Creating unforgettable experiences

Meet the Kavinga team

Jade Bester

Camp Manager

Jade’s passion for the African bush has been a constant source of inspiration throughout her career.

With a BCom in International Hospitality Management, specialising in Wildlife, Management, Jade has extensive experience working for events, hotels, and safari lodges. Jade loves creating unforgettable guest experiences and she can’t wait to share her infectious enthusiasm for the wild with you.

Blade Bester

Head Guide

Blade’s passion for the African wilderness was ignited at a young age. He previously worked at Kavinga as a learner guide before qualifying as a professional guide in 2021. With camera always at the ready, Blade returned to Kavinga at the start of the 2025 as our head guide. For him, there’s no greater joy than watching guests fall in love with the wild beauty of Africa – and he can’t wait to share that experience with you.

Nash Siziba

Learner Guide

Nash has loved the natural world since he was a young boy: during senior school he spent his free time at the local reserve just to be closer to nature. After passing his learners in 2013, Nash joined Kavinga in 2023. He thrives on meeting new people and seeing guests’ enjoyment at sightings. Nash can talk for hours about elephants; he has an affinity with them as they are his family totem.

Boyd Chuma

Learner guide

Boyd grew up near Hwange National Park in Dete, where encounters with wildlife were part of his everyday life. He later moved to Victoria Falls, where he continued his schooling and discovered a passion for wildlife and conservation. He completed his Learners Guiding License in 2021 and is committed to continuous learning and gaining extensive knowledge and a full license in the field.

Liam Robinson

Learner Guide

Liam’s connection to the bush began at just five years old, when he first visited with his family and knew it was where his future belonged. He began his guiding career at Kavinga in 2019, and after a few years getting experience in other camps in Zimbabwe, he is back and excited to share his passion with guests from all over the world. A keen birder and photographer, Liam is happiest with a camera in hand or out exploring the wild on foot. For him, the magic lies in simple moments – an unexpected sighting, a quiet walk, or the sounds of sunrise. “There’s something special about sharing those everyday experiences with guests. I’m excited for the season ahead at Kavinga.”

Conscious Ngandu

Learner Guide

Born and raised on the edge of Hwange National Park, Conscious grew up in Dete village and studied in Victoria Falls, surrounded by wildlife from an early age. It was this upbringing that first sparked a deep love of the bush. He earned his learner guide’s licence in 2020 and began a career in the safari industry, gaining valuable experience in Zambezi National Park, Hwange, and now at Kavinga. With a special interest in birding and tracking, Conscious relishes every aspect of life in the wild and remains endlessly curious, always eager to learn more about the natural world.

Charles Kadazviyo

Front of House

Charles is one of our longest standing team members, having joined us in 2015. Never without a smile, Charles loves welcoming guests to camp and helping behind the bar. He’s also responsible for our lovely dinner table decorations. After starting as a room hand and in the laundry, Charles took it upon himself to go on a hotel management course. He was promoted to front of house in 2023, which he says is one of his proudest moments working at Kavinga.

Owen Itai Lati

Chef

Owen joined the Kavinga team in 2021 as a kitchen porter. From never having cooked before (he previously sold second-hand clothes at Mbare market), Owen has developed into an extremely proficient chef. He enjoys baking – we enjoy his baking too! – and his favourite dish is fish and chips.

Forget Chingwaru

Chef

With a career in hospitality spanning back to 1989, Forget brings a wealth of experience and passion to Kavinga. Over the years he has worked as a chef, kitchen supervisor, and outlet manager, honing both his culinary skills and his leadership in the kitchen. Armed with a diploma in business administration, specialising in hotel and catering, Forget combines professional knowledge with a genuine love for food. He thrives on challenges and takes pride in creating meals that guests love.

Joseph Gunyungu

Chef

He began his culinary journey in 2005 after initially working as a waiter. Starting out at Ingwe Camp, he spent time at various other safari camps, gaining experience and refining his skills along the way. Most recently, he was based at Shamashanga. He is passionate about all aspects of cooking, and enjoys preparing a wide variety of dishes.

Godfrey Mpofu

Front of House

Godfrey joined the Kavinga in 2021, starting out as a housekeeper before going on to work across the camp, from the kitchen to front of house. Before Kavinga, he worked at Pumba Safari Lodge in Gokwe and Kariba Tamarind Lodges, and later joined African Bush Camps at Nyamatusi in Mana Pools as a housekeeper. Godfrey is grateful for the chance to learn so many roles at Kavinga and takes real pride in giving Kavinga’s guests the best possible experience.

Tom Miyozi

Cook

Silas Guzure

Kitchen Porter

Edward Nyamazana

Housekeeping

Daniel Tambureni

Housekeeping

Luxon Bonga

Workshop and maintenance

Courage Matesanwa

Workshop and maintenance

Gilbert Chivavura

Maintenance

Kimi White

Bookings manager

Kimi grew up in Zimbabwe, and her love for the bush and its wildlife has been with her for as long as she can remember. She’s passionate about sharing the beauty of Zimbabwe’s hidden gem — and she brings that passion and a whole lot of industry experience to Kavinga.

Kimi’s attention to detail, warm approach, and love for the wild make her the perfect person to help you plan your stay with us – whether it’s your first visit or your fifth!

In memoriam

We were all saddened by the passing of Patrick in 2023 after a short illness.

Patrick first joined Kavinga in 2009, back when we were operating mobile safaris at Chitake and along the Zambezi River. He was with us from the start of Kavinga Safari Camp as we know it today, cooking delicious meals for the team building the camp.

Many of our guests knew Patrick, and if they didn’t meet him in person, they would have tasted some of his amazing food. Patrick loved the bush and worked tirelessly to produce delicious meals for our guests. He is missed by us all and we’re grateful for his years of dedicated service. Thank you, Patrick.

Patrick Damba, In Memoriam, Chef at Kavinga Safari Camp

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