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OUR TEAM

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We are a symbiotic mix of conservationists and travel consultants. We combine our local knowledge, passion for the environment and years of experience to arrange African adventures that will exceed your expectations!

Ralph Pina - Chairman

A shareholder and founding member of ecoAfrica.com and its travel operation in 1995, Ralph holds a B.Eng (Electronic Engineering), an MBA and an M.Phil in Environmental Management (his research application dealt with ecolabelling in ecotourism), all from Stellenbosch University. Ralph is employed by Stellenbosch University's IT Division as Director: eBusiness.

A committed environmentalist, his interests include:
* hiking
* sea kayaking
* windsurfing
* reading
* travel, especially in Africa.

Images on Flickr
Eden to Eddo Mega Hike
The Great Walk
 

Google Earth Tracks
Eden to Eddo Mega Hike
The Great Walk

Articles by Ralph Pina
Eco-labelling in eco-tourism
Hiking Experiences
Kayaking Experiences

Sias Mostert - Director, Industry Relationships

A shareholder and founding member of ecoAfrica.com and its travel operation in 1995, Sias is also Associate Professor in Computer & Control Systems at Stellenbosch University, and Director (programme development), at SunSpace. He was the Development Manager on the SUNSAT micro-satellite program.

He holds various post-graduate Engineering degrees from Stellenbosch University and the International Space University in Japan. Sias' interests include youth development and travelling, especially in Africa.

Lynton Burger - Director, Environmental Ethics and Quality Assurance

Lynton was the co-founder of Ecobe, a South African environmental consultancy - sold to global group Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in 2003. Lynton now runs SustBrands - a boutique corporate sustainability consultancy.

Over the past 15 years Lynton has completed consulting assignments in environmental and sustainability management and strategy. One such assignment took Lynton to the Seychelles where he assisted the Government with its ten-year environmental management plan. Here Lynton fell in love with the magical islands of “Eden”, especially Bird Island.

Lynton holds an MSc in Ichthyology and an MBA from the University of Cape Town.
A keen diver, Lynton spends most of his spare time near to, on or under the sea.

Recommendations
Dolphin Encountours

Derick Swart - Director

A shareholder of ecoafrica.com, Derick is also a practising attorney specialising in intellectual property and technology law, having graduated from Stellenbosch University with the degree BA LLB (Law). He is also one of a handful of attorneys qualified as a certified information security systems professional (CISSP).

Derick has a passion for the web and developing online branding strategies.

Clarissa Hughes - General Manager

Clarissa spent 7 years in Zambia running a white-water rafting company on the Zambezi River and before that, 12 years in Botswana in the mobile safari industry.

In Biblical times being banished into the wilderness was regarded as a punishment. For her it is a reward! She was therefore a very willing “victim” on the first ever Eden to Addo Megahike. The hike was an adventure hard to describe – unique, stupendous, challenging, transforming, humbling are words that only begin to explain it.

Lizanne Malherbe - Marketing and Advertising Executive

Lizanne has recently completed an MA degree in Environmental Ethics. She conducted the field work for this study among the Pokot tribe in Kenya, whilst staying in the Laikipia Nature Conservancy. This conservancy was founded by and is still home to Mrs Kuki Gallmann, author of the international bestseller "I dreamed of Africa".

She is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Environmental Ethics, which included a four month study period among the Native American Indians in Montana, USA.

Articles by Lizanne Malherbe
Awareness through Wilderness
Travelling in Kenya, Masai Mara - Part 1
Travelling in Kenya, Masai Mara - Part 2

Julia Hayes - Lead Travel Consultant

Julia grew up in Cape Town. It was a childhood dream to be involved in the tourism industry so she did her travel diploma at Travel Training Institute in 1997. She has been actively involved in arranging holidays for online travellers for the past 9 years.

Still playing club hockey, she is goal-driven and strives to maintain the balance of her indoor and outdoor life. Julia is wild at heart and always ready for an adrenalin adventure!

Recommendations
Call of the Wild

Elsabe Jooste - Senior Travel Consultant

Elsabe made the move from librarian to travel consultant 10 years ago, so not only is she well-read, but has vast experience in travel and tourism too. Elsabe loves the outdoors and weekends are usually spent competing in sports events, hiking or on short getaways. Elsabe has just completed her 10th Comrades Ultra Marathon and has her eyes set on the 12 000 km Cairo to Cape Town Cycle Race - the Tour d'Afrique.

Recommendations
Namibia's dunes
Uganda and Gorilla Trekking

Annemarie Linda - Senior Travel Consultant

Annemarie previously worked as an air hostess with SAA and then worked as a travel agent in order to travel. After having travelled extensively she is now happiest in the wilds of Africa!

She also loves the theatre, ballet and reading historical novels.

Edna Nyelimane - Travel Consultant

Edna studied Tourism for two years at Stellenbosch Boland College. Her favoured subjects were tourist destinations and ecotourism.

Edna enjoys walking in nature, as well as singing, dancing and acting.
She acted in a local drama group, Ipi Tombi in 2002, which allowed her to travel extensively, and included the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Recommendations
10 Day Namibia Highlights

Lezel de Abreu - Travel Consultant

Lezel also studied Tourism and then went to do some temp work and siteseeing in Scotland, England, Europe, Cyprus and Lanzrote.
 
Her other love is Rock music and you will probably find her at local Rock Festivals dancing the night away.

Salomi Wium - Travel Consultant

Salomi was born in the Western Cape in a small town called De Doorns. She studied Tourism and Hospitality at Boland College in Stellenbosch. During her time studying at Boland College she was involved in the Hotel and Wine Industry. She loves travelling, hiking and adrenaline sports and adventures.

Salomi also has a great passion for tumbling.

Bertus Kock - Webmaster

Bertus doesn't go out much; he is a webmaster after all! But the staff at ecoAfrica Travel are highly motivated to change the situation. They will start small with a walk outside in front of the office, until he is ready for a fully-fledged 5 day safari.

In his quest to keep a sane mind and body, Bertus practices Tai chi and Kungfu. He also prefers the more human side of the web world and focuses on things like usability, content and design. He is looking forward to building on, and enhancing of the ecoAfrica Travel experience.

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