About

How it all started.

Makushe Ecosafaris is the culmination of years of wandering throughout Southern Africa. It started over 25 years ago as a group of friends driving off the beaten track into the more remote areas of especially Botswana and Namibia and as far north as Tanzania. We have accumulated a vast list of “must see” places as well as a real feel for the African wilderness.

Makushe is named after a chief who operated between Northern Botswana and Namibia as far as Zambia and Angola. This happens to also be one of our favourite areas – a rugged mostly unspoilt part of true Africa which still boasts large herds of wildlife, not to talk about the birdlife!

Howard Pettifer

Howard grew up in Tanzania and Kenya but finished schooling in South Africa. He comes from a family of veterinarians but decided to become a wildlife research biologist after graduating in Zoology and Botany. He spent 10 years with the Parks Board undertaking post graduate research into cheetahs, elephants and baboons among others as well as heading a wildlife research centre.

He then returned to university to complete a degree in veterinary science after which he established an animal hospital in George, South Africa. All his spare time was spent somewhere in the bush or scuba diving. The lure of adventure and love of the bush convinced him to join forces with Kenneth Beck and start a forum so that they could share their combined experience with others.