National Geographic Experts
A National Geographic expert will accompany each departure to share insights and a rare behind-the-scenes perspective. Listed below are some of the experts and the departure date(s) they will be joining.
Russell Gammon
Russell Gammon traces his family history in Zimbabwe back three generations to John Meikle, a Scot who entered the country for the first time in 1893 as a transport rider. Russell began his career as a professional guide in Zimbabwe and has led canoeing and walking safaris throughout Southern Africa for the last 17 years. Since moving to Victoria Falls five years ago, he has made a detailed study of the life of David Livingstone—a distant relative by marriage—and was recently a member of an expedition with the British Explorer Sir Ranulf Fiennes that retraced a portion of Livingstone's journey to Victoria Falls.
Derek Solomon
Derek Solomon has been leading special interest safaris in southern Africa for more than 15 years. Originally based in Harare, Zimbabwe, he has led safaris to destinations in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa. Derek is regarded as one of the leading ornithologists in the sub-region and has published several books on bird identification and behavior. In conjunction with the local Wildlife Authority, he is conducting a survey on the birds and amphibians of the South Luangwa National Park and is studying the underwater communication and other behavior patterns of hippos. He is the author of an upcoming book on the behavior of mammals of South Luangwa, which will be illustrated by internationally acclaimed British wildlife artist Jonathan Truss. Derek has taught short courses on many wildlife topics and has lectured widely in southern Africa on topics such as bird identification and distribution and safari destinations.
Steve Boyes
National Geographic grantee Dr. Steve Boyes has been leading expeditions into Africa's wild places for more than ten years. A well-published ornithologist from the University of Cape Town's Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Steve grew up in South Africa and has dedicated his life to conserving Africa's wilderness areas and the species that depend upon them. He spent more than five years living, studying, and guiding in the Okavango Delta, where he worked as a camp manager while doing doctoral fieldwork on the Meyer's Parrot. Steve has also guided as far afield as the Middle Fork of Idaho's Salmon River and Mozambique's Machangula Peninsula. Today, he runs the Cape Parrot Project, which has received funding from the Geographic's Conservation Trust. The project aims to stimulate positive change for the critically endangered species through high-quality research and community-based conservation action. Steve's work takes him all over Africa, fighting the wild-caught bird trade, counting wetland birds in the Okavango Delta, and planting thousands upon thousands of trees in his forest restoration projects. His recent efforts in bird conservation have seen him appointed as a Director of the Wild Bird Trust, World Parrot Trust-Africa, and Africa Geographic. Steve loves sharing his passion for and deep knowledge of Africa's wild places and its inhabitants.
