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OUR FAMILY

SAFARI FRANK stems from the Steenhuisen family. Johan and Welna, with children Frank and Karin, are South African born and brewed – and now live in Australia. Our African heritage and close knit family have seen us travel overland through the African bush for over 30 years. Every family member is ‘instilled’ with a great love of the African land. Going on Safari in Africa for us is not a holiday, it is lifestyle. We want to share these real Safari experiences with you. We champion the wilds of Africa, educating, conserving and supporting as we do so.

We can’t wait to share our wild Africa with you!

The Steenhuisen Family
The Leader of the Team
Johan
  1. CEO turned SEO (Serial Explorer and Overlander)
  2. Real deal Afro Aussie, addicted to Africa
  3. Adventurer at heart
  4. Active conservationist
  5. Hates unexplored spots on the map
  6. Loves exploring Africa
  7. Passion for startups, small business and personal service
  8. Bino’s the ‘weapon of choice’

Based in Africa and Australia

The Creative One
Welna
  1. Heart of the team and a hippy in the city
  2. Never leaves home without waterproof mascara
  3. Loves snakes
  4. Creative soul inspired by the beauty of Africa
  5. A foodie with kick ass cooking skills around the camp fire
  6. Once an athlete, but has learnt that in Africa – only food runs!
  7. The best wildlife spotter of us all
Based in Africa and Australia

The Safari Guide

Frank
  1. Grew up in South African bush, schooled in Australia
  2. Prefers tracking lions to city life
  3. Botswana obsessed
  4. Professional wildlife photographer
  5. Qualified walking and vehicle guide
  6. Passionate about sharing the complexity of the African bush
  7. A super bird nerd who is fascinated by the smaller things
  8. Believes a campfire is an essential part of life

Based in Africa and Australia

The Bestselling Writer

Gesa
  1. Changed her career from tv-producer to guide, to full-time writer
  2. wrote three German bestsellers, a safari cookbook and several children’s books
  3. Loves elephants more than anything… except maybe husband Frank
Based in Africa and Australia
The Rhino Shepherd
Karin
  1. Afro Aussie, whose heart lies in the African bush
  2. Loves rhinos and is passionate about their conservation
  3. Degree in Business and Property
  4. RHINOS RHINOS RHINOS!
  5. Favorite sound is a lion roaring in very close proximity
  6. An adrenalin addict who is a teensy bit scared of elephants
  7. Proud mommy to beautiful baby Marissa
  8. Did we mention Karin loves rhinos?

Based in Africa and Australia

The Rhino warrior
Jan
  1. Switched on electrician who is happiest when he’s ‘off-grid’ in the African bush
  2. A warrior when it comes to conservation
  3. Lover of… and fighter for rhinos
  4. Travelling is his addiction as long as great coffee is also in the back pack
  5. Exercising makes Jan feel alive, but as a serial bookworm, so does a great read
Based in Africa and Australia

The Team

The SAFARI FRANK expert team is led by Johan and Frank, bringing with them a shared love of Africa and years safari travel experience. But the success of SAFARI FRANK lies in the cohesion of our team. By working together we share our safari knowledge and are best able to serve our customers, design incredible safari itineraries and ensure a flawless travel experience. Get to know each of us better!

CEO & Safari Planner
Johan
Johan has spend the majority of his life living in South Africa. He has explored Southern Africa extensively over the years while overlanding. As a result he knows Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe inside and out! With his vehicle the BEAUTY, he continually explores the wilds of Africa determined to leave no spot on the map unvisited.

Johan has also visited Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania on multiple occasions, exploring new amazing safari destinations for our clients.

Based in Africa and Australia

Private Guide & Safari Planner
Frank
Frank is our resident safari guide and wildlife photographer. Much like Johan, Frank has explored Southern Africa extensively over the years and knows safaris in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe like the back of his hand. He’s our Zambian and Botswana safari specialist!
Frank has also spent a great deal of time on safari in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Safari Planner
Johanna
  1. Born and raised in Germany
  2. Based in Cape Town since 2014
  3. Travelled the world extensively before deciding that South Africa is the place she loves most and making it her permanent home
  4. Passionate about nature and wildlife
  5. An experienced travel planner with a background in airline reservations & luxury travel sales for Southern Africa and East Africa
  6. When she is not busy planning unforgettable trips for her clients, she enjoys gardening, surfing and spending time with her dog

Based in Africa and Australia

Safari Planner

Nicolette
  1. Born in Chile to diplomatic parents, raised in South Africa and Argentina.
  2. Based in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria.
  3. An extrovert at heart who loves connecting with people.
  4. Has a professional background in customer service, marketing and sales, and arranged photographic safaris to some of the world’s most photogenic locales for a number of years.
  5. Loves elephants, cats (wild & domestic), thunderstorms, photography, crime documentaries, being active and spending time with her loved ones.

