TRUSTED GUIDE
LLOYD
I am proudly African—and deeply in love with this extraordinary continent.
My work is driven by a simple truth: the wilderness is where I feel most alive. And the best way to experience that magic is to share it. Because the greatest journeys aren’t just seen—they’re felt, and they’re even more powerful when experienced together.
MY PURPOSE
My purpose is to introduce my clients to Africa’s raw, untamed beauty: its breathtaking landscapes, its incredible wildlife, and its rich, diverse cultures. I’ve spent decades exploring this land, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact an African safari can have. Africa has a way of getting under your skin—it stays with you. I’d love for you to experience that for yourself.
With over 25 years of professional guiding experience, my passion for Africa remains as strong as ever. LCCA is a founder-led company, built on authenticity, personal connection, and a genuine love for what we do.
When you travel with me, you’re not just booking a trip—you’re stepping into a deeply personal, expertly guided experience shaped by passion and lived knowledge.
WHY ME?
I was raised in the farming districts and rural towns of KwaZulu-Natal, and grew up camping, birding and hiking amongst the grasslands, forests and streams of the Drakensberg mountains and the game-rich game reserves of the South African east coast.
I completed an Honours degree in historical geography and secondary-school teaching at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, after which I was conscripted into the South African Army, became a history teacher and sports coach in Durban. But the life-long allure of the bush prevailed, and I started a career in environmental tourism at the prestigious Mala Mala Game Reserve. Later, a four-year trans-globe journey took me and my wife Sue to Europe, the UK, the USA, the Middle East, Nepal and Japan (where we taught English for two years), Thailand and Australia, but in 1997 we moved to the Okavango Delta of Botswana to manage safari camps for Linyanti Explorations and later, Wilderness Safaris.
Sue and I were transferred to Namibia in 2001, where Sue worked as a travel consultant and I was appointed Concession Manager of several Wilderness Safaris camps. Hereafter, I was tasked with establishing a Training Division for Wilderness Safaris in Windhoek, which provided sixteen luxury lodges with the managers, service personnel and safari guides that they required to operate at the highest level. I simultaneously worked alongside various NGO’s and with voluntary tourism bodies in taking training to the community areas of Namibia, and served on the Namibian Academy of Training & Hospitality as a board member. I also worked as a specialist guide across the Wilderness Safaris camps of Africa.
Since 2009 I have specialised as a freelance guide and guide trainer for a number of prominent safari organisations, and have been leading safaris across all the wildlife areas of Africa. My enormous ground base and experience in a wide range of differing ecosystems and cultures has helped me to become an engaging and knowledgeable guide and host. You can find some of my stories in my book Africa Bites.
My free time is spent reading widely, travelling across the world, climbing major mountains and participating in endurance cycling, running, kayaking, triathlon and swimming events.
I am now based in South Africa and the UK, where Sue works as a Nutritional Scientist.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts (Geography, History): University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (1984)
Higher Diploma of Education: UKZN (1985)
Bachelor of Arts Honours (History): UKZN (1986)
Botswana Guide’s Licence: Full licence (1997)
Namibia Academy of Training & Hospitality: NATH Badge 1 (2005)
Namibia National Certificate in Guiding: NATH Level 3 (2012)
Field Guides Association of South Africa: FGASA Level 2 (2011)
South African National Qualifications Authority Level Nature Guide/FGASA Level 2 Nature Guide (2012)
Registered with DEAT (Department of Education and Tourism): Guide
Wilderness First Aid Level 1 (2012)
FGASA Head Trainer status (2015)
EXPERIENCE
Mala Mala Game Reserve (South Africa): Ranger (1992/3)
Teaching and Training: South Africa, UK & Japan (1993-1996)
Linyanti Explorations (Botswana): Guide & Lodge Manager (1997-1998)
Wilderness Safaris (Botswana): Specialist Guide & Lodge Manager (1999-2000)
Wilderness Safaris (Namibia): Specialist Guide & Area Manager (2001-2003)
Wilderness Safaris (Namibia): Specialist Guide & Guide Training Manager (2004-2009)
Private Guide, Guide Trainer & African Itinerary Specialist: self-employed (2009-present)
More than just a guide....