Recognized as a leading scholar of ancient Egyptian history, "Aki" Allam has been a licensed Egyptologist for more than 15 years. Born in Cairo, he received a university degree with a specialty in ancient Egyptian history. Aki is an entertaining and enthusiastic teacher who has guided many well-known Americans through Egypt, and enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge of his native land. Aki will accompany the expedition shown below.

Bill Branch has been a wildlife biologist at the Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa, since 1979, and has undertaken fieldwork from Ethiopia to South Africa, and Senegal to Madagascar. Bill is also a general naturalist and keen birder. He has described numerous new species and amphibians, received a grant from National Geographic to help fund his research on African reptiles, and published six books and numerous photographs and scientific articles. Bill will accompany the expeditions shown below.

Mike Fay has dedicated much of his life to conserving the world's most fragile ecosystems. Working with National Geographic and the Wildlife Conservation Society, he has led various "mega" research projects throughout Africa to determine how to best preserve diverse habitats. For his groundbreaking 1999 Megatransect, documented in a series in National Geographic magazine, Mike hiked 2,000 miles through the jungles of Congo and Gabon, leading to a historic initiative by the Gabonese government to create 13 national parks.

Rob Hernandez has explored many of the world's great wildernesses, studying and photographing wildlife in both Poles and many regions. Educated as an ecologist, he has spent much time in Africa, including a year filming lions. A 25-year veteran of the National Geographic Society, Rob is senior vice president responsible for the publications of the Society's magazines and books in more than 35 languages. He is an enthusiastic teacher who will share his great love of nature, photography, and the landscapes and wildlife of Africa. Rob will accompany the expedition shown below.