Behind the scenes – The Dusty Family

The Boss in Charge

Herman is the Managing Member of Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia and Dusty Car Hire based in Windhoek. He is  living his dream by letting people explore his homeland – Namibia. He runs Dusty Trails with all his heart, soul and experience gained over the last 50 years. He has grown up in the country and explored it, sometimes even among the animals and bushmen. He is fluent in Afrikaans, English and speaks a good amount of German and Hebrew.

The founding story is a family story

It was his parents who spent their life to help the local bushmen and other African tribes founding the origins of Dusty Trails Safaris. Initially it was Herman Senior and his wife Elna who would take some sponsors around Namibia to see what their money had been used for in the wild tribes. His heart and soul are with the Bushmen and the nature of Namibia. Herman Senior can tell you all about the Namibian stars in the sky.

With Herman slowly taking over, he first started doing small safari trips with only a few people. Mostly friends he knew who would be crazy enough to sleep under the stars and live without running water for a few days. From these first small groups and trips, he decided to start his real small family driven safari business.

Some of those friends Herman had met during his past work experience. And since their love and passion for Namibia, its wildlife, flora and fauna as well as culture is as big, they would join and support him on his way to start his business. This way Herman made his dream come true – slowly but steadily.

The organizational heroes – our Swakopmund Booking Office Team

It is those friends and Namibia lovers who build the team around Herman. His most important people are the colleagues based in Swakopmund.

Carlien is General Manager of Dusty Trails Safaris. She studied Tourism and has been working in the Tourism industry for over 20 years now. She is a born and bred Namibian. Carlien loves the outdoors as well as Rock n Surf Fishing. She is one of Namibia’s champions in fishing! So if you are keen to go fishing at the right spots and learn from a pro, make sure to have her around. She is fluent in Afrikaans and English and as well understands a great amount of German.

Carlien together with Leonie and Kyla will be doing all the organisation around your trip from our office in Swakopmund. They will find you the best route, lovely places to camp or lodge and indicate the most spectacular places not to miss during your safari tour.

Always supporting your dream trip – The Windhoek Operations Team

Next on the team is Given. He is your local guide based in Windhoek – a real born Herero! He will make sure you get your car and equipment,  get picked up at the airport or transferred back. But you might as well book him to be your personal guide during your safari trip. 

So if you want to benefit from a well-trained pair of eyes that will show you the beauty of the country. Besides, he will take care of your needs throughout the trip – be it food or organisation. He speaks fluent Afrikaans and English.

Quite new to the team is Herman Junior. He is managing our rental car fleet. This means he will make sure you get a freshly checked and maintained car. His work happens mainly in the background, not visible to our customers. But every car and trailer we add to our fleet needs to get their street licence as well as maintenance.

Spreading the love to the world – Our Representatives

Next to our team based in Namibia,  we do have some members working from across Europe.

Let us start with our two German guys who were in the beginning crazy enough to join Herman on his very first own safari trip.

Sunna is one of our German representatives. She has travelled the African countries for many years – and lost her heart to this continent. She is happy to share her passion with you to help you find and enjoy your perfect vacation. With her on your trip you will always get some nice cooked dinner – making you discover some specialities she has endeavoured on one of her many trips around the world. Sunna is fluent in German, English and French. She is today doing all of the Social Media and supports with foreign customers wherever required. 

Martin is the other German representative. He has spent the last few years exploring Namibia and Botswana – and lost his heart along the way. He is the “handy man” on every trip – with him around you don’t have to worry about fire, breakfast or any things that need fixing. When not in Namibia,  Martin is making sure our website is up and running.

We do have Axel who is our Scandinavia representative. He has traveled the country of Namibia and many of its beautiful places extensively over the past few years, so he can easily help you find the best trip to fit your needs. He is fluent in Norwegian, English and German.

This is us making your dream trips come true

All of us together, we aim to make you discover the beauty of Namibia! Wherever possible we aim to fulfill any of your dreams and wishes. We want to assure you spend your dream vacation with Dusty Trails Safaris and fall into love with this beautiful country: Namibia!