Our Story

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Phil Zappala, our Operations Director, has always had a keen interest in birds and wildlife and would take every opportunity as a young boy to leave his suburban jungle in pursuit of being surrounded by nature. Phil entered the nursing medical profession specialising in resuscitation and life support for trauma and intensive care, but when the travel bug bit, Phil took his profession to the UK where he met his wife Jen and together they explored Europe, Australasia, Central America, and most extensively Africa. It was his trip through Zimbabwe that made him want to pursue working in the safari industry. In 2007 Phil and Jen left the UK to work in Zimbabwe running canoe safaris through the Mana Pools World Heritage site on the Zambezi River. In 2009 the family made Botswana their permanent home and Phil lives in Maun and enjoys getting into the bush whenever he gets a spare minute. Phil is an Honourary Wildlife Officer for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, a member of Enviro 911, volunteer with the Maun Animal Welfare Service (MAWS), a keen photographer and mountain biker. He was also the Chairman for BirdLife Kasane branch for 6 years.

Clive grew up in the Highlands of Scotland and has been running around in the outdoors for as long as he can remember. After graduating from university he has lived in Ecuador, the UK, Spain, Zimbabwe and Botswana. In a varied career which has taken him from being a chartered surveyor to running canoe safaris, he has learnt to speak fluent Spanish and was recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Clive is an Honorary Wildlife Officer and is the safari industry representative for Chobe. He is at home anywhere he can play his bagpipes and guitar.