We are the Dusty Family – and we are very excited to bring you closer to what is deep in our hearts: Namibia!
Who are the people behind the scenes making your safari dreams come true? Let us make you discover the Dusty Trails Safaris team.
The entire Dusty team consists of Namibia enthusiasts who were either born and raised here, live in the country or have fallen hopelessly in love with the country on one of our many trips. Each of us has gathered our own experiences and preferences during our time and adventures in Namibia. And it is on this basis that we design your perfect safari!
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!
Browse our Offerings
Trips to Namibia & Botswana
Exploring cultures in north-west Namibia
Exploring cultures in north-west Namibia - an unforgettable trip trough different landscapes and wildlife. This trip being enjoyed in the same manner as the local people would do - camping. This trip offers a good mixture in between classic Namibian travel destinations as well as the chance to discover the beauty of the bush in silence and peace.
Destinations: Spitzkoppe, Damaraland, Kaokoland, Etosha
Golf Tour Namibia
Have you ever considered Namibia as your next golf vacation destination? If not, you SHOULD - and here is why. During the next few weeks, we will share the top eight golf courses Namibia has to offer, including must do attractions in each location.
Golf Tour Namibia: 10 days lodging group trip through some top spots of Namibia including your special Golfing experience!
Luxury Fishing Adventure
You like fishing? What about fishing in Namibia?
Get yourself ready for some real big fish!
Enter the rough shores of the Namibian Skeleton Coast and enjoy a very special fishing experience. Rounded up with all enjoyments of a luxury lodge at nights.
Namibia Luxury Fishing Adventure: 8 Days group trip around Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay full of fishing fun.
Namibia and Botswana Wildlife Adventures
18 days camping safari through Namibia and Botswana packed with wildlife adventures.
This trip combines popular places and national parks in Botswana and Namibia with gorgeous spots in highly off grid bush areas.
Destinations: Windhoek, Ghanzi, Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti - Chobe National Park, Chobe River Front, Kasane Forest Reserve, Kwando River, Divundu, Khaudum National Park and Kalahari North
Browse our Rental Car fleet
Safari 8 Seater / Overlander
We offer different Safari 8 Seater / Overlander cars to perfectly fit small group tours. Each of them is a custom rebuild to turn normal single cab pickup into a comfortable, light weight car to fit 8 people.
The custom platform is made for good travelling comfort and perfect view on safari tours. Very popular for family trips!
Safari 10 Seater / Overlander Truck (C1)
We offer different Safari 10 Seater / Overlander cars to perfectly fit small group tours. Each of them is a custom rebuild to turn normal single cab pickup into a comfortable, light weight car to fit 10 people.
The custom platform is made for good travelling comfort and perfect view on safari tours. Very popular for family trips!
Keep Attention: due to its weight a C1 (small truck) license is required!
Safari 10 Seater / Overlander
We offer different Safari 10 Seater / Overlander cars to perfectly fit small group tours. Each of them is a custom rebuild to turn normal single cab pickup into a comfortable, light weight car to fit 10 people.
The custom platform is made for good travelling comfort and perfect view on safari tours. Very popular for family trips!
Luxury SUV Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series
The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 is to most modern and luxury car in our fleet. Get a real 4x4 car but with the full comfort of a modern SUV - that way even off-road driving can be smooth and comfortable. Besides the different conveniences of the car it is also ideal when travelling with your family since there is room for up to 7 people.