over the years I have recorded more than 800 bird species across Africa. I also have a keen interest in Namibia's history, cultures and traditions, and enjoy sharing what I have learned with my guests. I speak English, German and Afrikaans, and also have a good understanding of the Damara and Herero languages. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing my passion for Namibia with you.

Stefan Fischer

My name is Stefan Fischer, but most of my friends know me by my nickname, "Panzer". I am a proud Namibian and spent 30 years living on a farm, where my love for nature and wildlife began. 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 realised that tour guiding was the career for me, and I have enjoyed it ever since. The Zambezi Region and Chobe in Botswana are among my favourite places to visit, and I always enjoy introducing guests to the wildlife, landscapes and people of this part of Southern Africa. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing the country I proudly call home.

Angelo Pelser

I am a proud Namibian, and growing up here sparked my love for nature and the outdoors from an early age. It was that passion that inspired me to become a safari guide. I enjoy sharing Namibia's landscapes, wildlife and cultures with guests from around the world. Whether we are exploring the Namib Desert, searching for wildlife in Etosha National Park or visiting the Fish River Canyon, I enjoy introducing visitors to the places that make this country so special. Meeting people from different backgrounds is one of the things I enjoy most about my work. My aim is to make every safari relaxed, enjoyable and memorable, and I look forward to welcoming you to Namibia.

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.