Based in Africa and Australia

Safari Planner
Nadine
  1. Currently based in East Africa
  2. Has developed a passion for Southern Africa and especially Namibia through various travels
  3. Loves: sunsets in the Erongo Mountains, the incomparable starry sky of the Namib, walking in the bush – preferably with the migration in the Serengeti
  4. There is nothing better than sitting around the campfire after an exciting safari day

Based in Africa and Australia

Safari Planner & Reservations
Sabrina
  1. Born and raised in Switzerland
  2. Lives in South Africa
  3. Her passion for the African bush led to her safari training. Today she loves to be in the bush on foot
  4. The Okavango Delta is one of her absolute favourite places, besides that she has traveled to other regions of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya
  5. Nothing makes her heart beat like an encounter on foot with a black rhino, and nothing is as memorable as an encounter with elephants.

Based in Africa and Australia

Reservations
Zahra
  1. Born and raised in South Africa
  2. From the airline industry to now having feet firmly on the ground, she’s currently exploring the “WILD” side of life
  3. Perfect evenings consist of summer nights, starry skies & an ice-cream large in size!
  4. Home is where the heart is & hers beats for Africa

Based in Africa and Australia

Reservations
Leandra
  1. Born and raised in South Africa
  2. Lived in Switzerland & the UK for a few years, but decided South Africa is the place to call home.
  3. Lives in Johannesburg
  4. Passionate about Africa and all things travel!
  5. My Favourite memories are skydiving in Swakopmund, exploring the Okavango Delta in mokoros, overlanding through Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Malawi, island-hopping in the Seychelles & rediscovering South Africa with my kids.
  6. My favourite ways to travel are road trips with my kids, good music, a general direction, & going off the beaten path!
  7. Nothing beats the African sunrise over good coffee and the African sunset whilst chatting around a crackling fire.

Based in Africa and Australia

Reservations

Sonja
  1. Born and raised in South Africa
  2. From the airline industry to now having feet firmly on the ground, she’s currently exploring the “WILD” side of life
  3. Perfect evenings consist of summer nights, starry skies & an ice-cream large in size!
  4. Home is where the heart is & hers beats for Africa

Based in Africa and Australia

Pippa
Accounts
  1. Grew up in the beautiful Garden Route of South Africa 
  2. When not wrangling two young boys or dealing with resident reptiles, she finds peace in numbers, books and anything to do with the beach!
  3. Pippa travelled and worked in Europe and the big smoke in Australia, before exchanging the corporate jungle for the idyllic NSW Northern Rivers
  4. She will always dream of being under African skies
 

Based in Africa and Australia

Safari Planner
Safari Planner
  1. Dual citizen (South Africa/Germany) – But born and raised in South Africa.
  2. Developed a deep love for the wildlife and landscapes of Southern Africa through numerous camping expeditions over the years, as well as a gap year in Zimbabwe.
  3. Always keen to share his passion for traveling in Africa.
  4. An avid wildlife photographer, rarely seen in the Bush without his camera.
  5. Favourite spots include Gonarezhou, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld. A good rule of thumb is the more remote the better.
  6. When not taking photos, he enjoys reading and tending to the campfire.

Based in Africa and Australia

Safari Planner

Accounts
  1.  Dual citizen (Brazil/South Africa), having lived in both countries for many years
  2. Based in Cape Town, has been working in the travel industry for over 8 years
  3. Happiest watching a sunset at the beach or in the bush
  4. Favourite animal is the leopard
  5. Passionate about making client’s travel dreams come true

Based in Africa and Australia

Reservations
Jees
  1. Dual Citizen (South Africa / Portugal) home grown in SA, based in Johannesburg.
  2. Online marketing enthusiast who loves connecting & networking with positive, inspirational forces. Golf enthusiast, foodie and dancer.
  3. A true hippy at heart & would trade a roof for a night sky & firepit in a heartbeat! Had her unicorn ninja princess 6 years ago, in nature blessed, rugged mosaic of eco-systems – Knysna, in the Western Cape.
  4. Her credo is, “your attitude determines your altitude” & “a giggle a day keeps the doctor away!”
    • Her spirit animal is the noble Elephant, admired for its attentiveness, sociability and protectiveness.

Based in Africa and Australia

Safari Planner

Diane
  • Africa Addict- I was born and raised in Cape Town, I spent ten years living overseas before returning home, driven by a strong connection to Africa.

    Wildlife and Photography: I’m passionate about Africa’s wildlife and enjoy wildlife photography as a hobby.

    Safari Industry Experience: I’ve spent nearly a decade in the safari industry and enjoy partnering with lodges that prioritize community engagement and conservation efforts.

    Favorite National Parks:  Each time I visit a new park, I’m amazed by its unique character and charm—it always feels like I’ve found a new favorite! Every park has something special to offer, depending on your preferences. Right now, my top picks are Mana Pools, the Okavango Delta (especially the Kwara concession), and Kruger. I’m always excited to keep exploring and discover more of what Africa has to offer!

    Wildlife Favorites: I have a real fascination with hippos and wild dogs—they never fail to capture my attention!

    Outside of Work: When I’m not working on itineraries, I enjoy hiking, practicing Pilates, boxing, and exploring Cape Town—especially places where I can photograph birds and visit local wineries for a wine tasting.

Based in Africa and Australia

Some old photos from our family travels

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