Willie Vermaak

Willie Vermaak took a group of us (7) on a custom tour around Botswana and Zimbabwe. We were able to determine how many days we could spend, what we wanted to do, and on what budget. Willie tailored the tour to our needs and wants, and I have to say it was one of the best adventures of my life. On our trip specifically, we camped in tents the whole time – in National Parks campsites, for example - and cooked our own food. This made for a less expensive adventure for us, but honestly, it made for a much more authentic and amazing. Going to sleep with the sound of hippos grunting miles off and waking up to impala tracks near our camp was mind-blowing. Being less of a tourist and more of a part of the landscape helped me "unplug" from the speed of my work life back home and focus on every singing bird, every beautiful sunset, and thrill of seeing a full half hemisphere of sky instead of the sliver of gray between city buildings that I'm used to seeing. Willie was the one reminding us to notice these things, what they were, and how these plants and animals related to one another in the greater ecosystem. Willie has a good sense of humor. He is patient. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the flora, fauna, history, and culture of the area. I filled an entire journal with notes from what I was learning from him. He knows Africa like the back of his hand. Something that I appreciated is that he is actually a fantastic photographer, which comes in handy when you want an incredibly beautifully composed photograph of your group as you go through the different areas. That's a bonus! If you are interested in visiting Africa, book through Willie. You will NOT be disappointed. He offers a customized tour. He is trustworthy. He plans out the trip for you. He works with your budget. He knows where the most incredible parts of the country are and will take you there.