Adventure Afrika

About Us

The driving force behind Adventure Afrika is Simon Struben. With many years experience offered by Simon, in both the Tourism and Outdoor Adventure Industry, you can be assured of exceptional service and personal touches that will make your trip to Africa or further afield an unforgettable experience.

Simon Struben

Simon has spent the majority of his life in the outdoors. He studied Nature Conservation in Pretoria, spent time in the Kruger National Park and Londolozi Game Reserve and almost 2 years with the Natal Parks Board mammal research unit. He held the post of Senior Wilderness Trails Officer in the Umfolozi Game Reserve until his resignation in order to further his studies at the University of Cape Town, where he graduated with a double major in Environmental and Geographical Science as well as Archaeology.

Simon’s areas of interest and specialization have included mammal research coupled to general environmental management, ethology, San/Bushman art and culture, environmental education and awareness, development of responsible and sustainable eco-tourism and the inclusion of local communities and knowledge into eco-tourism groups he has escorted throughout the region and East Africa.

To date he has lead a number of groups, ranging in size from 1 to 80+ from all over the world, on various treks in and around SA, including leading several groups on successful trips up Kilimanjaro, summiting the highest point on the African continent, Uhuru Peak, 18 times to date.

Other achievements include completing the Argus Cycle Tour several times, the Double Century Cycling event, qualifying as an Advanced Mountain Leader and completing an Abseil Supervisors course. He also has extensive knowledge in the responsible use of 4x4 vehicles in off road travel.

Simon is a dedicated and convinced Nature Conservationist at heart. He delights in every opportunity to enjoy and share his passion for the outdoors and its myriad facets with those willing to appreciate and respect the natural environment and all that it comprises.

Adventure Afrika is not about one individual however. There is a superb team spread over a wide Geographic area which ensures the success of each and every trip facilitated by the company. Here are some of those Team members.....

OPERATIONS
In the Field

Paul Winder

Paul is an outdoorsman in the truest sense of the word. Having run a number of marathons including the 2-Oceans in Cape Town and several Comrades Marathons, he also finds time to walk in the hills and mountains of the Cape, as well as spending time rock climbing and surfing to round off his wide interests in the outdoors.

New on the team, Paul has successfully climbed Kilimanjaro and will be starting to lead groups on this prestigious climb during the course of 2007. With a great sense of humour coupled with a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to meet and exceed Guests expectations, Paul has the ability to instil confidence in his guests, at the same time maintaining the sense of Journey and Adventure appropriate to a climb of this stature.

TANZANIA

All 4 of our main Guides and the bulk of the team come from the village of Marangu and are Chagga People. The Chagga have been living on the slopes of Kilimanjaro for approximately 600 years. Their home language is Chagga but they all speak Swahili. All have a small holding called a Shamba where their homes are built and where they grow a number of fruits and veges for own use and market.

Dickson Marandu
Senior Lead Guide

Dickson has, by estimation, climbed over 600 times and has been climbing Kilimanjaro for 18 years. He and Simon are the same age and have done the last 14 climbs together. He is a carpenter by training, has a small workshop at home, and used to work in Mombasa, Kenya, before returning to his home village of Marangu to take over from his Dad who was also a lead guide. He has 4 chldren, his second oldest son, Hubbard, has climbed as a Porter in a number of our groups, his first being with Simon's son on his first climb.

Prosper Subu
Senior Assistant Guide

Prosper is 33 and also a family man with 2 children. He and Dickson have been working together for a number of years and are a superb team. He has several hundred ascents to his credit. Very clever and a natty dresser, he is our "Mr. Smoothie" on the team!

Moses Kenyi

Moses has been building experience to become a Senior Assistant Guide. He is a wonderful man whose command of English is not so good but he makes up for it with an increadible willingness to help and make the journey easier. He is usually our "Tea Man" on summit night! Makes him VERY popular in my book! nothing like a hot cuppa after a hard climb as you watch the sun rise.

John Shayo

John is a tall man, with a true "serving heart" who works tirelessly to ensure the guests are well cared for. Not only is John our Senior Camp Guide, he also accompanies us on our summit attempts and has proven to be an inspiration and source of great encouragement to guests on the gruelling summit night.

ZANZIBAR

Suleiman Salum

Suleiman has been "our Man in Zanzibar" for the last few years, ensuring our programs are implemented to our exacting standards. A wonderful host, for whom the Guest is King, Suleiman has worked tirelessly to help in the development and refinement of our programs in Zanzibar and surrounding Islands.

Saadat Othman

If one were to seek a keener mind or more attentive Program Director, it would be hard to beat the dedication to professionalism and detail that is offered by Saadat. From the start, Saadat has proven to be superbly knowledgeable about his country and its history, as well as proving to be a consummate host as well eloquent guide to all things Zanzibar.

CAMEROON

Rose Mbonde

Young, vibey and energetic, yet wise, responsible, experienced and utterly passioante about Mount Cameroon, Rose is one of the few female guides we have the pleasure of working with in Africa. Having grown up on the slopes of Mount Cameroon, Rose knows the mountain intimately and has specialised in its ecology in its many forms.

Wesjeunang Djomo (Merlin)

Having studied at the University of Cameroon attaining a Bachelors Degree in Tourism Management, Merlin is energetically passionate about sharing his vast knowledge of Cameroon with all comers. Courteous, polite and sincerely welcoming, Merlin epitomises the dedicated Tourism Ambassador.

BACKUP
Home Base and the "Guts" of the Business...

Jan Struben

As the saying goes – behind every successful man, there is a hard working woman! Nothing could be more true of Jan who has walked a 17 year path in the growth of Adventure Afrika from its humble beginnings in 1989. With the recent growth of Adventure Afrika, Jan has been responsible for efficient financial management and administrative back-up for the company.